Hidden-object adventure has a sci-fi angle

Tricky Software, which makes various games for the Mac and iOS, have entered the "hidden object" puzzle genre with Emma and the Inventor, an adventure involving a young lady and her missing inventor grandfather. Players explore the home and grounds of Grandpa Jenkins' estate, locating clues that will solve the mystery of his malfunctioning invention and bring him and his granddaughter back together again. The game is available through Big Fish Games for both Mac and Windows.

The game is aimed at younger players, featuring as its heroine the teenaged Emma, and offers somewhat easier puzzles than fans of the genre might be used to, but serves as an excellent introduction for those new to the "hidden object" puzzle game concept. The artwork is intricate and detailed, and has just enough of a "steampunk" edge to it to keep sci-fi fans interested, along with a charming score.

The game begins with Emma arriving to visit her relative for a few weeks, but when she arrives she cannot find him. She eventually uncovers a series of clues that indicate that her grandfather's latest invention has blown itself up, scattering pieces everywhere and trapping Grandpa Jenkins in some sort of alternate dimension from which Emma must rescue him. The game involves gathering machine pieces, working out clues, unlocking doors, solving puzzles and other brain-teasers to complete the storyline.

The game sells for $10 from Big Fish (new signups can use the code "NEW50" to get the game at half price) and requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later on an Intel Mac only, or Windows XP or higher. A time-limited one-hour demo version -- in which time most players should be able to get substantially far into the game -- is also available.

by MacNN Staff