Reviews of Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire

Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire 1 5 5  
CURSE THESE CONFOUNDING CONUNDRUMS, DOCTOR ARCANA!

The Keys To Success I discovered my true destiny as a member of a secret society of magicians known as The Arcanum after solving a series of confounding conundrums and mind-boggling puzzles in The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana.

Doctor Arcana may have been impressed with my skills, but I can assure you, he's not done toying with me yet! I must now venture to the Isle of Talos to resolve the secrets of an ancient tower known as Shadowspire, where I will be tasked with solving another series of confounding conundrums and perplexing puzzles...Hello... Is it me you're looking for?

I'm not sure you picked the right apprentice for this job, boss; these puzzles are really tough. Maybe I should just back up slowly and...crap, the gate locked behind me! Okey-dokey, and we're moving forward!

I Think I Sprained My Conundrum
Is there a doctor in the house? These confounding conundrums are at every turn. Soooo many clues to decipher, and so many secrets to unveil. I am determined to prove my worthiness as a mere apprentice (since apparently I can't leave), so I delve deeper into the maze of corridors in this legendary castle.

The Amulet of The Arcanum
You begin your adventure into the abyss of darkness...er, I meant to say into your momentous journey...with only one possessed amulet...I mean possession, just one medallion, The Amulet of Arcanum. This is basically your carte blanche to deal with any situation that requires a VIP Wizard status. If all else fails, remain calm...and then throw the amulet at it.

If These Walls Could Talk
This legendary castle holds secrets of millennia...35 Secrets, to be more specific. The Star Icon located in the bottom right corner will keep track of all the secrets you find. Surprisingly, none of the random skeletons you encounter are considered a "secret," so just step over them and go about your business. Wi-Fi Signal
These castle walls are pretty thick, not to mention it's out in the middle of nowhere so Google Maps is out of the question. Hopefully, you will find your way to The Sanctuary, where you'll find the Castle Map. The fact that it's still here after all these years tells me this was probably an issue for the above-mentioned skeletons.

Beauty Is In The Eye The Beholder
...and trust me when I say there are a lot of "eyes" in this castle. Eye-Eye Captain. The Eyes Have it. E-eye, E-eye Oooookay. There's always time to enjoy the beautiful artwork throughout the castle. Seriously, pay attention to the artwork. They may have clues. Do I have to spell it out for you? The artwork has C L U E S. Besides, every painting you click on is added to the Art Gallery feature in the Extras menu. Cheater's Compendium
If you find yourself hopelessly lost, there's always a comprehensive walkthrough...but don't let Doctor Arcana see you sneaking a peek; it makes him very sad. Who knows, maybe that's what happened to some of those skeletons? The mapless skeletons. Some call it cheating...tomato, potato, or something to that effect? FYI: If you want to win the Master Award at the end of the game, do not use the Hint or Skip Buttons!

Gemstones & Door Conundrums
Every door in the castle requires a color-coded gem located nearby. After placing the gem, you'll be required to restore the mystical sigils. Hopefully, you have been paying attention to the clues hidden throughout the castle. If you have found the correct symbol, the image will appear in your Journal (bottom left corner); hovering the mouse over the journal will show you a reference picture. The goal is to swap and rotate each tile to restore the sigils. After restoring the image, you must enter the correct name according to the clues. At first, you'll just have to scroll through the alphabet; eventually, this will require using a cipher code. Ebon Scrolls
The door puzzles are a walk in the graveyard park compared to the cabinet puzzles! Your mission is to find 13 Ebon Scrolls...it just had to be 13, eh boss? By the end of the game, you'll have developed a Love-Hate relationship with these maddening puzzles. They will test your patience; they will frustrate you. Some may even seem impossible to solve, but once you solve them, you'll feel like the world's best puzzle-doer. If you do choose to skip a puzzle, that will make you feel like a puzzle-don'ter, so just be a doer, not a don'ter. The skeletons prolly skiped the puzzles...just saying.

Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire 1 5 5  
Great gothicc game with a yummy atmosphere! Puzzles were fun and kept me well engaged, though that might also have to do with the mystic ambiance the game sets up via rich visuals and music. It has maintained its cryptic theme from the first game very nicely. Great little ending. This game is awesome.

Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire 1 5 5  
This game keeps all of the ambiance and mystique of the first entry by Monolith Graphics, but with a slight increase in the puzzle difficulties. The story is just as you might expect, just as rich as the first and steeped in Gothic occult intrigue. Definitely one of the best in the genre, and one of my favorite games to date.

Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire 1 5 5  
The sequel to The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana picks up from where the previous game left off with the storyline, but you can play this game as a standalone. You are now an Arcanum Initiate and Doctor Arcana has set you with a new mission of unraveling the mysteries of Shadowspire. There is more story this time around. I haven't played a ton of puzzle games, but this is a classic point and click type puzzle adventure in which you must find assorted clues and inventory to help you with the puzzles you'll come across.
       The puzzles range anywhere from super easy to diabolical. There are several genres represented: slider puzzles, jigsaws, word games, code cracking, Sokoban, Sudoku, mazes, logic puzzles, and what I'd call "can you follow the instructions". If you get stuck, there is a built-in walkthrough full of Doctor Arcana's biting wit and condescension, which I actually find rather funny. The Hint button is useless as it only highlights areas of interest and turns into a Skip button while you're in a puzzle. (And yes, Doctor Arcana will harangue you if you skip something. He views even your successful solves with disdain, but it kept me going.) There's a secret quest for the completionists to figure out.
       For me, this was a little more challenging than the first game, particularly the mazes. Don't know why, but those doggone mazes don't solve that easily and I'm usually OK with mazes.
       Lovely dark theme and soundtrack by Nox Arcana and bonus artwork to discover along the way. There is nothing truly gory or scary in the game, but there is quite a lot of occult imagery just in case that isn't your thing. Thanks devs for letting me beta test this. An enjoyable experience highly recommended for puzzle lovers.

Reviews of The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
THERE'S NO OTHER GAME LIKE IT, BY FAR THE BEST PUZZLE GAME I'VE EVER PLAYED...

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Best game ever played!
This was by far the best game I have ever played with Big Fish Games. If you are a puzzle lover, this game is for you!! Absolutely loved this game!!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
I quite enjoyed this game. I certainly hope there is a sequel. A great effort by these devs. Good value for money as it took me 9 hours to do. Recommend for puzzle lovers. 8/10

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Best New Puzzle Game in a Long Time

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
What a Cracker
Wow...what a brilliant game...NO HOPs...thank goodness...just plenty of puzzles to solve and rooms to access....Really enjoyed playing this game.....left on a bit of a cliff hanger … another game to follow??...YES PLEASE !!!!….couldn't stop playing until I finished and received my Certificate.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
This is... wow, I'm almost not sure what to say here. The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is pure puzzling bliss. It's easily one of my favorite games I've ever gotten from Big Fish. It reminds me (in a good way) of some of the old puzzle games of yesteryear, like The Seventh Guest.
       You're trapped in the creepy mansion of Doctor Arcana, a magician who mysteriously disappeared many years ago. The doctor's mask appears to explain the situation. If you can successfully complete his challenge, and explore his clue-laden house and find the thirteen skeleton keys hidden in the eponymous cabinets, you will have bought your freedom. If you can't... well, the world will never know what happened to you.
       The puzzles themselves are a delight. Most I was able to figure out on my own, which was inherently satisfying. I did have to skip a couple of the absolute most difficult ones, which made me laugh when the doctor would comment on it. (Oh yeah, he 'follows' you around and observes your every move. Get used to hearing his voice. He's a big ball of snark.) I didn't actually read it until after I was finished, but the in-game walkthrough is both helpful and hilarious.
       The whole game has a wonderful mysterious feel. You have to pay attention to even the smallest details, because you never know what's going to be important. I could hardly wait to find out what those thirteen keys unlocked; I had my suspicions by the time I got to the mansion's attic, but it was still an interesting ending. Spoiler alert—the empty nature of the house can make you feel like something's waiting to attack you, but nothing ever does. You're completely alone in there, apart from Arcana's voice. For someone like me, who gets a little too immersed in their games, this was a relief because I hate jumpscares.
       All in all, this was a solid purchase and not too long; I think the whole game took me maybe four hours. I might even play it again to see if I can get a better final score. Full marks to the devs, who have announced that the sequel is in progress - looking forward to it!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Just what I have been waiting for!
This is NOT a hidden object game. If that is the type game you want to play, this is not the game for you. Puzzle game only—just what I have wanted to play. For me, the fun parts of the HO games are the puzzles. I never read the stories or follow along with them and always play on mute. I think the ones with the poor reviews did not take the time to look around and find the clues. This is not a game for those that just like to speed through games. I thought I was stuck at Baphomet and could not skip the puzzle. It is NOT a flaw in the game, you have to figure out where to get the 2nd scroll. Skips and hint buttons are there but do not play if you use them frequently in other games. This is actually a thinking game. Tons of fun and worth every penny!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Loved it !
Perfect game if you love solving riddles without too many hints. Too difficult ? Nope, just a good brainraker ! No HO scenes without any sens - simply great. Bought it because I wanted to solve the other puzzles. And every object you find is needed somewhere so keep a good lookout for them. Try it and have fun, losts of fun !

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
something wonderfully different
OMG what a wonderful game. After a long time I got to play such a challenging game I simply loved it. I hope we'll get to see more games like this. BF good job keep bringing more challenging games. Thank you.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
One of the Best Puzzle Adventures I've played in a while!
Finally a game worthy of a review. I've played numerous titles from Big Fish and others, but few have gained my admiration like The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana. I discovered this game through another website and fell in love with it. I read some of the negative reviews, how it was reminiscent of the puzzle adventure games of the 1990s (think "Myst", "Riven", "7th Guest", or "Shivers"), but IMHO, those were some of the best games on the market. Some of the puzzles are quite challenging and I will admit to having to use the Skip feature out of frustration, but the next time I play through, I know I'll enjoy it even more!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Loved it, Want more games like this one
Reading some of these review's...WOW!!!! half the fun of games like this is trying to figure out the game. The puzzles were all awesome. I loved them....sure there were a couple of area's....but that is part of the game. If you want hints and clues as to what to do.....then find a Hidden object game where you can get all the help you want. As for me, I am looking for games like this one. So please get more like this one!!!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
A very satisfying and atmospheric puzzle game, with compelling story. The graphics is spot on, reminiscent of classic 90s games of this genre. Excellent music enhances the sense of spookiness and impending doom. Very nice!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Find more games like this one please.
I loved this game. Full of puzzles which were challenging but not impossible — right up my street. I found the door opening puzzles repetitive and a bit tedious but the cabinet puzzles were wonderfully inventive and challenging. The artwork is impressive and interesting throughout the game and the whole vibe is spooky and dark. A map can be found which allows you to transport throughout the various areas of the game but it would have been helpful if you could have taken the map with you so that you could transport back again. It appeared to be locked into one location. This is the first game that I have started again as soon as I finished it. So, for all lovers of genuine puzzle games I would recommend this one as a must have.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A Puzzle Lover's Dream
This game is unlike most of the HOGs and adventure games I buy on Big Fish. You won't find any HOPs here - just puzzle after puzzle. You arrive at a spooky, Gothic mansion where you are immediately given a choice: turn around and leave or choose to solve all the puzzles inside the mansion. If you fail, you will be locked in forever. The spooky voice taunts you throughout and grudgingly gives you back-handed compliments when you succeed. I have heard that he insults you if you use a skip or hint, but I never did so I can't tell you about that. The puzzles get harder and harder as you progress. One took me DAYS to accomplish. I had to try for a while and quit and come back, but I was determined NOT to skip it. (If you're curious, it was the one with the scarab and the little golden balls). This is not so much a scary game as a creepy one. The artwork is gorgeous and the music is compelling. It's old-school point and click and very easy to navigate. Hint: Look at EVERYTHING! Take your time and just enjoy the experience with this one. What a feeling of accomplishment to complete this fiendish game! I was never sadder to complete a game before. Where is the next one?!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
This game is beautifully drawn and is definitely challenging! I have a hell of a lot of fun playing this!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
This is one of those hidden gem kind of games where you get some great art, great music and voice acting within a puzzle game. Would I say it was worth the price? Absolutely. It had some really difficult puzzles in it and as a fan of the group Nox Arcana (who have made the music and provided the voice acting for this), it was a nice treat to be able to enjoy something by a group I have cherished for years. I also appreciate the artwork scattered about that happens to be from their various albums and I believe Doctor Arcana himself is referencing a different album done by Nox Arcana. If you are a fan of this music group and have been following their content for years, it's nice to see all the different nods to their work.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
It took me 6 hours to get to the end and I found most of the secrets. They weren't too hard to find and while the puzzles do ramp up in difficulty, most of them were fairly easy. That being said, it was extremely atmospheric and as a long time Nox Arcana fan, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the cool little lore nuggets and cameos.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Amazing game!!
It is by far the best puzzle game I ever played. I really hope there will be a Dr. Arcana 2. Congratulations to all the people who worked very hard to produce it. Thank you so much. I recommend this game!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Thank You I have been lamenting the lack of challenging puzzle games for quite a while now, and then I stumbled onto this game while looking at a posters comment history. Thank goodness for comments! This game FAR exceeded my expectations. There are some challenging puzzles, especially the constellation puzzle and the find your way through the round maze puzzle. I have trouble with even basic right and left let alone rotating something and knowing what it will look like so I ended up getting the first piece or move for a couple of puzzles otherwise I would have been stumbling around in them for days and days. With that first clue those puzzles were still quite challenging enough for me. My favorite unaided success was the push the golden balls puzzle — one has to be very, very careful with moves.
       The story line is based on finding what happened to Doctor Arcana. It involves keys, moving around to open up rooms in the house, and doing LOTS of puzzles. I probably made about 4 pages of notes and drawings. I used the journal, which is great. Other games are usually so simple a journal is more of a decoration. A map is found mid game, but I didn’t use it much as I drew a map as I went along. The graphics were fine — again, not the main point of the game. This game was good enough that I will replay it at some point, and that’s rare for me. I sincerely hope MORE puzzle games like this are made available.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A Masterpiece! BEST Game Ever Played!!
Stunning graphics, artist worthy. Hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. Thoughtful, well developed story line and voice over. Brilliant puzzles, off the beaten path. Challenging. Recommend that you give yourself time to figure out the puzzles. Some took me days, yet I was not frustrated. Just curious and interested in solving. Impressive and Unlike ANY other game on BF. Highest Recommendation, especially if you are looking for something different.
MONOLITH GRAPHICS PLEASE GIVE US MORE!!!!!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
More, More, More. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read that this game was mostly a puzzle game. I'm cool with that as I wished after every BF game played that devs would come up with a game with only great and challenging puzzles. I can do without an excessive story line, hidden objects and back and forth nonsense so this game was up my alley from start to finish! For sure most puzzles needed some thought to solve but that's good for my old brain. Buy it if you love thought provoking puzzles.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Best game for many years. I agree with another reviewer, that this is the most enjoyable game I have played since the early MCF games. Best puzzles, best graphics, best everything. I will play this again, and hope that BF will release more games like this.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Best game ever This is a great game for people who love goth environments but not exclusive... High quality graphics...I would live in such a manor, which incidentally does not have dead animals trophies everywhere on the walls. Real challenging puzzles..at last...and the music from Nox Arcana, just mesmerizing !! This game does not compare to any other. Definitely calls for a sequel.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Love puzzles? Then this one is for you
I absolutely enjoyed playing this game. If you love going from one puzzles to another without having to spend time on tideous HO scenes, then this game is for you. Having said that, some of the puzzles are repetitive, but I wasn't bored with them. The level of challenge is good, but not frustrating. Also, the game comes with a built-in guide.
It reminded of Safe Cracker and if you like that game, then Arcana is definately one you want to look into. I'd advise doing the trial. The games has a warning as the theme is occult, but I didn't find any of that disturbing. I recommend this game to anyone who loves solving puzzles.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A real treat for puzzle lovers If you find joy and happiness in solving puzzles—the more challenging the better—this is the game for you. .. I surely hope there will be Arcana 2 at least—and maybe more

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Puzzles galore No hidden object, just puzzles enough to drive you mad!!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
A solid puzzle game with a good aesthetic! If you like solving puzzles, I'd give it a look. I must confess to skipping through several puzzles as I made my way through, mostly due to repetition. The skip button is there if you need it, and I think it's worth a play if it seems like your type of game.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Old school puzzles at their best! This game does not hold your hand. The puzzles are deceptively easy at first, and get really super hard later on. The story is simple - you're in a mansion and you have to collect keys to get out. I'm almost done, and stuck, but I'll get it. The best part of this game is the satisfaction of beating each puzzle (and goading a game character into bringing it on - it's ridiculous.) I did skip one puzzle because I'm rubbish at the type of puzzle it was, and the game chided me for it :( Though I deserved it :) I LOVE that it's not the type of game where you run to location 1 to get something to use in location 2, which opens something in location 1, which works with a gadget in location 2, etc. etc. Take a deep breath, don't use any hints, and get those "I did it!" endorphins after each puzzle. And don't try to play this in one setting. Some puzzles need a fresh mind.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Excellent Loved this game! I was very proud of myself not skipping any of the puzzles. Some of them were very long to do but I persevered and got them done! I did have to send a question to the website about getting to the last chamber but other than that I was able to find what I needed, navigate all of the rooms and master the puzzles. Hope we can see more of these!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Want a Puzzle Challenge, Here You Go I joined the Doctor Arcana elite and finished the game without any skips. Sound like no big deal, well it is. I'd say over half of the puzzles are standard fare that you may have some experience in. But, there are 3 or 4 that will put your mind and patience to the test. If you're not into challenging puzzles, this may not be for you. It's rather minimal in navigating around and the extra things to do are few and far apart. It's solving the puzzle(s) within each unlocked room that's the main event. There is the 'Skip' button so you're never stuck for long, but that's not the purpose of this game. The purpose is to make it through without skipping and be approved by Doctor Arcana as someone who braved through its sometimes torturous puzzle challenges. I'm serious, there's a circular maze, arrow grid and marble puzzle that to me nearly had me doing the 'Skip', but I didn't. When I finished and the game displayed my certificate, I wished others around me knew of the game so I could boast it proudly. The old-style, kind'a Castlevania looking atmosphere and music was refreshing for old-schoolers like myself.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
WOW Very different games, no HOPS, all brain challenging puzzles. Music, artwork and plot and incredible. Best game I've played in years!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
One of the best puzzle games yet! LOVED IT!!! Wow. This game stretched my brain and I loved it! I play games because I love figuring out things, I love to be challenged, I love to think and I love being surprised... this game did it all! Bravo to the team of developers and brainiacs who thought up every part of this game and then put it into a semblance of logical order. Would LOVE to see more of these types on Big Fish

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
I say WOW! This is so good. Puzzles to work on, keys to get in a mansion. There is help if needed. Really entertaining.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Puzzle galore Wow, puzzle galore nice and hard. There hasn't been a true puzzle game since the Azada's and the Pahelika games. I loved this. More please.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
I had so much fun! I really enjoy a good puzzle game especially when it has a storyline where the solving of a puzzle leads to some purpose. This game is all about that. This was fun.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Dr. Arcana Rocks! Just finished this game. Best one I've ever played. Everything about this was great. I hope Monolith does more of this thought provoking play. There were hard and easy games., and many of them. the Cheaters compendium made it happen for me. The humor of script plus the eeriness of the graphics just touched off a wonderful game play.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
More Please!! Wowza! I'll buy every one of these types of games without even trying them out first. They're that good.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Fantastic game!!! Easily one of the best games in a very long, long time!! Very challenging, great story, SO MUCH FUN and the graphics were excellent.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
The Most Fun I've Had In a Long Time Getting Totally Mind Blown! Pros: really cleverly crafted puzzles, great atmospheric graphics and music, non-obtrusive dialog, built in walkthrough and other extras (and in an SE!) Cons: if you want everything handed to you in your games...leave the mansion now! This is easily one of the best games I've ever played for how compelling it was.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
I LOVED this puzzle game! This is a great game for puzzle lovers.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Great Puzzle Game. I was happy to play a game that isn't like all the other games I have played lately.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Fun Challenging Retro Style Game I really enjoyed this game. It is one of the best games I have played in a very long time - definitely a Game of the Year contender.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
a good puzzle game excellent for puzzle lover, some really difficult but take your time and you will be so happy to succeed.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Excellent Puzzler without the boring Hidden Objects Really liked the idea and the puzzles in this game.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Excellent Adventure Game. really recommend this game for Adventure Games lovers. At last we got a different game for a change. Get it, you won't regret it.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Best ever. That's the game I'm looking for, PLEASE MORE OF THIS KIND.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
fun puzzles. love this game.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles OK so I bought this after playing the demo for 15 minutes. This is not your everyday HOP game so don't go there if that's what you are looking for. This is a bona fide puzzle game. Yes there is a help. Go back to the main screen and click on EXTRAS and then the CHEATER'S COMPENDIUM. This has all of the help you'll ever need.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
best ever This is THE BEST GAME... I can't wait for these folks to offer up a sequel...

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
I LOVED IT! Inside the many rooms of the mansion you will find many clues that will help you to solve the puzzles... but some clues are not so easy to find. You have to look very hard. The puzzles are quite challenging...

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
I enjoyed playing this game because all the mini games were good to play. I could practise them for the hidden object games. The graphics were simple to look at and it was a treasure hunt when it came to the gemstones because I had to search for them all over the mansion.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Best. Game. Ever. I never review games, but I've simply got to weigh in on this masterpiece. This is not a few hours of entertainment—it's a days-long adventure. Lots of thought from some fiendish minds went into creating The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana, and players must expend lots of thought to survive. The Cheater's Guide—which I'll admit accessing once or twice—also requires fortitude to survive, as Arcana's rapier-like snark impales all mortals foolish enough to look. If you manage to make it through the game unscathed, check out the Cheaters Guide after finishing. Arcana vacillates between extreme disdain and utter exasperation. The guide is a masterwork in its own right.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Hands down, this is the Game of the Year! Before I even downloaded the demo, I knew this would be a purchase for me, based solely on the fact that the negative reviews complained that it was too difficult. YES! Challenge accepted.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Something different. Once I got the hang of it—fabulous! Challenging and different. In the end, I was happier having figured it all out on my own.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
don't open any kitchen cabinets I really think this was a great game; it was different; i feel it was quite a challenge

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Engage that grey matter !!!!!! Absolutely brilliant game...

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Awesome game I can't remember when I played a game as interesting and challenging as this.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Unmissable Adventure. For those gamers who like puzzles, this game is an absolute must to play.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
The Key! The Key! Fun, fun game. All puzzles no HO's. Puzzles are fun to do once you get the hang of them. You definitely have to check out the guide if only to read its disparaging remarks.Terrific game.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A PUZZLE GAME THAT WILL KEEP YOU HAPPILY ENTERTAINED FOR HOURS IF NOT DAYS The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is an amazing Puzzle game. Everything about The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is high quality and amazing. The graphics are rich and the voiceovers are incredible. Wow, Monolith Graphics created a masterpiece with this one!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Absolute Fun! First, the artwork and design are wonderful! And it's full of puzzles, yay!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Interesting and challenging game. A different and challenging game. Enjoyed it.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Little brainstorming. Very pleasant to play. You have to use your memory and your brain to resolve puzzles. I'd like other games like this one.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
AWESOME This game is full of puzzles. I love it! I trialed this game briefly and purchased it instantly because I love puzzles, and the quality is outstanding. We all have our favorite genre, but, obviously I recommend this to gamers who like to use their brain and nut out puzzles.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Great Game Love this game! Very retro and so nice to play something so different from everything else out there right now!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Guaranteed To Blow Your Mind! At least MY mind was blown! This one is a puzzle lovers dream! It's ALL puzzles!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Good, good and good. It is a retro looking game and I really liked it from the start. A lot of puzzle going on and you need really to think. Loved it till the and and hope there will be more of this story line.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Frustratingly Brilliant Serious mind challenging games. Absolutely loved this. No, its not a hidden object game, far better. Big Fish have come up with an exciting, difficult and different game. Best game I've played in ages.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
THE CABINETS OF DOCTOR ARCANA IS A PERPLEXING MIND BENDER!!! The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana can provide some solid gothic puzzling fun for several hours, especially if you enjoy brain teasing puzzles! Steeped in a lovely gothic atmosphere, this adventure is loaded with tried-and-true puzzle archetypes enthusiasts of this genre are certainly going to enjoy.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A PUZZLE LOVER'S PARADISE. The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is retro-style puzzle adventure that offers a gauntlet of challenges.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
The most wonderful enjoyable and puzzling game. Absolutely LOVE it...

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Fun Retro Puzzler. Very enjoyable puzzle solving game! The story line is interesting and I enjoyed Dr. Arcana's taunting along the way.

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Thank you so much for creating and releasing The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana! My wife and I are both fans of Nox Arcana, and also fans of 'point and click' games. We are loving Doctor Arcana and we dearly hope that you will consider releasing further games based on Nox Arcana's existing albums!

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The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is the brainchild of renown Gothic-Fantasy Artist, Author, Composer and Musician, Joseph Vargo. This PC game is great! It has lots of awesome puzzles that are engaging and fun to play! The game has lavish artistic visuals and fantastic music that enriches your experience. This sets the tone and creates the mesmerizing atmosphere. This game is like no other. it's unique, it's original, and it's a lot of fun! Highly recommended!

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Visually stunning and unique puzzles! well worth the money!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10  
Unique atmosphere, great style, and AMAZING music. People who are wanting a solid puzzle game, look no further!

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Многочисленные головоломки, атмосферная музыка. Сложность головоломок оказывается весьма недурно сбалансированной. Мрачная мини-адвенчура для любителей загадок и «готического» стиля.Numerous puzzles, atmospheric music. The complexity of the puzzles is very well balanced. Dark mini-adventure for lovers of mysteries and "gothic" style.

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Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles. They start pretty simple and then by halfway through the 13 keys you need to collect, the puzzles get more complex and challenging.

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The atmosphere, the music, storyline, challenging puzzles and clues, and the difficulty of the game in general are spectacular.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 10 10   —
When I saw that you were making a game based on the same type of puzzles included with your albums, I could not wait to get it. I ordered the Prestige Edition, and I love it! The Arcanum Amulet is truly a beautifully made piece that I will always treasure. I have played a lot of point and click adventure/puzzle games, but The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana tops them all. It is hauntingly gorgeous. I could not agree more with the description, "A puzzle-lover's dream come true."

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Great! Very enjoyable and fun. 10/10 from me.

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Highly recommend! I enjoyed this game very much! You won't be disappointed.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A very engaging game with fantastic visuals. I love the narrator's hilarious commentary on their surroundings. The puzzles range from pleasantly fun to excruciatingly difficult. Definitely an exciting and immersive challenge for anyone who likes spooky point-and-click games. But be warned—Doctor Arcana has high standards! I highly recommend Doctor Arcana.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
Lots of fun puzzles with creepy Gothic music and art.

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Really loving this game, takes me back to the puzzle styles of Myst and The 7th Guest. Great ambiance, music and art.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana is positioned as the heir to such iconic projects of the 1990s as The 7th Guest, Shivers and Jewels of the Oracle. The debut offering turns out to be a quite worthy challenge for fans of puzzle games.

The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana 1 5 5  
A very fun point 'n click adventure game, moreso a set of puzzles like The 7th Guest. Evidently the main draw here is the art and music of Nox Arcana, and the soundtrack in particular is gorgeous. The puzzles are enjoyably difficult, too.