Developer: Tuttifrutti Interactive
Publisher: Tuttifrutti Interactive
Platform: PC
Tested on: PC
Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest Collector’s Edition – Review
Crowned Big Fish’s Sleeper Hit 2018 and in that same year, it was Big Fish’s all time top-rated game. Tuttifrutti Interactive brought their first game Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest Collector’s Edition to steam. Besides this, it’s also their first attempt at a hidden objects game. We’re very curious to find out if this game is as amazing and refreshing as many claim it to be, or if Tuttifrutti Interactive is cut out to develop these kinds of games.
Story
Mary was an orphan and never knew her parents. Then the day comes where she receives a letter from her grandfather, asking her to pay him a visit. Mary leaves for the island where her grandfather lives, together with her husband and daughter. Their boat capsizes in a storm, leaving her husband injured while her daughter, Sophia, is kidnapped by an evil character on his winged buffalo. Mary and her husband wash up on the shore of their destination and that’s where the game begins and you start playing.
The story continues revealing itself along the way, always introducing new mysteries and discoveries. As you can tell, the story plays an important role in Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest. You’re on a quest to find your daughter Sophia, and you learn more and more about why she was taken and what it has to do with you. It’s an interesting story and because it’s told graphically and revealed gradually, it keeps you focused and absorbed in the game.
Graphics
In this game you play on static 2D screens with which you can interact. Each and every screen is drawn beautifully, containing sufficient details. Inspiration is found in mythology and Indian culture, giving it a new and refreshing look. The places you visit vary from a beach, to a house, to caves, and so on. The colors that are used are never too vivid, fitting in with the darker story of the game. We absolutely loved the graphics in this game.
Sound
You’ll find both a soundtrack and some voice-acting in this game. The soundtrack feels real and emotional, adding to the events happening in-game. For example, when the story is told and the boat capsizes, all is accompanied by the perfect ominous music. The voice-acting is also great. You’ll encounter various characters along the way with whom you’ll interact. These characters, as well as you, have conversations including fitting voice intonation.
Gameplay
Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest Collector’s Edition is a hidden object puzzle game. In order to find Sophia and discover more about your past, you’ll have to solve puzzles and complete objectives. The game includes four difficulty modes; casual, advanced, expert and a custom mode. Depending on the mode you choose, you’ll be able to use hints or skip puzzles in-game.
Before starting to play the actual game, you can play a tutorial if you want to. If you want to skip this, you won’t be having any difficulties playing the game, since it’s very intuitive and quite easy to get the hang of.
In the journal you have on you, you’ll find the objectives you need to complete, as well as the description of the various characters you meet along the way. In order to complete an objective, you’ll have to solve some puzzles. These puzzles range from very easy to difficult. You’ll find your basic puzzles like ‘how to get rid of that monkey?’. Of course, when you find some bananas, you’ll figure things out real fast. Other puzzles that occur include fifteen puzzle games and completing jewels. If you happen to get stuck on a puzzle, you can switch it for a simple match-three game. Don’t worry though, we doubt this will happen (a lot). Besides the puzzles, you’ll also get to enjoy some mini-games. For example, you’ll have to find certain objects in a landscape. When you find one, the word gets crossed out at the bottom of the screen. You win when you find all objects.
Depending on the difficulty mode you chose, you can also skip a puzzle altogether. The solution will present itself and you’ll be able to move forward. This skip option has a cooldown, of course. We can’t be using this throughout the whole game, right. When you get stuck in the game, you can also ask for hints. Some sparks will appear and show you where to go or what to click next. Hints will recharge after a few seconds. The amount of time it takes to recharge depends, again, on the difficulty mode you picked. Besides these puzzles, there will also be object-matching.
Darkarta also has a map included. This map allows you to travel between places easy and quick. No need to click through every screen, you can just open your map, click the place you need to go to and go there. Between the static screens, there will also be parts of your story further revealing itself. These are the cutscenes.
The puzzles prove not to be too difficult and challenging. However, they are highly enjoyable. This Collector’s Edition also includes some enjoyable extras. It has a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, the cutscenes which you can watch again, the music, hidden object scenes and mini-games you can enjoy again, the achievements, collectibles, morphing objects and cursed memories you obtained during the game, and a comic book with the prequel you can access at the end. The only demerit is that the game only lasts about four hours and we wished we could’ve enjoyed it a lot longer!
Conclusion
If you play Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest, you wouldn’t think it’s TuttiFruitti Interactive first attempt at a hidden object puzzle adventure game. The game stands out because of its satisfying puzzles, various mini-games and its beautiful graphics. Add to this the story about love and revenge, together with a soundtrack that knows how to build suspense, and you have your new favourite HOPA game. We surely recommend this game for a rainy afternoon!
Darkarta: A Broken Heart's Quest Collector's Edition - Review,
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