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Reviewed: June 25, 2011
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Released: June 23, 2011 App Store Price: $6.99
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It seems the iPhone and iPad are quickly becoming the new one-source destination for the touch-screen, item-hunt genre, also known as the puzzle-adventure. This genre typically consists of dozens upon dozens of dazzling screens, showcasing the talents of some truly inspire artists, then having you stare intently at those images trying to extract the require item or items from the picture to fill your inventory slots and solve various puzzles. If you’re lucky, there might even be a good story to tie it all together. Treasure Seekers is one such franchise and G5 Entertainment has just released the third installment, Treasure Seekers 3: Follow the Ghosts. 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. As with the past games, the story is as disposable as it is forgettable. You play Nelly, who teams up with her brother Tom as you explore an ancient mansion trying to free dozens of ghosts trapped by an evil alchemist. Follow the Ghosts spans 5 chapters with 48 amazing levels. 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. Unlike other object collection games, in Treasure Seekers the items you collect can often be assembled into larger items that in turn are used to unlock another piece of the puzzle. No longer are you simply finding random items like some you’re on a scavenger hunt. They now make some sort of real-world sense. While each scene is mostly static in nature you will get subtle bits of animation – one of the more impressive ones being a cat that looks like a live video of a cat was inserted into the scene. Some interactive areas are highlighted with sparkly bits but often, 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 cool-down timer keeps you from abusing the system. 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 3: Follow the Ghosts 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 pretty much what we’ve come to expect from the Treasure Seekers franchise. While the hint system keeps you from getting impossibly stuck, this game is truly designed for masters of the hidden object genre and a perfect pastime for iPad gamers. ![]()
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