As many of you may know, I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology (moving me from the realm of "student" into the much more desirable "under employed").
Because of this science background, I was intrigued when I began playing Cursed Fates: The Headless Horseman and heard the main character proclaim the need for science to solve crimes, not conjuncture and torture (good call on that torture thing). Spirits and hopes high, I dove further into this intriguing game.
First, the good: what a lovely game to look at. I was dazzled by the rich color palate (especially considering the whole thing takes place at night) and the interesting character design. There were fantastic little jack-o-lanterns strewn about (including my favorite: the hint button indicator!), interesting scenery, and a scare-worthy Headless Horsemen.
That’s not to say every character was awe inspiring, though; just check out this sad little kid. That’s ok, buddy, with your haircut, I’d be pretty bummed too.
I also didn’t have a beef with the voice actors, who weren’t worth writing home about, but also, didn’t force me to mute the game. In all, it was just a really great ambiance.
The colors were awesome, the town looks amazing, and the background music was just the right touch of spooky. Exactly what I’d expect for my Sleepy Hollow.
Now for some of the things that did not thrill me.
For starters, Cursed Fates: The Headless Horseman is crawling with hidden object areas; they’re everywhere. And while I know, for some people, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, they are just not my favorite part of playing. I don’t mind them, but enough is enough.
I did like that the developers used both the written list kind and the picture kind, but man, some of those tiny little items hidden in the shadows are tough to find. Beyond that, once you’ve completed the list, you’re given the picture of the item you get to keep, and you have to find that, too. Talk about beating a dead horse.
And speaking of overdone! There are a metric ton of achievements in this thing. I’m talking trophies for finding things, awards for finishing puzzles, and congratulations for choosing the right directions (ok, that last one’s made up). There are even little horseshoes that you collect throughout the game so you can later buy trophies you didn’t earn while playing.
And don’t get me started on the nonsense I earned while in all those hidden object areas. Now I like being called Quick Witted as much as the next person; but when I’m trying to gather and get gone, it’s a bit distracting. I mean, I must have received seven or eight in one game alone. Sherlock and Precise and Quick Witted and Sharp Shooter, it’s all just a little much and starts to lose its meaning after the fifth or sixth in a row.
Cursed Fates: The Headless Horseman also had its fair share of puzzles, but those also weren’t really worth writing home about. Pretty much the same-old-same-old; they're quite achievable, though, so that made me happy.
But you know what didn’t make me happy? Standing around with my bags full of junk and having no idea what to do with it all.
I had a seriously tough time figuring out what some of the items were supposed to do. For example, when I picked up that ruler. Great; now what? Am I supposed to measure something? No, as it turns out the ruler is used to jimmy open a lock.
Keeping in mind I had both a handle and a stick in my inventory around the same time, which could have been used to do the very same thing. I have no idea how I was supposed to know that’s what the ruler was for. No idea.
Luckily I had my trusty hint button at my side (sadly I felt like it took an eternity to reload; that was probably just because I had to use it so often). And, while Cursed Fates: The Headless Horseman does come with a built-in strategy guide, it seems as though it unlocks a chapter at a time and only after you’ve completed the chapter (So what’s the point?!). Yeah, I’m right there with you, bar guy.
So I guess I’m a little on the fence about how I feel about Cursed Fates: The Headless Horseman. On the one hand, this legend is one of my all-time favorites, and I think the game did justice to the ghostly side of the story.
On the other, I didn’t care for all the hidden object areas and useless wandering around with bags full of JUNK and nothing to do with it all. If I’m honest, I was also pretty let down by the premise.
When science was mentioned at the beginning of the game I thought that might be the twist: we only THINK it’s a supernatural evil demon doing the killing when in fact there’s no evil legend reborn; it’s just a man in a mask. But that idea was dashed when we came across the first ghost, ‘cuz if there are ghosts, there’s probably an evil demon dude with no head riding around on a devil horse. And, really, what’s the point of keeping a specifically scientific journal if the final eureka moment can involve the phrase, “The sinister demon did it!”
All-in-all, I still love the legend and thought the game was pretty neat, but the scientist in me is a little let down (and so is the part of me that likes knowing what the pile of sulfur in my bag is supposed to be for).
Here’s the take home: if you like hidden object areas, and figuring out inventive uses for things, and spotting tiny and faded objects in poor light, this one’s for you. If you’re looking for that classic Scooby Doo reveal where those pesky kids stand up against some ghost and reveal there’s nothing supernatural about it? You’d best move along. Cuz it ain’t happening.