Immortal Love: Black Lotus – Review

Your wedding night came to a sudden halt when your fiancé received a mysterious lotus flower and instantly fell ill. You soon learn about the legend of the black lotus, a deadly flower created by dark magic, in which the person who receives it will face inevitable death when the last petal turns black. Do you have what it takes to rescue your beloved?

This latest installment in the Immortal Love series once again combines a romantic storyline with paranormal elements, and does so successfully. Although storylines in the same vein as this have been done countless times before, the exciting twists and the multi-faceted characters in Immortal Love: Black Lotus makes it worthwhile.

The game is also elevated by a wonderful production. The visuals are up to 4 Friends Games’ usual unbelievably high standards. Every single aspect is crafted to perfection, from the epic cinematic to the tiniest details in the scenes. The music also works to enhance the “magical” quality of the game, there is never a dull moment in the game’s stunning soundtracks. On the other hand, the voice-overs are not as impressive, as the voices often sounds either out of place or unemotional.

Immortal Love: Black Lotus is by no means a perfect game, as there are rooms for improvements in the gameplay. As it is, the gameplay brings absolutely nothing new to the table. The adventure part is a cookie-cutter experience for long-time HOPA players, while the puzzles are mostly uninspired and somewhat tedious. Luckily, the hidden object scenes are quite entertaining, featuring some clever interactions and an acceptable level of challenge.

It is a shame that Immortal Love: Black Lotus has such a short length. We managed to complete the main game in just around three hours, and the bonus chapter in 35 minutes. The Collector’s Edition contains all the regular features; a strategy guide, wallpapers, screensavers, concept art, soundtracks, movies, replayable hidden object scenes, replayable puzzles, achievements, and collectibles.

There is no denying Immortal Love: Black Lotus’s gorgeous sights and captivating storytelling, but its gameplay could really use some fresh ideas.