Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath – Review

We can always rely on Mad Head Games to deliver quality games can’t we? After a recent string of lackluster releases, Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath feels refreshingly impressive. Mad Head Games begins the Wanderlust adventure in the middle of the Amazonian jungle, where an ancient pyramid suddenly emerged out of nowhere. As an experienced archeologist, you have been recruited to assess the situation. What you soon discover will change your life forever!

The storyline in Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath has a little bit of everything. The game’s main premise is of the fantasy genre, but it also features elements of the science fiction genre, wrapped together in some intriguing family drama. As a bonus, all the game’s characters are well-rounded, and just fascinating to interact with. From beginning to end, Wanderlust never fails to engage us and always has us thirsting for what’s to come.

It also helps that Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath is contained in an absolutely stunning package. The dreamy quality of the graphics creates a surreal experience, while the creative scene concepts keep our eyes glued to the screen. Furthermore, the game features some spectacular cutscenes and superb voice-acting – Mad Head Games did it again!

Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath also delivers when it comes to the gameplay. While the gameplay is not flawless, given the low level of challenge and some minor illogical tasks, it is a masterclass of creativity and exemplar storytelling. The hidden object scenes are nothing we have not seen before, but they are smartly integrated into the storyline and very entertaining. There is a plethora of puzzles in Wanderlust, and not a single one of them is not enjoyable. Most of the puzzles are fairly easy, but there are some that require serious brain-work. Interestingly, the game also includes a useful toolkit that stays with you for the length of the game, this includes a hatchet, a brush, and a Glyph Book for translation purposes.

We got hooked into the game right from the start and completed the game in just one sitting. Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath took us around four hours to master, and the bonus chapter added another hour of solid gameplay. The Collector’s Edition includes an Extras section that consists of a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, replayable hidden object scenes, achievements, collectibles, morphing objects, and an Ultimate Puzzle.

Wanderlust: What Lies Beneath cements Mad Head Games at the pinnacle of the HOPA genre. With an impeccably-crafted storyline and a breathtaking production, this is one adventure you don’t want to miss!