Brunhilda and the Dark Crystal (PC/Mac CD)

This is a click and point with (untypical) hidden object type games and there is a choice to play in casual or adventure modes.
The art work is stylised but very well drawn - especially the main title and level counter - and it all adds just the right atmosphere for the game as does the unobtrusive music. The incidental sounds are also great - from squawking baby parrots to squeaking bats and other animal noises.
On the main screen there are Alchemy, Wizardry, Telepathy and Telekinesis tablets which automatically fill as game is played.
A bent and sparkling `wand of telekinesis' is provided as the cursor and is great after you get used to it. Right clicking the mouse also provides a useful magnifying glass.
The best bit for me was the `hint' button which is actually a wise cracking demon in her handbag. With his broad New York accent you'll either hate him or, like me, wish you had such a demon in your own handbag. He provides not only hints - which look like shaky lightning bolts but are quite accurate - he also converses with other characters and makes wise cracks from time to time especially if you make too many wrong choices or haven't moved the cursor in a while. He comes across as a little cynical at times but then again he is a demon after all.
The game play consists of conversing with characters in each scene and finding the items they require in order to, eventually, obtaining the item you're after. The items they ask for are usually a number of the same or similar items (baby parrots, fireworks, fairy dust etc) or parts of another larger item. There is a lot of travelling back and forth - literally. When you click on another area the character actually runs to the door then into the next scene. It's quite amusing to see her go. She also gets to travel by broomstick and a talking carriage demon.
There is a lot of talking in the game (English accents mostly) with a wide range of characters. The character acting is very good and sometimes very amusing for instance the God of Suffering explains he was always in competition with the God of Pain so he decided to diversify and now only specialises in spicy food! Amongst the numerous characters are talking rats, a vampire, an ogre, a dragon and also man eating fairies at one point, to name but a few. It is possible to quickly skip through the talking if you want.
The script is a little corny in places but like Duckula and Danger Mouse before it there is a lot which is aimed over the kid's heads and is there solely for the adult's amusement. I found myself smiling many times.
There aren't any mini games as such but you do get to collect magic drops to make potions and also click on runes to cast spells. Both are very easy but quite fun and completing them fills up the four tablets on the main screen.
This game is absolutely great fun to play. It is very tongue in cheek and doesn't take itself at all seriously with oodles of play over 10 levels. It is also the type of game which you'll either love or hate - I'm in the former camp obviously.
It's a good platform as well for teaching kids that sometimes many other actions are required in order to reach a desired point which isn't a bad thing in this day and age.

Developed by Codeminion with help from Twin Bottles (both Polish firms) I am definitely going to keep to keep my eyes open for any future titles from these guys.
A well deserved 5 star rating for this outing.

Sorry but this did not impress me. Would be okay for a youngster but not for a young 76 year old! To keep going backward and forward to speak to the characters was most frustrating and am not a fan of dialogue. However, as I said earlier it would be fine for a young child although they might find it difficult to fathom out where some ofthe hidden objects were hidder.

A strange game, not the usaul hidden object. I thought I would get bored with the repetiveness but I did'nt. My daughter loved it. Nice change, game grew on me, not dissapointed I bought it.