You read right - no HOS. This is a pure adventure game with 3 levels of difficulty. I preferred the 2nd option as it left the comments associated with clicks. The graphics are outstanding. They are crisp, colorful, detailed, a little creepy around the edges without being dark and dreary. -Sort of a cross between Tim Burton and Disney in the 60s. The mechanics: -There is a journal that I never referenced and is intermittently brought up to date, so not much use there. -There is a map that shows active areas and areas with unfinished objectives. Unfortunately there is no jumping directly to locations. At times, the daughter appears with a portal allowing a direct hop which is nice. -I didn't use hints, so don't know how they are; The strategy guide is well done and was helpful when what to do was not always clear from the map or objectives list. -level of difficulty in game play could be changed at any time. There were not sparkles or other distractions during game play which for me is a plus. I like to take my time and not be pestered by blinks and winks and twinks while looking a scene over. -The music was great. Very suited to what was happening and adding a suspense. -The storyline was darkly funny and unique. As example, part of the evil witch's occupation of a school consists of a deliciously evil plant that infiltrates almost every scene. It is neon in some of it's coloring and very creatively done with a variety of creepy faces so one does not know what to expect from scene to scene. There are a number of ways it is dealt with throughout game play - all fun. -mini-games: Level of challenge varied, they were unique and clever. At one point there are 3 circular bronze monster "faces" cut into pie wedges that must be re-organized into their correct state, but no example is provided and the pie wedges cross all circles. I had fun with that one. What is not to like about this game? That it had to end- that's what! Now to find the next g

I have been waiting for this new ers game to hit the market. You will not be disappointed. Great graphics and music. Not too hard to play and it even has a map. Just a fun game to play. Get it for 1/2 price this weekend makes it a steel.

I bought the game before demo ended and this will be a short review so I can get back into it again. I love this game! The voices in it are perfect, the graphics very clear and beautifully done, animation is great, the mini games especially the knight one was so much fun. The storyline is compelling. This game can only be described with one word Awesome! The game is more interactive and thankfully I have not seen a hidden object yet and hope I do not see one. After thousands of hidden object games since I have been a member of BFG since the start of it, I am bored out of my mind with hidden object games in a list. I wanted different mini games and different music through out the game and thus far ERS game has done this as far as I have proceeded in the game. I highly recommend people to try the demo and see if you agree. I had no computer glitches and easy to install and download. Thanks for another great game. I love games with voices it really pulls me into the story more and again I just want to say the people who did the voices do a fantastic job.

I was kinda dubious about this game, but once I started playing, I was very impressed. It has an outstanding story; creepy, which is right up my alley. The graphics are very well done as was the music. I couldn't wait for my hour to be up so I could purchase it! Kudos to the makers of this game !

I had a feeling this was going to be a great game and I was not disappointed. Graphics and story are just the creepy kind I like and are very well done. Voice over is always welcomed by me as it adds to the over all feel and you don't have to read it all the time. Mini Games are original and very interesting. You actually have a scene where you need to use the right items in the right order to win. Very cool.When you solve a puzzle you know where you will use the item most of the time pretty soon. This is a great buy for today at $9.99. Don't miss out on it. The free hour goes by real fast and I'm off to buy it now.

I LOVE these developers and I simply love Adventure games so it took me exactly 3 minutes to decide to buy. At first the game looks like an HOPA, but sorry to say, for those who enjoy HO games, you will be dissapointed; there are absolutely NO HO scenes in this game. Gothic Fiction is strictly interactive adventure with puzzles. I have no idea what acronyms to use but all I can say that this game will appeal to adventure lovers like myself. The story begins with a Mother whose daughter is kidnapped by an evil Witch. ( Alas, a tale not so unfamiliar and a little too worn out.) Anyhow, our adventure starts off in an abondoned school filled with creepy plants and ghosts of children gone missing. As the tale unfolds, you discover that your enemy is one very powerful witch and there is alot to do before you can save your daughter. The Graphics are what you normally expect from these developers, crisp and sharp. Real live actors are used in some scenes and there are voice overs. I loved the art work and sound effects are good as well. Playing this game at night will no doubt provide the extra spooky atmosphere. Game features three game modes and I recommend that hard-core players go with advance. Absolutley no hand holding, making for a very good adventure. Game features a journal, a map that alos provides a list of tasks, a hint that refills quickly and also a Witches diary where you need to collect pages in order to find out her story. Once your adventure begins, you look for inventory objects, tools and also need to pick up energy balls along the way. There are 15 of them inside the paintings that you come across. There are alot of mini games to paly and puzzles to solve. Most of them easy but in my opinion, easy to play. I actually enjoyed the game and from the SG, there are 9 chapters to play along with a bonus. Game play runs smoothly, sometimes it does get a bit tedious and mechanical. Something was missing but I really could not put my finger on it; possibly the WOW factor which I just did not feel or the lack

Where do I begin? There are so many great things about this game. The graphics were incredible. They also use live actors. The games are original and fun. There was also a few scenes that got me to jump which is hard to do. The story isn't too original but that didn't even bother me because there was so much to do and see. All the pictures are interactive. The plants eyes move. They really left no stone unturned with this game. Great job ERS and Big Fish!

This was such a great game. Yes, the story-line is the same as so many others. The visuals and sound are great, except for the cut scenes that are, as usual, very cheesy. The fun factor was still excellent, as was the level of challenge. This game was not one of the games you finish quickly and had so many different puzzles. I really enjoyed it. I would most definitely recommend it!

There is nothing run-of-the-mill in this game. It?s a very spooky adventure in an old school, trying to get your daughter back and save other children captured by a witch. Excellent production values - the developers did a fantastic and creative job in making this one of the creepiest games around. There?s so much to do. Even with a map (not interactive) to tell you where actions are required, a pen and paper will come in handy. Uses real actors with voices and natural-sounding dialog that is spot on. Soundscapes (especially the background screaming and wind storm sounds) add to the already eerie atmosphere. Graphics are a visual delight - beautifully drawn and detailed environments, befitting the story perfectly. Little roving eyes found everywhere add to the creepiness. Wide variety of innovative and brilliant puzzles that are a lot of fun. This game just sucks you in from the beginning and is the perfect game to play at night with the lights low and no one around.

This is another superb ERS game. Everything about it, clear graphic's, sound, storyline, play ability are great. The game glides along from one thing to another and I was so absorbed for the full demo. Real creepy monsters to deal with which you can gather energy to fight off, and this also add to the storyline. The whole game is very enjoyable and the demo sped by much to fast. I would highly recommend this game. Its a definite buy for me, but not till the 1st of the month as my punch card is used up till then.