Hungry for more...
Like many point-and-click adventures Secret Files 2 blends logical puzzles with illogical ones. Making a hat for a disguise by combining a life ring, dried flowers and a piece of fabric isn’t exactly a logical process - I found this out completely by trial and error- but the majority of puzzles I've encountered thus far can be worked out with careful thought.During this play-test I’ve discovered three or four inventory puzzles that don’t really make that much sense, but the interface does make it easy for you to combine items quickly and as a result it doesn’t feel as long-winded or half as frustrating as some point-and-click adventures.
Those few spurious moments that I did encounter are softened by the excellent use of humour that has been injected into the heart of this dark tale. There are many funny scenarios you’ll find yourself in, amusing characters you’ll bump into, plus plenty of witty dialogue from Nina herself. Many of the puzzles I’ve encountered so far are enjoyable to work out and satisfying when you complete them, for example, putting a roller skate underneath a mini-carousel and then pushing it over a skylight so you can read a clue on its base. (There’s more to it than that, but I’ll leave you to work that out!).
Click for larger image
Click for larger imageSecret Files 2 is shaping up to be an excellent mix of top-drawer adventuring and solid point-and-click entertainment. The dark storyline, involving the “New World Order”, is engrossing and it’s clear that the developers have put a great deal of effort into improving the finer details of the series including, but not limited to, a more open world environment, better and bigger production values and a more spirited musical score, where the atmosphere shifts effortlessly from being bright and energetic to dark and solemn. There's much more to this end-of-the- world tale then meets the eye and I'm looking to finding out more when Secret Files 2 is released in September 2008.
