Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis

This game is a quintessential old-school point-and-click adventure that builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor. While some might find the plot a bit basic or ordinary, it's quite decent considering the time of its release.

Just like the first game, this one is also a really good point and click adventure game, the main characters are back and some other characters make cameos too, the story on this one is a bit weaker compared to the first game, but it still had an interesting one. Puzzles on the other hand got a bit weirder and harder probably because it wasnt as obvious as the puzzles in the first one, most were still logic bound, but some of the later ones were way harder to grasp than any i found on the first game. It ran almost flawlessly on the deck, the game has a bug early on, in the cruise ship when you need to clean the ceiling window, you need to switch the game to windowed mode, otherwise Nina will disappear and nothing will happen when you interact with the window, after that, you can switch back to fullscreen, the rest of the game was bug free for me and this bug is present on the game itself and its not exclusive to beign played on the deck. Still a worth a playthrough if you enjoy the genre and the franchise!

Первая часть-то шедевром не была, но вторая сразу пошла на дно. Весь сюжет тупо сводится к "случайность, случайность, случайность". Бомж в Париже случайно оказывается любителем истории. Машина случайно облила водой дворника, который расчистил героине путь. Герои в принципе случайно оказались втянуты в эту историю. И в конце, разумеется, случайно под рукой окажется вертолет. Но в сравнении с дизайном головоломок сценарий - это еще сильная сторона игры. Потому что тут просто ушли в отрыв, логика существует лишь на минимальном уровне. Локации завалены мусором, который порой разбросан без какой-либо логики, ну а герои, разумеется, без труда мастерят из генератора (емнип) грузовика и ржавого мотоцикла мотор для лодки. Ужас и кошмар, снижающий интеллект любого, кто на него глянет. Не особо смешная пародия на Broken Sword. Просто набор каких-то случайных сущностей, из которых человек с очень богатой фантазией в бреду собрал целую игру. Из положительных моментов можно отметить, пожалуй, задники - они неплохие. И несколько шуток, пробивающих четвертую стену, тоже нормальные. Все остальное просто ужас.

[h1] Introduction [/h1] "Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis" is the 2009-released successor to classic Point-'n-Click-Adventure "Secret Files: Tunguska" by German developer Animation Arts. Again we take control of our heroic couple Nina Kalenkow and Max Gruber, this time trying to outsmart a murderous sect responsible for several natural disasters all around the globe. The game serves as some sort of "Stand-Alone-Sequel", as its plot is not connected to that of the first game, except for some minor connotations and, of course, the recurring cast of characters. [h1] Story [/h1] The game starts off with a dramatic prologue, in which we take control of bishop Parrey. After receiving a mysterious parchment from a colleague who was found dead in the meantime, the bishop tries to decipher the piece. Unfortunately, he soon finds himself hunted by armed killers... Roughly a year after the dramatic events of "Secret Files: Tunguska", Nina and Max broke up and both try to cope in their own ways. While Max dives into his work and flies to Indonesia with blonde Archaeologist Sam Peters, Nina boards a cruise ship to get her head straight and relax a little. Too bad that a strange man bumps into her before dying in a tragic accident. And things on the cruise ship are only going to get stranger and stranger for Nina and somehow, this weird new sect called Puritas Cordis seems to be connected to everything... While the story starts off really engaging, I must admit that it really lacks clear focus and dramatic highlights that were all too present in the first game. While the search for Ninas father was a meaningful task, our heroes in part 2 are rather thrown into different situations and have to react to them, without really following an agenda of their own. This is quite sad, because the basic plot that includes natural disasters and a dangerous sect could have been a really captivating one. [h1] Gameplay [/h1] The game stays true to its predecessor and doesn't innovate too much. It's still a classic Point-'N-Click-Game that benefits from the same comfort features as the first part, namely the intelligent mouse cursor, a hot spot finder and an in game notebook that provides several clues for the riddles if needed. We maneuver our characters through several locations, pick up and combine various items and try to solve mostly logical puzzles in order to make progress. That said, some of the puzzles can be quite difficult to figure out logically and rather work by good old "combine-everything-with-everything-Madness". But it wouldn't be a classic Point-'N-Clcik-Adventure without this, right? One of the most prominent new features is the introduction of new playable characters alongside Nina and Max. Unfortunately, these are quite underused in my opinion. One of them is bishop Parrey, who is only controlable during the dramatically staged but short prologue of the game and the second new character, Sam Peters, is only playable during one, rather complex puzzle in which she is imprisoned and we mainly control Max and try to get her out. I really wished the game would have featured more content with the new characters, since this was a bit underwhelming, but since I really like Nina and Max, I'm still happy with what I got. Especially because our two main protagonists get a little more fleshed out in this Episode and once more make for a charming couple, especially towards the end of the game! [h1] Graphics and technical aspects [/h1] The graphics of "Puritas Cordis" are a slight improvement over part 1. Although both games look similar, the sequel shows some clear improvements over it's predecessor, namely new facial animations that are used during several close ups in cut scenes, slightly better movement animations (which were a weak spot in part 1) and overall just more CGI-Cutscenes to deliver the story. Despite these improvements, the game still shows it's age and isn't a technical marvel, but it's clearly a step up from "Secret Files: Tunguska". While the locations are again beautifully captured, it feels like there are fewer areas than in part 1 and, more importantly, fewer exotic, eye-catching locations. This is a bit of a bummer, as the different locations are, to me, one of the most fascinating aspect of every Point-'N-Click-Game. A positive aspect on the other hand are again the voice actors. At least in the German version all of them are perfectly casted an deliver great performances that really improve the game and it's characters. [h1] Conclusion [/h1] For me personally, "Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis" is a bit worse than it's predecessor. Reasons for that being the narrative, which starts off interesting, but is less focussed than that of the first game. On top of the that, while most puzzles are logical and fair, some are a bit too artifically complicated and rely more on mechanical try-and error than on wits. On top of that, the playtime is a tad shorter than that of the first part, taking me a bit more than 9 hours to finish compared to part 1's almost 11 hours. That being said, it's still far from being a bad game and can be recommended to everyone who enjoyed the first part and wants more. It's a good Point-'N-Click-Adventure in its own right that simply fails to meet the high standards of part 1 despite the devs having done their best to improve upon the formula. [h1] Score: 7/10 [/h1]

I really enjoyed the first game and I'm genuinely struggling to finish the second. Everyone sounds so sleepy and dead. There have been a couple of moments where I've just been picking up things off the ground for 20minutes which then lead me to just arbitrarily trying to smash them together or use them on everything because I'd lost a bit of interest by the time my inventory was ready. It's not awful, it does what it should do but I'm hoping for more fun in the third one.

The first sequel in the "Secret Files" series is very similar to its predecessor, including the great (German) voice-acting and an engaging story. This time, you even switch back and forth between the two main characters with each chapter. You will see changes in the slightly better graphics and also the increased difficulty though. While puzzles in the first game were pretty logical, they can be a bit convoluted and strange here. Don't worry, that doesn't kill the fun. If you liked the first game, you will enjoy this one as well!

Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis, developed by Animation Arts and published by Ravenscourt, builds upon the foundation of its predecessor by expanding both its narrative scope and gameplay structure. It aims to deliver a more ambitious and globally interconnected adventure, blending conspiracy, catastrophe, and mystery into a single, sprawling experience. While it retains the core elements that define the genre, it also experiments with structure and tone, resulting in a game that feels larger in scale, though not always as tightly focused. The story begins with Nina Kalenkov once again drawn into a series of unexplained events, this time tied to a string of global disasters and an enigmatic cult known as Puritas Cordis. What follows is a narrative that stretches across multiple continents and perspectives, introducing additional playable characters and weaving together parallel storylines. This multi-perspective approach gives the game a sense of breadth, allowing players to experience different facets of the unfolding mystery. However, the frequent shifts between characters and locations can make the story feel fragmented, as certain plot threads are introduced and resolved with limited development. Despite this, the overarching mystery remains compelling enough to carry the experience forward, particularly for players who enjoy conspiracy-driven storytelling. Gameplay remains rooted in traditional point-and-click mechanics, emphasizing exploration, item collection, and puzzle-solving. The interface is intuitive, with features that streamline interaction and reduce unnecessary frustration, making the game accessible to both newcomers and experienced players. Puzzle design is varied, offering a mix of inventory-based challenges, logic puzzles, and situational problem-solving. Some puzzles are well-integrated into the narrative and environment, encouraging thoughtful engagement, while others can feel less intuitive, occasionally relying on trial-and-error. This inconsistency does not derail the experience, but it does create moments where progression feels less satisfying. One of the game’s distinguishing features is its willingness to experiment with tone and presentation. It occasionally incorporates humor and self-awareness, even breaking the fourth wall in subtle ways that add personality to the experience. These moments provide contrast to the otherwise serious narrative, preventing the story from becoming overly heavy. The inclusion of multiple playable characters also adds variety to gameplay, as each perspective introduces different scenarios and challenges, helping to maintain a sense of freshness throughout the journey. Visually, the game offers a solid presentation, with detailed environments that reflect its global scope. Locations range from urban settings to more remote and exotic areas, each contributing to the sense of a world-spanning adventure. The environments are often well-crafted and visually engaging, though character models and animations can appear somewhat stiff, revealing the technical limitations of the engine. Despite this, the overall art direction remains consistent, supporting the game’s tone and narrative. Pacing is one of the more complex aspects of the experience. The game offers a substantial amount of content, with a longer runtime than many titles in the genre, which allows for a more expansive journey. However, this extended length can also lead to uneven pacing, with certain sections feeling slower or less engaging than others. The frequent transitions between storylines keep the experience dynamic, but they can also disrupt narrative flow, making it difficult to fully invest in any single thread. Audio design complements the game effectively, with a soundtrack that enhances both the sense of mystery and the scale of the unfolding events. Voice acting, while generally competent, varies in quality, with some performances standing out more than others. This inconsistency can occasionally affect immersion, particularly during key narrative moments. Ultimately, Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis is a game that strives to be bigger and more complex than its predecessor. It succeeds in offering a rich and varied adventure, filled with puzzles and narrative twists, but its ambition also leads to moments of imbalance. The combination of a multi-layered story, diverse gameplay, and global settings creates an experience that is engaging, even if not always cohesive. In the end, it stands as a solid entry in the point-and-click genre, particularly for players who appreciate lengthy, story-driven adventures with a mix of mystery and exploration. While it may not achieve complete consistency, it delivers enough intrigue and variety to make the journey worthwhile. Rating: 7/10

Gra dzieciństwa ♥ minus: -brak polskie

Aunque lo he sentido algo menos original que el primero, incluso a veces un batiburrillo de recoger objetos sin saber para qué en los inicios de cada zona. Pero es verdad que se disfruta mucho, los comentarios irónicos de la protagonista son lo mejor, incluso rompiendo la cuarta pared de forma magistral. Y con muchos momentos de combinar objetos y utilizarlos en el entorno te hace sentir ese momento eureka que tanto nos gusta en este tipo de juegos. Cuando entiendes lo que espera el juego que hagas, todo va súper hilado hasta resolverlo.

Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis. Un título que fue lanzado en 2007, es una secuela que promete mucho y, bueno, cumple con algunas cosas. Primero, hablemos de la dificultad. Si encontraste la primera entrega un poco desafiante, aquí tienes buenas noticias: ¡esta es más fácil! Bueno, al menos hasta que llegas al final y te das cuenta de que los desarrolladores tenían un as bajo la manga. Así es, el final es tan complicado que podría provocar más de un tirón de pelo. Pero, oye, ¿no es esa la diversión de las aventuras gráficas? Los personajes son un punto fuerte, aunque nuestra querida Nina ha adoptado un tono sarcástico que puede ser tan dulce como el limón en una herida abierta. Sí, a veces es un poco insoportable pero, ¿quién no disfruta de un buen sarcasmo de vez en cuando? Max, por otro lado, sigue siendo el contrapunto perfecto, aunque la forma en que sus historias se entrelazan es más rebuscada que una teoría conspirativa. La trama nos presenta una secta apocalíptica con un líder decidido a destruir el mundo con un mega tsunami. Sí, has leído bien. La variedad de escenarios es impresionante, aunque la linealidad del juego te hace sentir como si estuvieras en un tour guiado sin opción a desvíos. El sistema de ayuda merece una mención especial por su ineptitud, algo así como tener un GPS que te lleva siempre por el camino más largo. Las soluciones a los acertijos a veces desafían la lógica, pero supongo que eso forma parte del encanto. Afortunadamente, aquí no hay muertes inesperadas, lo cual es un alivio para los que odiamos perder a nuestro personaje por un paso en falso. Y el final, con su divertido recuento de lo que les pasa a todos los personajes y ese toque de "in memoriam", es un detalle que merece un aplauso. En resumen, Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis es una aventura gráfica entretenida, irónica y, a veces, frustrante, pero sin duda, un viaje que vale la pena.