Hidden Expedition: The Uncharted Islands
Game Review

When the 4th Hidden Expedition game Devil's Triangle was released two years earlier, players enjoyed the greatly improved gameplay and storyline. However, they were left wanting more when the game ended in an abrupt cliffhanger. Finally we are are able to see what happens and continue the adventures in the Bermuda Triangle in The Uncharted Islands, the 5th game in this hidden object adventure series by Big Fish Games.

The game begins where the previous game left off, but as later explained by a companion, you are still trapped on the islands in the Bermuda Triangle. She also quickly brings you up-to-date on the story, and it looks like the most important thing you need to do now is prevent the pirate king from carrying out his plans. There is a barrier keeping everyone stuck on the islands, and the pirate king plans to destroy it and use his powerful weapons on the outside world. As you set out on your journey to seek out allies and thwart the pirates, you will encounter strange creatures, old wreckages and even an island ruled by children!

Devil's Triangle had previously improved a lot on the Hidden Expedition series by adding a thrilling story and more interesting gameplay. Uncharted Islands now takes it one step further and brings even more polished gameplay and stunning artwork to the table. The overall atmosphere and immersion of the game are now comparable to the high standards set by the latest games in the Mystery Case Files and Drawn game series, both also by Big Fish Games.

The game is pretty much a standard hidden object adventure game, and you spend your time exploring the islands by navigating between various locations, all of which are drawn in beautiful vivid detail. Along the way, you will come across items that you can pick up. These can be combined and/or used to interact with objects around you, and serve as "keys" or tools to get past "gates" or barriers that prevent you from progressing in the game.

There are also plenty of puzzles scattered throughout the game to keep you busy. Plenty of the standard puzzle types are represented, but the developers have managed to inject both a theme-related feel as well as a unique mechanic to each puzzle to keep them interesting. The challenge level of the puzzles ranges from fairly easy to devilishly hard, and you will spend hours enjoying them (if you don't get tempted to click the "skip" button!)

There are also hidden object scenes, and the developers have outdone themselves in making these very interesting. Locations that you are passing through can transform into full hidden object scenes. There are also scenes where you need to find pairs of related items instead of the standard laundry list. My favorite are the scenes with stages, where you slowly work through a scene using the obtained items to help you. Items that you find in one stage can be used to manipulate the scene in the next stage (such as using a screwdriver to open a box) so that you gain access to subsequent items on the list.

The Uncharted Islands is a great addition to the Hidden Expedition series, and is a notch above all its predecessors. The story, gameplay and art are all really good, and it's not difficult getting yourself immersed in the game. In my mind, the only flaw in the game is the lack of voice-acting, which would have made the story even more compelling. Other than that, this game is highly recommended, especially if you've enjoyed Big Fish Games' other games such as the Mystery Case Files or Drawn series.

You can get the basic version of the PC game, or you can get the Collector's Edition which contains exclusive extras such as bonus gameplay, a strategy guide, concept art 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:

Hidden Expedition: The Uncharted Islands Collector's Edition

Hidden Expedition: Devil's Triangle

Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull

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