Surface: Game of Gods Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

216 of 246 found this review helpful

ROLL THE DICE

PostedNovember 20, 2014

pennmom36

fromHow convenient, I need a brush and glue, a hamburger and sleeping pills and voila, they're in the first place I look!

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat Collector's Edition

(100)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This isn't a Mystery of Another World, this is Reel Life! Nestled high above The Soaring City lies the Pantheon, a gothic building surrounded by majestic gargoyles. Four friends unknowingly volunteer to roll the dice in the Game of Gods, a deadly game! Alice Russell was running 20 minutes late, but the game waits for no one, by the time Alice arrives it's already too late for Jim and Kevin, they ...Show more

This isn't a Mystery of Another World, this is Reel Life! Nestled high above The Soaring City lies the Pantheon, a gothic building surrounded by majestic gargoyles. Four friends unknowingly volunteer to roll the dice in the Game of Gods, a deadly game! Alice Russell was running 20 minutes late, but the game waits for no one, by the time Alice arrives it's already too late for Jim and Kevin, they are already deeply engaged in this life changing game. It's Maggie's turn to roll the dice, "I have no choice, I must roll the dice!" In the blink of an eye, Maggie is dragged off into a surreal jungle by an axe wielding maniac! If you want to save your friends, you too must roll the dice, choose your pawn wisely, Mage, Farmer, Hunter, Blacksmith, Scientist, Noble, or Pilgrim, each has it's own unique quality! The player who reaches the end alive will save himself/herself and all other players, but I've a feeling this game isn't designed for winning. Scream all you'd like Alice, nobody outside this realm will hear you! Once she is buried alive, HELP will the Noise she Couldn't Make! (didn't think I could do it eh?)

I have to give kudos to whomever is responsible for the script here, simply wicked! The game starts out a bit slow with mundane tasks in the form of a Hidden Object Scene where you pack your purse, enter your password into the laptop and print off documents. Alice must survive because she is being interrogated by a Detective, or could this be part of the game? Once Alice rolls the dice, hold on tight, the game definitely improves. You will collect two flowers in each scene, one white one red, in typical Surface tradition and you can use those flowers to decorate your humble abode with items of various flower counts. There are also collectible statuettes of the different characters. Some of the inventory items are Complex Objects which simply means that that item requires some sort of interaction before it can be used.

The Hidden Object Scenes were extremely varied, so just to name a few, there are scenes where you find multiples of items such as 3 goblets and 3 swords and each item found will reveal a fragmented piece of the final item, some require you to move two objects at a time which reveals the object you are looking for underneath, as you try to match the two related items such as two whistles, there are also list finds with mini games to complete as well. The mini games were decent too, some are simple puzzle pieces to rotate, some require you to slide tokens along a path to their correct slot, all of the games seem fairly easy yet fun.

This Collectors Edition has Collectible figurines, Collectible Flowers, A Bonus Room (apartment) Achievements, Wallpaper, Screensavers, Concept Art, Music, a built in Strategy Guide and of course a Bonus Chapter, let the games begin, enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+186points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

61 of 74 found this review helpful

Can you win the card game and save your friends?

PostedNovember 20, 2014

MSBAM100

fromTampa, FL

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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, Match 3, Time Management

Current Favorite:

Awakening: The Golden Age Collector's Edition

(57)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Every Surface game is uniquely different, and this one doesn't disappoint. The premise is, you and your friends sign up for an experimental Game, but you are late - good thing! Meanwhile, your three friends have disappeared into the game world by rolling the dice, landing on a square and facing the consequences of the card they draw. Being late, you still must join the game, but you have the ...Show more

Every Surface game is uniquely different, and this one doesn't disappoint. The premise is, you and your friends sign up for an experimental Game, but you are late - good thing! Meanwhile, your three friends have disappeared into the game world by rolling the dice, landing on a square and facing the consequences of the card they draw. Being late, you still must join the game, but you have the opportunity to save your friends, and you become the White Queen game piece. You finally free your friend Maggie from the Lumberjack, but he grabs you instead to bury you alive -- and the demo ends!

The Surface games include flowers to find in every scene, that you use to purchase items for the bonus room -- which looks similar to your apartment. I managed to buy a teddy bear and some curtains. I am not good at looking for items unless I have a reminder on the screen, but it is fun to try.

Also part of the CE Bling are collectible statues of game characters -- not very hidden, but still fun to spot one. The achievement awards are all chess pieces on a gameboard. One of the options to change is the Gamma option, which brightens the screen -- I like to eliminate the darkness that occurs at the edges of my large monitor during HOPs.

There are four game modes, including custom. Playing on Casual is quite easy. I played for 72 minutes and didn't skip a mini-game. The HOPs are also easy, but each one is slightly different so you don't get bored. Sometimes the HOP is part of the story recitation. Other times you find pairs by moving items in the scene.

This is a very good game with an excellent and unique story line. Gotta have it! Show less

I recommend this game!

+48points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

61 of 77 found this review helpful

YOU BETTER BE IN IT TO WIN IT IN THIS GAME

PostedNovember 20, 2014

sunnyglow

fromPAWN IN A FROZEN LAND

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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:Expert

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

We have an adventure game reminiscent of Jumanji. You and your heroine both enter a game with dialogue choices determining your outcome. I love this game. This is the second of a series of great games from Pachyderm. You must careful the "game" doesn't completely devour you body and soul. A great game from our elephant friends.
Here is an outline of the game:

LEVELS: 3 - Casual (Relaxed with ...Show more

We have an adventure game reminiscent of Jumanji. You and your heroine both enter a game with dialogue choices determining your outcome. I love this game. This is the second of a series of great games from Pachyderm. You must careful the "game" doesn't completely devour you body and soul. A great game from our elephant friends.
Here is an outline of the game:

LEVELS: 3 - Casual (Relaxed with sparkles). Advanced (No sparkles but hints) Hardcore (no skips or hints)

GRAPHICS : The game begins with old school cartoonish and one-dimensional graphics. When you enter the "game," they become realistic and very well-done.

HOP SCENES: Some interactivity. Puzzle-like and varied throughout - matching pairs, card activities, location items to uncover pieces to be interconnected to create an inventory item.

PUZZLES: Tile games, moving buttons to correct locations, variations of jigsaw puzzles, use of formulas to create inventory items were the ones I found in the demo.

INVENTORY: Inventory can be locked. It is interactive and I encountered a puzzle within the inventory itself.

EXTRA GOODIES: Achievements represented as game pieces shown on a chessboard. You collect red flowers

COMMENTS: The game began with old school graphics and transformed into more modern realistic graphics and better puzzles and HOP scenes when our heroine entered the "game." . This is an adventure game with dialogue choices which dictate the actions within the game. Show less

I recommend this game!

+45points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

14 of 14 found this review helpful

Almost beats the problem of HOG genre plotting

PostedNovember 26, 2014

kandinsky

fromNew York

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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

Current Favorite:

Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition

(115)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Others have covered most of the points of this game very nicely so I will just make one comment and that on the plot.
I find that in game after game as soon as I understand where the plot is going the fun vanishes as I slog on to find elements for an alchemical mix or whatever it is that will put paid to the bad guys. Some games have little mystery from the beginning but this one does and it ...Show more

Others have covered most of the points of this game very nicely so I will just make one comment and that on the plot.
I find that in game after game as soon as I understand where the plot is going the fun vanishes as I slog on to find elements for an alchemical mix or whatever it is that will put paid to the bad guys. Some games have little mystery from the beginning but this one does and it almost breaks through the plotting problem by the device of the game within a game and the uncertainty at least for the first half of the game as to whether Evan the recruiter of players is on the side of the players or of the game masters and indeed the game then has a quality of mystery and even fright ... If only they could have kept the mysterious question of who was who and what the game was about mysterious a little longer. At least for me once that is lost the thing becomes a matter of playing it out to the end ...and nowadays (is it game burnout a little?) I let some games go unfinished. So for the plot and the pleasure it gave for longer than usual in these games Im giving it 5 stars. The other aspects are well done, graphics, sound , some relatively interesting hidden object scenes and so on, but only in plot does it seem to approach a breakthrough the genre seriously needs. Show less

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

21 of 24 found this review helpful

Game of Gods:The Game within a game is Brilliant!!!

PostedNovember 23, 2014

skullfun

fromTennessee

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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

Current Favorite:

Surface: The Pantheon

(49)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

You play Alice Russell, whose friends go missing when they take part in a strange game you yourself were supposed to be a part of. Turns out the game, played every three years, has some very serious rules, and the players are contractually bound to face the threats that pop up when they roll the dice or die, which is something I would have thought we'd all learned to avoid when Quark taught us ...Show more

You play Alice Russell, whose friends go missing when they take part in a strange game you yourself were supposed to be a part of. Turns out the game, played every three years, has some very serious rules, and the players are contractually bound to face the threats that pop up when they roll the dice or die, which is something I would have thought we'd all learned to avoid when Quark taught us what a terrible idea that is. With your friends in danger from tabletop gone wrong, you have no choice but to sign the contract presented to you by the man with the infinitely smug and punchable face and play yourself to save them, presumably absolving yourself of ever feeling obligated to drive one of them to the airport or pay for pizza ever again. As you play, you'll follow your friends into the scenes they've trapped themselves in, solving puzzles and hidden-object scenes, as well as helping free the many centuries' worth of souls trapped in the game. Surface: Game of Gods is an appealingly creative and beautifully presented hidden-object adventure perfect for players looking for something cinematic and just the right amount of creepy-cool for an evening's play.
It has an interesting plot despite its similarities to Jumanji, though with all the people who have apparently lost the game over hundreds of years, the overall difficulty and complexity probably should have been a bit higher to reflect that, since most of the challenges facing Alice are pretty simple, making everyone else look dense as a result. Admittedly, the story implies winning is less about cunning or intelligence and more about overcoming ones fears and faults, which is much harder to do than simply solving a puzzle. Early on you discover the game... uh, the game within the game, that is... is actually a means to satisfy a bunch of bloodthirsty gods who were inadvertently called to earth long ago, and players have been brought in to try to appease and defeat them ever since. It's more creepy-cool than genuinely scary, though there are some beautifully executed scenes and well done jump scares, and the overall design is absolutely gorgeous. Areas are wonderfully illustrated and the soundtrack is surprisingly top-notch too, though people tend to look more than a little weird when they animate while speaking.

Though the gameplay is a lot more straight-forward and familiar than the game itself, Game of Gods makes up for it by taking you to a variety of distinctive locations, all with their own themes and villains. One neat mechanic is collecting cards that have special single-use powers for you to "play" and pass obstacles, and many of the hidden-object scenes incorporate different playstyles, like tracking down pairs of objects or specific items needed to advance a story. More importantly, however, is that despite a lot of backtracking, you never feel like you're partaking in random busywork to pad the length of the game. There's a ton of different things to see and puzzles to solve here, and the way the game weaves its story into all of it is surprisingly effective. While slow to start and still on the easy side, Surface: Game of Gods is one of the best hidden-object adventures to come along in a long time. Just remember, kids... if a mysterious stranger who looks like he needs to be throttled with his own cravat invites you to play a game for your heart's desire, just say no. Unless your heart's desire is to be a Powerpuff Girl. Always be a Powerpuff Girl. Show less

I recommend this game!

+18points

21of 24voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

23 of 28 found this review helpful

New story!

PostedNovember 20, 2014

donadriedger

fromNova Scotia, Canada

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:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Mahjong

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I beta tested this one and I couldn't wait for it to be released. I must say that the test was quite a while ago, and I found it excellent then, so I am eager to see what improvements they made since then. I'd totally forgotten the surprise ending to the demo; love it!
First off, it is a new story line..yes, you do have to rescue your friends, but playing a board game to do so is new and ...Show more

I beta tested this one and I couldn't wait for it to be released. I must say that the test was quite a while ago, and I found it excellent then, so I am eager to see what improvements they made since then. I'd totally forgotten the surprise ending to the demo; love it!
First off, it is a new story line..yes, you do have to rescue your friends, but playing a board game to do so is new and exciting!
The VOs and the graphics are both extremely well done. The characters are drawn with such detail. This is really artwork.
There are numerous extras to make this well worth the CE designation.
The puzzles are not too difficult so far and I didn't need to skip any. There is a customized option for playing, which I always like. The HOs are varied and fun.
Not too sure how long it will be as I didn't look at the SG to see, but I have all of the Surface games and they are all quite long and involved.
Love this dev! Show less

I recommend this game!

+18points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

12 of 12 found this review helpful

Excellent hidden objects game

PostedDecember 8, 2014

katZenobia

fromDenmark

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

Quite ordinary beginning. Almost boring first scene when to get ready to join the invitation, but then.... oh I loved the play and I saved all my friends and defeated the gods. I'm sure, that I will go back and play it again, when my solutions are forgotten. The mix of hidden objects and puzzles is what I like. As elderly woman (2 years from 70), I'm not reacting fast enough to play games with ...Show more

Quite ordinary beginning. Almost boring first scene when to get ready to join the invitation, but then.... oh I loved the play and I saved all my friends and defeated the gods. I'm sure, that I will go back and play it again, when my solutions are forgotten. The mix of hidden objects and puzzles is what I like. As elderly woman (2 years from 70), I'm not reacting fast enough to play games with time limits, but hidden object games are great. And Games of Gods is a wonderful experience Show less

I recommend this game!

+12points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

9 of 10 found this review helpful

"ALL WE NEED... IS A CHAMPION"

PostedNovember 23, 2014

Penhip

fromBrooklyn, NY

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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

Current Favorite:

Myths of the World: Of Fiends and Fairies Collector's Edition

(79)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

As with all Surface games' storylines the themes seem to delve beyond the superficial at times exploring the human subconscious in the "Noise She Couldn't Make" to the most recent release; Game of the Gods whereby "Alice" is recruited by her friend to participate in a study that becomes a living nightmare for her 3 friends who she sets out to rescue when her avatar suddenly turns into the White ...Show more

As with all Surface games' storylines the themes seem to delve beyond the superficial at times exploring the human subconscious in the "Noise She Couldn't Make" to the most recent release; Game of the Gods whereby "Alice" is recruited by her friend to participate in a study that becomes a living nightmare for her 3 friends who she sets out to rescue when her avatar suddenly turns into the White Queen in a chess-board game that turns into a battle with the gods for your very life.

If you've read "Through the Looking Glass" and "What Alice Found There" by Lewis Carroll or using a more contemporary reference, seen Tim Burton's body of work, you will be delighted with this latest installment of Surface as you capture the subtle themes that GOG brilliantly brings to life in this fabuous game. Don't know any of these references? it really doesn't matter. Elephant has knocked it out of the park giving us a fabulous game that you will undoubtedly enjoy regardless of your level of reference.

Creatively the game is a dream. Surface has probably one of the best HOS hands down in the adventure genre in terms of stunning visual imagery, imagination and clarity, which I love in HOS. The mini-games are equally fun with a combination of the "tried and true" challenges and a "new spin on the old". The best adventure games now allow the player to choose their own level of challenge which allows for a more catered experience depending on your mood or skill level. You will find a running theme of Surface "flowers: of red, silver and gold scattered throughout the game. The flowers have a numerical equivalent to help you furnish an apartment that hopefully Alice or "The White Queen will go to rest when she is done wiping the board and the game clean of evil gods and their villionous minions. To this end, the "collectable" items are comprised of figures that aide, impede or require saving from the god's wrath.

I liked the CE simply because you find out about the chess games inception and the "Order" that governs it. It also clarifies the role of Evan; The Game Master, whose aims and goals are absolutely beyond the surface.

Thank you Elephant and Big Fish for another wonderful addition to the Surface series!!! Show less

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

31 of 45 found this review helpful

Fun Hidden Object Game

PostedNovember 20, 2014

shirleyharlacher

fromFresh Meadows, New York

Skill Level:Beginner

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Good story line. You're playing a game within a game from the beginning, which is unique. It has collectibles which I love. You search for flowers through out the game which have purchase power. You might not want to play casual. I think it's too easy. I really like this game a lot. I suggest you play it but if you usually play casual play a higher level, so it's more challenging. Great graphics. ...Show more

Good story line. You're playing a game within a game from the beginning, which is unique. It has collectibles which I love. You search for flowers through out the game which have purchase power. You might not want to play casual. I think it's too easy. I really like this game a lot. I suggest you play it but if you usually play casual play a higher level, so it's more challenging. Great graphics. Clear vocal. Show less

I recommend this game!

+17points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

21 of 30 found this review helpful

Fantastic game

PostedNovember 20, 2014

gryhndlvr

fromColorado

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:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

I absolutely love the story, kind of reminds me of Jumanji. After you pick a game figure and roll the dice you are off.
Beautiful graphics and stunning imagination. I think it is the best of all Surface games yet.
Everything good about it has already been mentioned by fellow fishies.
Of course you have to collect all the flowers again and figurines.
Try it, yes it is on the easy side, but held my ...Show more

I absolutely love the story, kind of reminds me of Jumanji. After you pick a game figure and roll the dice you are off.
Beautiful graphics and stunning imagination. I think it is the best of all Surface games yet.
Everything good about it has already been mentioned by fellow fishies.
Of course you have to collect all the flowers again and figurines.
Try it, yes it is on the easy side, but held my interest.
Simply gorgeous game Show less

I recommend this game!

+12points

21of 30voted this as helpful.

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