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If you liked Cydonia and you're looking for the next great game from Dreamcatcher, you won't find it in Jewels II. In fact, Jewels II isn't even an adventure game; it's a collection of "puzzles." More importantly, these aren't puzzles in the adventure game sense, but brainteasers, or what are sometimes referred to as twaddleware. So, if it isn't an adventure game, why is JA reviewing it? Because Dreamcatcher is presenting it as if it is. Therefore, I'll review it as if it is. The Plot: You are an archeologist who is helping uncover the mysteries of a recent excavation of the pre-Sumerian civilization. It's your job to collect the Gems of Darkness and collect the treasure of Kavi. At least that's my best guess as to what the plot is. Let's try this: the game consists of 24 caverns, each with a tactile puzzle. When you solve a puzzle, you get a jewel, which is automatically added to your jewel chest. After you collect all 24 jewels, you can then face the final challenge: another puzzle. The plot is like taking a trip down interstate to nowhere in particular just so you can stop at 24 rest areas along the way. A trip? Yes. An adventure? No. The plot receives a D. The Graphics: The graphics are nice, but the surroundings of the cave and each room have nothing to do with the puzzles. I experienced problems with the graphic resolution on my PC. The graphics receive a C. Sound, Music, and Voice Acting: When you move the many, many, many levers you encounter, they make sounds. There is music, too. Well, what am I suppose to say about the sound and music? It doesn't matter how good they are. It simply doesn't matter. You might as well turn down the sound on your PC and put your favorite music on while you fiddle with these puzzles. There is one character in the game. The leader of the archeology project, Mr. ... uh ... Mr. ...? I can't remember his name. He briefs you about your mission at the beginning of the game. If you're having trouble with a puzzle, you can go back to see if he has any words of advice. He sounds as if he is bored with the whole project, too. The sound, music, and voice acting all receive a C-. The Puzzles: Tedious. What else can I say? One of the puzzles takes 285 moves to solve! Count 'em: two hundred eighty-five! As to why someone would want to plow through these brainteasers just to get jewels is beyond me. I have better things to do, like play adventure games. You can choose to have the puzzles presented in easy, medium, or difficult mode. But again, it's still just a meaningless series of twaddleware. Good grief, some of the puzzles are repeats from Jewels I! The puzzles get a D. All work and no play. Final Grade: D Note to readers: This is my first negative review. I don't like giving negative reviews because I would rather companies produce average adventure games than not produce any at all. However, Jewels II is simply not an adventure game. Trust me on this one. Note to DreamCatcher: Please promote more games like Cydonia and forget the Jewels series. System Requirements:
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