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Editor's Choice Game Software
Keepsake
Review by: Angie Kibiloski
Wow! Awesome! Gorgeous! Breathtaking! Captivating! All of these words and more describe the brand new game from The Adventure Company, Keepsake (Retail $29.99). This adventure game is better than anything you have played before. The plot is a combination of Nancy Drew meets Harry Potter. The characters have depth and personality, the puzzles are challenging and involved. The world that you find yourself in is so stunning that you'll want to take a break just to stare at the scenery. Magical happenings abound, and the most mundane things become enchanting by adding a little bit of mysticism.
When you begin Keepsake, you are a young girl named Lydia, on her way to her first day at Dragonvale Academy, clueless of the mystery and the challenges that await her. She is meant to meet her childhood friend, Celeste, when she arrives, but she will soon discover that not only has Celeste gone missing, but the entire school seems to be deserted as well. The only creature that seems to remain is a talking wolf named Zak, who claims to really be a mighty dragon, transformed into a wolf by some mischievous students. Along with Zak, Lydia must explore the vast Academy, discovering its secrets, and uncovering the answer to what has happened at Dragonvale. Don't be fooled into thinking that exploring and conquering one sole location will be easy. Oh no. Keepsake is a surprisingly long and involved adventure, with more challenges presenting themselves, just as you think you are reaching completion. You get to enjoy this charming story for many well spent and engrossing hours.
While walking around the Academy and surrounding grounds, I couldn't help but stop for 5 minutes here and there, just to admire the beauty of the place. I kept thinking, while looking at several particularly beautiful landscapes, that I would LOVE to go to this place and spend hours touring its spectacles. The designers who imagined this environment have a true artist's eye and a great appreciation for the fantastical. Every room is stunningly detailed, from marble inlaid floor to vaulted candelabra decked ceiling. The forests and gardens around the exterior are breathtaking and grand. I have never been envious of a fictional character before, but oh what I would give to walk in Lydia's shoes, just to get a look at a real place like Dragonvale Academy.
The game play is very functional and user friendly. A typical point and click mouse navigation system, with easy to understand changing cursor symbols. There are many items to interact with, either to learn about, use, pick up, or simply admire. The character of Zak, and the few other beings you discover throughout the game have rich personalities, and you can interact with them in an easily laid out conversation box. Zak, unlike other characters, will randomly speak to you as well, without having to be prompted to do so, and makes a very nice companion. The puzzles that you come across, whether they be straightforward board game or code breaking types, or the kind that have you running all over the place trying to figure out what to gather, and which order to complete certain task, are challenging enough to keep you thinking and entertained, but not so mind numbing as to completely frustrate you into turning your computer off in spite, and cursing the sadistic game designers. J In case you DO get so frustrated that you just can't work on a puzzle another minute without going postal, there is an in-game hint system, which gives you three progressively more revealing hints to whatever you are working on. Just use them sparingly, as it is so much more rewarding to discover that you are, in fact, a genius and can solve the problems all by yourself. And conversely, it is just a little bit embarrassing, when you are told that the answer was actually staring you in the face.
I honestly cannot say enough good things about this game. I have raved about it to my friends, and will be keeping this one for my own collection, to play again another time. The characters are witty and charming, the challenges suitably thought provoking, and the plot is ripe with mystery and intrigue. With so many magical occurrences and gorgeous, breathtaking views, the world of Keepsake will keep you entranced for days, like a kid at Disneyland, with your eyes glued to the screen, and your mouth agape in wonder. And don't be surprised if you find yourself randomly uttering phrases like, "Wow, that's awesome!", "Oooh cool!" and "Oh my god, that's beautiful!" These words seemed to escape my lips with zeal, for every other room I entered. Keepsake, from The Adventure Company, is THE must have game of the year!
System Requirements:
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