Urban Legends: The Maze (IHOG)
Options include separate sliders for music and sound, plus Windows Mode and Custom Cursor. There is no difficulty setting, everyone gets the same gameplay, though the tutorial is optional.
There are no voice overs, the cut scenes are skippable, and the HINT button refills pretty quickly. During the adventure portion of the game, the hint button will tell you exactly what you need to do. Blatant? You bet!
Would have been nice to have an actual
hint, but oh well~
Speaking of hints, you have both a journal and a map. The journal contains spoilers, so unless you need help, I don't recommend reading it. The map shows you where actions can be taken right now, as well as where you will need to visit later. It also features a "jump-to" option - just click on the room you want to be in! I can hear the happy cries of those who hate the to-ing and fro-ing in these games
The mini-games are skippable, if you wish. Some are very easy and some are quite hard, which is nice for a challenge. I like that you do not have to view the instructions for a mini unless you want to. To view directions, simply click on the 'Info' button.
Gameplay, you ask? Well, besides the rampant hand holding, it's acceptable. Everything is pretty straightforward and easy towards the beginning of the game, but it gets progressively harder as you continue through the game. It never gets HARD, but it does get a bit more challenging
The hidden object scenes are your typical junkpiles, but nothing too overwhelming, and there are no anachronisms.
Something that really irks me in a game is illogical solutions, and there were two instances of actions we were supposed to take that were SO unbelievable that I was literally exclaiming outloud. Things like, "You want me to do WHAT??" and "
Excuse me? That would never
ever work, not even if you tried for a million years!!"
These things happened relatively early in the game, and nearly made me stop playing. If it wasn't for the fact that I'd blindly purchased the game on friends' recommendations, I likely would have just dumped it. As it was, it wasn't irritating enough that I didn't want to find out how the story went.
The storyline is interesting enough. Contestants in a reality TV show go missing, and their families have hired a detective (you) to find out what's happened to them.
Because of the matters I discussed above, I was feeling rather disenchanted with the game, but my feelings changed abruptly when I hit a scene in Level 3 that was so beautiful that I literally gasped. Strange how my attitude changed when faced with this new scenery. For the rest of the game, I really enjoyed myself! The gameplay and mini-games were getting more challenging, and the graphics sucked me back in where the game had been losing me.
The only problem now was that I knew where the story was going. Toooo predictable... except that I was WRONG. The story did not go the direction I thought it would, and that made me very happy. Sometimes it's good to be wrong!
The devs through a bit a humor into what is otherwise a serious storyline - something I didn't realize until I restarted the game to double-check options and such for this review.
Right before the very first mini-game of the game, there is a sign. Take a look at the electrical panel before you remove the cover
For those who don't feel like loading it up, here's what it says:
- Spoiler:
Warning: Do not pee on electrical panel!
Overall, I did not think I was going to enjoy this game, but now that I've finished it, I'd say that I will play it again someday - if only because I rushed through it on this first time through.