This program is great fun for serious puzzle-lovers. Based on Wrebbit's popular Puzz 3D brand of puzzles, this game allows players to construct a truly gorgeous 3D puzzle of Neuschwanstein and learn some history at the same time. Video clips help players to understand the intriguing relationship between King Ludwig and Wagner, and they are very well done.
There are two stages to this CD-ROM. The first stage involves the very challenging task of building the 3D puzzle. There are 4 difficulty levels to choose from ranging from Easy to Super Challenging -- but don't let the word Easy fool you. None of the levels are truly easy. Depending on the level you select, you will be working with 250 to 835 puzzle pieces. On easier levels, the pieces are pre-sorted by color and they don't require rotation. Additionally, they are laid out so that there is no overlapping, and there are 3D guide outlines at the construction site to make it easier to assemble the completed sections. The puzzle pieces require rotation and/or sorting as the levels advance, and guides at the construction site drop off.
There are Custom Settings available that allow you to fine-tune the difficulty levels. Assembling the puzzle requires some patience and involves working with pieces on the Main Table. You can zoom in at 3 different levels of magnification and choose from a number of different views. There are handy trays in which you can store completed sections, and Reference Pictures that aid players in the construction process. The Book is another reference tool and can be used to view the historical clips that document the fascinating relationship between Wagner and Ludwig, the opera clips, as well as construction tips.
The second stage of this Puzz 3D Neuschwanstein Bavarian Castle is an exploration phase that is only accessible after completion of the puzzle. The areas of the castle that can be explored depend on the challenge level that has been completed. For example, if the castle puzzle was completed at the Easy level, the player earns a Bronze Key that opens up the inner courtyard and King Ludwig's bedroom. More areas are available as the difficulty level increases, and complete access is granted when a player earns the Platinum Key at the Super Challenging level.
Observation sites allow players to view the castle from various angles and are full of hotspots. As players move through the rooms and halls, they can pick up objects, including pieces for the Sword Game, and they meet up with an intriguing cast of characters. The four games in the castle are as follows:
- The Painting Game involves restoring the painting of Tristan and Isolde to its former state of beauty using a color palette.
- The Leitmotivs Game requires players to put "leitmotivs" (musical lines) fromWagner's operas into order.
- In The Throne Game players attempt to restore the castle's throne to its real shape.
- The Sword Game requires players to collect the scattered fragments of a sword throughout the castle, then put them together by matching up patterns.
The first stage of the program -- the actual puzzle building stage -- is worth the price of the CD-ROM itself. It is challenging and designed well. The second stage makes it even more worthwhile, adding some extra games and a cultural experience to boot. Similar to Puzz 3D Victorian Mansion (see our review), although this one is less adventurous but it is still very entertaining.
