Azada: In Libro
Game Review

It has been more than 3 years since Azada: Ancient Magic, and the sequel is finally here. However, since it has been so long since the last Azada game, Azada: In Libro does feature a few things that are different from its predecessors. For one, it is developed by ERS Game Studios, the developer behind some of the best hidden object adventure games including the Edgar Allan Poe and PuppetShow series. As such, you can expect the same high quality in Azada: In Libro.

The gameplay style is also slightly different from the previous installments. In the previous Azada games, you are confronted by various scenes (in the form of separate stories or books), each of which contains a collection of puzzles you need to solve in order to complete the stories. In Libro is more similar to the other ERS games where you experience one continuous exciting adventure story, and the puzzles represent the various obstacles and challenges that you need to face along the way.

The story focuses on you, a random person who happened to be the "chosen one" to save the magical book of Azada. You were enticed into traveling to Prague by the promise of a large inheritance, but end up getting tricked into helping Azada by Titus, the guardian of the book. Apparently an evil wizard has conquered 3 of Azada's many worlds and have captured their guardians. It is up to you to travel into these worlds and rescue them.

The worlds that you visit are breathtakingly beautiful, with many magical and mechanical contraptions dotting the landscape. However, you are blocked at almost every turn by the evil wizard's shadowy minions. You will need to explore each scene, collecting items and solving puzzles as you try to rescue the guardians without directly confronting these evil beings.

Since In Libro is a puzzle adventure game, there are plenty of puzzles that you need to solve in order to progress in the game. The puzzles range from the fairly easy to the really mind-numbing. They cover a large cross-section of puzzle genres, from mechanical and spacial puzzles to those that test your observation and logic skills. There are also a few puzzles that require manipulation of various objects in the immediate vicinity, reminiscent of the classic Myst puzzle game.

This game is more of a puzzle game than a hidden object game, and therefore does not have any dedicated hidden object scenes. However, there are plenty of critical items and tools hidden throughout the many locations in the game that you need to find. These items are used to activate puzzles or unlock doors, and can be anything from a missing gear to a key.

The overall atmosphere of the game is beautiful, supported by really good graphics and sound. Fans of the old Azada-style puzzles may be a bit wary about the new game style, but the addition of a strong adventure story may just draw you even more into the magical worlds of Azada! You'll love In Libro if you liked the previous Azada games or other similar "portal into new worlds" style adventure games such as the Drawn or Echoes of the Past series.

You can get the basic version of the PC game, or you can get the Collector's Edition which includes exclusive extras such as bonus gameplay, strategy guides and more. Or get the basic version or Collector's Edition of the Mac game.

Check out the other games in this series!

Related PC Games at Big Fish Games:

Azada: In Libro Collector's Edition

Azada: Ancient Magic

Drawn: Trail of Shadows

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