Nevertales: Hidden Doorway Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

265 of 296 found this review helpful

REALITY IS FLUID IN TALEWORLD

PostedSeptember 24, 2016

pennmom36

fromMadHead Games does it again! Now this is thinking outside the box!

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat Collector's Edition

(100)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could rewrite the storyline of a game? Well, that's exactly what you get to do in Nevertales: Hidden Doorway! Helen receives a frantic video from her boyfriend Ian Barton, claiming his mentor Benedict Bell, isn't who he says he is, and that he's in dire need of her help. Helen rushes over to Mr. Bell's house to find Ian trapped behind a door bound by otherworldly chains. Ian shoves a novel he wrote, "The Hidden Doorway" through a small opening between the chains explaining that reality is fluid here, like fiction, and with his book she is able to change the story to a more favorable outcome! Helen sets out to free Ian from Mr. Bell who seems to have gone off the deep end, she quickly realizes that she has become a character in the stories that he has written and must outwit the author as she searches for Ian within the chapters world. Helen has an even bigger problem however, just who is the monster in reality, Ian or Benedict Bell?

Ian's novel will be your guiding light in this world as well as Taleworld. At certain points in the game, you will read a paragraph, words in purple text can't be changed directly, but the words in blue text can be altered to have a more favorable outcome. When you click on the word in blue, several items will be presented at the top of the page, you must the choose the item that will best suit the situation and change the outcome to a favorable outcome by using that item. This Collector's Edition also has a Hidden Collectible Sign in each scene, as well as the usual Achievements to earn, which also allows you to earn Gold, Silver and Bronze stars for each of the 9 Achievements.

The Hidden Object Scenes have a Morphing Object to find and an icon indicator to remind you to look for the Morph which is something I appreciate because I have a hard time remembering when they are within the HOP. There are Interactive List finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, Multiples of each item finds, items listed that simply move to expose fragments to complete a puzzle, and even smaller Zoom Zone scenes with just a handful of items to find. (note that some zoom zones have arrows to move the scene up and down, some have rotation arrows that allow you to flip the item to see the back of it)

I really enjoyed the Mini Games, they weren't too frustrating yet not too simple either. Below are brief descriptions of some of the Mini Games you'll encounter during the demo:

1) Arrange the pie shaped pieces so that the ball can roll down through the maze at the bottom.

2) Cut all the bushes by controlling the scissors. Scissors will cut in a straight line until the hit a hedge wall or other obstacle and the scissors can't cross their own path.

3) Select and rotate the two suns until the positions of the smaller planets align with their bigger versions.

4) Recreate the image by selecting square tiles and placing them in the correct squares.

5) Rotate the safe numbers using arrows from the clues you found earlier.

This Collector's Edition has a Hidden Sign in each scene, 9 Achievements available in Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories, a Morphing Object in each Hidden Object Puzzle, 16 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 22 Concept Art pictures, 17 Wallpapers, 10 Music Soundtracks, Avatars, a Scrapbook, a Gardening Puzzle, a Nostalgia Section, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+234points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

107 of 119 found this review helpful

A Really Good Game.

PostedSeptember 24, 2016

Daxadillion

fromGloucestershire UK

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

The graphics are perfect and the gameplay very smooth. The voices are good as is the music.

Helper - It's a flying mechanical device that is perfect for topiary. It doesn't talk so it's not intrusive but does lurk in every scene, and is prone to getting damaged.

Map - I've not seen this style of map before but it was very good and easy to navigate.

The HOS (20 of them) are varied and ...Show more

The graphics are perfect and the gameplay very smooth. The voices are good as is the music.

Helper - It's a flying mechanical device that is perfect for topiary. It doesn't talk so it's not intrusive but does lurk in every scene, and is prone to getting damaged.

Map - I've not seen this style of map before but it was very good and easy to navigate.

The HOS (20 of them) are varied and interactive and the mini games/puzzles are enjoyable and not too difficult.

32 Collectibles are all the same with one in every scene but I forgot to look for them as I was too eager to continue playing.

27 Achievements - including an endless puzzle for getting a score of 60

Extras: Some are not available until you have all the collectibles or have finished the Bonus Chapter.

Replay 16 HOS
Scrapbook
Nostalgia
Gardening Puzzle
Treasure Items Show less

I recommend this game!

+95points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

55 of 61 found this review helpful

Other devs had better take notice...Madhead has just raised the bar again!

PostedSeptember 25, 2016

LunaNik

fromNever underestimate a woman with a hacksaw.

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

REVIEW BASED ON completed game + bonus chapter + extras

MY GAMES
How long was I stuck at five hundred and four?
Every game that I tried was too easy…a bore!
For this, I made room gladly on my hard drive.
And I’m proud to announce: I own 505. :-)

PROLOGUE
I loved the first two episodes of this series—The Beauty Within and Shattered Image—and gave them both five stars. The storylines were ...Show more

REVIEW BASED ON completed game + bonus chapter + extras

MY GAMES
How long was I stuck at five hundred and four?
Every game that I tried was too easy…a bore!
For this, I made room gladly on my hard drive.
And I’m proud to announce: I own 505. :-)

PROLOGUE
I loved the first two episodes of this series—The Beauty Within and Shattered Image—and gave them both five stars. The storylines were interesting and gameplay was enjoyable. Smoke and Mirrors was too easy, and the storyline moved slowly. I never bothered with Legends, based on reviews that said gameplay was easy.

I decided to try Hidden Doorway in the hopes that Madhead had revived this once-great series. Better look sharp, devs. Madhead has raised the bar again!

ONCE UPON A TIME ★★★★★
Your boyfriend, Ian, is interning with established writer, Benjamin Bells. You finally receive a strange video call from him; Ian claims he’s in danger…from his mentor. Naturally, you immediately go to Mr. Bells’ house and find Ian behind a locked door. He hands you a book, telling you that you must change the story. By the time you get through the door, Mr. Bells and Ian are vanishing through a portal of some type. And Mr. Bells is doing his best to stop you from following them, insisting that he has to “stop Ian” at all costs. What’s going on here?

Note: While this episode is not part of the stories involving Belle and her family, it is still a valid part of this series, as it concerns Taleworld.

PLAY THE GAME ★★★★★
Adventure mode finds you following Mr. Bells through strikingly different “tales,” as he does his best to stop Ian from bringing darkness to Taleworld. You’ll not only have to fight against the darkness being introduced to the various tales, but also against Mr. Bells’ own stories. Some of this is done via traditional gameplay—interacting with the environment through your inventory—while some is done via changing the story to your advantage. Yes, you heard that right. (LoC: low through high. FF: medium to high.)

HO Scenes are varied in presentation, interactive, and challenging. For the most part, the objects are actually hidden! Some of the variations:
• a mixed presentation of straight list, interactive list, and related pairs where one or both require interactions,
• interactive list where each object hides a fragment of a lock,
• silhouettes…find three of each type, most objects require interaction,
• related pairs,
• find the highlighted words in the narrative,
• find three of each drawing while listening to the backstory, and
• find three that correspond to each given category.
(LoC: medium to high. FF: medium to high.)

Puzzles run the gamut from quite easy to “requires functioning neurons.” These are all after the demo:
• Repeating puzzle: In the storybook, choose which word to modify, then choose from the five available choices. (LoC: low to high. FF: awesome.)
• Use the magic magnifying glass to gather clues at the crime scene. When you have them all, tag them and place them in the correct order. (LoC: medium. FF: high.)
• Several levels of increasing difficulty: A number of figurines are set up on a board. Each has a goal and a directional arrow. Move each figurine until it reaches its goal. The first board merely requires you to move each in a straight line, but they become more difficult, requiring strategic planning. (LoC: low to high. FF: high.)
• Three levels: Rotate the “sight glass” to reveal rune fragments. For each level, choose the rune fragments that together complete the displayed rune. (LoC: medium. FF: medium.)
• Asteroids! I’m not even kidding. (LoC: medium. FF: high)

SIGHTSEEING ★★★★★
The graphics are so varied in style that I’m not sure where to begin. Fantasy scenes are whimsical while modern scenes show realism. I’m fairly sure the entire palette was used, but used wisely and with taste. Color evokes mood subtly but with great success.

Zoomed in, everything has beautiful detail and texture. The NPCs are well-drawn with realistic articulation and movement and excellent facial expressions. Both in-game and cutscene animation are smooth.

SOUNDBOARD ★★★★★
The music is varied and well-integrated. “Eternal Garden” is a piano minuet against a backdrop of strings. “Puppet’s Strings” reminds me of a film noir soundtrack, while “Breakthroughs” calls to mind an epic movie. There are four variations on a theme called “Hideaways,” parts one through four, and all are markedly different in style, mood, and tempo.

Environmental sounds are appropriate, but not overwhelming. Game sounds are unobtrusive and not annoying. Voiceovers are excellent. (Mr. Bells’ voice reminds me of Atrus from the Myst series.)

TOOLBOX ★★★★★
Inventory panel locks open and includes plus item. And, miracle of miracles, the arrow keys function as “page up” and “page down” buttons instead of just moving forward or back one item at a time. Full stars!

The map transports and has “something to do here” indicators. Style-wise, it’s interconnected screenshots of the scenes, so you can tell exactly which place is which. There’s no journal, nor is one necessary.

You have a helper for part of the game: an adorable levitating robot with shears at the ends of his arms. He stays onscreen and is unobtrusive. Nor must you name or dress him. There are no irritating gimmicks.

BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6.

OOH! PIECE OF CANDY ★★★★
• Bonus Chapter - Help Ian seal the darkness in once and for all.
• Collectibles: There’s portal symbol in each scene; an icon near the inventory panel reminds you whether you’ve found it. If you find them all, each one is a piece of a jigsaw puzzle which, when completed, unlocks four Treasure Hunts: fantasy, science fiction, crime, and drama.
• Morphing Objects - There’s one in each HO; the collectible icon works here too. Collect them all to unlock the Avatars.
• Replay HO Scenes - All 16 of them, including getting any morphing objects you missed.
• Replay Puzzles - No. *weeps copiously* But you can play a bunch of levels of the gardening puzzle.
• Performance Achievements - Nope, and I didn’t miss them one tiny bit.
• Developer’s Portfolio - 17 wallpapers, 22 concept art, 10 downloadable soundtracks, 24 Avatars,
• Other - Strategy Guide, Nostalgia (4 HO scenes from previous games)

EPILOGUE - Overall Rating: (34 total ★) ÷ 6 = 4.83 ★ (rounded to ★★★★★)
I absolutely recommend this game without reservation. While it’s not the longest game, it more than makes up for that with quality gameplay that’s challenging and fun. Happy gaming, fishies!

RECOMMENDED BY THIS DEV (★★★★ or above, based on my rating at game’s release)
from this series:
The Beauty Within CE, Shattered Image CE

from the Rite of Passage series:
The Perfect Show, Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE

from the Dark Realm series:
Queen of Flames CE, Princess of Ice CE, Lord of the Winds CE

from the Cadenza series:
Music, Betrayal, and Death CE, Havana Nights CE

One-Offs
Beyond: Light Advent CE, Maze: Subject 360 CE Show less

I recommend this game!

+49points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

52 of 60 found this review helpful

Innovation abounds with the love and art of storytelling

PostedSeptember 24, 2016

woodawooda

fromTo where ever my games and BFG takes me!

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This is a truly innovative game. Far beyond what we usually see. The storyline is so clever, you cannot stop rooting for the good guys to win. There is something so special and precious about good storytelling. This game has put us in a quest to keep out the dark storylines, to keep our stories happy, good and pure. The mystery of who is the good guy and who is the enemy runs throughout. With multiple location changes represented by the very stories we are fighting for.
Everything about this game has been thought out to make the gameplay elegant, detailed and innovative. It is a perfect game and many thanks to the genius at Mad Head Games for yet another winner! Show less

I recommend this game!

+44points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

89 of 108 found this review helpful

Another excellent Nevertales

PostedSeptember 24, 2016

gryhndlvr

fromColorado

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

When I saw this new sequel for Nevertales this morning, I had to add it to my collectiion. Very well written, beautiful graphics and never disappointing imagination of these developers.
It sure is a bit different what the story is concerned, but that is what I love. I was getting tired of the never ending fairy tales, rituals and vampires, sort of speak. This is refreshing.
Very well made HOPS and mini games. No it is not a very hard game to play but it has a smart flow and it totally kept me interested. Of course you have your collectables and morphs and bonuses at the end.
But it was the story . graphics and overall, the gameplay, why I chose this game to be a 5 star. Keep it up Mad Head ! Show less

I recommend this game!

+70points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

70 of 89 found this review helpful

WALKING THROUGH THIS DOORWAY HOLDS SOME SURPRISES

PostedSeptember 24, 2016

biscuitsmama

fromI am hoping that walking through the Hidden Doorway holds some exciting surprises

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

As the game begins Helen (your character in the game) receives a strange message from boyfriend Ian saying that his mentor Sir Benedict Bells isn’t who he says he is. Ian sounds distressed and while he is speaking the phone goes dead so you rush over to Sir Bells’ house to see what is wrong. When you arrive at the house you find things are a mess and Ian is in trouble. It seems that Sir Bells is ...Show more

Since this is a Nevertales game after all, some things are familiar but yet presented in a different way from other games in the series. In this game you will enter the Taleworld through the Hidden Doorway but you get to rewrite the stories to change the outcome – but do you want to? The developer has shown so much creativity with this game that even I was surprised. You will need to be on your toes and actually think about what you need to do as you work to save Ian and find the truth that is behind the Hidden Doorway.

The graphics are excellent and crisp with my only minor complaint being that there is a tad too much of the blue tone that is present in the game at times. Of course all of the Nevertales games have had that blue or purple tint so this game is in line with the others. The game has all of the other technical features that one would expect from a top-tier developer including an excellent sound package. The game also includes an interactive map to help you move quickly between scenes.

The HOPS are well-designed but there are far fewer of the traditional type that we normally see in HOPA games. There are some that are the standard list type, some are silhouette type and then there are the storybook types but all of them are excellent. Where Hidden Doorway excels is with its puzzles. The puzzles are a bit different and some are actually challenging. There is a puzzle early in the game that involves mowing a garden and the first two levels are easy but by the third level, it becomes tricky. I actually love the garden puzzle and had a lot of fun figuring it out.

The CE version of the game includes 32 collectibles to find and morphing objects that are found in the HOP scenes. Of course, there are 27 achievements to earn for those who love the challenge. Extras include a bonus chapter, a 56-page strategy guide, artwork, wallpapers, music and replay of HOPS. A few extra goodies include a Nostalgia Section, Scrapbook, Garden Puzzle included and Avatars.

Do I really love the game? The answer to that question is I am not sure that I am swept away by the storyline. In some ways the game has a feeling of the old Drawn series (one that was never my favorite) but perhaps that is because of all the blue tones in those games as well. I can’t put my finger on what I don’t like about Hidden Doorway but it is most likely the game’s theme. Although I have all of the Nevertales games, they are not the games I really want to replay because I find most of them less than exciting. Maybe this one will be better and I will play it with an open mind because it might surprise me. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if Hidden Doorway is a game you will enjoy. Show less

I recommend this game!

+51points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

31 of 37 found this review helpful

THREE CHEERS+ BUT A TEAR AND A SIGH

PostedSeptember 28, 2016

kandinsky

fromNew York. Hudson Valley.

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Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death Collector's Edition

(237)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I enjoyed this game more than any Ive played for quite a while. the sense of innovation, the suggestion of choices of path in changing the book (done so carefully that one hardly notices that there is only one path forward) the feeling of inventiveness in games and puzzles , graphics and in PARTICULAR at the end of Tale 2. then in Tale 3 the messages from outside which remind me of Philip KDick (for example in Ubik).
the negative I felt was that the plot did not hold the same level of invention to the end, we are told it is not clear what the motive of the bad guy or force is, but then it does not become clear at the end either.. perhaps it is just some usual demonic force wanting to destroy everything or perhaps (this would be more interesting but it is not set up within the story) it is an author's own self destructive side. I think the REAL PROBLEM (stress ? ) is that there is a limit to what one can do in this type of game. it is not Dostoevsky finally and cannot be , or Proust . a tear and a sigh no doubt from both developer and player realizing the limits of this form. like bright colored bubbles even the best of these...
And make no mistake this is one of the very best!
so if you are looking to this review to decide about buying and playing I absolutely suggest you do so. there is no better lately from big fish games. Show less

I recommend this game!

+25points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

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Challenging, fun, new puzzles, makes you think, LOVE IT

PostedSeptember 25, 2016

bishky

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Current Favorite:

PuppetShow: Her Cruel Collection Collector's Edition

(30)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

In all my years of playing these games, they begin to be a lot alike in some ways. This game is different and I love it. It challenges you to think and be part of the game. This is a new and novel way to play. Please read all the reviews that give you the blow by blow because they are so in depth and helpful. My suggestion is to do the play/try me after that and see for yourself if this game is ...Show more

I recommend this game!

+18points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

25 of 31 found this review helpful

Just Right For Me

PostedSeptember 25, 2016

jmidge0217

fromMedford, OR

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy

Current Favorite:

Queen's Quest 2: Stories of Forgotten Past Collector's Edition

(36)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I have not purchased many CEs recently. Either the storyline is too familiar-the puzzles or HOS too difficult-the collectibles too difficult to find-or a combination of the above.
Although I have been playing BFG for many years - I am an older player & only consider myself as an intermediate player. Using the hint/skip button a lot I get frustrated & usually do not purchase the game, The puzzles & HOS-while not too easy-were doable
The storyline was different enough to keep me engaged & logical.
The only thing I would have liked was an option in the HOS-match 3-mahjong -or some other.
As I said-this was just right for me Show less

I recommend this game!

+19points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

20 of 26 found this review helpful

Smart and fun!

PostedSeptember 24, 2016

jocasta1

fromToronto Canada

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File

Current Favorite:

PuppetShow: The Price of Immortality Collector's Edition

(81)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This is a great game! One of the unique features is that you get to rewrite the future based on reading the book of the person you're trying to help...very fun! The HO scenes are good and the puzzles interesting. The story line is great, and the graphics a pleasure to look at. The game plays well, and the demo zoomed by. The game has all the CE bells and whistles and is a sure buy for me!

I recommend this game!

+14points

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