Mysterium: Lake Bliss

Mysterium: Lake Bliss
by Big Top Games - December, 2013

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



Molly Huggins, a young bride-to-be, summons you to the beautiful resort town of Lake Bliss to find her missing groom. Is Tommy Drake seeing another woman, or is he the latest victim in a series of drownings plaguing the city? Be careful, or the siren's haunting melody may lure you into the dark waters next! Follow the clues, interview suspects, and uncover what's lurking along the shores of Lake Bliss in this intriguing hidden-object puzzle adventure game.

The Collector's Edition includes:

• Uncover the evil sleeping beneath Lake Bliss
  
• Reunite a bride with her groom
  
• Fun achievements to earn
  
• Concept art, soundtrack, wallpapers and movies
  

For the Standard Edition

• Strategy Guide
  
• Walkthrough (Big Fish)
  

Click images to enlarge
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Nice Game, Just Nice
 
   

BASED ON DEMO

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The opening scenes are eerie, ominous, but low key. Nothing too overwhelming. But it is obvious this game is going to be spooky. This game looks good and has the right atmosphere, and while the story starts out on a very familiar pattern – detective hired to find missing loved one, the details offer a fresh approach.

SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are very pleasant to look at. Realistic, but with a soundness around the edges that gives the game an artistic feel. It is also very consistent in its depiction of art deco era visuals. The atmosphere, while eerie, is also dreamy. The music is perfectly matched for this, also era-appropriate, tinkling along, sometimes there, sometimes not, never irritating. Background noises are soothing. No attempt has been made to lip synch the very professionally done voiceovers. Which I always think looks the best.

WHAT’S HAPPENING
Seems like the town of Lake Bliss is suffering from the attentions of a siren. Young men are disappearing. Bodies are found in the water. And Molly’s very sensible fiancé Tommy does not turn up at the altar. You are the detective called in to investigate. All your actions and equipment, including the tools and so forth found in town, reflect the 20s era story.

MAKING PROGRESS
HOPs and other puzzles form most of the gameplay, but there is some adventuring to be had as well. The HOPs are either fragmented objects or word lists. These are not much in the way of interactive, but the last (inventory) item is found in a different way for each HOP. Hidden objects are very well hidden without distortion. The puzzles so far are easy and familiar. There is an interactive jump map, directional hint and a useful diary.

One unique touch I liked, the notes that are being taken in your notebook are displayed briefly above it in glowing letters, so you know what is going in there without needing to look immediately. Another oddity is the Spectral Fluid Container, which soaks up supernatural barriers.

CE BLING!
There are many Achievements presented very nicely in an office, 54 Collectible dragonflies, Concept Art, Wallpapers, Music. The SG is helpful. And the Bonus Chapter of course.

FINAL VERDICT
All around nice game. But that is all it is. This is not a blockbuster. I will be very happy to buy the SE of this game, but I don’t think it is quite up to my CE standards. Many others will however.

I checked these guys out and it appears that they are a new development company, consisting of personnel from names we are familiar with. If so, go to it guys, you’ve got what it takes!

I Recommend This Game!

Big Top has done some very recognizable games!

Big Top Games (founded Hot Lava Games):

• 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
  
• 7 Wonders 2
  
• 7 Wonders Treasures of Seven
  
• Elf Bowling
  
• Mysterium: Lake Bliss - Dec. 2013
  
• Luxor 3
  
• Luxor Adventures
  
• Luxor Quest for the Afterlife
  
• Midnight Mysteries 1: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy - July, 2009
  
• Midnight Mysteries 2: Salem Witch Trials - June, 2010
  
• Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena
  
• Samantha Swift and the Golden Touch
  

Specifically, the first two Midnight Mysteries games!

Awesome review, as always     *goes to update the Games with Bonus Items to Find list, then back to bed!*

Yes, definitely. Sorry I didn't mean to suggest they were are bunch of newbies. But the way I read that was that this one was the first with this company. the others were ones that the team had developed within other companies

like mumbo jumbo

I read your review in the forum. I left a comment in the tech thread.

I had a problem with lagging. Clicking onto an area and nothing happening.

Going from place to place was just a chore. I really got bored. I agree with you about
waiting for the SE.

Yes, it was a little slow between locations for me too, but not enough to get to me. I do like it, but with all the blockbusters out there it is hard to get worked up about an ordinary game. Especially as a CE

I am more interested in the new Hidden Explorations game. I really got into that one and
now with the CE sale I will buy.

Yes, I really got into that one too. I've spent all my money at the 50% sale though, so this one will have to wait til next year.