Mystery of the Ancients: No Escape Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

139 of 159 found this review helpful

Love it, love it!!

PostedFebruary 21, 2019

baglady159

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Lately I've become a very picky game player. For me to buy a game it has to be so good that I'll look forward to getting back into it once I've had to leave. This does that for me. The storyline, the graphics, the not knowing what's coming next all have me excited to keep playing. The puzzles are unique and the HO scenes are not like what we're used to. Absolutely give this one a try! I have ...Show more

Lately I've become a very picky game player. For me to buy a game it has to be so good that I'll look forward to getting back into it once I've had to leave. This does that for me. The storyline, the graphics, the not knowing what's coming next all have me excited to keep playing. The puzzles are unique and the HO scenes are not like what we're used to. Absolutely give this one a try! I have never, ever, given a review of a game here but this one is good enough for me to add my opinion. Show less

I recommend this game!

+119points

139of 159voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

43 of 50 found this review helpful

I'd say best new game in a year, something for the experts

PostedFebruary 22, 2019

lala4home

fromCamano Island, WA

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):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files®: Fate's Carnival Collector's Edition

(390)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I paid nearly full price for this game because I couldn't wait for the weekend sales. I never do that. But when faced with a weird innovative game with, yes, some familiar tropes (does no one realize the flags on a mailbox are to alert your carrier there's outgoing mail?) but then a twist into game play I haven't seen before, and gasp, struggled with, I'm sold. Add to that some actually tough HO ...Show more

I paid nearly full price for this game because I couldn't wait for the weekend sales. I never do that. But when faced with a weird innovative game with, yes, some familiar tropes (does no one realize the flags on a mailbox are to alert your carrier there's outgoing mail?) but then a twist into game play I haven't seen before, and gasp, struggled with, I'm sold. Add to that some actually tough HO puzzles, with shifting screens, so grab it while you can! Yes! and art, some of which is so beautiful, I was actually moved. There are a series of children's book pages that have hidden objects, reminiscent of my absolute favorite artist of children's stories, Arthur Rackham. This convinced me I was in the presence of game greatness, and I encourage you to give it a try. And torture yourself finding all the tiny keys hidden in the CE version. Muwahahaahahahaaha. Show less

I recommend this game!

+36points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

127 of 162 found this review helpful

NO ESCAPE – ONE OF THE BEST GAMES IN THE MYSTERY OF THE ANCIENT SERIES!

PostedFebruary 21, 2019

biscuitsmama

fromMystery of the Ancients keeps getting better all the time. No Escape is wonderful!

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

Mystery of the Ancients returns with No Escape, the 8th game in the series. No Escape is an excellent game that kept me engaged from the very first scene. 2019 seems to be getting off to a great start with several good HOPA games being offered already and Mystery of the Ancients No Escape will most likely be at the top of my list for best game of the year. I’m always excited when I play a HOPA ...Show more

Mystery of the Ancients returns with No Escape, the 8th game in the series. No Escape is an excellent game that kept me engaged from the very first scene. 2019 seems to be getting off to a great start with several good HOPA games being offered already and Mystery of the Ancients No Escape will most likely be at the top of my list for best game of the year. I’m always excited when I play a HOPA game that grabs my attention with gameplay features that I love and keeps up the pace from the first scene until the game ends. For me at least No Escape is that sort of game!

No Escape begins with the usual call from friends who need our help and then when we arrive to find them we must go through the same mundane tasks to get started. Yes, we have seen this scenario over and over again but the difference here is that rather than being a frustrating do this and then that situation, I found the game so well designed that it wasn’t simply boring gameplay to get started. Yes, in many ways the game is the same as others that we have seen over and over again but there is something different about No Escape that sets it apart from run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter games.

Even though I generally prefer HOPS over puzzles, I loved the puzzles in No Escape. In fact, I enjoyed the puzzles far more than I did the HOPS. In some of the HOPS many items were so tiny and indistinct that it made the scenes seem tedious more than fun. Although the scenes varied in style and were at times interactive, I found the puzzles to be far more entertaining. There were a couple of Rube-Goldberg puzzles in the game that were more difficult to complete and I admit that I had to reset them to try again.

If you enjoy the Mystery of the Ancients series or if you are looking for a top-notch HOPA game to play then I highly recommend Mystery of the Ancients No Escape. For me No Escape is probably the best game in the series although most of the others are good as well. Even though I love this game, as always, please try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy. Happy gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+92points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

32 of 40 found this review helpful

Love It!!!

PostedFebruary 21, 2019

EdsMom311

fromWhite Lake, MI

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Been waiting for a game like this for a long time!! Absolutely excellent!! Very clever and interesting! Money well spent only now I can't stop playing!!

I recommend this game!

+24points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

17 of 20 found this review helpful

Top Notch Game!

PostedFebruary 25, 2019

radarsweet

fromSt. George, UT

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

First off, I have to say that this story line is very familiar to those of us who have played the "House of a 1000 Doors" series, in that you're in a spooky house with doors suddenly appearing.

This game starts kind of slow, but it picks up quickly.

You can customize your settings however you want, so that makes it a good game for beginners to pros. There's a jump map that makes it much ...Show more

First off, I have to say that this story line is very familiar to those of us who have played the "House of a 1000 Doors" series, in that you're in a spooky house with doors suddenly appearing.

This game starts kind of slow, but it picks up quickly.

You can customize your settings however you want, so that makes it a good game for beginners to pros. There's a jump map that makes it much easier to get to places, & there is a lot of going back & forth.

The HOP's were decent; for the most part, I didn't have any trouble with them. Most were lists, but there were others that really made you think. This made the game exciting!

The mini-games were varied; some simplistic, some complicated, & some that just took way to long too figure out. I got frustrated by that, because I don't like to skip them. However, after five or six minutes of having to continually start over, I skipped them.'

The graphics in this game are great. I had no pixel problems at any time. The voice overs are well done as well. There was only one small part where the music was so annoying that I wanted to mute it.

Overall, this game was a joy to play. I've loved all the Mysteries of the Ancients, & this is one of the best in the series. I highly recommend this game! Show less

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

17 of 20 found this review helpful

THE VERY BEST GAME OF THE YEAR!

PostedFebruary 24, 2019

lamp_post

fromPittsburgh, Pa

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

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Wow and Wow again. I truly love this game. I have not purchased too many games lately because they all seem to be the same. Dull with no true story line and the same ole same ole. Well, not this one. It is new and very innovative. I have only played 37 minutes and I stopped to write this review and to purchase the game. I love not knowing what to expect next and the puzzles are fun and new, as are ...Show more

Wow and Wow again. I truly love this game. I have not purchased too many games lately because they all seem to be the same. Dull with no true story line and the same ole same ole. Well, not this one. It is new and very innovative. I have only played 37 minutes and I stopped to write this review and to purchase the game. I love not knowing what to expect next and the puzzles are fun and new, as are most of the HOs. All I can say is try this game and I am sure you will enjoy it and yes, actually buy it.
Happy Gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

54 of 75 found this review helpful

Love it

PostedFebruary 21, 2019

mad13hatter

Skill Level:Beginner

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I enjoy the art and the look of the whole game.

I recommend this game!

+33points

54of 75voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

185 of 281 found this review helpful

HAVE NO FEAR – THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR!

PostedFebruary 21, 2019

sunnyglow

fromYou may want to escape this house, but you won’t want to escape playing this game!

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

REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 Pages

OVERVIEW: After receiving a distressing call from your friends, you are off to an isolated motel to investigate. Upon entering this rundown establishment, you are informed that you are trapped within its walls and will need help to escape. This help will come from the Navigator, a televised image which ...Show more

REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 Pages

OVERVIEW: After receiving a distressing call from your friends, you are off to an isolated motel to investigate. Upon entering this rundown establishment, you are informed that you are trapped within its walls and will need help to escape. This help will come from the Navigator, a televised image which will aid you in that escape. This hotel feeds on the fears of those who are within it, creating worlds to generate that fear. Open portals to new worlds as you search for your friends and find a way for all of you to escape.

OPINION: What a fantastic game! It is also a long game. I enjoyed every minute of this game – after the demo. Unfortunately, the demo does not do justice to this game. The story is well-written. The pace is excellent. Entering the different worlds comprising this game provides fast-paced action. The puzzles are exquisite with some I have not seen lately, including a variation of a Rube-Goldberg puzzle. The graphics are dark and well-portray the ambiance of this game. It is refreshing to play a game which is not a cookie cutter version of some other game. It is a game which is unique and different than most of the carbon copy ones we have experienced lately.

FAVORITE SEGMENT OF THE GAME: My favorite segment of this game was maneuvering a plane to keep it from crash landing. Although not a puzzle, you must follow directions working with the instrument panel of the plane. There are several steps which must be performed to keep the plane from crashing.

MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are ten (10) achievements, some with three parts. Collect twenty-three (23) keys and seven (7) figurines of characters from the game. For once the collectibles do not “jump out” from the scene. I found the collectibles difficult to locate in some scenes. There are sixteen (16) wallpapers along with concept art and music and video sequences. You can replay five (5) mini-games. They vary on the number of times you can replay each mini-game. There is a fresco (jigsaw puzzle) which you must assemble to get one of the achievements.

THE DISAPPEARING HELPER ROBOT: There is a helper robot in this game. He is used extensively in the demo. After the demo, he disappears for some time and is not used to perform the same stunts as in the demo. I feel the developer did themselves a disservice by the inclusion of this helper. The game would be better without this gimmick. I almost did not purchase it because of the robot.

BONUS GAME: It is a prequel. Learn about the origins of this house and its original owners, Franklin and Beatrice. Learn what led to the evil within the house. There are no collectibles within this chapter. There are five (5) HOP scenes and seven (7) mini-games. However, three (3) of those mini-games are the same puzzle in which you must swivel a distorted image up-and-down until it is aligned.

HOP SCENES: There are only twenty (20) scenes in the entire game. I enjoyed the scenes in which you must locate a large number of one item. In one scene you search for fifty (50) skulls and in another you search for fifty (50) keys. Most of the scenes in the game are lists of items; however, the scenes have creative elements within them. In one you search for items in books which open and close while you are searching for those items. My favorite scene was one in the bonus chapter in which you search for items on a moving conveyor belt.

MINI-GAMES: They are incredible! It was refreshing to play a game with some new puzzles or those I have not played in some time. As stated, there is a variation of a Rube-Goldberg puzzle in this game. There are thirty-seven (37) puzzles within the game. (I consider the Rube-Goldberg puzzle as one puzzle with six (6) parts). They vary in style and difficulty. Most of the puzzles are of moderate difficulty.

SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:

A. Rube-Goldberg puzzle. Solve a series of puzzles to set a code. They include:
(1) Rope puzzle. Untangle wires so they do not cross each other.
(2) Matching puzzle. Uncover tokens to match up pictures
(3) Sequence puzzle. Flip switches for lights in sequential order so that all turn green
(4) Mathematical puzzle. Add, subtract and multiply numbers to get a certain number shown on the grid.
(5) Lock puzzle. Locate a combination and enter it to open a lock.
(6) Finally – click on letters on a grid based on those given to you from solving the previous five puzzles.
B. Assembly puzzle. Place items into a box so that none touch each other.
C. Strategy puzzle. Amazing puzzle in which you must move your token from the left to the right on a grid moving 5 spaces at a time while avoiding four red tokens which move 3 spaces per turn. Red tokens can be directed into holes in the board to get rid of them.
D. Logic puzzle. Place nine characters into slots on a curio based on what they like while avoiding placing them next to characters they dislike.
E. Physics puzzle. Using a catapult, choose the wind speed and angle to center 3 rocks to hit a castle.
F. Connection puzzle. Mirror puzzle. Adjust mirrors within a grid so all are connected with a beam of light.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Connection puzzle. Connect colored neurons so that same colored ones are NOT connected with each other.
H. One my favorite puzzles. On a grid, click on a colored cell which changes the color of all the cells around it of the same color. Continue until the whole board is one color. You get 30 turns to do so.
I. Mathematical puzzle. Light 4 sets of candles in a circle so that the candles lit equal the numbers between the sets. Show less

I recommend this game!

+89points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

12 of 14 found this review helpful

DEFEAT BEATRICE - WOW, WHAT A GAME

PostedMarch 8, 2019

charlene_lane

fromWellington, New Zealand

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, Large File, Match 3

Current Favorite:

Mystery of the Ancients: Black Dagger Collector's Edition

(38)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME AND BONUS

Yes, believe the reviews - this game is fabulous and definitely a top contender to be one of the best games this year. Well done Maria Glorum - you rock.

There is:

* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Advanced, Expert and Custom modes;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements room;
* Find 23 keys and 7 figures in main game only;
* Robot to help you through the ...Show more

REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME AND BONUS

Yes, believe the reviews - this game is fabulous and definitely a top contender to be one of the best games this year. Well done Maria Glorum - you rock.

There is:

* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Advanced, Expert and Custom modes;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements room;
* Find 23 keys and 7 figures in main game only;
* Robot to help you through the different rooms.

The graphics are very well done and scenes are clear and defined. There is plenty of colour and items you need to find are easy to spot. The music is orchestral and very beautiful.

The hidden object games are mainly straightforward and finding one particular item - like 50 skulls (yes, 50!). These all had a very good challenge to them and I loved them all.

Well, where do I start with the mini-games! There are a huge variety - some are easy and some are very hard. It started with getting the airplane to land which got my thinking cap on. If you love a challenge then there are mini-games in there to put you right into a spin. In some of these I was drinking from the bottle instead of the glass and yelling "I can do this"!

There are 23 keys in each scene and 7 figurines to find throughout the main game. The figurines are easy to spot, but the keys are much harder. I did these first so I wouldn't forget about them. However, there is an icon at the bottom of the right hand screen. Just click in there to see if you have found it. If you forget and move on, then you can click in there and go to the scene to find it. Get them all and you get an achievement.

All up the game took me a good 9 hours to do, playing all the mini-games. Its a long game and the bonus is lengthy as well.

Overall, this is an unmissable game and so worth putting in your collection. I will be definitely playing this game again - just for the mini-games.

Happy playing fishies. This is a gem. Show less

I recommend this game!

+10points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

21 of 28 found this review helpful

Loved this one

PostedFebruary 22, 2019

2bees1

fromDickerson MD

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I love Mariaglorium games. This one has an original story line and real challenges for those with the moxie to try them. I wish all games were as original in storylines. This game should appeal to everyone.

I recommend this game!

+14points

21of 28voted this as helpful.

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Mystery of the Ancients: No Escape Collector's Edition

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	, share your thoughts about this game! Mystery of the Ancients: No Escape Collector's Edition This house isn’t what it seems... Heres what your review will look like once it’s posted. Click Submit if you’re happy. Your review should appear soon. To make changes, use the Edit or Cancel buttons. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this game! You’ve already shared your thoughts about this game. Thanks for submitting the review below.