Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe Murders in the Rue Morgue

Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe Murders in the Rue Morgue is one of the latests releases to the hidden-object/adventure genre.

As the name gives away, you are to play a game based on one of the short stories of the famous writer.

Even though the game is based on Poe's story, some of the details are still changed.

There's only one murder victim in the game (instead of two in the short story) - the second woman has merely disappeared and must be found, along with the first victim's killer.

You play as Dupin, an amateur detective with incredible powers of observation (who would inspire later fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot) solve a grisly murder in 19th century Paris.

In this game you'll explore scenes, pick up items to add to your inventory, and occasionally zoom in on part of a room to find a list of hidden objects, among which is always hidden one key inventory item. Sometimes you'll have to open cupboards and other containers to find additional items.

Dark Tales offers two modes of play: Regular, which offers shorter recharge time on the hint meter, and highlights active zones with sparkles. Expert mode apparently offers longer recharge times and doesn't indicate where the active zones are.

The game seems to lack a certain logical structure at times as well. Often you'll find yourself clicking on items to pick up having no idea what they should be used for, except you know that you need them because they're sparkling.

Areas of the screen that can be zoomed in on for hidden object searches also sparkle, and you'll sometimes have to search the same scene more than once. Sometimes the gameplay involves nothing more than walking back and forth between rooms waiting for new areas to start sparkling to indicate what you should do next.

The game is fun but it does have some disappointing parts like unmemorable graphics or lack of voice-acting or any significant animation.

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