While lots of time-management and hidden object games have overflooded the casual games market, the choice becomes harder and harder for customers. If 5 hidden objects with fairly similar game play are released within three days, which to choose? The competition becomes more and more tough, and game developers have to invent more and more exquisite ways to distinguish their products among hosts of others. One of the most popular tools is the game story. The recipe is simple - wrap your game into an attractive and preferably mysterious story, add some atmosphere and environment, stir a bit, shake and serve!
But is story really that attractive and important for a game? Will you get more fun playing The Hidden Object Show where there is actually no story at all or Women's Murder Club: Death in Scarlet where the story mostly makes the game? As for me, story and wrapping really adds some pleasure, but it's not what is crucial for me in a game. What about you?
In time-managements story is usually more simple than in other genres, and on the whole comes to some determined hero trying to create, develop or save a business, like in Ranch Rush , Fashion Dash or Sally's Spa . Seems that nothing new can be invented here. But still some developers manage to think of something new. Some create new environments, like airport in Airport Mania First Flight and First Class Flurry or cooking instead of serving food like in Cooking Academy and Hot Dish , and some make us defend our property or dwelling, like in Monster Mash and Garden Defense.
But still, with a rich and colorful story or without it, game play is what matters. I have encountered games I couldn't drop even though the story was dull, but I haven't seen a one that would keep me playing boring levels due to engaging story. What do you think?
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