Hello everyone!! This is my review of Shadow at the Water's Edge. I will not include any spoilers, and I ask that anyone who comments to do the same :) Thanks!
Setting
This game takes place in Kyoto, Japan. For me, this was a great setting. A completely different place than we've been to before with Nancy. Very technological, yet very traditional. Beautiful colors, and the garden looks quite lively.
Overall Score: 9
Characters
We have 4 face to face characters in this game - Takae, the grandmother, who teaches you traditional Japanese arts. Miwako, the younger daughter, who stands at the ryokan's desk for any questions. Rentaro - the goofball handyman who loves number puzzles. And Yumi - the older daughter, who is carefree and loves making bento.
We also have two phone characters, aside from Bess and George.
Every single character had something about them that was very real. From Miwako's severely accented English to Takae's genuine concern for her granddaughters, I could relate to the characters in one way or another. Very, very impressed.
Overall Score: 10!!
Story
Of course, Nancy will get her vacation this time, right?? Wrong! Nancy Drew + supposedly "haunted" ryokan + strange mishaps = a mystery needs to be solved!
The story I felt was very simple. Which, I didn't feel was a bad thing. There was no places in the story where I lost track of what was going on. It was easy to follow, but definitely not boring. Not too many side tasks, but enough to give you a break from the original plotline.
Overall score: 9
Puzzles
Why don't we just go ahead and nickname SAW, "The Game of Puzzles." Man, did this game have puzzles! Everywhere you turned, there was a new puzzle. Aside from Rentaro's puzzle book (which he will give you tips after you complete all of a certain puzzle), there were mega versions and other small puzzles. Sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed by all the puzzles, but I was glad for them in case I needed a break from the "scariness" ;)
Overall score: 7.5
Length & Scary Factor
I was very, VERY impressed with the length. Usually I am disappointed by how fast I can finish a new game, yet this game took me between 9 and 11 hours. I was glad to have a game to come home to for four days :)
And Oh. My. Word. When HER told us this was a scary game, they weren't kidding. Usually in games I'll just jump or gasp, but this game had me actually screaming. (I remember screaming three times, I believe.) Because of the scariness factor, I wouldn't recommend this for children under 12 or so without a parent or older gamer playing it first or with them.
Overall Score: 10!!
Ending
The ending seemed to come at just the right time. However, for me, the ending went by a little fast, and I didn't feel terribly scared. Yeah, I was shaking, but that was simply because I realized I caught the crook. I was surprised however, after all the clues I found (until close to the end), that the culprit was who it was.
Overall score: 7.5
Overall Game Score: 9.5
I would definitely recommend getting this game. HerInteractive has outdone themselves, and it is well worth your money. I hope my review has helped out anyone who was needing more info. Have a great day, guys!
~ Victoria
Setting
This game takes place in Kyoto, Japan. For me, this was a great setting. A completely different place than we've been to before with Nancy. Very technological, yet very traditional. Beautiful colors, and the garden looks quite lively.
Overall Score: 9
Characters
We have 4 face to face characters in this game - Takae, the grandmother, who teaches you traditional Japanese arts. Miwako, the younger daughter, who stands at the ryokan's desk for any questions. Rentaro - the goofball handyman who loves number puzzles. And Yumi - the older daughter, who is carefree and loves making bento.
We also have two phone characters, aside from Bess and George.
Every single character had something about them that was very real. From Miwako's severely accented English to Takae's genuine concern for her granddaughters, I could relate to the characters in one way or another. Very, very impressed.
Overall Score: 10!!
Story
Of course, Nancy will get her vacation this time, right?? Wrong! Nancy Drew + supposedly "haunted" ryokan + strange mishaps = a mystery needs to be solved!
The story I felt was very simple. Which, I didn't feel was a bad thing. There was no places in the story where I lost track of what was going on. It was easy to follow, but definitely not boring. Not too many side tasks, but enough to give you a break from the original plotline.
Overall score: 9
Puzzles
Why don't we just go ahead and nickname SAW, "The Game of Puzzles." Man, did this game have puzzles! Everywhere you turned, there was a new puzzle. Aside from Rentaro's puzzle book (which he will give you tips after you complete all of a certain puzzle), there were mega versions and other small puzzles. Sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed by all the puzzles, but I was glad for them in case I needed a break from the "scariness" ;)
Overall score: 7.5
Length & Scary Factor
I was very, VERY impressed with the length. Usually I am disappointed by how fast I can finish a new game, yet this game took me between 9 and 11 hours. I was glad to have a game to come home to for four days :)
And Oh. My. Word. When HER told us this was a scary game, they weren't kidding. Usually in games I'll just jump or gasp, but this game had me actually screaming. (I remember screaming three times, I believe.) Because of the scariness factor, I wouldn't recommend this for children under 12 or so without a parent or older gamer playing it first or with them.
Overall Score: 10!!
Ending
The ending seemed to come at just the right time. However, for me, the ending went by a little fast, and I didn't feel terribly scared. Yeah, I was shaking, but that was simply because I realized I caught the crook. I was surprised however, after all the clues I found (until close to the end), that the culprit was who it was.
Overall score: 7.5
Overall Game Score: 9.5
I would definitely recommend getting this game. HerInteractive has outdone themselves, and it is well worth your money. I hope my review has helped out anyone who was needing more info. Have a great day, guys!
~ Victoria