To be honest, when I saw the name of this game, I was stunned for a moment. Not because it was famous, but because I suddenly remembered that my first smartphone was a Nokia 5230. At that time, I was playing pixel-style games where a few pixel blocks made up a character, and it was considered a masterpiece if it could run and jump. After so many years, mobile games have become what they are. Open worlds and 4K graphics are always available, but sometimes I feel a little indigestion.
Let's get back to the point. What I recommend this time is "Escape from the Desperate Room Series 3 Painting Fairyland", the developer is Shenzhen Martian Interactive Entertainment. To be honest, domestically produced independent puzzle games have indeed become popular in recent years, and this series can be considered an old face. In my impression, this series has always followed a more orthodox escape room approach, but what I want to discuss with you in this new chapter "Fantasy Book" is not as simple as finding a key to unlock the door.
It asks a very interesting question: Is the world as we see it? Or is it actually just a fantasy in the mind?
It's actually quite dangerous to put this philosophical proposition in a game, because it might turn into a myth. But it feels good after playing it. It does not force you to use a bunch of obscure principles, but allows you to experience the feeling of interweaving reality and reality in each puzzle. Clues are hidden in the pages of books, between calligraphy and paintings, or even behind a mechanism you thought you had seen through. The feeling of thinking that you are thinking, only to find out that the idea itself is misleading is quite addictive.
The platform label is 5.0, which is probably a requirement of the Android version. It's free to play and there are no in-app purchases. To be honest, being able to play a puzzle game without paying any money is almost as good as finding a treasure. The graphic style is very simple and elegant, with a touch of oriental fantasy, and the music is also subdued and will not suddenly give you a scary sound effect, which is rare for a puzzle game.
If I'm feeling nostalgic, I remember when I used to play the "Mysterious Island" series. There were no strategy videos at that time. I had to rely on my own brain to play the game. Once I played it, I would be happy all night. When playing this game, I vaguely regained the feeling of being purely attracted by puzzles, not to post screenshots of passing levels, not to achieve trophies, but just to know what is hidden behind the next door.
What kind of player is this game most suitable for? I think it's probably those people who, like me, have played puzzle games for many years but haven't gotten tired of it yet. It's not complicated, but it's not superficial either; it's not showy, but it pays attention to details. It's that kind of quiet game. You don't need to be in a hurry, just go have a cup of tea when you get stuck, come back and try again, maybe you'll suddenly understand.
All in all, if you have been short of games recently and don't like the fast-paced gameplay that requires energy and krypton, you can really try this. Give yourself an afternoon, make a cup of tea, put on headphones, and let the painting fairy take you to see the world where reality is difficult to distinguish.
From my perspective as a ten-year veteran player, this game deserves its place. 😌🎮