Christmas Stories: Nutcracker > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

153 of 166 found this review helpful

Must have game

PostedDecember 22, 2012

gingergal

fromoutside Seattle, WA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

*I finished CE game playing hardcore*

Every aspect of the plot was completely 100% tied up in main game. The bonus was a pure bonus plot (not needed to finish the plot in main game), completely separate from the main plot. Apart from one of your secondary helpers (the cat) none of the other characters in the main game were in the bonus chapter.

This is going to be my new Christmas tradition to ...Show more

*I finished CE game playing hardcore*

Every aspect of the plot was completely 100% tied up in main game. The bonus was a pure bonus plot (not needed to finish the plot in main game), completely separate from the main plot. Apart from one of your secondary helpers (the cat) none of the other characters in the main game were in the bonus chapter.

This is going to be my new Christmas tradition to play this wonderful game every Christmas. From the Tchaikovsky music, to the setting and puzzles being part of story and setting. Everything is nearly perfect apart from the length of main game but we’ll come to that later.

This is a game that you can play with your family and of all the games I’ve played all year it’s the one that has the highest fun factor, it’s a joy to play. The nutcracker’s love - a doll has been kidnapped by King rat and his band of followers and you go and help him to find her aided with some truly fun companions along the way.

Graphics are stunning and it’s such a beautiful game. I’d say you’d have to be the Grinch that stole Christmas games if you weren’t at least enchanted by the beginning of the game (even if you didn’t like it.)

Gameplay mechanics is exactly the same with any other recent elephant game but just in case you forgot – transporter map with hints on all levels, choice of hardness setting which you can change midgame, no hint or skip on hardcore but as usual black bar hints, no random click penalty on HOS and you never repeat them. There is a lockable inventory bar.

12 HOS (hidden object scenes)

While the graphics are super sharp elsewhere, it’s like they are 95% sharp in some HOS. They are well defined but it’s like they want to go the road of some other devs and blend some in slightly. There are some tiny items but I did find them all. Some are junk, some are very cluttered. They are all list type (as usual from elephant) and no mini games in them just mildy/medium interactive.

14 PUZZLES

There is an info and reset button on them.

I knew as this is more a family game that there wouldn’t be any hard puzzles but on a couple they were clever as a couple were unique and took a while for me to figure out the objective. One of the achievements is not to use the hint/info button on puzzles. By doing that I was OK with the hardness of them, mostly easy to medium. They had your usual (which please I’ve had enough of) rotating rings and rotating circles (here it was squares – put your coloured icons on different parts of the board.) They did have some twists on some – gear puzzle and loved the – click on things in area to accomplish a task (cardboard cutout of girl) and the flag puzzle which took me ages to work out the objective.

Every aspect of the plot was completely 100% tied up in main game. The bonus was a pure bonus plot (not needed to finish the plot in main game), completely separate from the main plot. Apart from one of your secondary helpers (the cat) none of the other characters in the main game were in the bonus chapter.

LENGTH

I played the whole game hardcore, and playing for achievements (so no puzzle tips or hints or skips) and I just got over 4hrs on main game. I was smelling the roses, and taking my time. Shortest game from elephant at just over 4hrs but due to this being a SE and the rest is so fun and very good quality I am giving it 5 stars.

If interested below is what is in the CE that is NOT in this SE

CE extras
Achievements
Collectables 25 dolls
4 Music
5 video (some cutscenes)
9 concept art
Screensaver
Cat cave (opens after bonus) but it’s just a viewing cave not interactive

I really do recommend the CE but SE is complete.

TIME – Main game – Just over 4hrs

Loved every minute of it. Show less

I recommend this game!

+140points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

62 of 68 found this review helpful

This is a must buy...

PostedDecember 22, 2012

neilskinut

fromBridge city tx

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Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

The graphics are great. The music is good and I like voice over.
Has a good storyline. The hint button works good if you need it and the skip button is fast. The HOS are really not hard. The puzzles can be challenging at times.
Has a good flow to the game with a little going back and forth.
There is a lot of things to find which makes it fun.
With the buy one get one free now I'd get the CE one. ...Show more

The graphics are great. The music is good and I like voice over.
Has a good storyline. The hint button works good if you need it and the skip button is fast. The HOS are really not hard. The puzzles can be challenging at times.
Has a good flow to the game with a little going back and forth.
There is a lot of things to find which makes it fun.
With the buy one get one free now I'd get the CE one. This was just a fun game to play. One of the best I've played in a long time. Show less

I recommend this game!

+56points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

72 of 81 found this review helpful

What a wonderful game! For me: one of the best this year!!!!

PostedDecember 22, 2012

majageorg

fromBlack Forest - Germany

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This is one of the most gorgeous games this year (for me)!! Kudos to Elephant Games!! Wonderful (wellknown) story/ music, charming characters, clear and very detailed graphics! Very nice HOS, not too cluttered. Some new puzzles/ minigames, few very challenging for me (had to skip 1!!). Three modes to play; I played the 2nd. Detailed, interactive map. Gameplay/ characters reminded me of "Royal ...Show more

This is one of the most gorgeous games this year (for me)!! Kudos to Elephant Games!! Wonderful (wellknown) story/ music, charming characters, clear and very detailed graphics! Very nice HOS, not too cluttered. Some new puzzles/ minigames, few very challenging for me (had to skip 1!!). Three modes to play; I played the 2nd. Detailed, interactive map. Gameplay/ characters reminded me of "Royal Detective: Lord of Statues"! Detailed, interactive map. And I loved those cute assistants, such as the candle (very funny), the cat and the nutcracker, waiting in your inventory for their use. If you're still hesitating and didn't purchase the CE yet (which includes achievments, collectables and an adorable bonus-chapter): Try this one!! You won't regret, I promise! Show less

I recommend this game!

+63points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

61 of 69 found this review helpful

Whimsical, Magical, Holiday Fun!

PostedDecember 22, 2012

zoomzoomZombie

fromUSA

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Christmas Stories: The Nutcracker Game is another winner from Elephant Games. The story is a hidden-object adventure game that has you playing a detective and helping the Nutcracker reunite with his love, while defeating the evil Rat King.

The storyline, graphics and music are superb in this game. The scenes are a combination of Christmas decor, winter outdoors, and the requisite creepy places. ...Show more

Christmas Stories: The Nutcracker Game is another winner from Elephant Games. The story is a hidden-object adventure game that has you playing a detective and helping the Nutcracker reunite with his love, while defeating the evil Rat King.

The storyline, graphics and music are superb in this game. The scenes are a combination of Christmas decor, winter outdoors, and the requisite creepy places. The game gives you helpers, that you pick up on the way in the form of the Nutcracker and a cute little cat. The story and music are based on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, which is a holiday favorite.

There are three modes of gameplay, casual, advanced and hardcore. The hidden object scenes have interactive play, and the games are engaging and fun. There is a map that lets you move from scene to scene without all that tedious backtracking.

The overall length and gameplay are very good. I bought the Collector's Edition, which comes with the strategy guide, collectible items to find throughout the game, achievements, the bonus game, wallpapers, music, concept art, and videos. The bonus game is absolutely not necessary to feel like you finished the main game.

If you haven't already purchased the Collector's Edition, I recommend you pick up the Standard Edition for sure. I just love this game. I really put me in that holiday mood. Show less

I recommend this game!

+53points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

26 of 32 found this review helpful

A wondrous and magical game for the holidays!

PostedDecember 26, 2012

LunaNik

fromMassachusetts

Key Contributor
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Skill Level:Expert

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

Current Favorite:

Christmas Stories: Nutcracker

(67)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

VERSION
Standard Edition
full game

DEVELOPER
Elephant Games

GENRE
Hidden Object-Puzzle-Adventure
Christmas Fantasy

STORYLINE
You're off to the Christmas Ball, but first you must help Albert rescue his love Mary from the evil Rat King. There's just one fairy tale hitch: the Rat King has turned Albert into the Nutcracker, and Mary into a doll. Fortunately, you'll have not only Albert's help, but ...Show more

VERSION
Standard Edition
full game

DEVELOPER
Elephant Games

GENRE
Hidden Object-Puzzle-Adventure
Christmas Fantasy

STORYLINE
You're off to the Christmas Ball, but first you must help Albert rescue his love Mary from the evil Rat King. There's just one fairy tale hitch: the Rat King has turned Albert into the Nutcracker, and Mary into a doll. Fortunately, you'll have not only Albert's help, but the help of others you'll rescue along the way. But I won't spoil the fun for you!

GAMEPLAY
This is more an adventure game with puzzles and HO scenes along the way. The puzzles (or mini-games) range from the familiar but difficult to some that are unique. The HO scenes fit naturally into the environment rather than being strangely placed random junk piles. Sparkles indicate both areas of interaction and HO scenes. The HO scenes are of medium difficulty; I used only a couple hints.

INTERFACE
You have a transporter map which is beautifully done. Small candlesticks are rendered in each area. A lighted candle shows you where you are. Golden candlesticks show areas with stuff to do, while pewter ones show inactive areas. When you hover over a candlestick, a small picture of the area pops up.

TECHNICAL
No issues.

GRAPHICS
Breathtaking, both still and animated. Gorgeous colors and textures which evoked both cold and wintry as well as holiday cheer.

CUTSCENES
Rendered in a flashback style, with the Nutcracker narrating, the cutscenes mainly fill you in on the backstory.

MUSIC
Lovely, as they are selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.

SOUND
Not only appropriate, but standout from the usual game sounds. Ambient sounds were excellent as well.

VOICEOVER
Quite well done, voiceovers were mainly the Nutcracker's narrations.

SUMMARY
Elephant Games has really stepped up on this one. I definitely recommend this game. It was a joy to play, both relaxing and challenging. Show less

I recommend this game!

+20points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

20 of 26 found this review helpful

Christmas Stories: The Nutcracker

PostedDecember 23, 2012

kordi044

frommount Laurel NJ

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

challenging, entertaining, beautiful colors and scenes

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

23 of 32 found this review helpful

A Wonderful Gift for CHristmas

PostedDecember 22, 2012

Nilosh

fromIstanbul, Turkey

Key Contributor
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Christmas Stories: Nutcracker Collector's Edition

(323)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Beautiful Breathtaking Graphics, original tune from the Nutcracker Suit and wonderful game mechanics in this magical HOPA that everyone of all ages can enjoy. If you did'nt go for the CE version (which incidently I highly recommend you reconsider), then do not pass this gem up.

You have three game modes, a map that follows your progress and your trusted companions that help you with your mission ...Show more

Beautiful Breathtaking Graphics, original tune from the Nutcracker Suit and wonderful game mechanics in this magical HOPA that everyone of all ages can enjoy. If you did'nt go for the CE version (which incidently I highly recommend you reconsider), then do not pass this gem up.

You have three game modes, a map that follows your progress and your trusted companions that help you with your mission that include the Nutcracker himself, a cute cat and a candle. Gameplay comes with some challenges not to mention the HO scenes that are slightly interactive and wonderful mini-games that are unique in design.

Definitely a game that made my list of top 10 for 2012. Who can resist the Nutcracker, an all time favorite during the Holidays. Show less

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

10 of 12 found this review helpful

Christmas Stories: Nutcracker

PostedApril 23, 2014

pennmom36

fromChristmas in April!

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Current Favorite:

Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death Collector's Edition

(237)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

It's Christmas as a kid all over again, they don't make a game any better than this and even though it's almost May, it made me feel like it was December 24. This is a Christmas tale about Princess Mary, the Rat King wanted her for his own so he sends his army out to kidnap her, but Albert comes to her rescue, bigger and stronger, the Rat Kings only choice was to turn Mary into a porcelain doll ...Show more

It's Christmas as a kid all over again, they don't make a game any better than this and even though it's almost May, it made me feel like it was December 24. This is a Christmas tale about Princess Mary, the Rat King wanted her for his own so he sends his army out to kidnap her, but Albert comes to her rescue, bigger and stronger, the Rat Kings only choice was to turn Mary into a porcelain doll and Albert into the famous Nutcracker! The graphics are over the top gorgeous, the Christmas decorations, the glistening snow are warm and cozy, but what really impresses me is the animation of the rat army and King.

You are joined right away by Albert the nutcracker who will now be your right hand man when it comes to battling the rat army and anything else he may be able to defeat with his sword I don't think he actually cracks any nuts) You will also rescue a walking, talking, candle which comes in handy when you need something lit and of course Fred. Fred is a cat who somehow managed to get shackled, but his father was know for his rat chasing skills so he will be happy to assist any way possible.

This is one of those games which have a ton of things to do in each scene, although you may not have the inventory item yet, you won't need to look too hard to find an active task area in any scene. The hidden object scenes are unique. First you have to do a puzzle such as using arrows to turn rings, when you turn one ring, others turn as well. When you complete the puzzle, you are rewarded with an HOS, which are interactive list finds. There are several different kinds of puzzles and mini games such as tile swapping and rotating, but one of my favorite mini games was the catapult game. You have to put different weights onto the catapult so the ball would hit red buttons strategically placed on the castle to detonate the bomb which would clear the path for the next red button. This is a game I haven't ever seen before. Whether you opt for the Collectors Edition or the Standard Edition, you are in for a huge treat any day of the year, enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

11 of 15 found this review helpful

the nutcracker was really great

PostedDecember 22, 2012

confused9988

fromClover SC

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Great story, flowed along really well. It was a great story to play.

I recommend this game!

+7points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

3 of 3 found this review helpful

A real Christmas treat!

PostedApril 1, 2013

AdrianaIP

fromState College, 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, Hidden Object, Mahjong

Current Favorite:

Christmas Stories: Nutcracker

(67)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Gorgeous!!! Gorgeous!!! You can use the map, but the settings are so beautiful that you want to transverse them again and feast your eyes. 3 cute helpers - the nutcracker, the cat, and the candle. Delightufl evil rats.

The music of course....

It was like watching a flawless performance of the ballet...

Level of challenge was OK. Just to keep the story flowing and you did not feel guilty if you ...Show more

Gorgeous!!! Gorgeous!!! You can use the map, but the settings are so beautiful that you want to transverse them again and feast your eyes. 3 cute helpers - the nutcracker, the cat, and the candle. Delightufl evil rats.

The music of course....

It was like watching a flawless performance of the ballet...

Level of challenge was OK. Just to keep the story flowing and you did not feel guilty if you had to skip, so you could get back to Albert, Mary, and the Rat King. The HOGs were cluttered, a bit junk pile, but again, gorgeous to look at. Some interactive items. Bascially the puzzle solving does not get in teh way of the story or the mood.

Did I mention how much fun the rats were? Show less

I recommend this game!

+3points

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	, share your thoughts about this game! Christmas Stories: Nutcracker A classic Christmas <strike>tale</strike> tail, with a whole new twist! 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.