Neroli's Opinion: Insider Tales: The Secret of Casanova is a pleasant hidden object adventure game, with charming scenes and relaxing game play. The objects are color blended very nicely, and fairly large yet challenging enough to spot. Some of the inventory puzzles are a stretch and not obvious, but since you get hints and can move the mouse around to highlight objects you can interact with, you shouldn't struggle too much in figuring them out.

Game Genre: Hidden Object, Adventure

Release Date: October 16, 2009

Platform/OS: Windows XP/Vista

Screenshot:

Game Review:

Insider Tales: The Secret of Casanova is a hidden object adventure game that has you unearthing secrets of the world's most famous lover. Just as Francesca was getting bored with her vacation, she gets a call from Professor Manini. He asks her to come to Italy urgently, since he's uncovered a surprising relic and could use her help investigating its origins. Francesca is thrilled with the possibility of adventure, and hops on the next plane. Thus begins her adventure, which ultimately leaves her investigating the life of Casanova.

As with all hidden object games, you look for objects in busy backgrounds. The objects are color blended very nicely, and fairly large yet challenging enough to spot. This is a lot of fun, since so many hidden object games lately don't take them time to make object hunting any challenge. Everything is clearly drawn, so it's unlikely you'll get stuck, but if you do you can always use the reloading hints. If you make a few incorrect clicks, your mouse will spin for a second. The game is untimed.

There are numerous adventure game tasks, which have you solving basic inventory puzzles in order to advance the plot. For example, you need to find a password to the safe by looking for clues around the room, and you need to find the key to a diary by interacting with the lamp and bulb shown on the cover. Occasionally, the solution involves locating an object which is hidden behind other items (like the bulb hidden in the safe underneath the paperwork), which feels a bit unfair. Some of these are a stretch and not obvious, but since you get hints and can move the mouse around to highlight objects you can interact with, you shouldn't struggle too much in figuring them out.

There are also logical minigames to play, which include things like rearrange the order of some papers by using a poem as a guide. You are allowed to skip these if you haven't solved them in a couple minutes time.

The graphics are beautiful and detailed, straight down to twinkling stars in the sky. I particularly liked the character art and cutscenes. Everything is very polished, from the music to the controls, making it enjoyable to play.

Insider Tales: The Secret of Casanova is a pleasant game to play, with charming scenes and relaxing game play. It's worth playing the demo if you enjoy hidden object adventures.

Where to get the game, or play the free demo:

DOWNLOAD TRIAL

BigFish: $6.99

Disclaimer: Casual game companies change their prices like most people change socks! Always check before you buy.