Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates – Review

You and the rest of the H.E.L.P. team has been sent to Turkey to find part of the crew that went missing while exploring an archeological site. It is not until the strike of an unexpected earthquake that you and your friend discovered a hidden palace that once belonged to King Mithradates, also known as the Poison King. Can you save yourself and your team from King Mithradates‘ poisonous traps?

Consistency has never been the Hidden Expedition series’ strong suit. Some installments were terrific, while some were disappointing. Some sequels were very historical, while others ventured too far into the fantasy territory. This latest game is more history-based than we expected, with interesting history facts thrown in here and there. The game starts off rather slow, but quickly picks up the pace a chapter or two in. Although this is definitely not the most action-packed Hidden Expedition game ever, the fascinating storyline keeps us intrigued from start to finish.

Given such an interesting plot, Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates could have been much more layered, gameplay wise. The adventure portion of the game is fairly straightforward, with very little surprises or exciting twists. Similarly, the hidden object scenes are the same-old – they even become a tad boring after a while. The true hero of Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates is none other than the puzzles. Some puzzles leave us in awe at how innovative, challenging, and complex they are.

To no one’s surprise, the sights and sounds in Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates are spot-on. The game sets in a variety of locations around the world – from Turkey to Prague to India to Malta and so on – and Eipix did an amazing job portraying the exotic landscapes of those locations. The artwork is astoundingly detailed with just the right colors and effects to make them come alive. Moreover, the background music and the voice-overs are perfect for the game and really help keep the momentum of the game going.

When it comes the bonus section, Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates has all the goods. The hour-long bonus chapter is a nice extension to the 4-hour main game. Other extras include a strategy guide, wallpapers, videos, concept art, a souvenir room, replayable mini games, replayable hidden object scenes, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects.

Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates presents a fascinating story through breathtaking production and riveting puzzles.