Strange Case: The Alchemist 12+

I really loved it! It took me longer than it should have, because I am someone who misses things very easily. When the first ad break popped up after finishing one of the first puzzles, I panicked a bit because at first glance(for me), it was asking to pay to get the rest of the story. I did love the options though, either watch an ad, or pay $1-2, and I can’t remember the prices for the other two options. Overall, was very fun, though the logic was a bit iffy in places.

Most people seem to be rating 5 stars, which is fine, BUT I do have a big pet peeve personally. Sometimes it was difficult for me to know what I was looking for as the images don’t change when there is a change (I know this made no sense, let me explain). When you had to move the stones in Chapter 2, it would glow red when you got that part of the puzzle right, but when you would go back out to the room view, the stones were just regular. There were a few changes in room pictures, but mostly for things you would only go to once and then never visit again, (like the suitcase). Also one thing that was annoying is that for the last one, the place you used the cross, was not actually shown in the room image, even though it should of been visible. Those kind of made it hard for me to get around, but the puzzles were a good difficulty, easier at times, more difficult at other times. Overall, I enjoyed this and I do recommend it if you like these types of games.

Also yes, this is obviously a Rusty Lake “inspired” and honestly a bit more than inspired... butttt you can still enjoy it.

This was a game that was all but great. The graphics, music, puzzles, style, depth, everything was wonderful! I paid for it and would again.

There were two things that were shortcomings. The first is minor. For the few puzzles I couldn’t get, the walkthrough usually pointed out where the clues were that I missed. With a couple of puzzles, it wasn’t clear how we would know the solution. Not a big deal.

The big problem is how unsatisfactory the ending is!! (Trying to do this without spoilers) Read the other reviewer’s hints.

But when you get there and make a mistake you have to go all the way back to the beginning to try again! Arrgh! I watched the ending of the walkthrough and it was better but still not satisfying. Maybe there is a third way but I’m not going through the whole game just to get there, especially if I don’t know it will work.

But maybe that bad ending is the point? If so, then I might have given it 3 instead of 4 stars. That’s just mean.