Adventure Gamers - Forums

Casual Friday

Adam Wolfe is a series about a paranormal detective whose sister disappeared two years ago. He’s been searching for her ever since. Recently, Adam started to investigate a series of fires in his hometown of San Francisco, and this causes him to stumble across a mysterious cabal – a group with ancient knowledge and supernatural abilities. Members of the cabal begin dying – perfectly ordinary for mortals, but in this case odd, since each member has been alive for centuries. As Adam tries to figure out who (or what) is behind the fires, and learns more about the cabal, his life is also increasingly in danger.

This is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure by Mad Head Games that focuses on story and puzzles with only occasional HO screens. One feature I particularly enjoyed is called Intense Focus. This allows you to search for clues in the environment, and then requires you to place them in order before the chief clue is revealed. The story pace is much faster and more action-packed than is common in HO games.

The series includes four episodes. You can purchase the season pass on Steam, or you can buy the game in two gulps on Big Fish – Adam Wolfe: Flames of Time (episodes 1 and 2) and Adam Wolfe: Blood of Eternity (episodes 3 and 4). I’ve finished the first episode and am looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.

I just finished episodes 1-4. I enjoyed them very much and as Becky says, the story is fast paced and action-packed. What it is not is puzzle heavy. There are puzzles of the Mad Head Games sort but they are not very difficult and a number are just excuses to click your mouse. The atmosphere, a bit noirish with a paranormal twist, is great and the story is strong.

I agree that the puzzles in episode 1 are on the easy side. I don’t think that’s necessarily a drawback. Loading the game up with difficult puzzles automatically slows the pace. I think this is a game where the story is supposed to unfold rather speedily.

Personally (and I know there are plenty of people who will disagree with me) I don’t want every game to contain lots of head-scratching puzzles. Lately I’ve been playing games with tough puzzles (Obduction and Haven Moon, for example). It’s rather nice to take a break from that with Adam Wolfe and try something with an intense story where the puzzles go easy on me.

I like variety.

I don’t think the easier puzzles in this game are necessarily a drawback. I just wanted to mention it so anyone who is primarily interested in the puzzles would know what they are getting.

Tim, I would say that two episodes would be one game lengthwise. They are sold that way at Big Fish, that is how I played them and it worked out about right.

Tim—I didn’t time it, but looking back, I think episode 1 took me about 2 hours to complete.

Thanks furgotten—good point re: the importance of describing puzzle difficulty to those who might be thinking of playing.

Thanks Becky, I’m tempted to try the demo! 

It’s on sale for $9.99 for all four episodes during the Steam Winter Sale.

Though now that I look closely, the Winter Sale lasts only about six hours more. Act fast? 

Hi Mike—I’m not quite sure what a season pass covers. Might it be what you buy if you purchase the first episode, decide you like the series, and then want the final 3 episodes?

The Steam Winter Sale opportunity is gone - but you can get all the episodes (plus some other things) for $6 as part of this Holiday Helpings bundle from Groupees.