I've been noticing that some casual games are becoming more challenging. Now, I know that this is rather subjective, but lately I've actually had to take notes for some games. (eg. Urban Legends The Maze, Escape from Ravenhurst)
Personally I like this, and find that the void left by the lack of 1st person puzzler adventures can now be filled by this trend of casual games. But, that does make them not so casual, in that it's much harder to play them for a bit at a time. At the same time, they are still not the Myst-like games I enjoy. Perhaps developers will get enough feedback from gamers that there may be a real possibility of these casuals evolving into full-fledged puzzle adventures.

I've been taking notes too lately, something I don't usually do in normal adventure games.

It's a very interesting trend indeed. I find myself enjoying some of these games more than some of the full-length adventure games, one reason being the inclusion of a "skip" button if I come across a real stumper of a puzzle. This used to frustrate me with adventure games. I like being given that choice; it adds to my enjoyment, knowing that I am not going to become hopelessly stuck.

I'd rather have a casual game that makes me think my way through the game. And I agree with being able to skip a particularly nasty puzzle without being penalized.

I enjoy both the more intense casual and the no brainers. I do however find ones like the MCF games more difficult to pick up after leaving them for more than a couple days. They are meant to be played through so that you get the full immersion into the game. I don't start those unless I have time to finish.

Ana

re: casual games revolution

bet--i thought I was the only one who after leaving a game in the middle ,cannot get back into it to finish. I'm about a quarter into MCF 13 Skulls & that's as far as I got. I think about starting from scratch but the thought of doing that makes me go on to a different game. I am feeling the same about the new MCF. When the first one came out ,I must have played it 30-40 times or probably more. And it's not a time problem- I have too much time on my hands (my house says OH YEAH then clean me!!!) Oh well,on with the games.