Hidden: On the trail of the Ancients

The writings of H. P Lovecraft. have always been a source of inspiration in the creation of cultural works and the video game does not deviate from this rule. Dark atmosphere, strange dreams, mystical rituals, there are all the ingredients of a successful horror game if the realization is at the height. The latest game to draw inspiration from the fantastic stories of the American writer comes from the small independent Studio lost spell and is presented in the form of a dot & click named hidden: on the trail of the ancients. In the 1930s a group of explorers was preparing to leave in the footsteps of a lost civilization called the "elders". Arriving in Buenos Aires, Thomas Farell, the band anthropologist goes to a particular hotel to gather the discoveries of a recently deceased researcher. He will realize by exploring the remote parts of the building that some obscure legends might well be real. Hidden is a dot & click all that's more classic. We explore, we pick up objects, we read some writings (there is no French version to date), we solve some puzzles, all in a scenario well staged certainly, but terribly banal. The atmosphere is very immersive thanks to the soundtrack of the game which fulfils well its role and thanks to the well detailed and well designed environments. Only there, I felt like I had already made this game, he reminded me of points & click such as darkness within or the mystery of the Druids and, although these are different, I did not manage to dissipate some boredom while playing hidden. That said it is not a bad game, on the contrary it fulfils well its role and brilliantly installs a lovecraftian, black, strange and lulled atmosphere of esotericism and sacred rituals. The game is cut into two parts: the first one takes place at the hotel where the atmosphere is lighter, the environments are generally clearer and the second is going on in the middle of the forest on the camp of the researchers. http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538010361 the second part is much more immersive because we find ourselves alone, in the Woods, with the feeling that we are being watched. The beginning of the game is therefore more of an introductory role. The puzzles are mostly logical and anchor well in history (repairing an object to attract the sympathy of a NPC, prepare a ritual to keep away from enemies...) but I also met one that was pulled by the hair with a chest opening According to a code that I would never have searched where the solution was, even having the element that offers the answer under the nose I did not find, it seemed so illogical. Why would one of the researchers have hidden this code in this place if he wanted me to find it? http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538010302 good if you are stuck know that there is an integrated help system in the menu that summarizes your goals. Here again the clues are not always a great help. The game ends in 5-7h, finally "ends" it depends on what point of view we place. Point of view of the game, Yes this is the end, evidence to support with the credits that parade. Scenario point of view, no no no! http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=539160286 I should have read more before, it's my fault but know it well: hidden will have its sequel and you will not know the end of the story until you take your pain in patience. In summary we have an introductory part, not the most immersive but that prepares us for history by offering us some elements of intrigue and a second part where the atmosphere is heavier, blacker, where the newspapers that we collect reveal us the mystery that hangs over the forest but ends abruptly without delivering any response. The game offered a banal scenario seen and reviewed but it was coming out with a successful atmosphere, however this atmosphere installed on the short life of the game will keep the players in suspense until the exit of the next shutter? We wonder what all the items collected will serve us or even if they are useful afterwards. If we have not found them we will be deprived and then we have the right to an increased difficulty? Or will the inventory simply be completed? Personally the game has failed to awaken my curiosity to the point of justifying the purchase of a second Opus, however as I said hidden is far from bad, to you to judge whether it deserves your attention. A key has been provided for evaluation purposes by the game side story [www.gamesidestory.com] site on which you will find this evaluation. Read more reviews on my curation page: Kitsune's Guide