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When the initial list of game characters and costume list includes a young woman who like to wear a hooded red cloak when visiting her grandmother who lives along in the forest that is also the residence of a pack of wolves, you might think you could be facing a tale based on the Red Riding Hood scenario.  But this particular Enchanting Stories episode has other treats in store for those prepared to enter the forest where magic and danger intertwine.

Developed by Do Games, the offering of Enchanted Stories - Mystic Woods is a Hidden Object Adventure offering that is available in Collector's Edition format.  With the usual adjustable options regarding screen size, volume levels and use of special effects, this game can be played in a choice of Casual, Advanced, Hardcore or Custom difficulty levels.

An optional opening tutorial will lead you through the various types of tasks you may encounter at different points during the game plus make use of the available tools that form part of the game's different features.  Arranged across the bottom of most scenes you visit will be displayed a Journal recording Notes and  Tasks, a Map showing available locations and where items can be found, plus an image of the current character you will be playing at different points during the adventure. 

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An Inventory will show the objects you have collected and will display a plus sign alongside any requiring work before use.  Completing this arrangement are access points to use a Strategy Guide and a Hint feature.  Positioned on either side of the screen are fly-out tools giving access to the status of the various Collectibles on the left with Decision making choices on the right.

When operating in this environment it is not a case of saving Granny from the wolves, they are actually Granny's friends but your task will be to help Granny save the forest from the plans of the lumberjacks who intend to chop down all the trees.  Assisted by the various creatures of the forest, you will need to carry out a variety of tasks to disrupt the schemes of the lumberjacks and return the land to its original glory.

Along with finding the ingredients to create potions, you will need to solve mini game puzzles and complete Hidden Object challenges.  The puzzles could involve placing items on a chess board, creating a path through a maze, arranging totems by size, building a ballista, creating a folding ladder or sorting out symbols. 

As usual the presence of a Hidden Object challenge is indicated by an outbreak of sparkles which I found not as obvious to spot due to some aspects of the forest scenery.  If not using the option to switch to Match 3 game play, the Hidden Object challenge sometimes uses riddles to indicate required items.  You could also be asked to find pairs, replace items in a scene plus search for part of the scene.  You are also provided with three ropes that can be used to change sections of the image to reveal certain items you might need to find.

Eventually the game will require you to locate three special items consisting of a Crystal, Nature Amulet and the Forest Lord's Staff.  These items will be required to create the spell necessary to defeat the lumberjack's plans.  Once the lumberjack's plans were defeated, you will be able to access the different items that form the title's Collector's Edition bonus.

You can download Enchanted Stories - Mystic Woods where it is priced at $19.99.  It is also available from Big Fish Games priced at £14.97.  The game requires a 2.0 GHz processor with 1024MB of RAM and 1.13GB of hard disk space running Windows 7 and later.

Enchanted Stories - Mystic Woods Collector's Edition | Big Fish Games

Enchanted Stories - Mystic Woods Collector's Edition | GameHouse