Reviewed: February 5, 2011
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Publisher
G5 Entertainment

Developer
Artogon

Released: January 13, 2011
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1

8
10
9
7
8.9

Game Info:

From the opening title screen to each and every one of the 50 gorgeous vistas that were waiting, I was speechless at the level of graphics coming from my iPad – truly a spectacular showcase title for showing off the graphical power of the tablet.

The story is as disposable as it is forgettable. You play Nelly, looking for her brother who is lost in a Romanian castle. All of this adventure takes place as you quite literally immerse yourself in six enchanted paintings. Within each are numerous puzzles, mini-games, and hidden objects that must be discovered, combined, and used in proper context to move on with the story.

Where this game differs from others like Samantha Swift, is that you will often need to assemble several items to make one larger item that in turn is used to unlock yet another piece of the puzzle. No longer are you simply finding and checking items off a list. They now make some sort of real-world sense.

While each scene is mostly static in nature you will get subtle bits of animation like a tree moving or a butterfly or bird flying by. Some interactive areas are highlighted with sparkly bits but objects can be quite difficult if not downright impossible to find. You can either resort to rapidly tapping over every square inch of the screen until something pops up or you can activate the hint button that will point you in the right direction. A lengthy cool-down timer keeps you from abusing the system.

There are also several clever mini-games mixed into the hide and seek gameplay. These can be very challenging but they also come with a timer that will eventually allow you to skip them should they prove too difficult. Casual and Advanced game modes will also affect the challenge factor for the game.

The interface is perfectly suited to the game genre allowing you to tap and drag items around and assemble parts using the circular hub wheel. You’ll get a rough outline of the objects you need to find, but they are often very well hidden within the complex backgrounds, and many times you will need to switch screens and retrace your steps to find ingredients to a certain solution.

Prepare for the ultimate challenge as you test your skills of logic and observation. Treasure Seekers II: The Enhanced Canvases is a visually flawless creation; a true art masterpiece that you’ll savor every moment while staring intently into each gorgeous image. The puzzles are logical for the most part and the difficulty is far beyond what I expected and what I’ve experienced from similar games. While the hint system keeps you from getting impossibly stuck, this game is truly designed for masters of the hidden object genre.