[b]Sea of Lies 1: Mutiny of the Heart[/b] (IHOG)
[i]"This story is based on true historical events..." [/i]Snake alert for those sensitive!
Options include separate sliders for Music, SFX and Voices, Full-screen, auto-widescreen and Custom Cursor. Choice of Regular, Expert or Insane mode, which can be changed at any time.
[b]Story[/b]:
A condemned man challenges a crowd of onlookers to find his hidden treasure, so confident that they will never find it that he even gives them a clue. The Baron wants that pirate's plunder, and he has no problem extorting you, Madame Detective, to make sure that he gets it!
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1866952717
Our lovely [b]Journal[/b] gives us a nice ongoing narrative of the story, including some extra tidbits to help make it more immersive. The tale mostly unfolds through a series of cutscenes, so there's not a lot of reading. There is also an [b]Objectives[/b] list in the journal if you need it.
We have an amulet that is supposed to be a central part of the story, but I feel that it was pretty underutilized. More than anything it was a way to re-watch a few of the cutscenes having to do with the 12 Labors of Hercules (which is important later in the story, but also not well-integrated, IMO.)
[b]Sights and Sounds[/b]:
The first half of the game had this jaunty, fun music that made me feel like Captain Jack Sparrow could make an appearance at any time. There are a LOT of music tracks in the game, but this one in particular stood out for me. ;D
The voice overs were well done, although they seemed a bit at odds with the young men that were pictured. Still, they were fun, and I especially loved the smiling pirate.
There are some gorgeous graphics in the game, and I really enjoyed visiting all of the locations to see what kind of beauty I would behold next.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1866953657
[b]Gameplay[/b]:
Be on the lookout for [b]collectible pieces of paper[/b] - one at each location. The MAP can be interactive, and has instant-transport to open areas, but does not indicate where you might have missed a collectible. Luckily, there is an indicator in your toolbar at the bottom right that will roll up (like a treasure map!) once you've found the paper at your current location.
Directional [b]HINTS[/b] are available, and some of the inventory items are interactive.
Most of the [b]Hidden Object Scenes[/b] find-by-list, but interactive in multiple ways: Items that need to be combined, those hidden behind other objects, and then there will be one on each scene (indicated by the color green) that you'll need to zoom in on. Once selected, you'll find maybe 10 items to find by silhouette before you can collect that object.
Ah-hah, but did I mention that you don't HAVE to play the hidden object scenes? This is one of those games that offers you a chance to find all of the items by playing a [b]Match-3 game[/b], instead... or switch back-and-forth at your leisure!
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1871377653
The Mini-games were enjoyable, and [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1867595673]one in particular[/url] had some beautiful artwork!
[b]CE Content[/b]:
[list]
[*]Integrated Strategy Guide
[*]Bonus Chapter
[*]Collectible Papers
[*]In-game Achievements (There is also a book in the trophy room with some historical info in it)
[*]8 Wallpapers (4 dimensions, from 800x600 to 1280x960)
[*]20 Behind-the-scenes pics plus a Making-of Movie
[*]29 Cutscenes
[*]23 Mini-games
[*]22 HOS
[*]25 Music Tracks (can be saved to computer)
[/list]
[b]Bonus Chapter[/b]:
The extra chapter takes up right after the main game ends. Although we left off in an OK spot, the bonus chronicles your trip home and what happens when you get there. There are no collectibles during this portion.
This is where the gameplay abruptly changes. There are a few scenes that are find-by-silhouette ONLY, and where you CANNOT switch to match-3. The rest of the HOS are like those in the main game (where you can switch), but this departure was big enough that I thought it should be mentioned.
[b]Verdict[/b]:
Call me a cynic, but I don't buy the way the story ended, nor the way the bonus wraps up. I don't know how much of this was actually based on "true historical events", but at least there's a little bit of story in the trophy room that is based on fact! ;D
I was surprised to find that my total time in-game was less than 3.5 hours, but then, I played on the easiest mode, so that will have contributed to the short amount of time it took me to finish. Despite my skepticism regarding the story, I had a lot of fun with this title. I literally giggled a few times, and I really enjoyed the artwork. Recommended to IHOG-lovers, those who like having an option BESIDES finding hidden objects (match-3), and those looking for a rollicking adventure on the high seas!
