I do wish it had a diary. Really. Sometimes the text rolls so fast and the plot twists it really needs a diary and a good background on the factions involved. But lack of diary and additional information plus length equals 4 star not 5. That said - I really enjoyed this one! Artwork is rich, storyline decent and mini games sane. Has custom difficulty and transporting indicated map. Verdict: buy!

I *used* to love this series. First of all, I hate wintry settings, but I knew that this was one of them going in but got it bc it was Amaranthine. These winter themes are just shades of white and light blue, it seems lazy of the developers. I had no problems with the the flow of the game, although the story wasn't really explained well. My biggest problem is with the mini games!! You can tell they took out most of them, like when you put a missing piece in and the lines don't line up and you're ready to solve it, but then it does it on its own! This was all over the game! And the puzzles they did leave in were so pitifully easy that I wonder what age they actually make them for! So you are left with pick up this piece, fit it in here, get an amulet, go back and put it over there, repeat ad nauseum. Soooo boring. I play these games for fun but not to put me in a coma. I want a challenge, I want to have to think! I want a mini game to take a bit of time!

Side note first, thank you to casual mode and many other who spoke up about " the issues" with a certain reviewer, I'm afraid they just don't get it and I dare say they are probably incapable of seeing the annoying and hostile environment they have created. I would encourage the Dream team elite leader to please read ALL the comments from reviewers of the game Iron mask. I am all for friendly banter, that's a good thing but let me make it very clear that ALL of us our equally important when it comes to getting change( like free trials returning). No one person is more valued, everyone's participation is of equal value.Now to this game, I have loved this series and this one is no exception. The mini games are good and understandable as is the story. I've only played the free trial but I am off to purchase the full version....it's a buy for me!!Happy gaming!!

I respect the creativity and artistry of the people who concepted and made this, but if you aren't a gear head, be prepared to be underwhelmed. Most of the objects you get and interact with are pieces of machinery, or emblems to open locks and I just found that pretty boring. It's hard to remember where this little gear is supposed to go, or figure out which tool turns which cog, or try to read a fuzzy recipe that doesn't really explain that it's a triple-step process and you have to collect it, then take it out of the menu and add the last part.The art is good, but again, just a lot of gray, rusted metal. For me, the setting was a snooze fest.I play these games to relax, and escape, so the simpler the better for me. This game isn't intuitive enough, in that I was hitting the hint button a lot. And the puzzles were definitely made for people who like them more than HOPs, as they are challenging, time consuming and don't offer alternatives like match three or easing the difficulty level. It's take the half hour or skip it.Overall I'd say this game is made for people who are more into challenging console games, rather than simple HOP games. Some people will be into it, but not the typical HOP player, imho. And not me!