Casual Review

Full Review

When we see a hidden object game that's more than just the run of the mill, we make it a point to tell you. And what we're telling you now is this: You should start downloading the demo to Mortimer Beckett and the Secrets of Spooky Manor now. That way, by the time you finish reading this review, you won't have to wait to play it!

So, this Mortimer fellow has to solve a mystery at his great-uncle's manor involving lots of hidden objects? Is there anything new to this? Yes, as a matter of fact, the hidden objects are handled in a new and refreshing way, and it all adds up to a really well-designed game that made us sit up and take notice. For a start, there are fewer hidden objects in each room, but they are broken up into pieces and cunningly hidden all over. Next, a picture of the object is shown at the bottom of the screen so you actually know what you're looking for, and as you find piece after piece, the picture is updated with the remaining pieces you have yet to find. After assembling the objects, you will have to place them in the right locations in the rooms in order to complete each level - an umbrella needs to go in its stand, while a bird needs to be placed in its birdhouse, and so forth. Some objects need to be used in the right way, to allow you to progress through the house. It's this part of the game that makes it feel the most like an old-fashioned adventure game. And on top of all that you have a secret code to uncover, and you also have to collect parts of a Ghost Machine in order to set the spooky manor straight!

The slightly ghostly theme of the game comes through in some of the cute yet spooky apparitions that show up now and then in the game - a hungry ghost that just wants a piece of cake, for example. It's nothing scary - all in good fun - but it all fits in with the mood of the game. And unlike other games which penalize the time limit when you make too many clicks, in this one, white-sheet ghosts show up and swirl around the screen to block your view instead, all in keeping with the haunted story of the manor.

The art style, level design, puzzles and music all work together to reinforce the mood of the game, and you never feel like there are objects or elements that are jarringly out of place. If you're at all a fan of hidden object games with a little more kick to them, you'll be quite happy to spend hours exploring Spooky Manor, so you ought to click on that demo and get started!

Review by Poh Tun Kai