Engine PTK Developer Big Fish Games Genre Puzzle video game | Initial release date 29 June 2007 Publisher Big Fish Games Mode Single-player video game | |
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Designer(s) Emmanuel Marty, Jerome Grandsire Release date(s) June 2007 (PC/Mac), August 2012 (Nintendo 3DS) Platforms Android, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Macintosh operating systems, iOS Similar Big Fish games, Adventure games | ||
Azada is an adventure-puzzle casual game developed by Big Fish Studios Europe, and distributed by Big Fish Games. The studio previously developed Mystic Inn and Atlantis Sky Patrol.
Contents
Story
Hapless adventurer Titus has been trapped for years in a magical book, for a reason that is only later revealed in the game. With the last of the magical powers he acquired while trapped, Titus transports you, the player, to his study, and asks for your help to get free. The only way he can ever be released from the book is to solve the ancient puzzles of Azada. More of the story is revealed as the player solves new puzzles.
Gameplay
Azada's main mechanic consists of escape-the-room puzzles reminiscent of adventure games of the 1990s such as Myst. The main mechanic is complemented by over 20 different mini-games. When playing escape-the-room puzzles, one must find objects hidden in the room, and then use them together or on other parts of the puzzle in order to create a logical chain of actions that ultimately leads to solving the puzzle. When playing minigames, each minigame comes with specific instructions. Azada features known mechanics such as mastermind and simon as well as new ones designed specifically for the game.
Theme and production values
Azada features a magic theme reminiscent of movies such as Harry Potter, and story elements that resemble Jumanji and Myst. The game features pre-rendered puzzles with many moving parts, as well as orchestral audio.
Reception
According to independent tracking site game-sales-charts.com, following its release on June 29, 2007, Azada held the #1 sales spot on its home distribution channel, Big Fish Games, as well as the #1 or #2 spot on other major online distribution channels. Azada remained for 142 days in the top 10 charts of its home distribution portal, Big Fish Games. Azada also remained in the top 10 charts for 83 days at Pogo.com, 74 days at iWin.com, 44 days at Reflexive.com, and featured a similar sales pattern on other distribution channels.
Azada was a finalist in the Downloadable Game of the Year category, for the Interactive Achievement Awards 2008.
Sequel
Big Fish Studios released a sequel to the game, Azada: Ancient Magic in August, 2008. Azada: Ancient Magic was less well received on various casual game site forums, with numerous complaints about "dumbing down" of the puzzles and a loss of more complex elements. After Ancient Magic comes "Azada: In Libro". Libro completely rebooted the gameplay, a hidden object game as well as a puzzle solving game. Libro allowed you to enter Azada itself, rather than just solving books. Libro was followed by "Azada: Elementa", with similar gameplay to Libro, where you destroy the threat of Titus's uncle once and for all.