I'm trying to play this but don't know how the controls work at all. For instance, I have a key to a gate but I don't know how to use it. Is there a manual someplace?

Also I picked up a picture but never got to look at it because I clicked and it was gone.

Game looks good if I can just figure out how it works.

Don't know how or if you can save in it either. I don't see anywhere.

Oh, ok. Figured out the key part anyway. Still would like to see a manual.

I am not finding a manual. Maybe another player can fill you in on the save and control system.

Take the gate key by putting your arrow on it...hold donn the left mouse button & slide the key up to the lock.

Oh Sorry. I see you got it!!

Thanks Marian and Scotty.

I am starting to figure out how it works but I am curious about the saving part. Scotty?

Well, I had to get out of the game so I'll assume and hope it saves upon exit.

Oldbroad, the game does save on exiting. During the game you need to collect coins, blue orbs, photographs, paintings and action figures. When you have beaten the game, the last area tells you how your collections are going. If you are missing anything you have to go back to search some more. No areas are shut off so you are free to wander around at will. Look everywhere(walls, ceilings,floors,cupboards, drawers, shelves)and make sure you have activated the 'hot spot' in settings. Unfortunately you cannot finish the game until your collections are complete.

Thank you for that helpful information, Upsydaisy. Much appreciated.

The things that you collect that you don't see in your Inventory can be viewed by clicking the button on the left side of the inventory menu on the bottom directly opposite of the button you use to exit the game. These things and lists are different for each area so what you see will be different depending on where you are. On a more important note nothing that you collect that you don't see in the Inventory screen is necessary for the game. I believe they are just for Steam achievements and add a sort of Casual Game feel to this game. It took me a while to figure this out and personally I can't stand taking my time in figuring something out only to be given some useless coins, pictures or something else that doesn't further the story or give me something or valuable clue. Bottom line, if you don't see it in the Inventory do worry about it. If you want, you can always go back and try to find everything and attain all the Steam Achievements as so many do like to do after you end the game.

BTW...it is a terrific game for those (like me) who like first person perspective with no NPC's, light on story and lots of things to figure out. At first I thought the game to be quite easy and the way it looked and played I was thinking it to lean more to the Casual or Adventure Lite side but it got a bit more difficult as the game progressed. Took me just over 19 hours to finish but I did have to find help once.

Those who like these sort of games will love Haven Moon also.

So sorry, got it wrong! I have just completed the game and you DO NOT need to complete your collections. As long as you have all your blue orbs you can finish. Then you can go back and finish your collections if you so desire. I managed to complete in just over 12 hours and also needed a bit of help with the 'bust' puzzle and the 'solar system'. Agree with GreyFuss-super game which you can play at your own pace.

Great Upsydaisy and Greyfuss.

I'm starting to get the hang of how it works and as long as it saved when I exited it's all good!

I'm not getting the hang of this splendid independent endeavor at all. The graphics are lush; the notes and bits of diary, intriguing. I wish to continue.

However, largely as a result of the interaction between the interface and my general klutziness, I frequently am calling the game uncivilized names. This in turn upsets the dogs and one leaves the room. I explain to the dogs that they are good; it's the interface that is in big trouble with me or maybe I am big trouble for the interface.

Here's an example from--mind you--the tutorial. I solve the simple generator puzzle pronto. The clue is obvious, as is the solution. It's supposed to be: this is the tutorial. Only what follows is bizarre. What I couldn't do is insert the blooming aphasic unregulator in the designated receptacle. I drag--I emphasize the word "drag"--the solved puzzle from inventory and attempt to insert it ten or fifteen times, only to discover the little varmint is translucent and has reset itself. I don't know why or how I manage to move that solved puzzle into the slot and not have it reset; eventually I do.

What is the trick to solving a puzzle housed in inventory and then using said piece? My dogs will be grateful for any assistance.

Back to Ara, next I am either spinning and seasick or in response slow mouse sensitivity to a miserable creep.

Alternating between cautiously tiptoeing and frenetically whirling, I open several doors and make my way to a standalone puzzle so basic that I begin to consider the philosophical (as opposed to commercial) differences between casuals and regular or irregular adventure games. Nevertheless, this is early times; therefore, basic is appropriate, particularly because I am fairly sure I am engaged in putting bits of a larger whole together. And, hey, there are suits of armor, mysterious works of art, and a walled up stone arch surrounded by stone heads; all delight me.

When the standalone is solved, the room starts to spin furiously either because in desperation I have set mouse sensitivity to high or because the game is out to disorient me. Whatever the cause, the spinning makes me so dizzy I quit the game for a few minutes and totally miss a clue.

And so it goes.

Could someone help with the interface and how to play?

Eyes of Ara is a beautiful game and I would like to play without feeling that I must wrestle with the mechanics at every turn. This is an adventure game, not a pinball machine. I want to relish its beauty and mystery, not swear at a mulish interface.

I hope another player will be able to help save you from your plight. Struggling with a game's interface is a game-killer for me.

If you leave mouse sensitivity on default, then hold the left mouse button down you can move around the room at your own pace - no spinning. If you hold and place an inventory item where you think it may go, it remains transparent if its the wrong place-it'll just jump back into the inventory. You can manipulate items in your inventory, you will need to do this on certain objects. I did find objects disappearing from the inventory when I went to different floors-but this is helpful as items can only be used on certain floors. They just re-appear when necessary.
I also found this game intriguing-I would happily play it again if it wasn't for those horrid paintings, but maybe you haven't faced those yet!! good luck!

I've had the spinning happen once or twice also. Just grab your mouse and stop it ASAP. If you opened that arched door with the stone heads you are already past me. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I hope you'll be get used to interface (or controls as I was calling it) so you can play and enjoy the game.

I think controls is a good word to use in this instance, oldbroad.

I'm not past the stone heads either. I've turned on one stone head downstairs and one upstairs, the bottom right one on the arch in the mezzanine. I've picked up a shield from the side of the mezzanine reached through the stone passageways and also some rectangles that might be monitors. I am standing in front of the two suits of armor and looking out over the banister. There is a blue light trying to tell me something, I haven't a clue what, about the laser display. When I try to follow its path, I spin. Am following Olbroad's instructions. It's a bit better, not much because then my point of view is usually either the ceiling or the the floor.

Another thought about the spinning. Are you just hovering your mouse and moving? I am holding my left mouse button down so I have more control of my movement.

I usually am holding the left mouse button, as well. I don't know why some games with movement like this are so difficult for me and some that are more open, and hence potentially more disorienting, seem so fluid and correct, Tesla Effect for example. I have discovered that panning right in Eyes of Ara is easier for me.

I got to some painting puzzles and have reached a dead halt. Give me sliders any day instead. I don't mind sliders.

I haven't reached any painting puzzles yet and still have not opened that arched door.

There is a video gameplay on youtube.

Video Gameplay

Another tip I found helpful is to use the scroll button on your mouse to read the notes and letters better, it magnifies it.

I haven't read this entire thread so forgive me if this has already been pointed out. The spinning happens when the cursor is at the edges of the screen. Bringing the cursor away from the edge stops the movement. I like this navigation feature. At the start of the game I held the left button and moved through the scene that way, but it was awkward since it moved opposite of the direction of the mouse. Then I discovered using the cursor at the edges as a way to move and liked it much better. Navigation is a puzzle in itself in this game! Love the game though. One of the best I've played lately!

Thank you both for that information.

Yes, thanks. UruKat, I did find that information out after posting about it under Flotsam's review. I guess there was a "tutorial" mouse picture about it but I didn't understand it. I thought it meant I could turn the document some way which of course didn't work either. I do think a very short manual would have been nice.

I'm still playing. Not using any walkthrough or help YET for the puzzles, just the controls. (Yet being the keyword Marian.)

I have to admit that I am seriously stuck now. There is something in each of 2 different areas that I just can't get. I see Steam has a hint guide. Not sure yet what my plan is. Done for tonight though!