Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand That Feeds is the best hidden object game I've ever bought.
It's also the only hidden object game I've ever bought, but that's besides the point. While I'm not usually interested in HOGs, I hadn't played a casual game all year and this one has 100% more Steve Ince than other HOGs. I'm shallow like that.
This makes it kinda hard for me to judge it, but I'll try. The basic premise is that you play two detective in a new unit, that being Special Enquiry Detail, and you have to investigate a murder for you first case. Gameplay is a mix between looking for objects hidden in backgrounds, doing police type work such as dusting for fingerprints and puzzles such as cracking safe combinations.
The story itself is well told, with enough twists and mystery to keep the Sherlock Holmes fan in me well satisfied. It feels a little like watching a television drama that you can take part in, and I didn't mind this at all. I particularly liked that effort was made to give each of the main characters a specific personality. I would have liked conversations to be interactive rather that merely something I observe, but understand this is regular behavior for casual games.
It's a very nice game to look at - whilst the backgrounds seem to be mostly photo montages, there are flies buzzing, steam from hot coffees, dust particles, even a television playing a music video... this really adds to the atmosphere. Audio wise the music and ambient sounds were very nice (I particularly like the title screen theme). I felt the voice acting was a little off, but was glad it was there anyway.
The only thing that I felt a bit weak was the gameplay. While I didn't mind hunting for hidden objects, it rarely felt relevant to the case at hand. A detective story lends itself perfectly to have players hunting around for clues and evidence to the case, and when I was actually looking for hidden objects that were case relevant I enjoyed it very much. Sadly most of the object finding isn't really looking for evidence... it's more about finding bananas and thermometers hidden deviously in the backgrounds.
The actual puzzles were great, and I enjoyed them quite a bit - enough to keep me busy for a while but not so many that they got dull and annoying. My favorite parts were the police work sections, where I had to do things like photograph evidence and dig through dumpsters looking for clues. These parts are well designed and put together... I would have absolutely loved it if the game was filled more with these and less with finding the number 23, a lily, slippers, chinese doll (10) and a sparrow.
For those who don't mind casual games and want a well written, good quality experience, Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand That Feeds should fit the bill nicely. It's my first casual game for the year, and I'm glad I played through it.
4 comments:
I did play the one hour trial of this game. Out of the three elements which make a great game, they got the art and story nailed down well to keep the story rolling, but lost big points on the game play.
Though I got to agree with you on both notes, 1. Wish that the evidence collected was more relevant to the case rather than 'find the hidden object' 2. The game puzzles were fun, like the bullet in the wall and the whole task of collecting information at the lab.
The funniest part was the "Enhance". I'm so glad they included that in the game.
Glad to come across your review.
Cheers
Interesting to hear your thoughts, Ajay.
I get the feeling that having hidden objects for the sake of hidden objects is quite common in casual games, although yes, I would like to see this convention changed.
Collecting the evidence (such as the bags of drugs) really justified the hidden object style for me, so I don't think the hidden object style of gameplay is bad, necessarily. It just seems a little disconnected with the story at large for the most part.
Thanks for the comment!
Nice post, I have played a few HOGs myself.
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove was enjoyable.
and the Fall Trilogy has been OK, and features some really good normal puzzles as well.
And yes I would say that one of the more annoying features in the HOGs is that the objects you collect are pretty random at times.
When you turn up throughout Crandor, log off the dispatch, and also head in the incline Buy Runescape Gold. You'll discover the path to comply with. Adhere to the way till you encounter Full Scorpions. Avoid these as well as go northern until you find an additional upward position Buy RS Gold. Keep increasing, steer clear of the Lower Satan, and also enter the cave beginning.
Post a Comment