OVERALL {83%}
Formula: PC Point & click games + Innovative puzzles – Length = Trace Memory
Plot (8/10):
1948 – Blood Edward Island, a man is pointing a gun at another man. "Father?" A kid is watching. "Why?!" The man pulls the trigger. "No!!" Bang! The victim dies in front of the child's eyes.
1994 – Seattle, "Ashley, quick hide". A shadow appears, "No!!" was the moms' reply. "Mummy?" the child in the wardrobes mumbles. Bang! The mommy is out cold! Again, in front of the child's eyes.
2005 – Blood Edward Island, "It's finished" a doctor whispers to himself as he grabs a DAS, "Finally…". A man appears from behind, "Richard…". The doctor turns to witness a gun pointed towards him. But with no bang this time.
So you got an idea of what the story is like? No, not traveling between islands and shooting people! It's a mystery case that non other than Ashley can solve. You start on the game with Ashley, Jessica and the Captain on a boat sailing to Blood Edward Island after Ashley, which is one day to 14 years old, receives a letter from her dad indicating that he is still alive and is waiting for her on this island. With the letter she receives a DAS (basically a device that looks exactly as a DS). A few minutes are given to you to explore the small boat and get used to the controls as well as knowing more about your dad and the island. You then reach the island and take to role of Ashley in a point and click action through a forest before encountering your partner and entering the mansion.
The game leaves you confused at the beginning with its first story but soon clues, cut-scenes and events will leave you wanting more as they bring the story to one common point that the confusion will be cleared on your mind.
Innovation (9.5/10):
Gameplay in another words. First of all, the display of both screens is brilliant with cut-scenes shown in an anime way that even though they are still images, creates a live form of viewing. The game offers the experience to explore the environments in a top view movement where you control Ashley by either touching the screen or guiding her using the D-pad. In other words, you can move as if it is an adventure game. When playing, the bottom screen will show you the top view while the top screen will show you the environment and surroundings so that you can get a clear view of what is around or ahead of you. When Ashley can explore that particular area, a box icon will appear on the top right of the bottom screen that can be accessed by either pressing the action button, which is 'A', or by touching it. When exploring an area, the picture on the top screen will now become on the bottom screen where you can access almost anything on view by either pressing the 'A' button or by double touching it. Some of the objects will open for you a new view like a wardrobe where you can explore what is in it. Sometimes a puzzle will pop up like a safe code depending on the object. You will also frequently have the option to use an item in you bag, like keys, etc. or taking a picture of the view. Solving mysteries and gaining clues are done in one of the most beautiful ways you have seen so far. In other words, solving puzzles takes the advantages of the DS' functions better than many games already out there and this includes the use of the mic for matters of blowing into it to remove dust, the use of the touch screens for rubbing, rotating, moving, etc views and the use of both screens to figure out a code, etc. Believe me when I say this, you will be pleasantly surprised after solving a puzzle and finding out how innovative it is.
Now as most games go by, the game starts an easy start with easy puzzles but eventually becomes harder as you progress through it. Throughout the game, you will read many dialogues that are related to the story and like many Final Fantasy games, this has a lot of reading to do.
To sum it up, the game uses the touch, mic, and double screen features amazingly well.
Graphics (8/10):
The game features full 3D environment on the bottom screen while playing with a 2D drawing view on the top screen. The cut-scenes are in 2D anime like still pictures that are well done. The game itself runs at a solid frame rate with no slow downs whatsoever. The facial animations (although they are still pictures) during a dialogue speech are neat. Although you may face some difficulties to explore on the bottom screen due to the top view, the top screen is there to help show you a better view of the surroundings. The environments are varied with outdoor and indoor levels with unique rooms and many areas to explore. The design of the rooms of the mansion allows for a more suspense experience although the visual effects are lacking at times (like the footprints). For those who still didn't get what I mean by top view then it is the view where you look at the character(s) from the top like in GTA2. Anyway, don't expect to see a trail of footprint left behind when walking on the beach, although you will see dust left behind.
Sound (8/10):
This is supposed to be a mystery solving title where suspension should play a major role in it. Fortunately, the sound system manages to satisfy that level occasionally although not all the time. The tunes played are creepy at times depending on your location. Themes are normally piano and other light instrumental tunes that helps to create the correct atmosphere for the right moment. The sound effects are very good and frequent. The sound of a camera snap and other details are heard clearly with a beep indicating an important sentence of discovery. The sound effects also continue with the sound of footsteps. For a game that is supposed to be scary, the sound system works fairly at average for adults and just the right level for younger audience. Just don't expect monsters screaming, zombies moaning or a woman screaming next door.
Life-Span (7/10):
The major letdown in this game is it being short. Now it does offer its share of challenges and I even got stuck in an area for like two hours but if you are a sharp individual, this game will take you around 4 hours to complete. Now no one will complete it 100% by completing the game once, and this will allow you (if you want to get the most of the game) to go through it the second time. Basically, those who would like to get the most of the game will have to complete it at least two times to figure out everything the game has to offer. There are also two ending to the game depending on whether you helped your partner regain his memory or not. Now the good news is that the story of the game will keep you wanting more. Even better is that you will be so delighted by the innovation of the puzzles that you will want to see them again.
Overall (83%):
This game is basically a show off of the DS capabilities. Nice 3D environments with a 2D view twist plus great use of the touch screen and the mic with tremendous dual screen display features for either exploring or solving puzzles. The only let down one can think off is its short life span. However, it has some decent length to offers in completing the game more than once. The lack of alternate sequences and speech options is a shame but the interested storyline covers this point. There are many point and click games out there but this one raises the bar thanks to the DS capabilities and nice use of anime animations to make it unique. Plus this game proves than even games known to be best on the PC works more than fine on the DS.
Advice:
If you are into the point and click genre, or you like anime characters and games, or even if you are into decent mystery solving games, then this won't disappoint. However, if you are expecting this game to be played more than a week then you can look at other alternatives.
Good Points:
1- Superb touch, mic and dual screen presentation.
2- Nice storyline that will leave you wanting more.
3- 3D environments and characters plus 2D anime still views are cool.
4- Few point and click games on the DS and this is a very good one to own.
Bad Points:
1- Short life span.
2- Lack of tiny details at times.
3- Lack of alternate options and sequences during the game.
4- Not as scary as you may want it to be.
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