This is where it all started for quality RPG games
The game has a very sophisticated humour, often times indirectly refering to classic ancestors of adventure games and some popular d&d related movies. There are some places in a game which made me burst with laughter. Graphics, music, effects and story line are very well refined and provides you a great pleasure to take part in this adventure. Even though hardcore fans of this genre might say that this game often 'leads' you through puzzles, but I really found it quite enjoyable. Puzzles are still interesting, you have to think, but you don't get stuck for hours on something unimportant and that is why this game is great to play. Can't wait to play the next game!
Let's get the obvious out of the way - music and sounds - excellent as in every Amanita game. Graphics and style - excellent too. However, this game should be advertised as a game for a younger generation (5-10 year-olds) as there are only a handful of puzzles where you actually need to think how to solve them. 80% of the puzzles solve themselves as the user is randomly clicking on the screen and the game feels more like a cartoon which you have no control over. So if you enjoyed Botanicula, Samorost or Machinarium, you may be disappointed. The game just "happens" and you get tired after watching loads of animation without much interaction of a user. I did not like the fact that after finishing some levels a big big "CHUCHEL" logotype is shown on the screen. It just felt that Amanita is trying to spam the "CHUCHEL" word as much as possible. However, I do understand that Amanita is experimenting with such games and this may in future lead to some great games, so I salute you, Amanita, for experimenting, but I would like to warn users not to expect anything like previous games (which I dearly still love).
The atmosphere and artistic graphics of this game are just stunning. The puzzles were great, some were very unexpectedly smart puzzles, but I have to say that the game game me full pleasure after easy or tough puzzle. This is the classic piece of point and click game from Amanita Design which I recommend to play.
Very enjoyable game play and the environment of the game.
6 out of 5 stars for the music, environment, game play, story and all the hard work Amanita Design did. The environment seems very responsive and there were moments where I decided to simply let go the mouse and enjoy what was happening on the screen. Wonderful!
I would personally give 6 out 5 for the story line, music, sound effects and of course voice acting (yes, Elijah Wood, Jack Black and Will Wheaton did took part in this game quite a lot! ). The story line is very interesting and surprising (you can't always anticipate things to happen as you would think they should happen) and in general, the game gives you this very pleasant and welcoming feeling, similar to the feeling that Amanita Design games provide. The environment is very responsive and game includes a lot unnecessary animation and dialogues that create a wonderful atmosphere. The puzzles are interesting and at times very challenging. The most frustrating part was the ending which, unfortunately, required some googling from my side as I got stuck. The very last puzzles aren't "intuitive" and require a lot of analyzing, however there are some things that you do in those puzzles but without prior understanding of the final outcome and only in the end you get the 'aha!' moment. In any case, I strongly recommend not to miss this game. It has its own charm and humor which let you quickly forget minor issues with some puzzles.
This is the first adventure game by Amanita Design that I purchased and I loved every bit of it. There are a great variety of rooms and puzzles to solve, loads of animation which is created in a such a beautiful and sweet manner that you want this game to continue for the rest of your life. I loved the fact that this game is quite different from what I've played before - almost all puzzles are solvable in an unexpected way which in some games is a disadvantage, but it this beautiful and psychedelic adventure it is a true treasure. I played this game together with my wife and we were so amazed by all the small details the creators took into account - for example: if you finish some puzzles and come back to the same room - the situation may be changed and there might be something new to discover. I was as well surprised with the imagination of designers -some rooms are somewhere in between a psychedelic dream and trance trip (although it is made in a pleasant and sweet way). In general, I recommend this game to those who really want a great relaxed experience. Don't rush, dive slowly into this wonderful world of life on a tree.
