Where could be a more apt setting for a hidden object game than the Bermuda triangle ? and that’s where the Hidden Expedition team are taking us with their Hidden Expedition Devil’s Triangle title.
While leading a mission to the Bermuda Triangle to find a lost pilot from your team, needless to say strange things begin happening when you enter the triangle. Travelling in the Hidden Expedition Team’s new submarine you begin your search to find and install a new power source. However after some pirates disappear with your power supply, you find yourself trapped on a mysterious uncharted island with some rare characters! I must admit I loved the different environments in Devil’s Triangle it almost felt like a weird dream. First you were on a submarine, then a tropical island with people not of this era and then a fabulously constructed laboratory and strange village.
Gameplay is fairly straightforward. While there still are plenty of hidden object screens you can definitely feel the shift towards the adventure point and click titles. Sweeping the cursor across the screen will indicate any hidden object areas or anything that can be interacted with.
Each scene usually has some key objects to pick up and put into inventory, a hidden object scene, and maybe papers or documents to read. At this point I’d like to mention the journal provided on screen that can be accessed at any time. It contains all the information you have gathered so far , details on the characters you meet and as well keeps a running journal of what you have done and hinting what you need to do next. It is invaluable and a great source of reference.
What I do like about the hidden object searches was that they offered variations – find pairs of related images eg a star and a starfish, or find 8 objects belonging to a theme and there was even one that was layered whereby you had to remove say four objects which would then reveal others to then be found.
I did find some of the puzzles to have increased in difficulty from the previous Hidden Expedition games however, there is a limitless rechargeable hint system, a silhouette clue and for some of the puzzles a skip button. I was also impressed with the variety of puzzles each seemed new and fresh and, unlike in other games, never felt repetitive.
The graphics and audio are amazing. We are used to high standards from the Hidden Expedition team but I think this time they really have pushed the boat out. The mechanical submarine, the exotic tropical island and lastly the style of Gideon’s house and beyond all evoke their own individual atmospheres. The game just oozes quality throughout.
Marks out of 10
Gameplay: 9 gorgeous and easy to follow. Very fluid
Presentation : 9 well polished
Storyline : 8 lovely dreamy storyline
Longevity: 8 a game that isnt going to date soon
