I'm playing this game and it's pretty interesting and different.

I thought so too, oldbroad.

The game can be found here.

The developer of this game was Silverback, and they made interesting games including the three Empress of the Deep games and Beast of Lycan Isle.

Hm. I have the Empress of the Deep games (unplayed) but will have to take a look at Beast of Lycan Isle.

Beast of Lycan Isle was a bit different as well. Worth checking out.

I agree, Marian, about Beast of Lycan Isle. More like an adventure game than simply an HO Adventure. I have it slated for Replay.

It's on my "to buy" list.

OB, I just played the Trial Game of Theater of the Absurd, and loved it. The game play is typical but adds a twist with the character's voice-overs (talking to herself). It is the usual hidden object adventure where you have to save the possessed innocent, find missing pieces for every broken thing in every room, solve the usual puzzles, and get faced with an HO scene when entering any room, but the game is SO atmospheric without gratuitous shocks every time you turn around that I am enjoying it. I'm not usually interested in very creepy games, but I'm buying this one! Thanks for bringing it up.

Always great to hear when someone finds a new good game to play.

I hope you continue to enjoy it Reenie. I did.

OB, I'm loving it. It is much more like an Adventure game than any of the HO-types that I've played recently. No candy-apple color palette, cartoony characters nor glowing purple or green smoke everywhere you look. It features good voice acting, too.

I'm really glad I bought the CE because the extra play will involve using some of the things found in the main game. And I'm loving the puzzles. Sometimes, it isn't clear what you are supposed to be doing, but once you solve it, there is that big, "Aha!" moment. I know I will be replaying this one!

I am so happy to hear you are enjoying the game!

I am loving it. I wish there were more games like it.

I have a few quibbles with the game, one of which is there is no MAP, so you have to form a mental map (or draw one by hand) of the entire game, and it comprises a very complex, multi-layered world with secret passages, elevators, tower stairs, etc. Not only that, because there is no Map, you have shag your butt everywhere (no teleportation) and I sometimes get lost in the maze of locations. I am 3/4 through the game now and still get lost. ha ha

Also, the HO scenes "respawn" after you've done them but you have no way of knowing this, so you are wandering around trying to figure out how you missed that last Star Crystal or why you don't have all the Rubies yet, and then ~ "Oh, there is a new HO scene there again."

But all that aside, it still is one terrific game.

OK, now I am stumped and hoping someone else has played this game, played the CE version, and gotten into the Bonus Game. I think I am pretty near the end and am having to do a simple balancing puzzle. I have the necessary parts, but can't make it balance. The CE version includes the Game Guide, that shows how to arrange the pieces on the balance, but that solution doesn't look exactly like what can be achieved with the pieces given. I have tried all sorts of combinations and none work.

It may be that there is something ELSE that I need to do before executing this balancing puzzle? I can find no further clues within the game nor on line nor can I find a WT for the game. The puzzles cannot be skipped.

I sure hope someone can offer a suggestion. If not, I believe this is the denouement, in any case, and I'll simply move on to my next game.

I don't have any advice to offer, but I looked at YouTube and there is a walkthrough there of the bonus section of this game, which might help.

Reenie, I had to open the game to look at the guide as I could not visualize the puzzle you are talking about. I had a lot of trouble with this also but all of a sudden I looked at it and the solution was right there in front of me. Unfortunately, I still cannot exactly remember it and the guide just shows a picture. I can't remember, can you reset the puzzle to how it was originally? I'm sure that's how I had the pieces when I looked more closely at them and WHAM! it was so easy.

This is the last puzzle right? That's the one I'm referring to above.

Does this walkthrough help at all? https://www.gamezebo.com/2013/05/06...egy-guide/#Collectors_Edition_Bonus_Play

OB, yes, that is the same Solution as appears in my Game Guide. But if I arrange the pieces like that, they don't balance the scales as depicted.

I can't see any difference between the two larger and the two smaller pieces, but there may be some hair-splitting in that regard. I've already tried SO many permutations based on the Solution, and none make any difference. There is no Reset for the puzzle and no Skip. You either solve it or you don't go on.

I'm just going to bag it. It is the last scene and not worth more of my time and trouble. Thanks for trying to help! I appreciate it.

Just go back in one more time when you feel refreshed and look closely at both sides. I don't know what it was that caught my eye but it was just all of a sudden very clear (after I stopped moving things around and just stared at it). I wish I could remember it better and/or explain it better. At least that is the end of the game, not the middle somewhere, although that stinks to get so darn close and not be able to see then end.

This is the bad thing about casual games and games that only save on exit. Can't go back in to see it/replay it.