Nightmares from the Deep: Davy Jones

Artifex Mundi’s Nightmares from the Deep 3: Davy Jones is the final chapter in their pirate adventure trilogy, ending the series on astrong note. Fans of the series might consider this to be the best installment in the franchise yet and will satisfy their expectations. Furthermore, the game’s Collector’s Edition comes with a bonus mission that stretches the story just a little bit more. Not to mention several other game elements, like three collectable sets to complete, enhanced gameplay features and achievements, wallpapers, soundtrack and concept art.

You’ll reprise the role of Sarah Black, the museum curator who pushes her luck by trying to unveil Davy Jones’ identity as a real being to the world. By doing this, Sarah triggers the Sea Devil’s anger; who attacks the museum with a tidal wave and kidnaps Sarah and her daughter Cory. After being held prisoners in the Jones’ galleon, both Sarah and Cory manage to reach the lifeboats only to be intercepted by Davy Jones himself. In order to save Sarah Cory signs a pact with Davy Jones. This pact stipulates that Cory will be Jones’ maid until his pledge is fulfilled. The main objective of the game is to find and break Cory’s pact along with the pacts of thousands of others under Davy Jones’ thumb. During her quest, Sarah unveils Davy Jones’ secrets and learns about the man he was before he became the mighty Sea Devil.

Although the story is rather linear and fails to immerse the player, it’s told in an interesting fashion. It’s the equivalent of reading a short story on a rainy day or poolside during summer vacation. The world in which the game is developed is so well constructed you can feel an actual organic integration of the elements within it. This takes us directly to the biggest achievement of the game, beyond its mechanics: the strikingly beautiful visuals. Most point-and-click (or hidden object adventure, whichever you prefer) games rely solely on their puzzles, story or mechanics and disregard graphics. NftD3 doesn’t commit the same mistakes as other games in the genre and gives us a colorful and vivid environment to explore. Furthermore, the game extends the pirates theme in its level and object design, for it relies on the heavy amount of ornaments and attention to detail, just like baroque style pirates are often represented. Gems and provide colorfulness, whilst gold, wood and rust provide elemental attractiveness.

All of this can be seen directly in most puzzles, which, at times, feel more like mini-games, due to their complexity and unique mechanics. It’s not only to take object A to object B or to mix several objects together, but rather to use the items at your disposal in a logical and coherent manner. The game also features Hidden Object Scenes, in which the player must uncover the objects within a single ambient and is penalized for every misstep, but these scenes can be skipped by playing a pirate themed mahjong game.  If you are the completionist type, you’ll probably want to try the mahjong mechanic once and then continue the game normally.

Along with the regular puzzles, NftD3 CE also features collectibles for you to recollect through Davy Jones’ cursed prison island. Probably, one of the most beautiful collectibles are the seahorses, for they are all different and represent actual hippocampus species, each one already gorgeous to begin with. This adds an extra effort for completionists and meticulous players.

One of the few flaws in this game is the voice acting. Despite not being bad, it feels fake at times and a bit exaggerated, like one would think of a children’s audiobook. Although there are several characters with tons of charisma due to this very flaw, like certain skull in the first puzzles of the game. The game would’ve benefited from a better direction in this aspect, but it’s not a deal breaker at all.

Music, on the other hand, feels natural and goes along with what you’re seeing on your screen. The musical scores of this game is a perfect fit for its visuals. This is especially true in cutscenes, which, by the way, make use of 3D graphics to enhance the action, something rarely seen in other games in the genre.

The puzzles and mini-games are very satisfying to complete and represent a challenge for seasoned gamers. There are three difficulties from which to choose: casual, advanced and expert. Each one will have variations on the speed your hint button is recharged, the amount of visual aids and penalties for missteps, and, finally, the presence or absence of marks in the fast travel map, which indicate if there’s an action to be made in the different locations.

The game’s bonus chapter serves as a continuation of the main story with implications from the main game. This chapter feels no different from the main game campaign and its flaws and achievements are preserved. It’s just more gameplay for your money and provides closure to one of the characters in the campaign, who had a rather passive role before.

Nightmares from the Deep: Davy Jones is an excellent addition to the genre and a must play for fans of this type of games. True, the game does not reinvent the wheel and littleis added to the genre.However its impressive visuals and intelligent game design and mechanics are something worthy of your attention. Plus, pirates are in since AC V: Black Flag; so, go ahead, matey, and plunder your way into adventure!

Sarwar Ron, NoobFeed
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