Brink of Consciousness 1: Dorian Gray Syndrome

Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome
by MagicIndie

Series links:  Brink of Consciousness 1: Dorian Gray Syndrome, Brink of Consciousness 2: The Lonely Hearts Murders

Available from:
Alawar Collector's Edition / Standard Edition
Big Fish for PC as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition
Big Fish for Mac as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition
GameHouse Platinum Edition / Standard Edition
Steam as Collector's Edition



Help Sam Wilde rescue his love Anna in Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome, an incredible Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game! Sam’s every move is being tracked so he has to be extra careful. Putting his journalistic talents to the test, Sam must find the maniac who has kidnapped Anna, and stop him before it’s too late. Explore gorgeous locations and solve tricky puzzles in Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome!

The Collector’s Edition includes:

• Bonus gameplay
  
• Interview with the developers
  
• Concept art
  

Standard Edition:

• Strategy Guide
  
• Blog Walkthrough (Big Fish)
  

Click images to enlarge
   

Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome (IHOG)

This game is made by MagicIndie Softworks, and it's quickly becoming a new favorite developer for me.

We have bunches of options on this game, with separate sliders for music, voices, sound effects, and environment, plus options for full-screen, wide-screen, custom cursor, and film grain. Nice! You can also add on a choice between regular and expert mode.

The first thing you see when you enter the game is a note mentioning that for best results, to play with the sound ON. The music is really outstanding, and there's a nice chill effect from the intermittent taunting we receive from the antagonist when the sound is on.

We have a journal that nicely rounds out the story, as well as a separate, easily-accessible MAP which shows us where we are, where there are active areas, where we need to do a puzzle, etc. Even with the help of the map, this is not a game that you can walk away from for long periods of time - there are just too many locations, and too many things that need to be remembered.

The HINT button is refillable, and if used during the adventure portion of gameplay, will either highlight where we need to look, or tell us there's nothing to do (in that location) at the moment. Using a hint during a HOS will ask you which hidden object you'd like to find.

Hidden object scenes are well-spaced, and naturally-cluttered. No ballerinas floating in the sky on this game! There is some light interaction during the HOS - enough to keep it interesting. There is NO mis-click penalty.

Mini-puzzles are nicely tied in to the story, and instructions are not forced on you. If you want to know how the puzzle is done, there's a "?" in the top left of the scene that will give you instructions.

Gameplay is pretty linear in the beginning, but it's not long before things start to become more challenging. There's quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing in the game, and if you get to a point where you're not sure what to do, try retracing your steps (or just check the map to see where you might have missed something *giggle*)

The inventory bar is retractable, giving us a better view of the beautifully done graphics. There are times when just moving your mouse over the scene will cause a reaction. Just one of those little touches that really adds to the atmosphere of the game.

WARNING: I did not notice any spiders (how unusual!) in this game, but there is a snake to deal with. It's not bad at all, in my opinion, but then, I'm not afraid of snakes

This is a gorgeous game, deeply immersive, and with a very twisted (and interesting) storyline. The very highest quality in every way, I would say that this game is superb, and one of the best I've played. I'm excited that the new Brink of Consciousness is due soon - can't wait!

CE Content:

Integrated strategy guide
The strategy guide is very clear, and will stay open to the page you leave it on.

Bonus chapter
The main game had a very satisfying ending, and the bonus chapter continues the story three months later. There are 15 locations, plus two hidden object scenes (each of which you will play twice.)

12 musical tracks, which you can download to your computer
This is one of the rare soundtracks that I hoped would be included in the game, so I'm very happy to see this!

Concept art
Always interesting to see!

5 Wallpapers
Two scenes from the game, plus three specially-made wallpapers

"Unknown Oscar"
Very funny! 10 caricatures of Oscar out in the world

Interview with the Developer
The interview is subtitled, since the devs are Russian, and lasts for 10 minutes! There's some interesting stuff in there, but it's good that the extra content is locked until after you finish the main game -- towards the end of the interview, you get some spoilers!

Awesome, awesome game, and SO glad to have the CE version!

WOW! After your review of this game, genkicoll, I'm embarrassed to even show my paltry effort!
But thank you for such an in depth report on the CE contents, I have been thinking of upgrading, and now I will.

Top Quality Game  


BASED ON COMPLETED GAME

This is an elegantly designed, superior game, serious and challenging, with a disturbing story aimed at grownups.

For me, it is its atmosphere that makes this game. The quality of the visuals is exceptional throughout. The interactive HO scenes are clear and relatively easy, though they play with the lighting a bit. Watch for some interesting uses of light to add realism.

Oscar’s voice actor gives an award-winning performance and just gets creepier and more oppressive. You, on the other hand, have only a range of grunts, sighs and coughs for expressing yourself. Along with a subtle but effective musical score, this game’s sound is at least as important as the visuals in creating a truly chilling atmosphere.

Overall, the game is not easy. Despite an excellent interactive (not jump) map, just getting around the enormous mansion is tricky. There are a lot of puzzles and some of them are quite difficult.

I recommend this game!

Wow, thanks for the praise, Justie!  These games aren't loved by everyone, but I am absolutely enamored with this series.

I totally agree! This is one of the best games I've ever had the pleasure of playing.