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A Carnevale of Surprises: A VEN Review

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  • A Carnevale of Surprises: A VEN Review

    The Phantom of Venice is an exciting, puzzling, and intriguing mystery that I’m sure will become one of your favorites! I was extremely impressed by the game’s storyline, activities, and loads of new features. Overall, I loved this game and give it a rating of 8.5 out of 10!

    Plot: 8/10
    The plot was very well constructed and planned out. The game has a very intriguing storyline, and there are plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing the whole way through! The whole plot is jam-packed with espionage, working undercover and assuming multiple identities. In fact, the whole storyline could be something you’d expect to see in a modern-day spy movie!

    Characters: 7/10
    The characters all had strong and interesting personalities, and were fun to talk to. However, some character personalities seemed to be better constructed than others. I would have liked to see a little more interaction with some, but I’m one of those players who absolutely loves tons of conversing with the suspects! I wasn’t over-ly disappointed, though. I was pleased to see the wide range of personalities and cultures portrayed by the characters.

    Setting: 10/10
    Of course, the setting was beautiful! Venice is so gorgeous and I couldn’t help actually feeling like I was there! The creators included so much detail to the setting and included many well created and authentic-looking locations. The sound of Italians chatting, and gondoliers singing in the alleys and canals in the background really added nicely to the ambiance. The setting included beautiful architecture, canals, fountains, and much more! I especially enjoyed the gondola rides and pigging out on gelato!

    Graphics: 9.5/10
    The graphics in this game were very impressive and realistic. The characters moved fluidly and the water in the canals looked real and seemed to flow naturally. I am constantly amazed by the progress of the graphics as new games are created. This game definitely has the best graphics yet!

    Music: 9/10
    If you haven’t heard yet, the theme song is back, and it’s better than ever! It’s been re-made and sounds awesome! Don’t worry, it’s still the same song, but improved.

    The background music in the game fit very nicely, and really added to the feeling of being in Venice. The music became tense and urgent at dangerous parts, and peaceful and pleasant at appropriate spots during game play. The music in the game would make a nice addition to a future Nancy Drew game soundtrack!

    Puzzles: 7/10
    This game has a wide range of different puzzles, varying on difficulty, length, and style. The puzzles were all very creative, and fit in well with the storyline of the game. There are a fair amount of them, but I still would've enjoyed having a bit more included in the game. The puzzles were all very fun, challenging, and entertaining to do!

    Ending: 7/10
    The ending was definitely challenging, and I ended up using my second chance quite a few times! It was still very exciting, and I am pleased to say that I liked it better than some games in the past. Although I do not normally like the really hard and puzzling situations/obstacles to get through in the games (which this game has its share of…), I still enjoyed it very much.

    New Features:
    This game has a TON (ny) of fun, new features! (There are so many new things to do, but I won’t mention all of them, because there are some players that might want to find out as a surprise.) There are also some very interesting and fun ways to earn money, which can be spent on many different things at shops and vendors throughout Venice.

    This game also has slightly changed the second chance feature (it looks really cool!), and automatically saves your game at certain spots so that you won’t lose your progress. It’s very helpful and efficient for the player!

    There are also some hidden surprises to find throughout the game. I won’t say any more…

    I was requested to add a scariness section, so here it is:

    Scariness:
    3/10
    This game definitely isn't going to be known as one of the "scary" games. The atmosphere and setting of the game is mostly sunny and cheerful, displaying the wonderful beauty of Venice. There may be a few moments that could be considered creepy, but overall, this game has a very low (if any) scare factor (which isn't necessarily a bad thing!).

    Overall: 8.5/10
    Overall, this game was fun and challenging. There are some very puzzling and difficult situations throughout the game, so if you’re new to the games, I would definitely recommend playing Junior detective first. I played the game on Senior and used no help or spoilers from the message boards, and I struggled a bit at some parts throughout the game. Overall, it probably took me about 9-10 hours to complete. I was very impressed by this game, and I had a lot of fun!

    Well, I hope this review has been helpful and insightful to you. If you do play the game, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have!

    ~k9
    Last edited by k9lover27; January 14, 2009, 09:11 AM.
    k 9 lov er27
    ..(¯`·.¸¸.× Home is behind, the world ahead
    `•¸And there are many paths to tread, through shadow
    … .… )To the edge of night, until the stars are all alight
    ¸.·´Mist and Shadow, Cloud and shape,
    ‘·.¸¸.¤´¨`·.¸¸ Hope Shall fail, All shall fade.
    ……
    --Pippin --Return of the King LOTR
    ©Mouse

  • #2
    awesome review!!!! reps for you!!!!!

    Comment


    • #3
      Awesome review !! :D

      5 stars and Reps :)
      Annalie
      SCK ? STFD ? MHM ? TRT ? FIN ? SSH ? DOG ? CAR ? DDI ?
      SHA ? CUR ? CLK ? TRN ? DAN ? CRE ? ICE ? CRY ? SAW ?

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      • #4
        Thank you for writing a review of the game, and it is well written. I especially thank you for holding back on the surprises. :-)
        Castle Quote
        Sorenson: Really, we're gonna waste time on the insights of Nancy Drew here?
        Castle: Is that supposed to be an insult? Because Nancy Drew solved every case!
        I love this line!

        Comment


        • #5
          Awesome review!!! I agree with everything you said!!! I thought the game was amazing too!!! Reps!

          -Irene
          Last edited by Irene_Adler; July 5, 2008, 12:54 PM.
          I r e n e A d ler
          Anyone who says they have only one life to live
          must not know how to read a book.
          .......................×´¨¯¨`×......«·´¯`·
          .×´¨¯¨`×.,¸_¸,.×´.............`×.,¸¸,.×´
          '·.¸¸.»...- - Author Unknown............
          .©vb6



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          • #6
            Incredible review!! Very detailed!!! I would give tons of rep points to you if I could!!
            metro.station
            oɹʇəɯ uoıʇɐʇs

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            • #7
              Excellent review! Reps for you!

              Comment


              • #8
                Thank-you for that fabulous review!
                You answered all my questions..I'm going to talk to my parents about purchasing this game with my money (well, actually, right now I am totally broke - but by the time it gets to stores here, I'll have enough money! )

                -- Kelsey

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                • #9
                  I can't wait until it comes out to stores! It sounds so great! many thanks and reps.
                  REALblonde


                  "For Girls Who Aren't Afraid of a Mouse"

                  Hello to my best friend ever: K9lover27! Oh, here's a nice mocha cappuccino!

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                  • #10
                    thanx sooooooo much! i cant wait 2 get the game! im gonna get it in a lyk 2 days! but i have 2 wait till my friend gets out of camp 2 play it, cause we alwayz play nancy drew 2gether, it makes it tons more fun than doin it by urself!
                    I have discovered that secrets can kill
                    I have tuned in for danger
                    I have gotten the messge in a haunted mansion
                    I have found the treasure in a royal tower
                    I have watched the final scene
                    I have found the secret of the scarlet hand
                    The ghost dogs of moon lake are my pets
                    I have riden the haunted carousel
                    I have been in danger on deception island
                    I know the secret of shadow ranch
                    I have the curse of blackmoor manor
                    I uncovered the secret of the old clock
                    I've taken the last train to blue moon canyon
                    I have stiched my way through danger by design
                    I have captured the creature of kapu cave
                    I have seen the white wolf of icicle creek
                    I own the a crystal skull

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      ?

                      So...I don't get it...I thought the game didn't come out until the 8th?
                      Maybe I am mistaken but someone please help me out here! I give reps!
                      Jesus loves you so much, he paid the price on the cross! † I am a Christian! Copy and paste this into your signature if you are too.†

                      Nobody bets against Alice.
                      ....... .-------. ...______
                      ......./...o.../|.../\.....\
                      ....../_______/o|../o \..o..\
                      ......| o ....| | /...o\_____\
                      ......|...o...|o/ \o.../o..../
                      ......|.....o |/...\ o/..o../
                      jgs...'-------'.....\/____o/

                      ©Jen+Stephenie Meyer+JGS

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                      • #12
                        People who preordered got their games early.

                        HIH!!

                        By the way, k9, this is a great reveiw!!

                        Paco ♥
                        ..........i am no superman,
                        i have no answers for you. i am no hero; oh that's for sure.
                        but i do know one thing is, where you are is where i belong.
                        i do know where you go is where i wanna be.

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                        • #13
                          Excellent review! I'm supposed to get my game today in like the next 3 hours!!! I'm now more excited than ever!!! reps to you! :)
                          Nancy Drew
                          .•*¯*•. .•*¯*•.
                          (
                          .......) (.......)
                          =......¸......=
                          `•.,¸___¸,.•´
                          (.............)
                          ..`•.,¸__¸,.•´ )
                          For girls who aren't afraid ¸.•´.•*¨¯¨*•.……………..
                          of a mouse!………(.....`•-•*....)…..
                          ……………©LG`•.,¸__¸,.•´


                          Put this Smiley on your sig if you want the players to vote for a game for HeR to make -Lassa


                          (\__/)
                          (='.'=)
                          (")_(")
                          Put this bunny on your sig if you want HER to keep making games!

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                          • #14
                            wonderful review! my game comes fri. and now my heart can rest because it knows that this game will be great.
                            (i hope!) it's cool how two people can look at the same thing and see it differently...
                            LIFE- Live it, Love it, Fulfill it!!

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                            • #15
                              I have a question.......did the locket, or whatever it was, on the cover have any special significance in the game? No spoilers please! I just want to know.
                              ………………………………………………………¸..¸
                              …………………………………………………♫ - (-'
                              …………………………………………………´· -' · ¸
                              ....….
                              Should nothing of our efforts stand…........)
                              , · ´ ¯ ` · . , ¸ ¸ , . · ´ ¯ ` · . , ¸ ¸ , . · ´ ¯ ` · . , ¸ ¸ , . · ´ (
                              ..(....♪,.....
                              No legacy survive…................................…..`)
                              `'°'´…......
                              Unless the Lord does raise the house`'°'´
                              In vain its builders strive.

                              All Glory Be to Christ.


                              Signature from olbrso. Edited by me. Thanks! :)

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