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By pennmom36:
Best Game Of The Year So Far!
Hold on to your computer chair folks, yep, it's epic! There are millions of evil red eyed crows attacking everything that moves so if you have a phobia, close your eyes! Everyone else keep your eyes wide open and hang on to your mouse. (it will help trust me) This is one of the most professional and thought out games I have seen in a long time, they have paid so much attention to detail. There are 33 hidden squirrels to find as well as 9 collectible statues, and a bunch of achievements to earn such as finishing a mini game without reading instructions. The HOS are progressive finds, you find the first item which is then used to find the next object as so forth. Most of the mini games are actually within the HOS, small puzzles within that require you to open discs and match identical pairs for example. I can't think of a single complaint, this is my favorite genre, the graphics are some of the best I've seen and there are so many activities in each scene that surely you won't get bored, enjoy!
by JustTheFacts :
Excellent Game, Unique In Parts
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Mystery Of The Ancients has been a pleasant series, with a couple of good 4 star games. Three Guardians is a sure-fire 5 star hit. From the exciting and beautiful opening sequences (both the one before and after the main menu), we are in for something absolutely excellent.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are wonderful. The cut scenes some of the best I’ve seen, and the one after the main menu gets my vote for the best of its kind ever. Throughout, the visuals are beautifully crafted and distinctive, clear and bright in the HOPs. This is a fairly dark themed game, but the colours are there to produce a splendid show. There is plenty of movement and the animation is done very well.
The voices are just fabulous. No attempt has been made at lip synch, but the acting is good, the voice very much a part of the character it represents. The background sounds are fairly unobtrusive, and the music is much the same.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Your niece calls you for help. She is trapped in a town besieged by ravens, and a sinister man in a raven feather coat. Her boyfriend disappeared after the ravens attacked him, and others have gone missing as well. On your (extremely dramatic) arrival, you find a virtual ghost town, the only people in sight disappearing before your eyes beneath the ravens. There is dark magic around, and you don’t know how you are going to counter it, but so far, being handy with a gun has helped! A broken amulet finds its way into your possession, and you find something you can use to defend yourself – if only you can find all the missing crystals.
GAMEPLAY
So far, the HOPs in the demo are a variation of the progressive silhouette style, with grey scale pix rather than silhouettes. Each has an easy puzzle to complete within them. They are fun rather than challenging. I can remember only a couple of mini-game outside these HOPs, although there are of course the usual locks and codes around. Something that I can’t define as mini-game or puzzle, a diorama that you must move along by choosing the correct (exceedingly obvious) objects, begins the tale of the origin of the Three Guardians.
The journal is unique. It offers only character cards, which are added to as you gain information, and replayable videos. It will be interesting to see how that works out. The map is an interactive jump map, and hint is directional. So you have help for the many little errands you must run to get the items you need. This adventure component represents a larger portion of the game than other recent games have offered, but it is not difficult. There are 3 sets of difficulty options if you want a tougher challenge.
Finding pieces of the amulet increases your powers of magic in breaking down magic barriers and defending yourself against minions. One mini-game is associated with the amulet and crystals. To charge them, you must play 3 align-the-stars puzzles. These are easier than it normally is. And fun!
CE BLING!
There are 33 adorable squirrels to collect, plus 20 jigsaw pieces and 9 character figurines. These have achievements associated with them, as well as performance based ones. There is also an achievement where you must answer a simple question from the game. Each achievement gets you a piece of fresco and if you get all the achievements you can put together the final fresco to win the “ultimate” achievement.
There is a lot of concept art, very very good, and unfortunately not saveable. There are also some excellent wallpapers, and music. Heavy on the collectibles but a bit light on in the other standard CE bling! Of course, there is a bonus chapter and an in-game strategy guide.
COMBINED IMPACT
A very impressive game. The delightful artwork is combined with not-quite standard gameplay, it is relaxing and fun, and the story is intriguing. The whole package is so professionally done, I just want to sit and admire. *goofy grin*
By biscuitsmama:
Mystery of the Ancients Three Guardians - Best Game in the Series
In the prologue to the game your niece Elena is on an outing in the forest with her boyfriend Stephen. Just as he is about to propose, something interrupts the moment and Stephen rushes off to find out what is going on. Elena, left alone in the forest surrounded by menacing crows and something even worse, picks up a rifle to fight off the attacking birds as the cutscene ends. As the game begins you have received a phone call from Elena telling you that Stephen has disappeared and she needs your help to find him. Being the wonderful aunt that you are you rush to help but just as your train arrives at the station in Green Hill it crashes into the station and this is where your adventure begins. Will you be able to find Elena and Stephen and solve the mystery of what is happening in Green Hill?
From the minute we open the game and see the very first video we know that this is a game from one of the top-notch game developers and that we are in for a treat. The graphics are excellent with wonderful hand-drawn artwork and liberal use of color. The voice overs are extremely well done, well at least most of them. I have to comment though that although the setting and overall feel of the game screams European village, it is very strange to hear the village sheriff speak with a distinct southern drawl. Even with that, bit of oddity though the voices are excellent and I particularly love the one that sounds like one of my favorite actors, James Earl Jones. The rest of the sound package with the music and ambient effects is excellent.
The iHOS are silhouette and list type, with the silhouette ones being done in a grayish tone with clear depiction of the item to be found. The other great thing about the HOS is that they all have one or more mini-puzzles that must be solved to find some of the items. The mini puzzles outside of the HOS are fun and not too challenging but be warned that some are quite tricky.
You have the standard set of tools consisting of a diary and an interactive map but the diary is a bit different than usual. The diary seems to be made up of character cards and video clips that provide information as you travel through the game. In addition you also have an amulet that will bestow some magical powers that will assist you on your adventure. As needed, the amulet will be charged with energy by finding its components and by performing certain actions that will enhance its power.
In the CE you have collectibles to find and achievements to earn. As far as the collectibles we have puzzle pieces, statuettes and squirrels. The puzzle pieces will presumably be used at some point later in the game or bonus section.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable game with an interesting story line and wonderful gameplay. IMHO, this developer always rises to the challenge and presents us with some of the best games in the HOPA genre, and this sequel to the Mystery of the Ancients is no exception. Although I loved the second game in the series, I find that this one is even better with a story line that held my interest from the beginning and only got better as the game progressed and for me it was an instant purchase. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if Mystery of the Ancients Three Guardians is a game you will enjoy.
Best Game Of The Year So Far!
Hold on to your computer chair folks, yep, it's epic! There are millions of evil red eyed crows attacking everything that moves so if you have a phobia, close your eyes! Everyone else keep your eyes wide open and hang on to your mouse. (it will help trust me) This is one of the most professional and thought out games I have seen in a long time, they have paid so much attention to detail. There are 33 hidden squirrels to find as well as 9 collectible statues, and a bunch of achievements to earn such as finishing a mini game without reading instructions. The HOS are progressive finds, you find the first item which is then used to find the next object as so forth. Most of the mini games are actually within the HOS, small puzzles within that require you to open discs and match identical pairs for example. I can't think of a single complaint, this is my favorite genre, the graphics are some of the best I've seen and there are so many activities in each scene that surely you won't get bored, enjoy!
by JustTheFacts :
Excellent Game, Unique In Parts
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Mystery Of The Ancients has been a pleasant series, with a couple of good 4 star games. Three Guardians is a sure-fire 5 star hit. From the exciting and beautiful opening sequences (both the one before and after the main menu), we are in for something absolutely excellent.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are wonderful. The cut scenes some of the best I’ve seen, and the one after the main menu gets my vote for the best of its kind ever. Throughout, the visuals are beautifully crafted and distinctive, clear and bright in the HOPs. This is a fairly dark themed game, but the colours are there to produce a splendid show. There is plenty of movement and the animation is done very well.
The voices are just fabulous. No attempt has been made at lip synch, but the acting is good, the voice very much a part of the character it represents. The background sounds are fairly unobtrusive, and the music is much the same.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Your niece calls you for help. She is trapped in a town besieged by ravens, and a sinister man in a raven feather coat. Her boyfriend disappeared after the ravens attacked him, and others have gone missing as well. On your (extremely dramatic) arrival, you find a virtual ghost town, the only people in sight disappearing before your eyes beneath the ravens. There is dark magic around, and you don’t know how you are going to counter it, but so far, being handy with a gun has helped! A broken amulet finds its way into your possession, and you find something you can use to defend yourself – if only you can find all the missing crystals.
GAMEPLAY
So far, the HOPs in the demo are a variation of the progressive silhouette style, with grey scale pix rather than silhouettes. Each has an easy puzzle to complete within them. They are fun rather than challenging. I can remember only a couple of mini-game outside these HOPs, although there are of course the usual locks and codes around. Something that I can’t define as mini-game or puzzle, a diorama that you must move along by choosing the correct (exceedingly obvious) objects, begins the tale of the origin of the Three Guardians.
The journal is unique. It offers only character cards, which are added to as you gain information, and replayable videos. It will be interesting to see how that works out. The map is an interactive jump map, and hint is directional. So you have help for the many little errands you must run to get the items you need. This adventure component represents a larger portion of the game than other recent games have offered, but it is not difficult. There are 3 sets of difficulty options if you want a tougher challenge.
Finding pieces of the amulet increases your powers of magic in breaking down magic barriers and defending yourself against minions. One mini-game is associated with the amulet and crystals. To charge them, you must play 3 align-the-stars puzzles. These are easier than it normally is. And fun!
CE BLING!
There are 33 adorable squirrels to collect, plus 20 jigsaw pieces and 9 character figurines. These have achievements associated with them, as well as performance based ones. There is also an achievement where you must answer a simple question from the game. Each achievement gets you a piece of fresco and if you get all the achievements you can put together the final fresco to win the “ultimate” achievement.
There is a lot of concept art, very very good, and unfortunately not saveable. There are also some excellent wallpapers, and music. Heavy on the collectibles but a bit light on in the other standard CE bling! Of course, there is a bonus chapter and an in-game strategy guide.
COMBINED IMPACT
A very impressive game. The delightful artwork is combined with not-quite standard gameplay, it is relaxing and fun, and the story is intriguing. The whole package is so professionally done, I just want to sit and admire. *goofy grin*
By biscuitsmama:
Mystery of the Ancients Three Guardians - Best Game in the Series
In the prologue to the game your niece Elena is on an outing in the forest with her boyfriend Stephen. Just as he is about to propose, something interrupts the moment and Stephen rushes off to find out what is going on. Elena, left alone in the forest surrounded by menacing crows and something even worse, picks up a rifle to fight off the attacking birds as the cutscene ends. As the game begins you have received a phone call from Elena telling you that Stephen has disappeared and she needs your help to find him. Being the wonderful aunt that you are you rush to help but just as your train arrives at the station in Green Hill it crashes into the station and this is where your adventure begins. Will you be able to find Elena and Stephen and solve the mystery of what is happening in Green Hill?
From the minute we open the game and see the very first video we know that this is a game from one of the top-notch game developers and that we are in for a treat. The graphics are excellent with wonderful hand-drawn artwork and liberal use of color. The voice overs are extremely well done, well at least most of them. I have to comment though that although the setting and overall feel of the game screams European village, it is very strange to hear the village sheriff speak with a distinct southern drawl. Even with that, bit of oddity though the voices are excellent and I particularly love the one that sounds like one of my favorite actors, James Earl Jones. The rest of the sound package with the music and ambient effects is excellent.
The iHOS are silhouette and list type, with the silhouette ones being done in a grayish tone with clear depiction of the item to be found. The other great thing about the HOS is that they all have one or more mini-puzzles that must be solved to find some of the items. The mini puzzles outside of the HOS are fun and not too challenging but be warned that some are quite tricky.
You have the standard set of tools consisting of a diary and an interactive map but the diary is a bit different than usual. The diary seems to be made up of character cards and video clips that provide information as you travel through the game. In addition you also have an amulet that will bestow some magical powers that will assist you on your adventure. As needed, the amulet will be charged with energy by finding its components and by performing certain actions that will enhance its power.
In the CE you have collectibles to find and achievements to earn. As far as the collectibles we have puzzle pieces, statuettes and squirrels. The puzzle pieces will presumably be used at some point later in the game or bonus section.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable game with an interesting story line and wonderful gameplay. IMHO, this developer always rises to the challenge and presents us with some of the best games in the HOPA genre, and this sequel to the Mystery of the Ancients is no exception. Although I loved the second game in the series, I find that this one is even better with a story line that held my interest from the beginning and only got better as the game progressed and for me it was an instant purchase. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if Mystery of the Ancients Three Guardians is a game you will enjoy.
