I Will Surely "Remember" This "Flaming Hot" Masterpiece! – Darkness and Flame 2 Review

Review updated September 19, 2017: This storyline picks up where its predecessor left off, and it is just as intriguing and full of action-packed adventure as the original game was. Early on, you are given a synopsis of the backstory of the previous game; so you can play this one as a "stand-alone." The storyline takes place during a time frame of post-apocalyptic events in which a dark force wreaked catastrophic destruction on mankind. Most of society, outside of your own unharmed vicinity, has been decimated by the ensuing impacts and consequences, such as pollution, wars, etc. The settings effectively represent an authentic portrayal of a post-apocalyptic environment, detailed as follows: decrepit cities that are devoid of most signs of life, completely engulfed by overgrown weeds and crumbling buildings; dry and barren deserts, containing scarce growth of flora and ravenous vultures flying around in the sky; and a mystifying temple, veiled by the desolateness and harsh bitterness of the highly elevated snowy mountains. The character build-up is compelling, with dramatic reactions during times of stress and predicaments. You meet an interesting and diverse cast of characters from distinguished places that you visit. The graphics are satisfactorily clear; attention to the finely rendered details is visually noticeable. The cut-scenes are sophisticated in both presentation and the mechanical execution--smooth and flawless transition. You can customize your settings; I'm thrilled that an option for the map is included to show the locations in which morphing objects and collectibles are available to pick up. The inventory is labeled, interactive, and puzzle-like; items require assembly. I love the "tap and click" method in place of dragging over items. The teleport map facilitates brisk travel to labeled locations and indicates available actions. See custom settings for more info about the map. This is the only developer that spoils us with a journal to thoroughly chronicle the storyline, and I love it! After a prolonged break, I can go back and refresh my memory. Furthermore, you can access additional features, such as the collections, under the Menu. Transition between scenes is fluid and quick; as expected, all technical aspects are flawless. Thank goodness for the back button! Finally, this developer has introduced some other forms of interactive HOSs; but I'm pleased that they kept their original type as well. The puzzles are varied and entertaining, and some cleverly suit the storyline. The collectibles are challenging to discover since they blend well into the background; one of their "hallmark" collectibles is informative in nature. This developer has the knack of immersing a player into the storyline and helping one feel more connected to the characters; sometimes I feel like I am watching a movie in the cinema. The free trial is generously lengthy enough for one to determine whether or not he/she would want to purchase it. After articulating the positive components, I do have two quibbles, even though I did not deduct any stars for them: 1. Gameplay is too simplistic and follows the old-school template of traversing through the locations to solely find and use items until one comes across a puzzle or an HOS. In the future, I would like see some more innovative concepts incorporated into the main gameplay. I do love the fact that some of the HOSs include puzzle-like elements to spice them up a bit. 2. I was surprised at the abruptness of the conclusion of the main game. It's all over without any narrative explanation of the protagonists' thoughts. It's a good thing that I had already found all of the collectibles because one cannot return to the scenes in which you missed any. Having said that, I immensely enjoyed this game! Total playtime does seem long, with a vast amount of locations to explore. It's the usual 5 stars!
Review by KimTwilight69 on Darkness and Flame 2.