The game’s art style is deeply rooted in ideas of fairy tales, with magical and whimsical creatures hidden away in every corner you can explore. This does not make it a game for young children however, since it covers some more mature themes. It is based, like many other works, on the idea of "what if fairy tales were organized in a real kingdom".
Still, it is certainly not a grim or horrific story, and most of it takes place in brightly colored areas filled with intricate details. The character design is very elaborate, even if they are 2D models. The choice in clothing and apparel really sells their personality, and with everyone being fully voice acted the feeling of immersion is always present.
There are some 3D models scattered about the game to add to its flavor, even if they are not overtly shown or taking center stage. For example, in certain areas where your character interacts with something or drinks a potion, you maintain a first person perspective and your arms are shown performing the action; said arms are made in 3D.
As for the story, if you have not played the previous installments then do not worry, it is not required and barely referenced as you start this game. You start the story in your cottage, preparing medicine for a friendly dragon; already establishing that you are an alchemist of renown that won’t be bothered with menial tasks, you’re already part of the big leagues.
As you’re trying to finish your work, a royal raven pecks at your window with an important message; the King himself requires your aid! It seems there has been a series of kidnappings, them being mostly children being abducted by a shadowy figure.
While the perpetrator has already been caught, you realize quickly that not everything is as it seems, and that darker forces are afoot. You soon realize that a shapeshifting werewolf is the one behind all of this, and it might have a darker master pulling the strings. This means that the people you can trust are very few, since anyone could be the dreaded werewolf.
Gameplay wise, this is a classic Hidden Object game, yet its magic lies on the presentation. You have to find a series of objects in every room and area you find yourself in, and see where you can use them or combine them with. In certain cases, you will be given the option to look closely at certain spaces.
In these scenarios, you are taken to a highly detailed screen where you are given a list of items and have to find them amongst a clutter of other things. At certain points you might return to a clutter you already went through, but at a different point in the story, since now you are looking for a different item. Therefore you should keep in mind where these scenarios happen in case you need to return.
The profession of the main character is critical not only for the story but also for the gameplay. You are not a nobody, a newcomer to this world. You are an expert in the alchemical arts, and you have a recipe for every situation, especially when it comes to transformation. This is when the game’s journal comes into play.
You can, of course, use the journal like in many other games; if you left the game for too long and you do not remember what you were doing, or maybe you just need a little nudge in the right way, the journal offers that aid. However the journal does much more than that, since this is where your character writes the recipes for the different alchemical inventions.
Once you encounter a problem, she comes up with a solution, and then you have to go back and find ways to get the ingredients for your alchemical inventions.
Queen's Quest 5: Symphony of Death is a fantastic adventure filled with magic and intrigue, and it is greatly recommended for fans of the genre looking for something a bit deeper, and for newcomers intrigued by it.
If you enjoy these free games, you will love this list of our 10 Best Hidden Object Myth Games!
