Hey everyone! I'm doing another series while I wait on the new games from some of my favorite games' next installments. So I'm doing the Haunted Hotel Series. Just so you know, there is a bit of an evolution with this game. Let me explain this evolution to you.
The first game is long and tedious, but I have included it because it is always nice to see where things start. You don't get new hints recharging in a short time. Instead, you have to find extra items in each room to earn one hint out of three, never exceeding five hints at one time. Because you have to get through each floor in about twenty minutes, the other two extra items add one minute to the time for you to solve the floor, unless you have all five hints, then all three give you extra time. There are fifteen floors you have to look on before the game is over. Though it says sixteen, it is really for you to escape and the game to end. In between the floors, you get to read the story of what happens. this only adds to the game feeling long. It's a good thing that the rooms don't have you looking for more that twelve items, excluding the three items needed for the extra hint and time. The only good things about this game were the look of the rooms, the premise of the game, and mini games. It just fell short of what could have been a great game. Don't get me wrong, while the reading would have made the game take far longer, the way it was set up was a breath of fresh air at first but, by floor four, I felt as if there was no end and everything seemed to drag on. And that is early on in the game!
The second game is very similar in nature, but you don't have to worry about time or recharging hints the same way you did in the first game. Just the feeling of the game never ending. All five hints will be there when you change rooms. This is because you have over twenty items to find in each room. This makes it feel long because you have so much to find only to have one or two items added to your inventory, which you use almost immediately. However, the cutscenes in the game do go by quicker. The graphics haven't improved too much, but that's okay. It does show that the developer, Specialbit Studios, listened to their players.
Games three and four are like the hidden object games we have all grown to love. This means we can fully appreciate how the graphics have improved and the story line of the games. Unfortunately, the fourth game is the last one done by Specialbit Studios. the fifth game onward is produced by Elephant Games, but everything has improved and solidifying this series in the minds of all HOG players.
And that is the evolution of the Haunted Hotel series. While I do say things about the first and second games that might put you off, I do encourage you to play them for yourself. You may find that you agree or disagree to my assessment. I would really like to know. So, please, tell me your opinion on the games. If you enjoyed them and felt that it's difference is to your liking, let everyone know.
-EJ
