Dark Romance: Ashville Collector's Edition

Initially when I choose this game I saw it as a breath of fresh air with a more modern day setting; so many HOGs focus on the fantasy or Victorian settings which can get stale. As I got into this game I realized this game really cooks, there was much that made this one fun: [list] [*]Two main characters to play as [*]Two different timelines to work through [*]Violent journalist vs journalist competition [*]Psychic telling my fortune through coffee [*]A sheriff with a gaming addiction [*]Bowling against the villain [/list] Overall, one of the most exciting and fun HOGs I have played in a while with a solid story and character interactions. The hidden object scene were a wide variety which was nice, puzzles were pretty decent too although I found a few to be worth skipping.

There are some excellent elements to this game, but it does not live up to others in this series. For a start there is no real romance and a mish mash of a story. Large chunks are without music while you collect objects for things that haven't happened yet. Some of the games are childishly simple and others can't be done without the Strategy Guide, and even then didn't make any sense. The collectables are confusing as it takes a while to follow that there are two sets for the same scenes in different timelines. Some of the achievements are unachievable. Luckily the whole game only took four and a half hours, with the bonus an extra one and a half. The timelines are peculiar 1985 with 1975 costumes and soundtracks, with the year with the 'modern' version set in 2,000. I get the impression this is an old game with attempts to update it. Would only get this when on offer

excellent

The game has good graphics and a decent storyline.

It was pretty good and like it better than Sleepy Hollow. You change back and forth between characters and time.

Excellent game! I'm looking forward for more of this saga!