So You Want To Crack Some Safes?

Safecracking is one of those things that the cool thieves always know how to do. Regardless of your feelings on the subject of breaking and entering, every guy (and some girls, I would imagine) fantasize about climbing in through rooftop windows, dodging bright red lasers, and ultimately cracking a supposedly uncrackable safe. Well, in this game, you'll get to do one of those things. And I assure you, it's the best of the three.

Welcome to Safecracker, where you play as one of the top safecrackers in the world, "able to get through any lock." The billionaire Duncan W. Adams has vanished, leaving behind his company, DWA Petrol, and his money. Unfortunately, as a final bit of eccentricity, he has hidden his will somewhere in his humongous mansion. He has left clues all over, locked in various safes. This, my good man, is where you come in. The Adams family (no, not that one) has hired you to find all of the clues and ultimately locate the late entrepreneur's will.

Mansion Maze

One of the absolute best aspects of the game - and you'd be hard pressed to find this kind of freedom anywhere else in PC gaming - is the ability to roam the mansion at your leisure. well, that's not entirely accurate. A lot of doors are locked to begin with, but once you start cracking combinations and acquired different keys, then the old house becomes your playground.

I play a lot of games. Now I don't mean to boast, but you do pick up a few skills that stay with you. That being said, I was having a heck of a time with this one. This product challenged me in some incredible ways and really got me thinking, which is something that gaming rarely makes me do. If you find that your normal puzzlers are getting a bit too easy, or if maybe you're like me and you just need an ego-check, give this one a whirl. You'll get it after a while - it's far from impossible - but you'll be working every muscle in that noggin of yours!

There is a lot of variety to be had in these puzzles. A lot of products on the market offer one type of challenge with nothing more than increasing difficulty. That certainly isn't the case here. Each safe is unique and you'll have to approach each one with a complete clear mind. If you're in need of a good mental workout, then you've come to the right place.

Audio and Visual

There isn't a whole lot in the way of audio. There's some pretty good voice acting, but a lot of the sound effects and music are very subtle, which I assume was done purposely, to make it easier to concentrate on the puzzles. The visuals, however, are top notch. The house and its decor look very realistic and because of this the game gives off a very nice, relaxing atmosphere.

Challenging and Fun

Like I said before, if you're looking for a decent challenge, then I can't think of a better title to recommend you. The gameplay is very fun and extremely rewarding. Safecracking comes with a hearty recommendation.