Echo: Secrets of the Lost Cavern

I picked up this game because of its unique setting. It is a relatively simple little game, but it does offer interesting puzzles & enables you 2 learn about early man as you progress through the game - so this game would be great 4 pre-teens or beginning adventure gamers. I will break down my review into sections 2 help you decide if you want 2 purchase this game or not.

STORY: 3/5 You play as a young caveman searching 4 a great painter he knew in his youth. Your ultimate goal is 2 become a great cave painter yourself - 2 make the spirits of the cave walls come alive.

The story isn't deep, but it is unique. While the ending isn't the most amazing one, it does give you a sense of fulfillment. Exploring the prehistoric world is fun & educational.

GAMEPLAY: 4/5 I did experience ANY bugs playing this game... which was a relief. It is easy 2 navigate & using your inventory, etc., is also fairly easy. One thing that makes this game great 4 young players or beginners is your character keeps a journal that gives you clues as 2 what you need 2 do next. The game is fairly linear, but there are some items you can collect & assemble before they are needed.

The game also features an encyclopedia of sorts that updates as you progress through the game. You can read it 2 learn about early man, & some of the entries can help you progress through the game by giving tips on how 2 assemble items, 4 example.

The biggest flaw is the cursor - when working with items (especially in puzzles), the edge of the cursor is not the hotspot - instead, it is the center, so sometimes manipulating items can get frustrating. But if you keep that in mind, it is easier.

GRAPHICS: 4/5 Pretty good over-all. The main character (when you see him) is a little odd-looking in my opinion, but overall the scenes are illustrated well & the animations are fluid. Pretty good detail in landscapes & in close-ups.

PUZZLES: 4/5 Why did I give this such a high score? I will be very honest - most puzzles are pretty easy (again why it is good 4 a young person or beginner) - but some are difficult, but this is partially due 2 pixel sensitivity. The main reason I gave it a high score in this area is because the puzzles are often very unique. It does have a few puzzles you've seen before (i.e., reassemble a broken slab) - but most you will have fun doing because they are so fresh. I don't want 2 give anything away by saying more - but the cave-painting puzzles are particularly fun.

OVERALL: 4/5 - I highly recommend this game 2 youngsters interested in history or anthropology - it is fun & educational, & it isn't very difficult, plus there is no "adult" themes or inappropriate content. I also recommend this game 2 casual gamers, or those new 2 the genre who want 2 test the waters. I also recommend this game if you particularly like pre-history & want it 2 come 2 life a little bit 4 you. If you are an experienced, hard-core adventure gamer, you probably will be dissatisfied with this title, unless the time period really interests you or you want something light & fun. I personally enjoyed this game, especially after playing Paradise.

The easiest way 4 me 2 summarize this game is that it's tedious from start 2 finish. Never did I feel like I was on a great adventure. It was more like being stuck in a big hole behind the neighbor's house.

I can say three positive things about this game: the graphics of the outdoor scenes were beautiful (but not in the caves), the game never crashed or behaved badly, & there was a lot 2 learn about prehistoric times if you like that (I don't).

However, the story was uninspired & boring, I felt nothing 4 the characters, there wasn't much music (mostly percussion sounds which is fine from time 2 time but not during 90% of the game), & the puzzles were tedious.

As I played the game, I kept wishing that it would end so I didn't have 2 suffer anymore. I used a walkthrough 4 most of it, but even with that the puzzles were tedious. I usually only consult a walkthrough if I'm really stuck in a game, but I didn't care with this game, the fun factor was completely missing & I knew by the first half of the game that I wasn't going 2 add it 2 my permanent collection of adventure games.

I've played other games by Kheops Studios that were so much more enjoyable than this game (e.g. Return 2 Mysterious Island). I'm sure they put a lot of their lives into making this game which makes it all the more sad that it's just so unenjoyable.

The game is OK. Not one the highest quality games I have played, but was worth the price

This game its a diferent kind of piece of entertainment than i thought, i was expecting something less complicated, more as the way of prehistoric cultures. More fun, with a bit more action & larger scenes. Perhaps is just that is not my kinda of games.

I am a serious gamer of many genres & have played & enjoyed other Dreamcatcher games. This one was just an exercise in frustration. The movement was clumsy, choppy & bulky -- I have 2gig ram & an AMD 3200 with an Nvidea 7300, so it is not my computer.
This game was so clumsy in fact, that I began 2 feel the real puzzle was just figuring out how 2 move around. The graphics were simply OK. The story was terribly uninteresting & quite frankily I quit playing because I just did not care anymore. Bottom line: I should have known it was too good 2 be true 4 under 20$

Use your wits & powers of observation 2 survive the vast wilderness as your journey leads you 2 one of mankind's forgotten wonders. Experience your adventure through the eyes of Arok & meet many fascinating characters. Contend with the wild world where fishing, hunting, gathering, & mysterious shamanist ceremonies are all part of the struggle 4 survival as you unravel the secrets of the lost cavern. Also featured is an integrated encyclopedia filled with historically accurate data on the Paleolithic period, while detailed graphics of ancient rivers, troglodyte caves, & green valleys will take players back 2 the dawn of human existence. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - Windows 98/ME/2000/XP / Pentium III 600 MHz (800 MHz recommended) / 16x CD-ROM Drive (24x CD-ROM recommended) / 64 MB RAM / 64 MB DirectX Compatible 3D Video Card / DirectX 7 Compatible Sound Card / Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers ESRB = T Teen