Hard Times in Basra

Basra, otherwise known as the Pearl of the East, has come under hard times as its wizard ruler has begun oppressing his subjects. Sinbad was just a poor fisherman who worked hard to earn his living. Fate realized this and guided him to a sunken ship full of gold. And this is where our adventure begins!

Your first task in 1001 Nights: The Adventures of Sinbad is to collect 10 gold items from the sunken ship. Right off the bat, you'll be impressed by the game's visual style. The open story scenes are done in comic panels with simple yet effective line art and then the game scenes are much more colorful and vibrant.

As you start to scoop up the gold, a magical amulet begins speaking to you, telling you that the gold will only make your life harder. But you can't say no to this much gold! So you collect it, and being the person that you are, you use your newfound wealth to feed the poor. This gets the wizard's attention, and he forces you to take him to the ship. Once you've shown him the way, he casts you overboard!

The story in 1001 Nights is fantastic and had me absorbed from the very beginning and it only gets better from there. You meet Chalida, the Queen of the sea. A terrible curse has made her part of her ship, and she's doomed to wander the sea restlessly until she can find all of the gems that she seeks. But you can help her!

Find Hidden Objects

This is a hidden objects game at heart, but the awesome story lifts it high above the competition. Unlike most games of this type, you won't be finding random objects. All of the items are woven into the story. Like the example I gave earlier, you had to find gold in a sunken ship to feed all of your people. Later, you'll need to find magical items that will help you in your journey. At one point, I had to find potion ingredients for Chalida. Everything fits into the story, which makes the experience that much more immersive.

Your trusty talisman will provide you with hints if you need them. You have unlimited uses, but you have to wait for it to recharge after each use. I've always been a fan of unlimited hints, because getting stuck is the worst thing that could happen.

The game is even more generous than most. If you go a little while without finding an item, one of them will sparkle. It's pretty subtle and you might miss it, but it's still a helping hand.

A High Seas Adventure

1001 Nights: The Adventures of Sinbad is a wonderful game. Not only is it a total blast to play, but it features a great story that is more than just entertaining, it's rich and engaging, something that very few games can claim. If you're looking for a true adventure, this should suit your needs just fine.