Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's Morella Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

133 of 165 found this review helpful

THE CREEPY VOICEOVERS ARE AWESOME!

PostedDecember 16, 2017

biscuitsmama

fromThe creepy voices are terrific but there is a point when Lilly should say nothing because her squeaky little voice makes me want to push her out the window

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Well, I must say that this game has one of the best and creepiest opening cut scenes I have ever seen in a HOPA game. If the remainder of the game is as awesome as the opening then we are all in for a treat.

We play the game as a detective who tags along with the ever changing Dupin. He is looking a bit younger this time around and has a bit of his polish back. Dupin has received a letter from ...Show more

Well, I must say that this game has one of the best and creepiest opening cut scenes I have ever seen in a HOPA game. If the remainder of the game is as awesome as the opening then we are all in for a treat.

We play the game as a detective who tags along with the ever changing Dupin. He is looking a bit younger this time around and has a bit of his polish back. Dupin has received a letter from Rufus McDougall asking him to investigate the disappearance of his family. The authorities have more or less brushed him off and refuse to help him find out what happened to his brother Mark, his wife Luisa and their daughter Lilly. Mark and his wife recently settled into a house that is known as “the Devourer of Souls” and with a reputation like that who in their right mind would even think this would be a good place to live with one’s wife and daughter. Alas, they now seem to be paying the consequences and so now you and Dupin must find the truth and save them if possible.

Although this developer was at one time my favorite and one whose games I knew would be terrific, I have found that all of their games have become very dark. Maybe they always had a tendency to lean towards the dark side in their games but I never noticed it as much as I have recently particularly in their Spirits of Mystery games. That being said, I found that the Dark Tales game – Morella – is really quite good. The HOP scenes are varied and although many of them are the list type there is still quite a bit of interaction required to find some items and other items are well hidden. Of course the artwork in the scenes is excellent. This developer is one of the best at creating lifelike characters. Some of the voiceovers are absolutely wonderful while others are simply horrid. I hate to say it but I loved the wicked voice of Lilly when she was “under the influence” while her post-rescue voice is grating to say the least.

Morella has some terrific puzzles and include some that seem new as well as some that I haven’t seen in a long time. Among those that I haven’t seen in ages are a few jigsaw type puzzles where we need to manipulate the puzzle pieces to make them fit. I also love the puzzle where we set up different shapes of pieces to make balls fall into assorted color cups at the base. There are some multi-level puzzles that almost resemble the Rube-Goldberg type although they technically are not. Over all it seems like this developer has listened to the comments of gamers and has made some significant changes to “up their game.”

The CE content is really slim with only puzzle pieces to collect – at least in the main game. There really isn’t anything to knock your socks off as far as the CE extras EXCEPT that the puzzles can be replayed. In the past I always recommended the CE version of a game to those who are new to playing HOPA games because the Strategy Guide had good instructions for solving the puzzles if you were stuck. That no longer is the case so purchasing the CE is really a matter of preference and not because it contains important information to guide you when stuck.

Again I must say that the dark themes in HOPA games bother me to some extent and I wish they would go away. That being said, Morella is a very creepy game and one that I have to admit I enjoyed. At the time I write this review I have almost finished the full game and it has been better than I thought. We all have different taste in games so I always recommend that you try the demo before you buy the full game. Happy gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+101points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

40 of 54 found this review helpful

Can you defeat the demon?

PostedDecember 16, 2017

rainworm

fromThink twice, before you move into an old mansion

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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, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

An old house with a ‘history’, a vanished family, a possessed girl – a truly adventurous ride with Dupont! ‘Morella’ is a short story by E.A, Poe, with the question of the identity of two different persons in the center. The idea of the gothic story has been turned into an obsession by a demon and a house, called the Devourer of Souls, built on a site, which was rumored to be a gateway to the ...Show more

An old house with a ‘history’, a vanished family, a possessed girl – a truly adventurous ride with Dupont! ‘Morella’ is a short story by E.A, Poe, with the question of the identity of two different persons in the center. The idea of the gothic story has been turned into an obsession by a demon and a house, called the Devourer of Souls, built on a site, which was rumored to be a gateway to the spirit world. Morella is the one, who originally lived in this house with her husband.
Rufus McDougall’s nephew Mark, his wife Louisa and their adopted daughter Lilly have disappeared from their house. He asks Dupont for help. As usual our role is assistant to Dupont and we meet him in front of a dark sinister looking mansion. Dupont enters but before we can follow, a wall builds itself in the door. After managing our way through the window, we are confronted with the house’s spook: the girl, together with other strange phenomena. She looks very much like Lilly, though this girl has black hair. Behind a door we find Louisa McDougall, who can tell us, spirits have attacked the family and took her husband and the daughter. But she is imprisoned in a water reservoir, in the outdoor fireplace on the terrace.
Then we will face the demon and we’ll have to find the means to fight him and free the family. One of it is the amulet, Lilly wore, when she came to the McDougalls. She has been chosen by the dark force in the house, but after using the amulet and setting her free, we are the one, whose body is the vessel. There must be more to destroy the dark spirit.
A dark game with a menacing atmosphere. The visuals are great, cutscenes underline the demonic theme and the characters are well drawn. We learn about the house, its former inhabitants and especially Morella, in the course of the game. HOS vary, we have lists, more multilayered ones. Minigames and puzzles are medium difficult but all are enjoyable with good instructions. Show less

I recommend this game!

+26points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

16 of 19 found this review helpful

It's a brilliant and enjoyable game, and welcome back Dupin

PostedDecember 22, 2017

Bond15

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management

Current Favorite:

Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's Morella Collector's Edition

(19)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Wow, I've lovvved this game... It's very enjoyable and the mini games are great... It's just a bit short? I've finished it in one night.. May be coz I was so excited, so I couldn't sleep before finishing it
I love the story line too, and once again we say this series doesn't copy EAP novels but it's just inspired by them.. So no need to keep complaining about it
The music, voices and graphic ...Show more

Wow, I've lovvved this game... It's very enjoyable and the mini games are great... It's just a bit short? I've finished it in one night.. May be coz I was so excited, so I couldn't sleep before finishing it
I love the story line too, and once again we say this series doesn't copy EAP novels but it's just inspired by them.. So no need to keep complaining about it
The music, voices and graphic was great as usual.. And WELCOME BACK detective Dupin... He's finally himself again.. Shiny and neat as we used, please don't change him again..... And he found his love too? Congratulations.... Although I can't believe that his loyal friend and partner through the whole series was a woman and I'm sure he was a man, but I'll accept it any way
For those who say Dupin doesn't add anything to the game, well.. There are MANY other games you can play it all alone... What makes this game different and special is having a partner (Dupin) by your side... And even if he puts himself in troubles it's ok... Saving him is a part of the fun, don't you think?
I'm glad I have all the series episodes, and I can't wait for the new one, but please make it longer xD
See you soon monsieur Dupin, and Merry Christmas everyone ❤ Show less

I recommend this game!

+13points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

7 of 9 found this review helpful

Enjoyable; spooky but not outrageous

PostedJanuary 9, 2018

BGees2

fromBoston, MA U.S.A.

Skill Level:Expert

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I've played all the EAP collectible games. Some are better than others and I liked this one. I've played the full collector edition game. I like the ghosts, the spookiness without overdoing the theatrics and the pace of the storyline. Granted the developers do take poetic license with the original EAP story, but it's expected by now. I enjoyed finding out the whole story behind the ghosts and what ...Show more

I've played all the EAP collectible games. Some are better than others and I liked this one. I've played the full collector edition game. I like the ghosts, the spookiness without overdoing the theatrics and the pace of the storyline. Granted the developers do take poetic license with the original EAP story, but it's expected by now. I enjoyed finding out the whole story behind the ghosts and what was happening to the McDougall family. The puzzles were not too difficult although I admit to needing a hint or 2. The graphics were well done and sound effects were within expectations. Background music was not irritating as some can be in other games I've played.

I did have to close the game and reopen at one point, because the game stopped responding, but closing and reopening was the fix. I didn't have to reboot the computer as I've had to do on a few other BF games.

The game took me approx 5 hrs to complete and although I have played hundreds of the BFG adventure/HO games and I do consider myself skilled, I did miss 4 of the collectibles. Show less

I recommend this game!

+5points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

31 of 50 found this review helpful

Lilly's Game

PostedDecember 16, 2017

nariiska

fromOntario Canada

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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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This new chapter is fantastic with mini games and hop's that will challenge you . The special effects are amazing, that little girl will tease and haunt you with every new twist and turn.

I recommend this game!

+12points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

83 of 151 found this review helpful

BE PREPARED TO TACKLE TWELVE-YEAR OLD LILLY

PostedDecember 16, 2017

sunnyglow

fromSpeaking of being prepared - perhaps what precocious Lilly needs is to join the Girl Scouts. Or maybe not. I never want to see this creepy black-eyed child coming to my house to sell cookies!

Key Contributor
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:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Assistant detective! Prepare to aid Dupin on another case. Having purchased a house known as “The Devourer of Souls,” a family appears to have gone missing. However, not all the family is missing. The family’s possessed daughter, Lilly, the spitting image of a black-eyed child, will taunt you throughout the game. Get prepared for a tug-of-war with this precocious twelve-year old! For me, this ...Show more

Assistant detective! Prepare to aid Dupin on another case. Having purchased a house known as “The Devourer of Souls,” a family appears to have gone missing. However, not all the family is missing. The family’s possessed daughter, Lilly, the spitting image of a black-eyed child, will taunt you throughout the game. Get prepared for a tug-of-war with this precocious twelve-year old! For me, this spookfest is a vast improvement from the other games in the series. I found some creatively designed puzzles and HOP scenes within this game which I enjoyed playing. The graphics are creepy, and the game is beautifully illustrated as with most of this developer’s games. This story should appeal to those who like this series. It should also appeal to those who like their games more on the dark side.

THE SEASON IS THE REASON: Appearing at Christmas is a true detriment to this game. It will probably miss out on sales simply because it is scary fare, more geared toward Halloween than Christmas. It is simply out-of-place amidst all the happy spirited games of the Yuletide season. The spirits of this game are not quite so happy or jolly. These spirits are ominous. The game reminds me of the old flick, “The Exorcist.” However, I would not miss playing this out-of-season game. I truly love the “spirited” black-eyed, black-haired ‘tween’ Lilly. Our little black-eyed child truly makes this game. Her voice changing from a mockingly high-pitched adorable one to a deep-pitched ominous one is truly chilling! I purchased the game but was not able to play it before writing this review. However, I do believe it will be “phantastic.” Usually this developer’s games are better after the demo.

There are the standard extras within this game. You collect fortune cookies, which, when broken, give you clues as to what will transpire within this game. They are easy to locate. Opening these cookies reveals jigsaw puzzle pieces used to play puzzles to play at the end of the game. I found this a very creative approach to providing these collectibles. There are sidebars on the left of the screen which indicate the number of those jigsaw pieces you have found. You can also replay some of the HOP scenes and puzzles.

HOP SCENES: The scenes in the demo are standard ones seen in all games. The ones in the demo simply require you to locate a specific number of some item.

PUZZLES: The puzzles are decent. They vary in design and difficulty. There is one which allows you to choose the difficulty for the puzzle between the settings of “casual” and “hard.” My favorite was the mathematical one in which you must placed angled wood planks into place so that four colored balls fall into matching colored bowls.

LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds

EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
15 Achievements
Collect 60 Jigsaw puzzle pieces hidden in fortune cookies. (They will also give you a fortune based on the game)
Replay 17 Puzzles and 15 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 13 Concept Art, 6 Screensavers, Music, Movies

HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE

HOP SCENES:
(A) Locate 12 keys (B) Collect 15 pages of a book. (C) List of items

PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult

A. Mathematical puzzle. Place wood slats into position at an angle so that each of four colored balls fall into a dish of the same color. Rating: 2
B. Choice between Casual and Hard. On a wheel, rotate a dial to place tokens into their proper location according to a given diagram. Tokens can only move between paths within the circular grid.
C. Save Louisa! Multiple step. (1) Rotating tiles. Rotate a group of tiles so that all turn green. Rating: 2 (2) Matching puzzle. Uncover images under 6 red balls to provide matches. Rating: 1
D. Jigsaw puzzle. Unique and creative puzzle in which you rotate and flip wooden pieces to place onto a tree to complete its image. Rating: 2
E. Matching puzzle. Locate and match up runes from two locations to match those on a book. Rating: 1
F. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a picture. Rating: 1
G. Medallion puzzle. Reproduce 3 symbols onto a grid. Rating: 2 Show less

I recommend this game!

+15points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

3 of 4 found this review helpful

Completely in love

PostedJanuary 18, 2018

Semsem20

Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I LOVVVE this game ... It's amazing and full of fun ... just need to be longer and a bit more tricky
And thank you for returning Dupin to his good look... it makes the game really much better

I recommend this game!

+2points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

1 of 1 found this review helpful

New favorite in this series

PostedMay 26, 2019

laurakay76

fromLehigh Valley, PA

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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, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I fell way behind with my Dark Tales gaming and I've been trying to catch up lately. I really didn't like The Tell-Tale Heart; Metzengerstein was better; but I found The Raven and especially Lenore super disappointing because their stories (to me) didn't make a lot of sense, and I am here for the story. So I didn't know what to expect from Morella.

This is my new favorite game in this ...Show more

I fell way behind with my Dark Tales gaming and I've been trying to catch up lately. I really didn't like The Tell-Tale Heart; Metzengerstein was better; but I found The Raven and especially Lenore super disappointing because their stories (to me) didn't make a lot of sense, and I am here for the story. So I didn't know what to expect from Morella.

This is my new favorite game in this series.

It was engrossing from start to finish. Compelling story, excellent animations, creepy and emotional voice acting, challenging puzzles... it had everything I wanted. Plus Dupin got returned to his earlier handsome appearance, which was nice. The ending was lovely and just a little bit romantic and it made me terribly happy. (Furthermore, I have long suspected that Anna from Nightfall is the player character, and there's something in the bonus chapter that suggests I'm right!)

All in all, this is a quality game and it reminded me why I loved the Dark Tales in the first place. Show less

I recommend this game!

+1point

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Overall rating

5 / 5

1 of 2 found this review helpful

Poe As He Never Would Have Imagined It

PostedNovember 25, 2018

Tomsde

fromNewark, Delaware

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Current Favorite:

Detectives United: Origins Collector's Edition

(65)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

These games take a kernel from Poe Stories to weave almost entirely different tales. I think Dupin is aging in reverse again, he's never looked so dapper. This was a good game, good artwork, music and collectibles. BE ALERT, make sure to pick up ALL the fortune cookies or you won't be able to complete the bonus screen saver. The same is true for the other collectibles; as always I wish these games ...Show more

These games take a kernel from Poe Stories to weave almost entirely different tales. I think Dupin is aging in reverse again, he's never looked so dapper. This was a good game, good artwork, music and collectibles. BE ALERT, make sure to pick up ALL the fortune cookies or you won't be able to complete the bonus screen saver. The same is true for the other collectibles; as always I wish these games would allow you to go back and find the collectibles you've missed. One of the better games in this series I think. Show less

I recommend this game!

0points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

35 of 48 found this review helpful

Lilly is such miserable little BRAT !!!

PostedDecember 16, 2017

LogieBaby

fromLilly deserves a lengthy time-out !!

Key Contributor
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):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Word

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

When we go back to the initial group of Dark Tales, the games were all compelling. Unfortunately the series , like so many others, took a downward turn. Morella I am pleased to say reverses the trend and provides the Dark Tales with a newfound light.
Rufus MCDougall seeks the aid of Monsieur Dupin ( that's pronounced DOO-PEH and not DEW-PIN.....a developer inaccuracy ) and the player to rescue ...Show more

When we go back to the initial group of Dark Tales, the games were all compelling. Unfortunately the series , like so many others, took a downward turn. Morella I am pleased to say reverses the trend and provides the Dark Tales with a newfound light.
Rufus MCDougall seeks the aid of Monsieur Dupin ( that's pronounced DOO-PEH and not DEW-PIN.....a developer inaccuracy ) and the player to rescue his nephew Mark, his wife and their adopted daughter Lilly from what is best described as a well-known house of horrors. Gee, if that's the case why move into the house at all?
An extremely evil entity called Morella has subjucated Lilly as her unwitting accomplice in maintaining the house as an extremely insidious dwelling.
This is not the first time a child has been made a villain in the story but this particular tale has its strong points. What drags the game down a bit are the too easy HO segments and puzzles. There is nary one challenger during the demo and this causes the drop to 4 star status. On the plus side a couple of the puzzles are somewhat inventive. I also liked the player becomes the monster at demo's end though I am sure this is a temporary affliction.

Morella does not compel me at all to acquire the CE version even with today's 1/2 price sale. This is another game wherein I did not notice morphs and/or collectibles. If I can't find them I don't want them yet I am sure they are there.
For me the game is a really good SE type so I can wait a few weeks for that version. Overall I am pleased this Dark Tale is a cut above those seen most recently. Show less

I recommend this game!

+22points

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