Myths of the World 3: Spirit Wolf

Myths of the World: Spirit Wolf
by Eipix Entertainment - January, 2014

Series links:  Myths of the World 1: Chinese Healer, Myths of the World 2: Stolen Spring, Myths of the World 3: Spirit Wolf, Myths of the World 4: Of Fiends and Fairies, Myths of the World 5: Black Rose, Myths of the World 6: The Heart of Desolation, Myths of the World 7: The Whispering Marsh, Myths of the World 8: Born of Clay and Fire, Myths of the World 9: Island of Forgotten Evil, Myths of the World 10: Bound by the Stone, Myths of the World 11: The Black Sun, Myths of the World 12: Fire of Olympus

Available at:
Big Fish as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition



The wolf spirit still haunts… will you heed its call?

You’re an expert in Native American symbolism who’s been called to investigate some glowing glyphs. Your amulet, which has been in your family for generations, begins to glow as soon as you arrive, as if it’s part of this place…

As you begin to investigate, you encounter strange ghosts from the past. Find out what caused their rift all those generations ago and how you’re connected to this place and its spirit.

The Collector’s Edition includes:

• Break the symbol barriers using your interactive amulet
  
• Play the bonus game to unlock your amulet’s secrets
  
• Get soundtracks, wallpapers, screensavers, and concept art
  
• Try the available Strategy Guide
  

For the Standard Edition

• Strategy Guide
  
• Walkthrough (Big Fish)
  

Click images to enlarge
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Another Splendid Adventure
   

BASED ON DEMO

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Okay, it’s official. Eipix is now my absolute favourite developer. And this is one of my favourite series. But, while I love it, this game is not their best. We begin with our admittedly grandiose narrator reminding us of “the enduring power of myth”, which is fine, and then off we go for an adventure in North America.

SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Gorgeous of course, both in quality and art. Crisp clean graphics, brought to life with great animation. The spirit wolf is stunning. The locations and close ups are as spectacular as you’d expect. I was disappointed with the cut scenes, though. I thought they were markedly lacking in clarity. Sometimes I wasn’t even sure what I was seeing. What’s that all about, guys?

Music and ambient sounds were great. Very appropriate to the story and varied enough to be interesting without getting in the way. Except for a really annoying humming sound in a couple of locations. Probably belonged there, though, and I just don’t know the meaning. Voiceovers are excellent, and the acting was also good.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Your friend runs a Native American cultural exhibit, and when he comes across some weird symbols that have started glowing, he calls you in as the expert. Your family heirloom, an amulet, starts glowing as soon as you arrive. Ghosts come forth claiming that you are the one to help them, you begin to see connections with a legendary lost civilization, and a spirit wolf seems to be following you.

GAMEPLAY
The base gameplay is straightforward HOP, Puzzle, Adventure Lite. The HOPs (23) are interactive lists or silhouettes. You can opt to play a Bubble Popper* game as an alternative, or a bit of both. The Puzzles/Mini-games (23) are all doable and most are really very easy so far. Getting around and finding what to do is not hard, and is aided by an interactive jump map that tells you where you have tasks to do immediately. The hint is directional, and there’s a journal with basic information. So much for the standard stuff. As well...

You have a set of binoculars, which you use when the cursor changes, for, duh, seeing faraway things. It comes with a simple mini-game all its own. So does you amulet. It destroys magical barriers. You need to find the pieces of the amulet as you go, and complete a simple mini-game to make it work. Other (standard) features include: game timer, combining items in inventory, and 3 levels of difficulty plus a custom one.

CE BLING!
Well, it makes quite a list. Wallpapers (8), Concept Art, Movies, Music, Making Of, Bonus Game, Strategy Guide, and replayable HOPs and Mini-games. As well, there is a Souvenir game (common to other Eipix games), a Sun Path game (which my guess is finding all the sun runes you didn’t get in the game), and Collectibles and Achievements. The collectibles are sun runes, all the same, and easy to find. The achievements are the expected, and are dream catchers, housed in their own section.

COMBINED IMPACT
Despite my criticisms, I really loved this game. Its atmosphere is lovely and all new to me, so I found HOPs especially fun and a little more challenging. I also love that the mini-games are not too hard. I am an experienced player, but there are still always puzzles I just can’t get. Eipix make the best quality games while not over-burdening my poor brain.

I Recommend This Game!

* Not the same Bubble Popper as in Amaranthine Voyage 2