Hidden Expedition:  Devil’s Triangle is a hidden object adventure game recently released by Focus Multimedia.  After a pilot disappears and is presumed to be lost in Devil’s Triangle, the Hidden Exploration Adventure Team (HEAT) send their top explorer (that’s you) on a rescue mission using Seahawk.  Seahawk is a refurbished submarine powered by the Bio-Coil fuel cell, an ultra-efficient, micro power source.  However, the mission is interrupted when pirates steal the Bio-Coil so you have two objectives: find the missing pilot and recover the Bio-Coil.

The game takes place across two main settings: Seahawk and also the strange island of Elysia, which houses multiple locations, such as the beach, caverns, an outside theatre and a very impressive house, including atrium, gardens and library.  Some locations will present you with a hidden object puzzle immediately upon encountering them.  In other instances you simply have to look around for useful objects.  Some areas will show a blue glow suggesting an area to be explored, whilst the cursor changes to an eye icon over some objects, meaning you can examine them more closely.

As well as offering hidden object puzzles, Hidden Expedition: Devil’s Triangle also requires you to interact with objects and solve problems or puzzles.  For example, you may need to use a hammer on a nail or a crowbar on a box.  One of my favourite challenges in the game is a hidden object puzzle which gives you a small number of objects to look for at a time and requires you to undertake certain tasks to obtain each set of items before moving on to the next part.  So, for example, you would have to pick up a peeler in the first part but in the second part use that peeler to peel an apple and retrieve a worm.  It’s a brilliant puzzle that integrates solving small problems with hidden object hunting perfectly.

In terms of difficulty, the game is mixed.  The main hidden object puzzles are generally fairly easy to get through, with odd objects presenting more of a challenge.  The variants which require you to look for related pairs or items which fall under a particular category are more difficult, however.  Some of the other puzzles offer even more of a challenge but are logical and reasonable and the use of certain items with objects again always follows a very logical pattern.  Though some hidden object enthusiasts may not find it quite challenging enough, I think there’s a good balance that will make the game accessible to both beginners and more experienced players alike.

Hidden Expedition: Devil’s Triangle offers some absolutely wonderful illustrations.  Locations and puzzle screens are always bright and eye-catching and objects are depicted with an excellent level of detail.  The characters are also well depicted, again with detailed and eye-catching close ups.  The cutscenes are similarly impressive, with strikingly colourful landscapes providing a brilliant backdrop to the game.

Hidden Expedition: Devil’s Triangle offers some of the most enjoyable hidden object puzzling I’ve encountered and the innovative blend of puzzles is superb.  The storyline is interesting and suggests more to come and the dialogue and range of questions available to you allow you to find out a lot about the island of Elysia and the characters you encounter.  The sharp, colourful graphics make this very easy on the eye and provide a welcome splash of colour in this dreary winter weather.  Playing through it is an enjoyable experience with some very satisfying moments and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to hidden object game fans.

**Review by Donna Haw**