Grim Legends 2: Song of the Dark Swan
- March 26, 2015
- Artifex Mundi
- 6h median play time
In Grim Legends 2: Song of the Dark Swan, players assume the role of a skilled witch hunter named Suzanne. The game is a hidden object puzzle adventure set in a mystical world filled with dark intrigue and magical creatures. Suzanne must uncover the truth behind a cursed queen's transformation into a swan and save the kingdom from an evil sorcerer's grasp.
Reviews
- Gorgeous artwork and visuals that create an enchanting atmosphere.
- Engaging story inspired by a lesser-known fairy tale, with interesting twists and character development.
- Variety of puzzles that are well-crafted and provide a satisfying level of challenge.
- Voice acting quality is inconsistent, with some performances feeling awkward or unnatural.
- The bonus chapter feels disconnected from the main story and lacks depth.
- Some puzzles can be overly simplistic or repetitive, leading to a less engaging experience.
- story277 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in this game is a captivating retelling of classic fairy tales, particularly focusing on themes of mystery, magic, and darker elements, which some players found beautifully engaging while others considered it too predictable or sad. Players appreciated the intricate plot twists and the gradual unfolding of the narrative through gameplay, enhanced by stunning visuals and music. Overall, the storyline is seen as a strong aspect of the game, though opinions vary on its depth and emotional impact compared to previous entries in the series.
“The last game was a thriller, this one is more of a murder/kidnap mystery. It is much more polished than the first game, with harder and more fun puzzles, and an overall good story with great twists and intrigue that carries throughout the game with a good enough payoff.”
“In this story, we get to follow the protagonist, a famous healer, on her way as she is summoned by the royals of the eagle kingdom to examine the queen, who is affected by a mysterious illness.”
“The story is based on the fairy tale of the seven swans, so most people will see the reveal coming, but there is still enough variation on the original to be its own story.”
“The story is dark and depressing... it made me too agitated to think about puzzles... which seemed to be twice or three times as hard as the first game... oh and they couldn't show the death of children, so those are the only ones who are alive... apart from very few others... sigh...”
“Very short game, very predictable story and overall disappointing.”
“I didn't really get immersed into this game unlike the others, there were no characters to get attached to and the story was very predictable.”
- graphics88 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and vibrancy, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning artwork and immersive visual style that enhances the storytelling experience. The combination of detailed backgrounds, charming character designs, and engaging animations creates a captivating atmosphere, making it a standout in its genre. Overall, players appreciate the high-quality visuals that complement the gameplay and narrative, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
“The graphics are beautifully done and the story itself is intriguing.”
“Stunning visuals, charming music and dramatic story immerse us in one more fairy adventure, full of mystic creatures, dark magic and beautiful landscapes.”
“The visuals are jaw-dropping, leaving you eager for more.”
“No, it's not like a triple-A game graphically, but in this genre, these sort of vibrant, beautiful backgrounds and characters are a standout and still hold up.”
“Compared to the previous entry, the graphics are a bit improved.”
“This hog was a bit easy for this seasoned hogger, but I recognize the target audience is all skill levels and the graphics/animation with the story are still enjoyable.”
- music69 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in "Grim Legends 2: Song of the Dark Swan" is widely praised for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the game's beautiful hand-painted visuals and fairy tale narrative. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can be somewhat repetitive, it is generally described as relaxing and fitting for the magical setting, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Overall, the game's music contributes significantly to its charm and appeal, making it a standout feature.
“The voice acting has noticeably improved and the music fits the magical atmosphere of the game wonderfully.”
“Beautiful, enriching music.”
“The music is melodic and while not as memorable as Stravinsky or Tchaikovsky, the orchestral pieces fit thematically into the experience and add a nice emotional color to accompany the lush visuals.”
“Beautifully drawn backgrounds, but with a somewhat repetitive soundtrack.”
“Unfortunately, there is no music menu in the extras section with downloadable tracks, which other games offer.”
“The music isn't quite as atmospheric and the sense of mystery and discovery is swapped out for, well, an actual mystery you have to solve.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a blend of hidden object scenes and inventive puzzles, enhanced by a hint system and map that improve navigation and problem-solving. While it retains similarities to its predecessor, some players find it a bit sterile and shorter, with around 4-6 hours of playtime, depending on puzzle-solving speed. The game includes quality-of-life mechanics and a variety of mini-games, though the overall experience may feel limited due to fewer collectible options and a more straightforward approach to hidden object puzzles.
“The gameplay is a mix of hidden object scenes and clever puzzles.”
“The bulk of the gameplay consists of exploration, inventory-based puzzles, and a large variety of puzzle mini-games, and I found myself being constantly impressed by how refreshing the mini-game selection was.”
“This background story is incorporated nicely into the gameplay, and like previous games, certain puzzles will provide exposition and further clarify the backstory as you progress.”
“However, their use is limited to specific points in the game, and they mainly serve as visual enhancements rather than altering gameplay significantly.”
“Gameplay-wise, there is only one kind of optional collectible compared to the previous games' two kinds, and you can no longer opt out of a hidden object puzzle for another kind of game: you now only have the option to use the hint button instead.”
“Gameplay, though, is a bit sterile in this one compared to other Artifex Mundi games.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its magical and immersive qualities, enhanced by improved voice acting, fitting music, and diverse colors that create a fairy tale-like environment. The detailed artwork and captivating graphics contribute significantly to the overall experience, although some players noted a shift in the sense of mystery compared to previous titles. Overall, the combination of visuals and soundtracks effectively establishes a rich and enchanting atmosphere.
“The voice acting has noticeably improved and the music fits the magical atmosphere of the game wonderfully.”
“The colors are so diverse and create a magical fantasy atmosphere.”
“Fairy tale atmosphere.”
“Detailed artwork that will immerse you in a fairytale-like atmosphere.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while it offers a bonus story and additional content like wallpapers and mini-games, many players feel it lacks substantial replay value unless they are completionists aiming for all achievements. Overall, it receives a low score for replay value, indicating limited incentive for multiple playthroughs.
“Another quality and very playable/replayable title from this publisher.”
“Excellent replay value for getting all of the achievements.”
“Replay value: 2/10 to complete achievements.”
“There's really not much replayability here unless you're a completionist.”
“This means that aside from the main game/story, there's also a (much smaller) bonus game/story, as well as goodies to include wallpapers, concept art, and replayable hidden object mini-games.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating the witty and customized prompts that add a comedic touch to puzzle-solving. The game's healer role is humorously challenging, leading to amusing failures, while a bonus segment offers a lighthearted and enjoyable experience that extends the fun beyond the main story.
“Puzzles aren't excessively repetitive, and even the prompts are customized; rather than just saying 'that won't work,' they provide a funny reason why.”
“Although be ready to hilariously fail as a healer: I've never seen more people die in a game than in this one, where you are specifically supposed to save lives.”
“Last but not least, the bonus part was very funny and nice to play, even when it wasn't a proceeding or flashback of the main story.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional depth of the game is perceived as lacking compared to its predecessor, primarily due to the absence of a personal stake in the narrative. While the story unfolds an intriguing mystery, it does not evoke strong feelings, and players feel pressured to act compassionately without genuine motivation. However, the orchestral music enhances the emotional atmosphere, complementing the visuals effectively.
“The story is a bit less developed and emotional than the original's, but the game makes up for it by offering an intriguing mystery that slowly unfolds as you progress.”
“Like most hidden object games, we are expected to act morally and compassionately without giving any incentive to do so, or with true heartfelt meaning.”
“The music is melodic, and while not as memorable as Stravinsky or Tchaikovsky, the orchestral pieces fit thematically into the experience and add a nice emotional color to accompany the lush visuals.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development is generally well-received, featuring a well-paced narrative filled with drama and tragedy, though some feel the ending is slightly rushed. The character designs are praised for their fitting aesthetics and vibrant animations, leaving players wanting to see more of them.
“Well-developed, perfectly paced, plenty of drama and tragedy, decent character development...the ending is a tad bit rushed but not a big deal.”
“I really like the character designs and would have liked to see more of them!”
“Character designs themselves are quite fitting for the tale, with thriving animations, mimics, and color choices.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I expected more growth and transformation from the characters, but they remained static throughout the game.”
“While the character designs are appealing, the development of their personalities and backstories is disappointingly minimal.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect, finding some tasks enjoyable while others feel overly tedious. The hidden object scenes and puzzles are generally considered easy, particularly in casual mode, though one puzzle stood out as particularly frustrating.
“Some were fun, but some were too tedious for my tastes.”
“The hidden object scenes and puzzles were a bit easy (I did play in casual mode, which may have affected the difficulty), with the exception of one puzzle: the pearl puzzle was a headache for me, very tedious.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game exhibits excellent stability, with no glitches or technical issues encountered during gameplay.
“There are no glitches or technical problems at all.”
“The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs during my playthrough.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a sense of frustration with the monetization practices of Artifex Mundi games, suggesting that the games feel overly commercialized, akin to working on a paid advertisement.
“Whenever I write about one of these games from Artifex Mundi, I feel like I'm working on a paid advertisement; but I swear that's not the case.”
“The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”