Whispered Secrets: Everburning

I’m really picky about these kinds of games. It’s been a long time since I found a game that I’ve enjoyed as much as this one. My only issue is there was a glitch when I found the craniometer-it broke apart immediately and I did not get an item that I needed. I had to start all over again but wasn’t too upset about it because the rest of the gameplay has been so great. There are a couple of small moments where the translation, while correct, does not match the time period. Not a big deal but it did take me out of the story for a second. Overall, the gameplay is fun-not particularly difficult but not annoyingly easy. And there are a few choose your own moments that were a pleasant surprise. I’m not sorry I spent the money.

I loved playing this game. It was not short. Wonderful graphics. Good mini-games and HOP. You have to find some through paragraphs and some where you pull a cord to go back and forth in tapestries to gather objects and then place them appropriately. The main story is Chapter 1 Outcasts. Bonus is Chapter 2 Runaway and there is a 3rd Chapter Brilliant Mind which is misleading. First off, it is locked. You have to go to Extras and tap Marbles. There were 36 to find throughout the scenes and now you can go to scenes you missed and collect the rest. Then the chapter is unlocked. I thought it was going to be another story. It is just answering riddles (multiple choice answers) to collect bat charms and escape the location. Then the game is really over. That was disappointing.

This latest sequel, in my opinion, is the best in the series — it is outright amazing! The technique in which the story line is conveyed is ingenious. This developer did a splendid job of creating surreal worlds of spine-tingling fantasy, each with its own surprises along the way. The exploration of the eerie asylum, while discovering the sinister secrets behind the "outcast" patients, keeps me in steady apprehension and intrigue. The acquired reading materials thoroughly convey the backstory; I love the twist of taking the Rorschach Test. I am entertained by occasionally choosing between certain actions that affect the gameplay. The chilling sound effects — such as the unsettling whispers and the creepy songs of children — signify warnings of evil yet to come. I am particularly fascinated by the imaginative artwork, together with the eye-popping animations that jump out and scare me. The HOSs thematically suit the nightmarish-like ambiance. I love the one in which you rotate the cube — depicting scenes of the town — around to locate the items; and at the same time, you place those items back into the cube's scenes. Some of the puzzles cleverly reflect the objectives in progress, such as resuscitating the keeper in the asylum. I appreciate how I could choose a mode of operation for some. The singular set of collectibles is easy to spot, but at times, it could blend into the background. Folks, this game is a rare gem in which the exposition of the plot, together with the wondrous creativity of the gameplay, come together cohesively to make for a spellbinding experience. It should not be passed up. I strongly suggest you give the free trial a spin. I rate this game a rare 5 stars.