Death Pages: Ghost Library

Death Pages: Ghost Library
by Elephant Games - January, 2012

Available at:
Big Fish for PC as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition
Big Fish for Mac as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition
iWin as Collector's Edition /




You come to the city library to investigate the case of three teenagers gone missing. It turns out that the former owner of the library, the Alchemist, kidnapped the souls of three readers and plantedthem in the book “Romeo and Juliet”. They are to live the lives of the main heroes but you can stop the tragic ending! Wander the gloomy halls of the library, travel to the medieval streets of Verona, discover the Alchemist's insidious plan and save the children!

The Collector’s Edition includes:

• Chance to wander Shakespearean Verona
  
• Engaging storyline
  
• Amazing art
  
• Bonus materials
  

For the Standard Edition:

• Strategy Guide
  
• Blog Walkthrough (Big Fish)
  

Click images to enlarge

The Emperor Has No Clothes!
  

BASED ON COMPLETED GAME

I feel like that kid who was the only one to speak the truth, surrounded as I am by glowing tributes to another great Elephant triumph. If ever there was a game where the demo reviews should be ignored, it’s this one. Only playing the whole game and using an objective approach can get at the truth, which, sadly, is that Elephant GOOFED on this one.

There are 50 RAVE REVIEWS based on the demo you can read to get all the great stuff in this game (REAL OR IMAGINED), so I’ll concentrate on what went wrong.

The first issue is the total hash they made of an EXCELLENT STORY. The Alchemist and his admittedly well drawn EVIL PUPPET just pop up anywhere and grin sadistically without having any real role to play in the plot. Certainly, there is NO EXPLANATION for either the puppet or the Alchemist’s actions in the MAIN GAME. In the BONUS CHAPTER a very dodgy explanation is given that doesn’t come close to ringing true.

Then there’s the BOOKS. Why have we more than one at all, seeing we only visit “Romeo and Juliet”? And where does the weird life these books have come from and why. They don’t even represent 4 elements or something. Just randomly created magical books of unknown origin. And the same goes for the magical knight. What’s HE got to do with the story? And the ice hall, with a ski lift? Huh?

It’s as if the developers created the main game, decided it wasn’t “imaginary” enough, and threw in a few ideas that seemed like fun.

Then there’s the SPECTACULAR GRAPHICS which, like the emperor’s new clothes, can’t be seen. In this case because, despite the gorgeous and Elizabethan colours used, the ENTIRE GAME was TOO DARK. I know the medieval era didn’t have electricity, but what about some MORE CANDLES?

Finally, there’s the most heinous crime possible. The Elephant name was always a GUARANTEE OF QUALITY, I thought. Not anymore. There were errors and inconsistencies all over the place. Particularly with that WONDERFUL 3D MAP. Some code appeared instead of tasks. Tasks were indicated as active long after they were completed. There were tasks incorrectly stated, e.g. take the amulet from the Alchemist sarcophagus, when it was in Julie’s. Others never made it as tasks at all. And the boyfriend went from wearing glasses to not intermittently – while unconscious.

Such a promising story, starting out as a fun and beautiful game...

Maybe I should have realised that something was up when the intro (usually a special treat with Elephant Games) seemed so unfinished, cut short, and just plain sloppy.

I Don't Recommend This Game!