Welcome to the steampunk world of Depths of Betrayal, where steam robot with independent mind, created by the team of genius inventors, turned himself against his creators!
Rating: 4.5/5
for only $ 13.99!
for only $ 2.99!
Hello, my friends. After a long break Big Fish Games released new Collector's Edition of Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game - Depths of Betrayal. Game is created by the Artogon Games and dedicated to the unusual for today (but still very popular) steampunk thematics. You won't see any ghosts or sorcerers in Depths of Betrayal - only science, only robots. But better to see oncethanhear a hundred times - let's watch Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition gameplay video.
As you may see, Depths of Betrayal is dedicated to the destiny of the powerful robot, who disobey to his masters and start a rebellion. Robot (and many other mechanisms in town, where Depths of Betrayal's actions taking place) is working using power of steam, so this Adventure dedicated to the steampunk genre.
Steampunk, used in Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition appeared as an independent sub-genre of a science fiction not long time ago - only during 1980s and early 1990s (Wikipedia About Steampunk). Just in best traditions of steampunk characters of Depths of Betrayal are wearing Victorian clothes and suits, steam power is widely used - even more widely, than the electricity. But let's start our review.
All futuristic innovations of steam Victorians can only dream about are implemented in this happy town. Steam coaches, steam locomotives, all kinds of anachronistic technology can be found in Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition. And robots, steam golems - everywhere, of course.
Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition Game style is row and correct - Victorian art, architecture, culture, even Victorian press - everything included. Look like works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne were visionary and all their science fiction inventions came true. But there is always a fly in the ointment, and red (or green) eyes of the steam golems, doing all the dirty work all around the town, watching you with more and more strange facial expression.
You came into this happy steampunk-haven town after receiving invitation from the Ph.D. Morgan Grundlagen, your old friend and famous inventor. You lost all connections with him a long time ago, but suddenly receiving a letter, in which Morgan asking your help. And that's how Depths of Betrayal begins.
Grundlagen wrote, that he is administer an experiment, very unusual one. If Morgan's experiment will succeeded, it may become a new word in steam science, in science at all - absolute breakthrough! But Morgan wrote, that your participation and expertise is absolutely necessary for the project success. That is strange, because you aren't pretty good in science - you are more experienced in talking and convincing people. Once you participated in doctor's robotic development, but that was a long time ago and you moved forward since than.
Morgan Grundlagen was so persistent that he prepay all transport expenses. He promised that after your train arrival at 17-00 he will meet you on the train station, but when you arrive there was no one there. And this is just the first mystery of Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition! Soon you finding out the terrible truth: last Grundlagen's creation - steam robot - turned against his creator, betrays him. And now he is doing damage and destruction all over the town, killing the team members that are created him.
Train crashes, havoc spreading wider, so you take as a first priority task to stop the crazy robot. Looking for the way to do so you are also looking for the answers: why this is happening, why simple robot become rebel, how he gained free will? You will examine darkest depths of betrayal on your way to the game end, even watch the video of Grundlagen's death from the hands of the golem. You will explore incredible locations, travel on the giant dirigible, cable carover a precipice and - in the end - directly face the rebel robot.
Interface of Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition is pretty unusual and innovative. First of all, everything designed in the steampunk style. If to use some object you must first apply some other items on them, they are shown in the special menu all around the object - very useful, simple and pleasant.
Examining the town, trying to discover whereabouts of the steam golem and Dr. Grundlagen in Depths of Betrayal you will find an old photo from your youth, lost by the golem, just the same you have. On this photo the whole Grundlagen's team shown, including you. But some faces are crossed - golem is already find and kill them. Will you be the next victim? Or you will be able to save town from the destruction?
On your way to stop this monstrous robot in Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition you may use Integrated Strategy guide and have additional fun while playing bonus gameplay chapter. Collector's Edition also includes Wallpapers in different dimensions, based on the Depths of Betrayal thematics and Concept art from the game. In bonus gameplay you will see more lighter-than-air airships, analog computers and steam engines. If info from the strategy guide isn't enough for you - try to search the game forum.
Summing up, Depths of Betrayal game is pretty good. There is not many steampunk hidden object games right now, so if you like this genre - Depths of Betrayal is for you. As about cons: I may say that some puzzles are boring (not every of them, of course) are boring or not intuitive, so to understand it you must use Strategy guide. Hidden object scenes somethimes including to few objects to search. Those flaws didn't let me give Depths of Betrayal Collector's Edition higher rating, although I'm steampunk fun. Good luck to you, play games and be happy!
Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar Collector's Edition Review
What can expect a young girl with a long dark beautiful hair, while traveling across the world? To see new places, to get a good impressions, to meet her soul mate. And that is exactly what happened in this interesting game, at least, at the game's beginning. But then you arrived to the town of Ulthar.
for only $ 13.99!
Hi everyone. Big Fish Games released new interesting & exclusive Hidden Object/Puzzle/Adventure game - Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar. I hope it will be the beginning of the new game series about Ghost Towns, because this game is good. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and start the review of the Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar with the gameplay video (taken on YouTube).
Not bad, very impressive graphics and nice sounding. But let's discover what pluses and flaws are hidden inside this Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar game, and does it worth paying $ 13.99 - Big Fish Games traditionally released Collector's Edition only. Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar Standard Edition for $6.99/$2.99 (new customers only) will be available for buying in a month or so.
So Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar game started when young careless girl with a dark long hair came into the strange town of Ulthar. Her future mate Menes lived there for a whole life and must have meet her. But from the first steps something gone terribly wrong. Town looks abandoned, many buildings are half-ruined, it's cold and raining. There is no human being who is meeting you, neither Menes, nor someone he could sent if couldn't came himself, for example, his sister.
You can hear the dreary meowing cats, and soon you will find one little black cat. You will take it to warm and caress, but without special attention - you are crossing the Ulthar, trying to find any information about the town (and maybe to know something about your future beloved one Menes). And when you will came into the center of Ulthar you will find out the terrible truth: for some unknown horrible crimes committed by Menes he is sentenced to death! His sister will send you a secret message with desperate call of help during some other poor guy execution - he was hanged for some small crime.
And if you think that make the things right in Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar will be easy - think again. Town-folk are really angry and they neither let you to see Menes nor telling you what crime he committed. How can you prove Menes's innocence if you even can't tell for what he will be punished? His sister is hiding underground, she is ragged and eating junk. Her only friend is another black cat. Cats likely plays a great role in social life of Ulthar.
As far as you exploring Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar game world, you will gain more and more clues that your beloved one's destiny is connected with the strange religion of the Ulthar. It's look like cats taking central place in their pantheon, but sometimes people of Ulthar are killing cats. Maybe Menes tried to save one of the cats? But whatever he did, he shouldn't be burned at the stake - that's how Ulthar people are going to punish him.
And soon you will be threatened by the Ulthar people. But if you wil be afraid and escape from Ulthar then innocent boy will be burned at the stake! But even escaping the death you again and again will see signs of cat influence: pictures, bas-reliefs, even fountains. And traveling through Ulthar's secret ways you will see many strange things - from the various puzzles and winter-garden to the alive crocodile!
Find out, why the citizens of Ulthar worship the cats and how it's connected with the Meneses fate. Discover the strange cult, taken over the town of Ulthar, that is using cats supernatural powers to rule the townsfolk. Save Menes before it's too late!
Now I will tell you about my experience with Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar Collector's Edition. Gameplay is pretty standard for the Hidden Object games - you are looking for the objects, named in the list below your screen, after some time you will have a hint, opening one of the objects for you (hints are rechargeable). After 1-2 hidden object scenes you will face the puzzle (matching objects, repairing mechanisms, opening locks and so on), most of them are familiar to every experienced casual gamer. But in whole gameplay isn't boring, it's hard to stop playing The Cats Of Ulthar before you end it.
IMHO Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar game is short enough, it may be completed in one evening (or night). Of course, Collector's edition including bonus chapter - about 2 hours of additional game experience, but in whole I wasn't satisfied by the game length. Collector's edition of Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar also includes Integrated Strategy Guide, Wallpapers, dark and spooky Screensaver, soundtrack - traditional set for the Big Fish Games Collector's Edition. What I really liked - animals animation. Characters are animated in cartoon style, not my favorite, but animals (including the crocodile I mentioned above) are very realistic.
If you need some technical information about game (for example, experiencing bugs or something) go to the Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar game forum.
Summing up Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar Collector's Edition is good game. It's recommended for everyone who loves cats (cats are everywhere in the Ulthar - living cats, murals, statues and so on) and for other gamers, who is tired of usual HOGs about ghosts. Gameplay is captivating and interesting, landscapes are dark and beautiful. If you don't sure about it - just try the game - it's free (game Ghost Towns: The Cats Of Ulthar Collector's Edition is shareware, so you can play it free for one hour). And I hope you will like The Cats of Ulthar just as I do. Good luck!
