Challenging while developing skills
Normally, the puzzle / adventure style games held no interest for me. Prefer strategy and some action. With the upgrade to Windows 10 and taking the magazine in new directions, figured why not try out a lot of new games. Especially with the amount of free games available for Windows 10. Browsing through the categories, the title of this game caught my attention. After starting it, I realized this genre is very important to developing one or two skills also. These skills are important in life as well as games. I will get to that at the end of the review. Time for the actual game part.
I was already familiar with this type of game. Used to like them a long time ago. Skipped the tutorial and jumped right into it. I love a game, no matter the genre, with a great story. The Secret Society easily fills that requirement with one exception: a lot of repetition.
After the first several quests, you can pretty much skip a lot of the one / two line parts of the story. They only tell you a piece is missing and hints show you where to find it. If you do find this part a little boring, it makes the game go a little faster.
This game is combination of hidden object and special puzzles such as a memory game (later on in the game). The hidden object part starts off easy with a steady difficulty progression. In other words, the difficulty level increases at a consistent pace vs. jumping suddenly. Another aspect I love because it allows you to get used to new aspects and features. Instead of having to figure them out and failing several times in the process. Don't get me wrong after the first few quests, you may start failing a few times, but this does not lower the fun factor.
I have to add this important safety / health note here: I know this may sound funny, but it is very serious. If you play this game for long periods of time, it will cause eye strain. When I installed it, played for several hours straight. From experience, I had to quit due to pressure in my eyes. All I could do was close them and not look at anything for a while.
Back to the game: This is not a short / simple hidden object game. There is a lot variety between the ways you can solve the hidden object quests. Plus, addition variety in non-hidden object games.
Before I wrap this one up, the "important skills for life part". I did not realize, until I started playing the "hidden object" part is great to increase your observation skills. I am no joking here. Until this game, I just looked at "hidden object" games that were kind of boring not my thing. Maybe it is because of being an author / journalist / owner of a magazine, The more I played this game, the more started looking at it from that aspect. The story / game play / etc. kind of slipped into the background. Time for the overall review / rating.
Overall rating: Double Excellent! Highly recommended for all ages.
Not matter what angle you play this game from, The Secret Society by G5 Games is definitely worth it! I was extremely impressed with the variety (mini games / ways to play "hidden object" part, etc.). The story is well written with a good mystery aspect. The guides along the way are also great, providing mini-tutorials when you get to a new part of the game.
The only down sides? The story can get a little repetitious at times. Especially when you have have to find the 3rd object for a collection. Plus, do not play this for several hours at a shot, it will start screwing with your eyes.
After my first experience in a long time, I will definitely try other Hidden Object / Puzzle / Adventure games. I do have a feeling that after a while the only part that changes is the story.
I was already familiar with this type of game. Used to like them a long time ago. Skipped the tutorial and jumped right into it. I love a game, no matter the genre, with a great story. The Secret Society easily fills that requirement with one exception: a lot of repetition.
After the first several quests, you can pretty much skip a lot of the one / two line parts of the story. They only tell you a piece is missing and hints show you where to find it. If you do find this part a little boring, it makes the game go a little faster.
This game is combination of hidden object and special puzzles such as a memory game (later on in the game). The hidden object part starts off easy with a steady difficulty progression. In other words, the difficulty level increases at a consistent pace vs. jumping suddenly. Another aspect I love because it allows you to get used to new aspects and features. Instead of having to figure them out and failing several times in the process. Don't get me wrong after the first few quests, you may start failing a few times, but this does not lower the fun factor.
I have to add this important safety / health note here: I know this may sound funny, but it is very serious. If you play this game for long periods of time, it will cause eye strain. When I installed it, played for several hours straight. From experience, I had to quit due to pressure in my eyes. All I could do was close them and not look at anything for a while.
Back to the game: This is not a short / simple hidden object game. There is a lot variety between the ways you can solve the hidden object quests. Plus, addition variety in non-hidden object games.
Before I wrap this one up, the "important skills for life part". I did not realize, until I started playing the "hidden object" part is great to increase your observation skills. I am no joking here. Until this game, I just looked at "hidden object" games that were kind of boring not my thing. Maybe it is because of being an author / journalist / owner of a magazine, The more I played this game, the more started looking at it from that aspect. The story / game play / etc. kind of slipped into the background. Time for the overall review / rating.
Overall rating: Double Excellent! Highly recommended for all ages.
Not matter what angle you play this game from, The Secret Society by G5 Games is definitely worth it! I was extremely impressed with the variety (mini games / ways to play "hidden object" part, etc.). The story is well written with a good mystery aspect. The guides along the way are also great, providing mini-tutorials when you get to a new part of the game.
The only down sides? The story can get a little repetitious at times. Especially when you have have to find the 3rd object for a collection. Plus, do not play this for several hours at a shot, it will start screwing with your eyes.
After my first experience in a long time, I will definitely try other Hidden Object / Puzzle / Adventure games. I do have a feeling that after a while the only part that changes is the story.
