Lost Grimoires 2: Shard of Mystery Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

59 of 75 found this review helpful

Happy To See The New Installment

PostedFebruary 20, 2018

HeavenBound7729

fromOcala, Florida

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Voyage

(14)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

It was quite a while ago but I remember the first game being very entertaining, it was worth the $$ for me. The demo passed quickly but left me with the need to buy this latest installment asap! The storyline is a good fantasy and easy to follow. Prince Fern all grown up now has quite a task ahead of him. He is such a handsome young fellow. Pity he got stuck with that silly name, not that it ...Show more

It was quite a while ago but I remember the first game being very entertaining, it was worth the $$ for me. The demo passed quickly but left me with the need to buy this latest installment asap! The storyline is a good fantasy and easy to follow. Prince Fern all grown up now has quite a task ahead of him. He is such a handsome young fellow. Pity he got stuck with that silly name, not that it really matters I suppose.

His father died when Fern was just a child, but not before passing his crown down to him. He is nearing the day of his coronation and the story picks up with Drosera, the meanie, returning for revenge. She was trapped in the mirror with a big case of cabin fever for too long, by Fern's father who was battling her black magic for many tragic years.

The graphics and beautiful colors in this game are outstanding. The scenes are full of interesting things and the characters are wonderfully rendered, with very good lip sync and voices. The costumes were great. Although this is all fantasy, I really love this time period for the story.

The HOPs were beautiful, interactive and challenging. I thought the storybook style was fun and the one in the bird cage was gorgeous. They were both excellent. The puzzles were challenging but not overly so, really liked strategically placing the soldiers to guard the hallways and mixing potions is always a favorite. I don't know if the roses were the only collectible, but I succeeded at finding one in each scene. Also acquired some good achievements along the way, which is fun gratification. Have to say I HATE custom cursors! Why do we have to have them?

There is Custom Mode, so everyone can enjoy the game. That is always a great feature. Well, with this being Bonus Punch Day, I have some business waiting for me.

Faith.... Show less

I recommend this game!

+43points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

43 of 57 found this review helpful

USE YOUR SKILLS TO HELP DEFEAT DROSERA AND SAVE THE KINGDOM

PostedFebruary 20, 2018

biscuitsmama

fromPlay a power house healer and alchemist as you save the day in a great fantasy game

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Lost Grimoires 2 Shard of Mystery is an excellent fantasy game – one I have been waiting to purchase and it looks like today is my lucky day. There is an evil witch in the game but she doesn’t bother me as much as some of the evil characters in other games, maybe because she isn’t a dark smoky character with glowing red eyes.

You play the game as a healer and alchemist in the King’s court – ...Show more

Lost Grimoires 2 Shard of Mystery is an excellent fantasy game – one I have been waiting to purchase and it looks like today is my lucky day. There is an evil witch in the game but she doesn’t bother me as much as some of the evil characters in other games, maybe because she isn’t a dark smoky character with glowing red eyes.

You play the game as a healer and alchemist in the King’s court – perhaps you are a relative since the young prince refers to you as Auntie. When the game begins we find that the King is dying after a long and hard battle with the evil witch Drosera that ultimately caused the loss of many lives. Three mysterious alchemists offered to help the king by creating a special mirror to imprison the witch. The King lured Drosera into a trap and then sent her along with her minions to another dimension through the Chasm Mirror. During the final battle with Drosera the King suffered terribly and his final act is to pass his crown to the young Prince Fern who is now your ward. The game moves forward twelve years and we next see Prince Fern as a young man on the eve of his coronation. You have now become one of the Prince’s closest advisors and it isn’t too long before the young King will have his own battles with Drosera where your skills will be tested as you help Fern save his kingdom.

I love games from Artifex Mundi who along with a couple of other independent developers are creating some of the premier HOPA games released in recent years. The graphics are beautiful and use a great variety of color to create the fantasy world that is much better than all of those dreary brown, gray, and dingy scenes in far too games for my taste. Your major tool in the game is an Alchemy Kit that is used to create and mix potions, which will then be used to overcome various challenges. I happen to love mixing potions and playing at alchemy so this game is perfect for me.

I found the HOPS and Puzzles to be fun and creative but there really is nothing new and I don’t expect that to happen since I have played over 1,000 HOPA games. After all there is not too much that can be done within the concept of a HOPA game so at least for me the HOPS here are interesting and well designed. The Puzzles have a bit of challenge at times but I haven’t completed the game at this point so there might be some tougher Puzzles ahead.

The CE version of the game includes 31 Collectible Roses to find and achievements to earn. The remainder of the CE is all the standard fluff such as Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Videos, Replay of HOPS and Mini-Games, Bonus Game, and a 58-Page Strategy Guide. Not a spectacular extras package but enough to keep me happy.

I love the game and the fantasy world created for my enjoyment. Although many gamers don’t care to mix potions I find them to be fun. The storyline is very good and the game for me is the total package with great beautiful artwork and excellent voiceovers. Even though the game won’t be for everyone, I purchased it the minute I spotted it on BFG this morning as I have waited quite a while to get my hands on it. As always, please try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy. Happy gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+29points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

51 of 76 found this review helpful

Artifex Mundi

PostedFebruary 20, 2018

2020moonlanding

fromOuter Hebrides

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This is an great game. It's not a new game as it was released a year ago. But it is new to Big Fish with lots of collector's bling added. Lost Grimoires 3 was just released a few months ago with the same quality as the first two. I'm so glad that Big Fish is selling more Artifex Mundi games! This developer is known for excellence.

I recommend this game!

+26points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

7 of 7 found this review helpful

Very good

PostedMarch 4, 2018

gyanda

fromCologne

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I enjoyed playing this game very much. The music is outstanding, the graphics were fine, the potionsmaking had something as if we ourselves are wizards, the story is interesting and long! I'm glad i bought this game. What i really find interesting as well: it loads very quickly, quicker than other games and the gameplay is very smooth. Thanks for having given me such a nice time while playing, ...Show more

I enjoyed playing this game very much. The music is outstanding, the graphics were fine, the potionsmaking had something as if we ourselves are wizards, the story is interesting and long! I'm glad i bought this game. What i really find interesting as well: it loads very quickly, quicker than other games and the gameplay is very smooth. Thanks for having given me such a nice time while playing, developers! Show less

I recommend this game!

+7points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

23 of 39 found this review helpful

not much mystery to this shard, it's the look of the game that's better than most

PostedFebruary 20, 2018

LogieBaby

fromA nice treat for the junior set and it looks great on the eye. Other than that...MEH !!

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

I certainly do not remember Lost Grimoires 1 so needless to say it had no wow factor for me. Episode 2 has good and bad points. The best aspect of the game is how beautifully it is drawn. An excellent example is a silhouetted HO scene requiring locating a bunch of birds. I am a birder and these are incredibly realistic so kudos to the folks at Artifex Mundi for a great depiction. The worst aspect ...Show more

I certainly do not remember Lost Grimoires 1 so needless to say it had no wow factor for me. Episode 2 has good and bad points. The best aspect of the game is how beautifully it is drawn. An excellent example is a silhouetted HO scene requiring locating a bunch of birds. I am a birder and these are incredibly realistic so kudos to the folks at Artifex Mundi for a great depiction. The worst aspect is the incredible ease ( at least in the demo ) to complete HO and puzzle segments.

As to the story it is a rehash of so many of its ilk. Here a young man Fern inherits his fathers throne and just before his coronation the evil Drosera has regained her powers of witchcraft and is set to wreak havoc on the kingdom. Been there done that way too many times.

I won't go into too much more detail as others will invariably do so. Also there isn't that much to tell. This is a fine game for beginners to the HOPA genre and it's a game that should appeal to youngsters.

We have been supplied with 3 fantasy games in a row. Perhaps a change of venue is needed. For me a purchase of the CE is out of the question simply because there is no challenge within the game. There is not enough bang for the buck. I'd consider using a free game code at some point.
My recommendation is based on the way Shard of Mystery looks rather than how it plays. Show less

I recommend this game!

+7points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

46 of 96 found this review helpful

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, IS THAT WITCH STILL IMPRISONED AFTER ALL?

PostedFebruary 20, 2018

sunnyglow

fromAmazing Auntie: Here is an alchemist who can fight off an evil witch and still trudge along dragging a huge alchemy kit with her to prepare potions to defeat this witch and her minions!!

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

OVERVIEW: Auntie! You have been the guardian for King Fern since his father died in the aftermath of a battle with the evil witch, Drosera. Now twelve years later, the young king is an adult, in love with the fair Rose, and soon to face more problems with this troublesome witch. You don’t believe in black magic, Auntie, being the purveyor of science and alchemy. However, you may change your mind ...Show more

OVERVIEW: Auntie! You have been the guardian for King Fern since his father died in the aftermath of a battle with the evil witch, Drosera. Now twelve years later, the young king is an adult, in love with the fair Rose, and soon to face more problems with this troublesome witch. You don’t believe in black magic, Auntie, being the purveyor of science and alchemy. However, you may change your mind after dealing with this witch. After a long battle, the witch was imprisoned in a mirror along with her minions, protected by an amulet. However, this amulet which has protected the young king, is beginning to lose power. You must now help Fern save the kingdom once again.

MECHANICS: This is a beautiful fairy tale come-to-life. The graphics are stunning! I surveyed this game for Artifex Mundi. It is not created by them, but by one of their fellow developers. It is a great game for those who love fairy tale games steeped in magic with many potions to create. You are required to create a great deal of potions within this game. For this, you must search the scenes for items to create those potions. Creating each potion requires playing a variety of a Match-3 puzzle.

Although it will appeal to many, I found the pace tedious and the game very boring. There is no strategy guide. You collect 31 rose emblems. You can replay some HOP scenes and puzzles. You receive a gimmicky alchemy kit to retrieve formulas and to collect those items to produce medicines and potions. To me, searching for supplies and creating those potions slowed down the pace of the game. I found this game tedious.

HOP SCENES: There are only three in the demo and they are standard fare. I did find the one scene searching for birds very beautiful.

PUZZLES: The puzzles are creatively designed. They vary in style and difficulty. I do like most of the puzzles within this game. None are terribly difficult. I would have purchased this game except for the tedious activities involved in creating all the potions. My favorite puzzle from the demo is a maze puzzle in which you must search for your nephew while avoiding obstacles in your path. That puzzle does take some time to maneuver. I like the Match-3 game (Skipping Stones) to create the potions. You are only allowed a specific amount of turns to retrieve a given amount of each colored stone. The other puzzles are ones we have seen in other games including a rope puzzle, a Simon Says puzzle, and a map puzzle in which you must angle guards so that all halls in the castle are within site of at least one guard.

LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints and Skips: 10 to 120 seconds

EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
You get an alchemy kit to help you in the game
You can replay some HOP scenes and mini-games.
12 Achievements
Collect 31 roses
Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music,

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

HOP SCENES: (A) List of items. (B) Silhouette – Beautiful birds. (C) List of items

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

To create potions. Variation of a Match-3 game. Connect like tokens to remove them. You must collect a specific amount of each stone and only have a specific number of moves to achieve that goal.

A. Rope puzzle (in this case, chains). Maneuver chains so that none cross each other. Rating: 2
B. Variation of a HOP scene. Storybook. Locate items through a telescope. Move 3 dials to locate the images. Rating: 2
C. Another variation of a Storybook scene. Interact with the pages of a storybook. Rating: 1
D. Simon Says puzzle. Follow a given sequence on stones. 3X Rating: 1
E. Physics puzzle. Place guards on a map so that all areas of the castle are covered by sight from at least one of the guards. Rating: 2
F. Find the differences. Find the differences between a group of statues. Rating: 1
G. Switch puzzle. Switch slats on a jewelry box to restore an image. Rating: 1
H. Assembly puzzle. Match up two weather related symbols to create a third weather symbol at the top of the screen.
I. Maze puzzle. Move characters through a maze eliminating obstacles in their path. 3X Rating: 2 Show less

I recommend this game!

-4points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

0 of 2 found this review helpful

Sometimes good

PostedMarch 5, 2018

Marja67

fromSpokane, WA

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Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Good graphics. Pretty music sometimes and music is
irritating sometimes. Fantasy story OK. I liked it.

I recommend this game!

-2points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

4 of 5 found this review helpful

Trial: Repetitive Mini Games. Tired Story. Good and Bad.

PostedMarch 8, 2018

Yurnmesis

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

Overall: Good King and great Alchemist traps Vile Witch in mirror. Where have I seen this before? Good graphics, sometimes poor textural application, but mostly attention to detail and interesting well-designed scenes, decors and attire. Character faces and movements were poorly crafted and the guard and prince were too similar and I've seen this prince design in other games by this developer! ...Show more

Overall: Good King and great Alchemist traps Vile Witch in mirror. Where have I seen this before? Good graphics, sometimes poor textural application, but mostly attention to detail and interesting well-designed scenes, decors and attire. Character faces and movements were poorly crafted and the guard and prince were too similar and I've seen this prince design in other games by this developer! Voice for prince should have deepened somewhat after he appeared grown up, sounded a bit too young, but the female alchemist had a great voice. Hidden Object Games were well done with attention to detail and a good job camouflaging objects especially the feathers in a bird scene! Too many Mini Games for me! Alchemist must collect herbs, flowers, etc. and combine them into flasks. Each time a flask is created a Mini Game of match stones with specific number of matches and limited moves pops up (can skip) and is a game feature that I really dislike. After a multiple step maze game, I was going to stop, but fortunately time ran out. I just didn’t like this game, I guess because of more cons than pros, especially the repetition. However, I will recommend it for those who like Mini Games, but I suggest you give this one a trial run to see if you enjoy the game play.

Graphics: Good
Sound and Music: Okay
Characters: Need improvement on facial features and movements
Voice Overs: Need better voice selection specific to age
Hint: Fast

Hidden Object Games: Excellent with great camouflage of objects. Used a book to share backstory with pop ups, put together, etc. was an okay set of tasks compared to some

Mini Games: Not a fan! Have to collect numerous items to prepare flasks. Then the same match type game pops up each time a flask is completed. I consider this lazy and repetitive craftsmanship and boring. I skipped them after the second one. Was ready to leave after maze game, but time ran out. Show less

I recommend this game!

+3points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

5 of 8 found this review helpful

Not as good as the first one

PostedFebruary 21, 2018

sha49tn1

fromSevierville, Tn

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

This game is ok, but, I wouldn't recommend it. The mini game for transmuting the potions was actually boring, & you kept having to do that game every time. It took WAY too long to play through too. I played the game on a different site, but won't be buying this one. The first game in this series was better than this one.

I don't recommend this game.

+2points

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Overall rating

2 / 5

51 of 72 found this review helpful

IS IT OVER YET???

PostedFebruary 20, 2018

pennmom36

fromFoiled again!

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat Collector's Edition

(100)

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

2 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

Another game with an evil imprisoned witch trying to escape, another naive Prince all grown up and ruining everything, another Alchemist who whips up potions using recipes that are conveniently laying around, which btw always seems to be THE exact potion at THE right time. Top it all off with Royal Golden hues, repetitive puzzles and and boring tasks, what does that equal? Lost Grimoires 2: Shard ...Show more

Another game with an evil imprisoned witch trying to escape, another naive Prince all grown up and ruining everything, another Alchemist who whips up potions using recipes that are conveniently laying around, which btw always seems to be THE exact potion at THE right time. Top it all off with Royal Golden hues, repetitive puzzles and and boring tasks, what does that equal? Lost Grimoires 2: Shard of Mystery! (not to mention the fact that # 3 has already been released, but it must have gotten Lost)

In all fairness, I've never been a fan of recipe related games, and the repetitive Match 3 games that come with it. In this Collector's Edition version, there are 31 hidden Roses, which is a nice touch, but I think Crystal collectibles would've been more appropriate. Other than the usual Music, Wallpapers, Concept Art pictures, and replayable Mini Games and HOP's, that's really all that's offered, so I think the Standard Edition version will be the better value, if you can be patient.

The Hidden Object Scenes are varied, and offer no alternative puzzle types. There are Interactive List finds, Multiples of the same items, Keywords in Sentences, Silhouetted Shapes to open up the listed finds. I will admit, that the HOP within an aviary was colorful and really well done, as you are tasked with finding the birds that match the Silhouetted Shapes shown, followed by finding 10 Feathers.

The Mini Games aren't really bad, but they are too repetitive, and I became bored after the third or fourth repeat of the same puzzle. As I stated before, I really don't like concocting alchemy recipes, there's no skill involved, so it's just a useless task to make ridiculas potions (example "Odor Sleuth" really?) Below are brief descriptions of some of the Mini Games you'll encounter during the demo:

1) Manipulate the padlocks to untangle the chains.

2) Recipe Match 3 game (repeated after each potion, progressively more difficult) this is a chain type Match 3 game requiring you to drag chain matches of a specific number of specific tiles, within a specified amount of moves.

3) Find objects in the telescope according to the keywords during a conversation.

4) Interact with the pages by clicking the correct objects pertaining to Keywords in a story.

5) Click gems in the correct order by repeating the sequence shown 3 times.

6) Place the Chasm Mirror pieces in their proper places.

7) Place the guards so that they secure every spot in the castle (vertical and horizontal coverage) on 3 different boards.

8) Swap tiles to create an image.

9) Find 5 differences between 3 different soldiers.

10) Combine 2 elements to create the new element shown at the top (air, water, earth etc.)

11) Swap the tiles to match the clue shown.

12) Move the character to the other side by pushing statues out of the way without getting stuck. repeat 3 times, in between the potion Match 3 games.

This Collector's Edition version has 6 Wallpapers, Concept Art pictures, 8 Music Soundtracks, replayable Hidden Object Scenes, Mini Games and Cutscenes, 31 Hidden Roses, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter.

LOST GRIMOIRES GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-Stolen Kingdom (March 6-2017) 4.3
2-Shard of Mystery (February 20-2018) n/a
3-The Forgotten Well (????)

by: Artifex Mundi

Artifex Mundi Games:
Lost Grimoires*Noir Chronicles*Endless Fables*Bladebound*Eventide*Modern Tales*The Secret Order*Queen's Quest*Ghost Files*Scarlett Mysteries* Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+30points

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	, share your thoughts about this game! Lost Grimoires 2: Shard of Mystery Collector's Edition Save the prince in this magical hidden object adventure! 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.