Lost Grimoires 2: Shard of Mystery

[h1]Corny, slow-talking old lady saves the day[/h1] Good old game - fun, but filled with far too much match-3 in the form of crafting alchemy potions. Once you see how much match-3 there is, it gets boring fast. To be fair though, it has a decent story and some ok puzzles. The hidden object scenes are a bit too easy though, and we could have had more of these instead of annoying alchemy games. Love the art, I always enjoy rich, fantasy art. I believe this is one of the few HOGs that are available on PSN as well, as such you can get a platinum by finishing it on there. The achievements are not hard, but watch out for the hidden roses in every screen as some can be tricky and it's easy to forget to look for them... there are regular intervals in the story that block backtracking. If you're a fan of the genre, Lost Grimoires is a good but easy addition to your library - just don't expect it to take very long, and as such, be mindful of the price of the game versus how many hours you'll get out of it (ie be sure to wait for a sale).

Several issues that make it worse than most artifex mundi games.

Fun experience. Love the crafting. Despised the "let us run away with it" screen movement towards end. Very amateurish. The map used the horrific worst ever sound effect scraping noise from part one. Who thinks of these things? These two choices most likely cost tens of thousands in lost sales. I just don't get it.

Nice

fun

Lost Grimoires 2: Shard of Mystery is a traditional yet carefully polished fantasy hidden-object adventure that embraces familiarity and comfort over reinvention. Developed by World-Loom and published by Artifex Mundi, the game continues the studio’s well-established formula of story-driven exploration, object hunting, and light puzzle solving. Rather than pushing boundaries, it focuses on delivering a smooth, accessible experience that caters directly to fans of narrative casual adventures who value atmosphere, clarity, and steady progression. The story unfolds in a magical kingdom still haunted by the remnants of a past calamity. Years after the defeat of the witch Drosera, peace is once again threatened when Prince Fern mysteriously vanishes on the eve of his coronation. Players assume the role of the royal alchemist, a protagonist whose practical intelligence and magical expertise guide the investigation. The narrative structure is straightforward, moving from location to location as new revelations surface, but it maintains a consistent sense of purpose that ties exploration to story advancement. While the plot rarely surprises, it provides a cohesive backdrop that supports t…