When a mysterious plague threatens Persia, it’s up to a young apothecary named Tara and a mysterious man named Darius to save their land from evil.

After receiving the beta test for the sequel, I had to check out the original.  I have to say that this game did not disappoint.  The plot is rather cliché because you have to save the world from an evil vizier.  There’s also a twist with Darius that you can see coming a mile away.  However, the world building is fascinating as you learn about Persia’s past and two other species that once allied with humans.

The game play is incredibly addictive as you go from scene to scene, collecting objects to use in various locations.  Some items require you to participate in a hidden object scene in order to collect them.  Since Tara is an apothecary, you can also make potions at certain points in the game.  Sometimes you’ll need to play mini-games in order to advance throughout the story but, if it’s too complicated, you can skip it.  You also have a rechargeable hint button that you can use whenever you need it, but the game’s easy enough to follow that I barely even used it.  This game also comes with an added function of talking to characters about different topics that also advances the story.

This game is beautiful and addictive.  I give it 8 out of 10; once I started, I couldn’t stop.