I always get a little excited when I see any Elephant Games title, but the Mystery Trackers series is one you can always count on to deliver the goods in story, presentation, and gameplay. Like its predecessors, Blackrow's Secret suffers from an egregious amount of backtracking, but offers up a genuinely interesting, if melodramatic, story that unfolds over some gorgeous and deliciously creepy areas. The artwork here is beautiful in every regard, enlivening some familiar puzzle types with rich design and detail, and the cutscenes are both well voiced and frequent as you use your magical memory MacGuffin machine to learn more about the past. It's not something you'd call scary, and it's considerably more restrained from some of the more flamboyant stories other games in the series have served up, but its still creative and full of twists and turns. ... and, admittedly, bad decisions. I don't know how you're supposed to feel sorry for someone who decides to go to the "forbidden district" alone, at night, after receiving a letter from a hulking hooded man. I know we don't all have Spidey Sense, but come on. Things get serious around the second half, and it's actually a pleasant surprise to have a villain who's somewhat sympathetic... you may not agree with their actions, but it's hard to deny their motives.

At the same time, however, Blackrow's Secret does feel like it could have used a bit more of the wild flair of Mystery Trackers: Raincliff or Mystery Trackers: The Void, because as well made as it is, its quality of design is the only thing really making it stand out from the pack. Which admittedly is a strange complaint, but the Mystery Trackers series has always been at its best when it really let loose with its plot, and there's just something about Blackrow's Secret that seems, well, tamer. It also feels as if it's a little on the easy side regardless of the difficulty you choose, so players will likely find themselves zipping through it in a few hours, not counting the bonus chapter. This is a game you'll want to finish all in one sitting, and you'll want more of it when it's over, and some seriously cool scenes and events will keep you hooked for the duration. Crazy zombie demon cats? Psychotic ghost twins? Bodies stuffed into every possible crack and crevice? Mystery Trackers: Blackrow's Secret isn't just gorgeous... it's a good time to boot.

Note: Currently, only the Collector's Edition is available. It contains a bonus chapter, art gallery, strategy guide, and more. Remember that Big Fish Game Club Members pay only $13.99 for Collector's Editions (or 2 club credits), and collector's editions count 3 card punches of 6 total needed for a free game.

Windows:
Download the demo Get the full version

Mac OS X:
Download the demo Get the full version