Despite having an actually fairly complex backstory, one the game does an admirable job of filling you in on even if you haven't played the other games in the series, The Dark Throne never gets oppressively dark or gloomy. Every place you visit is chock full of a wonderful amount of detail, as haunted paintings vie for your attention with magical roses, bubbling flasks, and more to create an atmosphere that draws you in to explore every nook and cranny. It's a little goofier and cheesier than players who crave a more Labyrinth approach to their borderline-spooky fantasy might prefer, but Witche's Legacy: The Dark Throne wears this mantle well. There's so much creativity in the environment design and the characters and critters you'll encounter that it breathes a lot of life into the setting and story. In short order, of course, you discover that Lynn doesn't appear to want your help, and you're forced to follow her deeper and deeper into the "Other World" while its denizens talk of a new queen. Predictable? Sure, but gorgeously pulled off thanks to some beautiful artwork and a sense of whimsy and creativity to the whole design, making you want to keep playing just to see what you'll encounter next.

The gameplay itself is more straight-forward. While you're interacting with a lot of quirky machines and magic, none of it really follows any logical progression. Of course you somehow know the seething gatekeeper of darkness is "clumsy" so he can be tripped even before you use a magical item back at the museum to "tell you his secret". Of course there's a machine back at the museum that just happens to be able to make an item you need in order to proceed somewhere else in the Other World. But let's say you're not a mildly cantankerous game reviewer who has played a thousand of these and is just mad she was out of coffee creamer this morning. Witche's Legacy: The Dark Throne doesn't really revolutionize anything with its convenience-centric gameplay, but there aren't any real shortcomings to speak of either. The imp is unexpectedly cute and full of character whenever you need to call on him, the puzzles make inventive use of the magical plot by presenting familiar concepts in stunning and inventive ways, and some of the hidden-object scenes, used sparingly throughout the game, are actually really creative, like one that takes place upside-down on the underbelly of a floating island. While it's easy to be cynical about casual games, it's important not to turn a blind eye to the quality and talent behind them, and Witche's Legacy: The Dark Throne has both in spades. It's funny, wonderfully weird, full of life and vibrant colour, and completely unrestrained in embracing everything that can be done with its fantasy concept. If you've been looking for a lengthy hidden-object adventure that will transport you for a few hours and keep you entertained every step of the way, you should make time in your schedule to check this one out.

Windows:
Download the demo
Get the full version

Mac OS X:
Download the demo
Get the full version