Ripped apart by the powerful force of ghost pirate Davy Jones you and your father sink to the bottom of the ocean. You awaken to find DavyRipped apart by the powerful force of ghost pirate Davy Jones you and your father sink to the bottom of the ocean. You awaken to find Davy Jones is sinking passing ships, taking their crew as souls to belong to him. When your father is captured by the notorious pirate you set off across the sea to face his trials while starting an uprising with those he’s taken. Everyone is counting on you to stop Jones. The lives of you, your father and everyone whose souls Jones has taken depend on it!
Hidden object games set in the sea aren’t the easiest to do. You’re kind of constricted as to what can kind of world you can show. Vast Studios game however uses the location and the character of Davy Jones to do something gripping and interesting. Written Legends: Nightmare at Sea (2011) provides for a casual game a threat level. Being stuck under the sea means you’re already dead however the sense of urgency to complete Jones trials while finding items that will free every soul he’s captured ramps up the tension. It becomes a race against time. While is goes against casual gaming Vast Studios provides the player with a purpose to what they’re doing unlike most HOGs that are content to let the player aimlessly wander around. A task list keeps everything on track so you know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. If that isn’t helpful the game also provides your character with a map of the area with the ‘X’ marking your spot and highlighted green representing where you’re supposed to go next. The game is sparse with its hidden object scenes; relying more on puzzle solving and object manipulating. You meet various souls who require your help to get free from Jones grasp. The mutiny which lead to a downed ship becomes a side quest but is still part of the overall plan to escape the crazed pirate captain. The pirates power is far reaching; at one point you witness a ship being ripped apart right down the middle (another set of victims for the villain). One wonders why with this high death toll by Jones aircraft carriers or naval vessels haven’t investigated his handiwork; after all this isn’t just a couple of ships that have sunk. However, Davy Jones must nevertheless be stopped. What becomes simply rescuing your father and escaping Jones becomes a plea to help save every single soul while banishing Davy Jones to his locker...somewhere. The game isn’t annoying or too difficult and doesn’t outstay its welcome. Vast Studios have taken the legend of an infamous pirate and created an entertaining hidden object game with a gripping story.
Written Legends: Nightmare at Sea is an entertaining adventure that works in that it provides a clear goal of what has to be done. While the game doesn’t use a time limit the player still feels the weight and urgency of having to save everyone. It’s a game that players will most likely end up replaying just for the story of a maniac pirate.…Full Review »