"Innovative adventure with a great story."

I have awaited this game since I saw some screenshots from the japanese version posted on a popular image board. I bought it on its release and I must say, its bloody good.

It tells the story of Ashley, a 13 year old orphaned girl. Who receives a mysterious package, adressed frm her father. Who died 11 years ago. The package contains a letter and a DAS (Basically a DS, used by Ashley to solve some puzzles and save the game ect.) - The letter is from her father, and it tells her to go to 'Blood Edward Isle'. The game progresses from there.

The two screens are used well, the touch screen is a birds eye view of Ashley and her surroundings, while the top screen is what Ashley sees, by poking the magnifying glass symbol in the corner of the screen, the top screen moves onto the bottom and you can poke the objects to examine them, not unlike the point and click adventure games.

The main bulk off the game is solving puzzles, some rediculously simple (OHNOES THE BRIDGE IS UP THERE IS A LEVER WHUT DO I DO????////). Some give you brain ache (Music Box key anyone?). Some don't become obvious until you try everything (Microphone?). The satisfaction you get from solving the difficult puzzles is immense, its well worth it if you don't refer to the message boards or FAQs for the answers.

The story is touching at parts, and there are multiple endings, although at times the story is quite predictable (In my opinion anyways).

My only complaint is the length, another reason you shouldn't refer to FAQs. It took me 4 hours 30 minutes first time through, but i gave in on one of the puzzles (Bay painting if you're interested) and checked the boards. But there is replay value in the multiple endings, and the game is extremely fun.

OVERALL:
Buy this game, it uses the DS's touch and mic capabilties well and no DS game tells a story this good at the moment.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/29/05