Dark Parables: Queen of Sands Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

328 of 373 found this review helpful

Shackled By One Man's Dreams

PostedMay 21, 2015

pennmom36

fromI feel so sleeepy...zzzzz

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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

I have always been a fan of the Dark Parable series, purchasing each and every parable that was released sight unseen.....until everything changed including the devs. Dark Parables has always been a nonlinear type game, where an action in one scene activates a feature with a previous scene. DP are famous for their clever Morphing Objects, and they were difficult to "see" because you had to ...Show more

I have always been a fan of the Dark Parable series, purchasing each and every parable that was released sight unseen.....until everything changed including the devs. Dark Parables has always been a nonlinear type game, where an action in one scene activates a feature with a previous scene. DP are famous for their clever Morphing Objects, and they were difficult to "see" because you had to complete an action in one scene and then return to previous scenes to look for the Morphs, but you never knew which action would actually trigger the reaction! Dark Parables are also famous for their FROG's, beautiful scenes with fragments of three sections of an item that will combine to complete a single inventory item. This part hasn't changed, but the music that accompanied each fragment found has changed, and I missed it dearly, it was a recognizable and distinguished sound. Queen of Sands is an excellent game, but it just doesn't feel like a Dark Parables game because the devs are straying away from all the features that made DP such an enjoyable series.

Collectible Parables are another famous feature of this series, several items are required to complete each parable story. When a group is complete, you will get to play a short tale about that parable. The parable items can Morph, so keep alert. There are collectible Herald of Montafleur's, hidden throughout the game, for a total of 39, one in each scene. This Collector's Edition also has 12 Achievements to earn, mostly the usual achievements such as using the map or finding objects quickly in the FROG's.

Dark Parables is all about the Emblems. Every door, and just about everything else will require at least one emblem to open it. Therefore, you will scour each location looking for the correct emblem, often traveling back and forth several times as you try to accomplish each objective. Several inventory items are plus items requiring you to combine that item with another item or putting broken pieces back together.

This Collector's Edition has Concept Art, and Wallpapers (within the Art Gallery), replayable Mini Games and FROG's (play against the clock for a better score) collectible Parables (morphs), collectible Herald of Montafleur's, a Souvenir Room, Bonus Video's, Movies, beautiful Music, Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter (The Seven Ravens) Enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+283points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

136 of 164 found this review helpful

Too awesome, shut up and take my money!

PostedMay 21, 2015

JokerWilliam79

fromKitchener, ON

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board, Brain Teaser

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I do not simply give 5 stars, but this game really blew my socks off. I only played 2 chapters off the game at the moment, but it already appealed to me, the first time that has ever happened to any Dark Parables games. It definitely worths a try. DP 9 for the win. I really liked the arts and voiceovers in the game, and also the puzzles. They are reasonably playable :) To all casual game lovers ...Show more

I do not simply give 5 stars, but this game really blew my socks off. I only played 2 chapters off the game at the moment, but it already appealed to me, the first time that has ever happened to any Dark Parables games. It definitely worths a try. DP 9 for the win. I really liked the arts and voiceovers in the game, and also the puzzles. They are reasonably playable :) To all casual game lovers out there, this is a must-try. Show less

I recommend this game!

+108points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

58 of 67 found this review helpful

Beautifully done!

PostedMay 21, 2015

Paintedspoon

fromLake Forest, Ca

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Others have stated the details so I'll pass on that. This is a lovely visually beautiful game. It's also great to see the HO scenes done this way again. The items are well hidden and to me that makes it more of what a hidden object scene should be.
The artwork that goes into these games is astounding.

The glitch of the recorder in the beginning "What a HOOT" I wonder if they were seeing if anyone ...Show more

Others have stated the details so I'll pass on that. This is a lovely visually beautiful game. It's also great to see the HO scenes done this way again. The items are well hidden and to me that makes it more of what a hidden object scene should be.
The artwork that goes into these games is astounding.

The glitch of the recorder in the beginning "What a HOOT" I wonder if they were seeing if anyone was watching?!!

Have a try you might find it fun too. Show less

I recommend this game!

+49points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

42 of 49 found this review helpful

Too Enjoyable!

PostedMay 22, 2015

RoboWarrior

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Arcade & Action

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

The game has beautiful graphics, and I feel it's quite challenging. I miss the music quality from the earlier DP games though.

I thought the DP series was over after Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide, but I was excited and happy to see another DP game!.

I recommend this game!

+35points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

189 of 259 found this review helpful

THROUGH THE SANDS OF TIME A LONG AWAITED AWESOME "DREAM" GAME HAS ARRIVED

PostedMay 21, 2015

sunnyglow

fromThe Queen of Sands has lulled me ito sleep providing me a sweet dreeam about my dream vacation

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

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File, Word, Mahjong, Brain Teaser

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

THE FROG PRINCE HAS GIVEN US A FROG (FRAGMENTED OBJECT) GAME

As a detective arriving in France, you are off to help the Red Riding Hood Sisterhood in their investigation of a deadly mist creating nightmares. We have a little gem with the beautiful jewel-like graphics from Cup o' Tea stirred in with the creative genius of the Master Gamers. FROG lovers will rejoice - our Frog Prince has brought ...Show more

THE FROG PRINCE HAS GIVEN US A FROG (FRAGMENTED OBJECT) GAME

As a detective arriving in France, you are off to help the Red Riding Hood Sisterhood in their investigation of a deadly mist creating nightmares. We have a little gem with the beautiful jewel-like graphics from Cup o' Tea stirred in with the creative genius of the Master Gamers. FROG lovers will rejoice - our Frog Prince has brought with him a series of HOP scenes which are FROGS along with HOP scenes are puzzle-like and interactive. The graphics create a beautiful fairy tale. The FROG fragments create opulent jewel-encrusted inventory items The puzzles are decent and storybook sequences create a puzzle-like HOP scenes used to narrate a story. The storyline is intriguing and the game has a nice pace. This will be an automatic purchase for me. I have been waiting for this game to come out!

EXTRA GOODIES:

Map - Get map as you play the game
Strategy guide
12 Achievements
Collect pieces to release a series of parables
Collect 39 Fleur de Lis
Collect Souvenirs
Usual Wallpaper, Music, Credits, HOP games

HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFO ON THE GAME

Enter a land of living nightmares. A dark mist has invaded the kingdom bringing nightmares, apparitions and nasty beasts into the kingdom. You and the Red Riding Sisterhood work to solve this case. Who and what is behind all of this? The Queen of Sands which has the power for good deeds and to control dreams seems to be under the spell or in league with an evil Beast. As you traverse the countryside looking for clues, a kindly old woman gives you golden sand to help dispel the ominous atmosphere of the village As you investigate, you encounter monstrous apparitions and disappearances. What is behind all of this dark evil environment? And what about that "kindly old woman?" Remember in this game - appearances can be deceiving

LEVELS: LEVELS: Four
Casual, Hard, Insane, Customized. Hints range from 10 t0 120 seconds Skips range from 10 to 400 seconds

GRAPHICS : Combination of the beautiful gems and jewel laden FROG scenes from Our Cup o' Tea combined with the wonderful graphic realism from EIPIX. What a nice combination

HOP SCENES:
FROG scenes to complete inventory items
Interactive Storybook -locate and interact with the items found to tell a story. Can count as a puzzle and HOP scene both.

INVENTORY: Interactive and puzzle-like

PUZZLES:
A. Switch puzzles using blades of a fan
B. Interactive storybook which is also a HOP scene as well
C. Sliding Tiles - match by symbol
D. Puzzle consisting of mini puzzles - Emblem which opens up three unique and different puzzles , - a maze, a moving tile puzzle, and a tanagram puzzle Show less

I recommend this game!

+119points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

80 of 111 found this review helpful

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THESE TWO TOP DEVELOPERS HAS GIVEN US A GEM FIT FOR A QUEEN

PostedMay 21, 2015

biscuitsmama

fromEnjoying my cup of tinted tea and loving it!

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

Yes, Detective, once again your help is needed since strange events are occurring in the village of Montafleur, France. Not only have you been called in to investigate, it looks like you will join forces with your old friends the Red Riding Hood Sisters who are currently in the region.

Gosh, I hate to say it but the graphics in the beginning of the game seem so cartoonish that I am afraid they ...Show more

Yes, Detective, once again your help is needed since strange events are occurring in the village of Montafleur, France. Not only have you been called in to investigate, it looks like you will join forces with your old friends the Red Riding Hood Sisters who are currently in the region.

Gosh, I hate to say it but the graphics in the beginning of the game seem so cartoonish that I am afraid they might be a put-off for many lovers of the Dark Parables games. Fortunately, that flat look doesn’t last long and things improve quickly. I have always loved the Dark Parables games and their developer who offers slightly tinted tea, so I was a bit disappointed to learn that the series is now a joint effort with another top developer. After my initial disappointing reaction to the last DP game, I quickly learned that this is indeed a “match made in heaven.” These two developers have combined the best of their creative teams and now bring us the new DP games that, IMHO, are technically improved while still maintaining the artistic genius of the series.

One of the best things about the new Dark Parables games is that the map works. I rely on the map when I get stuck and can’t figure out where to go next and it is a joy to have a map that functions as it should and that allows me to effortlessly skip from scene to scene.

What would a Dark Parables game be without those wonderful FROG scenes? The only thing I miss is the opulence and richness of the FROGs in the earlier games in the series. A bit of the luster has disappeared but in some respects it is a bit easier to spot the fragments needed. Many of the puzzles are a departure from the norm and I found one or two to be a bit more difficult but still doable.

If you like all the extra goodies in the CE games, you will find them in Queen of Sands. IMHO, there are plenty of collectibles to find and don’t forget to look for those parable pieces that will unlock mini parables as you progress.

The Dark Parables are always wonderful games and I own them all. I have been eagerly awaiting the full release of Queen of Sands and it doesn’t disappoint. Just as I was getting into the game the demo ends with a cliff-hanger so, of course, I had to hit the buy button. These two terrific game developers have presented a game with an excellent storyline and all of the features that I look for in my games. Although, many may disagree with my love of the Dark Parables games, I believe they are some of the best games to be found. Even though I rushed to buy this wonderful gem, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like. Show less

I recommend this game!

+49points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

43 of 59 found this review helpful

WOW!

PostedMay 21, 2015

gyanda

fromCologne

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:Intermediate

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

From what i see, the working together of Blue Tea with Eipix is a very good relationship. This game is for me the best of the serie's so far! Interesting story, nice twist that one gets the red riddinghoud attached, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful graphics - not so delicate elaborated as the first installments, but just this makes them better and not worse. It feels as if Eipix has sharpened the ...Show more

From what i see, the working together of Blue Tea with Eipix is a very good relationship. This game is for me the best of the serie's so far! Interesting story, nice twist that one gets the red riddinghoud attached, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful graphics - not so delicate elaborated as the first installments, but just this makes them better and not worse. It feels as if Eipix has sharpened the lense and therefore the games are now not only good, but great!!! Thanks for the joy of playing:-) Show less

I recommend this game!

+27points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

29 of 39 found this review helpful

Another Great Game

PostedMay 22, 2015

mchicspic

fromKenmore, WA

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I love this series and these developers. Glad to see that they are finding new ways to keep us all challenged. The familiar puzzles have new twists. The hidden object games create objects that are actually used in the game, not just collected for an animated narration of the story. So, give it a try!

I'm not sure why there are any disappointed players. Perhaps Big Fish has spoiled us? :-)

I recommend this game!

+19points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

60 of 87 found this review helpful

Why the consternation about the developer??

PostedMay 21, 2015

LogieBaby

fromBlue Tea + Eipix = another masterpiece !!

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

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Some of the reviews lament the fact that Eipix has taken over
Blue Tea Games. I don't think this is the case at all. To me, Eipix is now the distributor of the Dark Parables games. I own all of the prior DP's and Queen of Sands does not appear any different in style or substance. One need only to go back to any of the earlier games to ascertain that Blue Tea remains the driving force behind these ...Show more

Some of the reviews lament the fact that Eipix has taken over
Blue Tea Games. I don't think this is the case at all. To me, Eipix is now the distributor of the Dark Parables games. I own all of the prior DP's and Queen of Sands does not appear any different in style or substance. One need only to go back to any of the earlier games to ascertain that Blue Tea remains the driving force behind these brilliant HOPAs. Eipix in the past couple years, while creating magnificent efforts in its own right, has also become a driving force as a leading
vendor of other developer product.
As to Queen of Sands itself, IMO it stands as another solid Blue Tea creation. We play as the detective assigned to the town of Montrafleur in the French Provence. The evil Queen of Sands has transformed otherwise benign Sandmen into monstrous creatures performing nefarious deeds at her beck and call. With the assistance of the Red Riding Hood Sisters, our task is to vanquish the queen and save the town.
As with the prior DPs, this is another FROG style game. I found that some of the fractured objects to be somewhat harder to find and that's a good thing. The puzzles range from very easy to challenging ( at least in the demo ). The items created in the FROG scenes are as always stunning.
Some items are merely picked up as the detective travels throughout the town. Certain items need to be combined with other parts while some stand alone. There are collectible fleur de lis and morphs which decipher the parables.
This game does nothing to diminish my enthusiasm toward the series. While some series have gone downhill over the years, including BFG's own MCF games, Blue Tea continues
to be a master of its craft. So folks, kindly refrain from the flap concerning the partnership with Eipix. It's overblown. Show less

I recommend this game!

+33points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

58 of 87 found this review helpful

Another Fantastic Game ^_^

PostedMay 21, 2015

MysteryLover84

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I thought Dark Parables was finished after 'The Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide' with no 'preview' to the next chapter of the tale.

Another great game with it's epic storyline, detailed graphics n extras in the gameplay.

I recommend this game!

+29points

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