To play Dark Alleys was like being inside a thriller ! Great suspense story : a kidnapping in a sinister place, where murders (with an ax,) took place half century ago! Outstanding cutscenes with real people, perfect VO and excellent sountrack ! You feel in a movie theater. The game is listed as HO, but is totally different from the usual scenes full of objects - is more an adventure game, and as you go along, you will finding and using things that go into inventory . One great thing is that not has to be going back and forth too much. It has mini games, some already known, but with different details and difficulties - like put together electrical wires, but in a brand new way! Really enjoyable. It has a box where you store the tapes you are going collecting ... and MUST watch ! There are three difficult modes- casual, hard and advanced. I played in hard mode and, although not very challenging, the game is incredibly motivating, fun and entertaining. I had played the free trial of the CE, butit ended after 40 minutes. Now I will buy the SE.

SE version appears glitch free. Shows tasks button but it is not functioning in the SE version. Music supposed to be spooky, but it reminds me of an old movie (circa 1940-1950) kinda humorous made me smile (can?t remember the name), it sounds so familiar. No map and not so much trekking to and fro. No HOG therefore no sparkles. Visually graphics are similar to Escape from Ravenhaurst (cluttered and astatically, not visually disturbing). Rooms look like you would expect in an abandoned old motel?looks like you would expect a hobo to appear at any minute and build a fire in the middle of the room. Three options of play casual, expert and hard core. I played expert. The hint button does take a while to recharge and the skip button on puzzles takes a very long time to charge. Puzzles are different, some challenging, a couple frustrating (planet puzzle), hang in there they are do able, just very thought provoking. One puzzle seems to repeat itself, but it starts small and gradually grows more complex, not overly difficult. Scenes maybe put off some, there are lots of skeletons ?hanging around? and ghost galore. Nothing disgusting or scary. If you hate bugs, well there are lots of them. If your dislike games with the occult beware, this has films that give you the impression that?s where they were going. The ending was somewhat abrupt. Just sort of stopped, but not really sure what I expected?were they supposed to just continue to grandma?s house? Was the professor really who he said he was? Oh well, I was enjoyable for adventure and no HO/sparkles. Got the imagination going and was entertaining.

I just completed the demo, which took me 48 minutes. I will definitely be buying this one. I actually enjoyed not being slowed down by HO scenes for a change. The puzzles are fun; not too challenging yet, but one of the reviews stated that they do get more challenging as the game goes on. You should at least give the demo a try with this one!

This game contains no hidden object scenes which I generally find preferable to ones that do. The puzzles are relatively taxing and the storyline engaging. The live action sections are better than most with the characters' voices actually matching their mouth movements. It was fairly intuitive although I did find myself having to use the hint button a bit more than I normally would like to to find out what to do next.The finale is somewhat sedate but you still feel as if you come away with value for money.

This game is brilliant. It is a simple click and play, you find objects and then place them where they belong in order to make the game's plot progress. It is not a HO game, by the way. Graphics are well made, gameplay is smooth and fast reacting. This game's developers put the extra time and everything they had in order to make the cutscenes looking as real as can be, with actors instead the usual animation, and music that creates the atmosphere needed for this kind of thriller genre. From only playing the demo I established a need to own this game...

ERS games are great so I played for 30 min and got it for free. I would have bought it also. Great graphics and the sound is good. I love adventure games so this is up my alley. DO not care if there is no HOS. Looks like a good game to play. Try it.

I loved this game! It's no HOS by any means, but is a fun, challenging, interactive puzzle game. I played the hardest level and it really kicked my butt. It's been a while since I had such a challenge. Well worth the money and more. Really appreicated the longer play time. In this one you have to collect items to move through the levels and solve puzzles. There are no lists of things to find, but you don't miss it at all. Decent story, you have to save your daughter who disappears when you stop for gas. Some of the storyline is a bit vague and confusing, but who cares when you have a great game to play.

SE version, hard mode I loved it! I found it quite challenging, and a nice long game. I prefer brighter graphics, but the muted tones went with the spooky story. Cut scenes were well done. Lots of different rooms and scenes for variety. Not a real creative plot, and I don't like children being kidnapped, but it was adequate and it did not take away from my enjoyment of the game. It squeaked out 5 stars because the puzzles and adventure style were very appealing to me, and it took over 4 hours to complete.

If you like spooky puzzle games, then this is for you! I loved this game. I even shouted out at the computer several times in startling suprise! I got completely wrapped up in the game and couldn't stop playing until i either fell asleep from exhaustion or beat the game! There are 3 different options for dificulty level. This game does not contain any HOS that i remeber. It is all about exploring and finding useful items, solving puzzles that were new, fun, and challenging, and interacting with the environment. Some of the puzzles were quite difficult. I loved the variety! I love spooky or even scary games so this was right up my alley. The hint system was perfect - i never had to close out of the game to consult a walkthrough. As far as getting through the game, the CE strategy guide was not needed. I am so glad that i found and played this game, I hope to find more like this one! Enjoy!

This is one of the only games I actually finished in one day! I really liked the story line and the visual graphics. It was exciting and was challenging enough to keep me intrested without having to press the hint button too many times. The only thing I did not like about the game was that there were no hidden object scenes. I am glad, however, that I didn't see that in the description as I might not have bought it and would have missed out on a great game!