Rating: ★★★★★ 

Big Fish Games released the casual game Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome a few weeks ago, but I didn’t get a chance to play it until this weekend. Let me tell you. It was well worth the wait. If you are looking for a psychological thriller on the same level as Mystery Case Files: Escape from Ravenhearst, Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome is that game.

For this review, I played the collector’s edition which includes bonus content such as wallpapers, concept art, music clips, an interview with the developers, and a bonus chapter. I highly recommend buying the collector’s edition; otherwise, you will miss out on an excellent ending to an awesome game.

Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Storyline

The game opens up with our hero, Sam Wilde, watching a news report about missing young people. Sam is an investigative reporter for a local newspaper and has been writing about the disappearances and who he thinks may be responsible for the kidnappings.

After fielding a call from his editor, he leaves to meet with his girlfriend Anna. But Anna is not at their meeting place. She’s been kidnapped by Oscar, the serial killer responsible for the missing young adults. Fueled by love and fear, Sam goes to Oscar’s home and works his way through rooms of tortuous puzzles and gruesome discoveries to save Anna.

The game revolves around a serial killer named Oscar, who is a psychopath. He was diagnosed with Dorian Gray Syndrome, a condition where a person is focused on preserving his or her youth. People with this condition are unable to cope with the aging and maturing process and often resort to using cosmetic procedures to keep time at bay.

The mental disorder is named after Oscar Wilde’s famous novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray where supernatural methods are used to keep the title character young while a painting of him ages. As a nod to the originator of the idea of youth obsession, the developers of Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome named the main characters after Oscar Wilde.

Unfortunately for those who cross paths with Oscar, this serial killer considers himself an artist. Perhaps realizing he could not preserve his own youth, he focused instead on preserving youth itself by killing and embalming young people. Although there are no blood and guts in the game, Oscar’s “works of art” are gruesome all the same.

If you enjoy police procedurals like CSI and delving into the minds of maniacs, then the storyline alone is a great reason to download this casual game.

An example of a wallpaper available in the bonus content section.

One of Oscar's pieces of "art"

Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Game Play

This is a hidden object adventure game. However, the game play focused mostly on finding items and solving puzzles. There were a few hidden object puzzles in the game, but not nearly as many found in other hidden object games. I actually liked this. Generally I enjoy playing HOGs, but sometimes game developers get a little heavy handed with the hidden object puzzles. MagicIndie Softworks did a great job of balancing the different types of mini-games in Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome so I did not get bored. I think there were at least 50-60 mini-games in all.

Although I played in casual mode, I found the puzzles to be challenging. There is a hint button that provides tips on how to proceed in the game and a skip button that will allow you to skip the puzzles. I did not use either of these, but there were several times when I wanted to. But I’ll be honest and say that the game got to me a little. I was afraid that Oscar – who spends the entire game taunting Sam – was going to say something snide if I used either option, and I didn’t want to give him the pleasure.

Overall Impression of Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome

I loved this game. Loved. It. I found the storyline to be compelling and believable. There is nothing supernatural in this game, no ghosts or black magic, and I think that just makes it all the more disturbing. It’s you and the serial killer who has your girlfriend, and he’s got you trapped like a mouse in a maze. The house is set up with video cameras and a PA system that Oscar uses to watch your every move, and talk to you the entire time.

The music and special effects only add to the creepy atmosphere. Whenever something scary happened, Sam would start breathing hard and his heart sounded like it was going to burst through his chest. He would cough when he was outside in the rain. I think MagicIndie Softworks did a great job including sound effects that you would expect to hear in that environment.

Unlike Shadow Wolf Mysteries, all of the voice actors did an excellent job with the material and the game’s ending was satisfying if a little sad. The only thing I can think of to criticize was the 3-D art, which was kind of odd looking. But since the computer game’s 2-D art is fantastic, it’s something I can easily forgive.

I don’t gush about many games, but Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome is one I enthusiastically recommend.

Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Collector’s Edition Metadata:

• Rating: ★★★★★ 

• Publisher: MagicIndie Softworks
• Release Date: December 2011
• Genre: Hidden Object Adventure Games
• Price: $13.99 Big Fish Game members | $19.99 non-members
• Walkthrough: Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Collector’s Edition Walkthrough

So now it’s January, and the guilt of eating a thousand pies has finally caught up to you. To inspire you and kick start your New Year’s resolution to get in shape, here are five fitness games to play in 2012.

1. Fitness Dash – From the people who brought you Diner Dash and Avenue Dash comes the fitness game, Fitness Dash. The people of Dinertown have put on a little weight because of the Meatropolis Mashers. Help Jo whip everyone into shape in this time-management fitness game.

2. Fitness Frenzy – Personal trainer Vicki is anxious to help her customers get the hard bods and flexible limbs of their dreams. Assist her in motivating her clientele to hit their personal fitness goals. Manage up to 10 fitness centers while honing your personal training skills in this fitness video game.

3. Wendy’s Wellness – Oh no! The last fitness center in town has closed, leaving many residents to spread around the middle. Join Wendy and her gold-medalist uncle to build a profitable health spa. This time management fitness game comes with 12 mini games designed to test your response time, memory, and other skills.

4. Dancing Craze – Out of all the fitness video games, this one looks the most fun. Teach your clientele hip movies in your dance studio and prepare them for the biggest variety show. Purchase upgrades, serve drinks, and improve profits by hiring a personal trainer and masseuse.

5. Sunshine Acres – Okay, so this isn’t exactly an exercise game but you will still have fun planting gardens and earning money from your crops. Harvest your way through 30 levels of ground tilling, seed planting fun in this time management garden game.

Okay, so these exercise games won’t exactly get you off the couch. However, they can help you relax. Stress is one of the major causes of weight gain. In addition to boosting the level of cortisol in the body, many people stress eat which causes them to consume more calories than they need. Spending a few hours playing a fun casual game is a great way to cut the stress and boost brain function.

All games are available at Big Fish Games where you can play free for 60 minutes. After working hard in these exercise games, you are sure to be inspired to improve your own health. Have fun!

Use Coupon Code NEW50 to Get a Game for $4.99

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

[This review originally appears on Blogcritics]

A short time ago, I noticed that Blue Tea Games had released a third game in their Dark Parables series. So I decided to go back and replay the previous two games before diving into this latest installment. First up is Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose. Although they have a collector’s edition available, I played the regular version.

Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose Storyline

Blue Tea Games decided to take a familiar fairy tale and reinvent it in this present-day hidden object game. You are a detective who has been assigned to a case in Edinburgh, Scotland. It seems that vines in a nearby castle have started growing at an astronomical rate. They are growing so fast, in fact, that they are threatening to destroy the city.

You find that the legend of Sleeping Beauty is not just a fairy tale after all. Like the story, the princess is cursed to die by an evil witch. The girl’s fairy godparents ameliorated the curse so that she would only fall into a deep sleep. That’s where the legend and the hidden object game depart.

When Sleeping Beauty falls under the spell, vines began to aggressively grow and threaten the kingdom. The prince saves the day with a kiss. The vines go away, but Sleeping Beauty never wakes up. Centuries later, the curse afflicting the princess is mysteriously reactivated. It’s up to you to solve the puzzle and save the city.

Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose Game Play

There was nothing particularly noteworthy about the game play in Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose. It is the standard find and click hidden object adventure game. There are about 25-30 hidden object games plus about 20-25 supplemental games and tasks. A hint button is available to help you find items and figure out what to do next. The story and your progress are tracked in a journal.

One thing I liked about Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose was the hidden object puzzles were tightly integrated into the game play. You found pieces of one object that was later used to unlock other parts of the game. For example, the first thing you find is pieces of an object that helps you open the castle door. With similar HOGs, you have to find 15 random objects that have no connection to the game.

This game also featured cursed objects, which are items that change appearance. Finding them charged your hint meter faster, which was kind of cool. I also enjoyed the game’s artwork and the musical score was enjoyable to listen to while I played.

Overall Impression of the Game

Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose was a nice, simple game to play. I found the story to be an interesting take on a classic fairy tale. I liked the way the hidden object puzzles were integrated into the game. An unexpected bonus was a hidden room that became accessible when you played in Hard Mode.

However, I didn’t find the game to be challenging at all. I consider myself at an expert level when it comes to HOGs, but even people who don’t as much experience with this type of game should have any trouble getting through it.

There wasn’t a lot of interactivity either. The castle was abandoned. Outside of a run in with the ghost of Sleeping Beauty early in the game, you are pretty much on your own. Overall, it only took me a few hours to get through the game, and by the end I was a little bored.

If you are looking for an easy game to play, then Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose is nice way to spend a few hours procrastinating. However, if you want something even moderately challenging, then I would suggest the newest Mystery Case Files Game – Escape from Ravenhearst.

Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose Metadata:

• Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

• Publisher: Blue Tea Games
• Release Date: March 2010
• Genre: Hidden Object Adventure Games
• Price: $6.99 Big Fish Games member | $9.99 for non-members
• Collector’s Edition: $13.99 Big Fish Games member | $19.99 non-members

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the singular novel by Oscar Wilde, the main character Dorian Gray is obsessed with retaining his youth. In the casual game thriller, Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome, young people have been disappearing left and right. Sam, an investigative journalist, has been following the case closely and writing about it for his newspaper. Unfortunately, the psychopath who has been kidnapping the young people has turned his eyes on Sam and he kidnaps Sam’s girlfriend Anna as “punishment” for his articles. Anna is the love of Sam’s life and he must save her! Help him uncover clues to find Anna and stop the madman  in this hidden object adventure game.

About Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Collector’s Edition

Enjoy exploring unique and beautifully drawn locations in Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome collector’s edition as you hunt down the crazy man who has taken Anna hostage. Listen to a haunting soundtrack as you work your way through the assorted hidden object puzzles separating you from your true love.

The collector’s edition offers bonus game play as well as:

* Interviews with the developers

* Oscar comics for a grim laugh

* Integrated strategy guide to help you get out of tricky situations

* Concept art

* Music soundtrack

If you love hidden object mysteries, then Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome collector’s edition promises to provide a thrilling adventure that, hopefully, ends in a happily ever after.

System Requirements:

• OS: Windows XP/Vista/Win7
• CPU: 1.4 GHz
• RAM: 512 MB
• DirectX: 9.0
• Hard Drive: 693 MB

Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Metadata:

• Publisher: MagicIndie Softworks
• Release Date: December 2010
• Genre: Hidden Object Adventure Games
• Price: $13.99 Big Fish Games members | $19.99 Non-Members
• Social: Join the game’s Facebook page

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

I had the opportunity to play Coffee Rush 2 and immediately regretted turning on the game because it was so addictive to play. Coffee Rush 2 is a time management/match-3 hybrid casual game. The game play is fast paced but interesting, and the built-in achievement system guarantees you will play this game a second time just to see if you can unlock more trophies.

Coffee Rush 2 Storyline

The Coffee Rush 2 time management game is the sequel to Coffee Rush 1. The story line is exactly the same as the first game. An evil corporation called Smokestack Coffee has built a chain of coffee shops that sell low-quality, high-priced coffee. They’ve destoyed competition, so the residents of the city have to buy coffee from Smokestack.

You decide to take a stand against this polluting and greedy mega corporation by building your own coffee chain. You have two helpers who guild you through the game and provide tips on how to maximize your earnings.

I was really surprised that Coffee Rush 2 revisited the same storyline as the first game in the series. Somehow Smokestack resurrected itself after being desecrated in Coffee Rush 1. I felt this was a cop-out on the part of the developers. The least they could have done was come up with a plausible explanation as to why all of your hard work in the first game went to waste.

Coffee Rush 2 Game Play

The primary game of Coffee Rush 2 is the match 3 game. Your goal is to fill the customer’s coffee orders by matching the ingredients on the board. The amount of money you make from each customer depends on how long it takes you to get all of the ingredients together.

The game is timed in two ways. First, the store is open for a set number of hours, during which you have to help as many people as you possibly can. Second, the customer loses a certain amount of “patience” for each second he or she has to wait or the order. The longer the wait time, the less money you receive for the order. To be successful at this game, you must have quick eyes and a fast finger.

You can increase the amount of the order by adding a sandwich, salad, or both to the customer’s order. Additionally, you can increase the customer’s level of patience (and the amount of money they give you) by feeding the person a donut or a cupcake.

In between the match 3 games, there are cut scenes, mini match 3 games, and puzzles. However, all of the mini games were pretty much the same and became very repetitive after awhile.

In this iteration of Coffee Rush, there is a trophy room where your actions in the game unlock achievements. Although it didn’t affect the game play in anyway, I liked this a lot because it provided something concrete to strive for. Without the trophy room Coffee Rush 2 is just an aimless match 3 game.

In the beginning I didn’t have any trouble playing Coffee Rush 2. Towards the end, though, the game started to lag quite a bit which affected game play. A few times the game wouldn’t respond to my clicks. It also started to take a long time to send the orders out and collect the money. It became frustrating to play. However, my computer is a few years old and filled with lots of other computer games, so YMMV.

Overall Impression of Coffee Rush 2

I’m not a big fan of timed games. In fact, I don’t like deadlines of any kind. I prefer RPGs and hidden object adventure games where I can play at my leisure. Time management games are new to me, so I found Coffee Rush 2 to be challenging mainly because I’m not used to this type of game play. I will say, though, that playing the game has helped alleviate some of the anxiety I usually feel about timed tasks.

It’s obvious to me, though, that Coffee Rush 2 does not present any type of challenge to veterans of the genre. Additionally, there is nothing “new” about this game besides the trophy room. If you have played the original Coffee Rush game, then you have pretty much played Coffee Rush 2.

Despite its flaws, I found Coffee Rush 2 to be a strangely addictive game. It could have been the rush of excitement I felt when I managed to hit the goals and unlock trophies that kept me clicking through level after level. Although time management veterans will probably find the game monotonous to play, I think Coffee Rush 2 is a great introductory game for newbies like me. I find it provides the right amount of excitement and incentive to play.

However, because of the game’s flaws, I can only give it 2 out of 5 stars.

Coffee Rush 2 Metadata:

• Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

• Rating: 2.0 Stars out of 5
• Publisher: Anarchy Enterprises
• Release Date: October 2010
• Genre: Time Management Games
• Price: $6.99 Big Fish Games Members | $9.99 Non-Members