“Aurora Hills: Chapter 1” is a free PC game developed and published by “NovaSoft Interactive Ltd.” that has been officially distributed on the Steam store since April 20, 2024. It is an immersive puzzle game title in which you take on the role of park ranger protagonist “Ethan Hill” and solve mysteries through point-and-click play.
Its main features include an immersive game world recreated with beautiful game graphics, a control system that lets you solve mysteries while solving geometric puzzles, mysterious story elements, and an open-age development approach that allows players of all ages to play.
This new work is recommended for those who are looking for a mystery puzzle game with impressive graphics, those who like works that are released not only on PC but also as smartphone game apps, and those who are good at solving the mystery by racking their brains and trying out the various mechanisms prepared by the creator.
- Classic adventure elements
- point and click
- high quality graphics
A puzzle game that challenges you to solve mysteries.
“Aurora Hills: Chapter 1'', which is currently being distributed on the PC game portal site “Steam'', is a recommended new game with a “point-and-click'' style of play that is popular with users of all ages around the world. It is a puzzle action game title that features beautiful 3D graphics that enhance the sense of immersion.
The game has received 469 user reviews since its release, with the overall rating being “overwhelmingly positive.'' Furthermore, the most recent 366 reviews have been “overwhelmingly positive,'' which is a wonderful thing to say, showing just how excellent the game system and world setting are. This is a new game that is very popular among users.
Before continuing with this article, I would like to briefly touch on the “point-and-click'' game genre. Point-and-click literally means “point and click,'' and on PCs, this term is also used to refer to the mouse operation method. If you think you know enough, feel free to skip that section.
About point and click
Point-and-click games have a long history, and because they can be played without complicated controls, their fan base is wide-ranging. Basically, the game is characterized by an intuitive play style in which clicking anywhere on a still image screen causes a reaction or progresses in the game.
In PC games, point-and-click is often used as a movement method in the RPG genre, but works that fully adopt this method and have a “mystery-solving adventure element'' are very well known, and content that involves discovering “specific patterns'' cleverly hidden inside the screen is particularly popular.
In the case of games built with 3D graphics, players may be required to have appropriate PC specs due to the load involved, but point-and-click adventure games that feature still images have the advantage of being able to be played on even modest notebook PCs, and this has become a catalyst for the spread of the genre.
These days, point-and-click games have become a bit outdated, but the gameplay itself, where you look at elaborately drawn still images and click on areas of interest, has a timeless appeal, and I'm sure games of this genre will continue to appear in countries all over the world (although not on a large scale).
In this type of game, the most important thing is the quality of the still images used in the play screen. It goes without saying that it is essential to have the ability to compose a picture to the extent that the user can clearly understand the situation, but in the case of a hidden object puzzle type work, it is also necessary to have a “trick art'' technique of cleverly hiding the item that the player is supposed to find within a still image.
In that sense, many point-and-click games are extremely artistic, and this “feeling like you're looking at a painting'' is something you can't easily experience in other genres. There are many games that play in a relaxed atmosphere, and this can be said to be a factor that increases the age range of fans.
A new game that you can play completely free of charge
“Aurora Hills: Chapter 1” is a great new game that allows you to enjoy the point-and-click format and is completely free to play. By the way, this is a multi-platform game that is also distributed as a smartphone app for iOS and Android OS, in addition to the PC version distributed on Steam.
The setting is Aurora Hills, deep in the Appalachian Mountains of America. In recent years, a series of disappearances have occurred in this place, surrounded by idyllic nature, and many of the residents have become victims. The main character, park ranger Ethan Hill, takes action to solve the mystery of Aurora Hills, which has lost its former glory.
game story
Located deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Aurora Hills was known for its industrial prosperity and picturesque scenery. Aurora Hills, rich in natural resources, was on its way to becoming one of the most prosperous towns in the state.
However, everything doesn't go as planned. In recent years, many residents and tourists have disappeared from this small town. As of October 1981, the town has lost all vestiges of its former self. The prosperity that once graced Aurora Hills is no longer there.
As a park ranger, you must investigate the truth behind a disappearance and answer questions that have plagued residents for years. Why has the number of missing persons increased in the last six months? Why is there no trace of the disappeared? Perhaps most importantly, who or what could be behind all of this?
Many point-and-click adventure games tend to have a mysterious world setting due to their game system, and this work has a good story element that follows that trend. What is the truth behind the mysterious disappearance, and will peaceful days return to the city that has lost its luster? Let's play and find out.
Please note that this work is a “trial version'' game work that allows you to experience the “Chapter 1'' of games that will be released as a series for free, and does not have an ending with this game alone. Sequels are released after some time has passed, so if you like the game after playing it, keep an eye out for future release information.
New work from an indie game developer formed in Canada
The game is being developed by NovaSoft Interactive Ltd., an indie game developer founded in Alberta, Canada in 2019, and this series is their second work. Their debut work, “Meridian 157: Prologue,'' is an adventure game title that was developed when they were university students.
Formed for the purpose of creating point-and-click puzzle adventure games for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows PC, they are a developer that is unique in that they are consistently dedicated to creating games in the same genre, and for those who like playing games in the same genre, it is a studio that you can look forward to.
On their official website, they state three things they believe in: “immersive art and atmosphere,'' “strong and engaging storylines,'' and “engaging and challenging puzzles,'' which are also true of all successful games that use point-and-click formats. It is a studio that develops games while understanding the essence of point and click.
The debut work “Meridian 157'' series has been released as a total of 4 types, and we are currently in the process of developing it into a series. It has not been announced how many works this series will end with, but they are proud of their work, and when the quality is acceptable, a sequel will probably be created.
There is no direct relationship between this game and the debut Meridian 157 series, so it doesn't matter which one you start playing. The “Meridian 157'' series has a somewhat eerie worldview, so it is recommended for those who want to experience a horror atmosphere. It has an immersive worldview and story, and the prologue version is completely free to play.
Supports Japanese interface
“Aurora Hills: Chapter 1'' is a completely free new adventure game, and the work comes with a standard Japanese interface and subtitle support. I will explain the details later, but the accuracy of the translation is somewhat poor, and there are some parts where it is difficult to understand the meaning. Also, please note that there are some places where not all characters can be displayed due to font size.
However, there are no translation errors that completely impede the progress of the game, and you can proceed while understanding the meaning, so this shouldn't be much of a problem. If you are interested in volunteering for Japanese translation, it may be a good idea to contact NovaSoft Interactive Ltd. and make an offer.
The game is a solo play only title and does not support local or online multiplayer. It is also recommended for those who like games that can be played alone at any time you like, and since you can challenge the puzzle elements at your own pace, you are sure to be able to play without the stress inherent in online games. This game is perfect as a gift.
This title is fully compatible with Valve's portable game console “Steam Deck,'' so it can be said to be a new game that can be recommended to Deck users. Steam Deck is an extremely convenient device that allows you to play compatible games anywhere you like without having to sit at your desk, so aim to clear the game while relaxing and fully enjoying the mysterious world.
There are no Steam achievements that can be unlocked, which feels a bit lonely, but since this is a game title that is part of the free trial version, you probably won't have to think too deeply about it. Those frustrations will melt away as you surrender to the two types of ambient tracks that will improve your concentration while tackling the unique puzzle elements.
System requirements
Aurora Hills: Chapter 1's system requirements are extremely light, demonstrating the advantages of point-and-click games. As for graphics, you can use one with a built-in CPU, and the recommended amount of main memory is 2GB, which is quite low. The installation size is also lightweight at 1.5GB, so there is little burden on storage.
In addition, the OS section of the Steam store lists “Windows 8.1'' as the minimum supported OS for this work, but Valve, which operates Steam, also states that “From January 1, 2024, the Steam client will only support Windows 10 or later versions,'' so those who are running on that OS should be careful about this point.
Among the many indie games currently being released on the Steam store, there are quite a few that list operating system versions that do not match Valve's warning statement as the minimum system requirements, but I hope that the development team will write the information in a way that properly aligns with Valve's claims so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety for users. Even if “it works somehow''.
As mentioned in the studio's introduction above, this game is also distributed for Mac OS, so it can be said that it is a point-and-click game that can be recommended for Mac users as well. The work is stated to run on Mac OS 10.12 and higher versions, and is certified to work on both Intel and Apple silicon. The installation size is approximately 1GB.
The recommended new game “Aurora Hills: Chapter 1'', which challenges players to solve numerous mysteries and puzzles in the globally popular “point-and-click'' game genre, is currently available on the Steam Store. It is a must-see title that can be played completely free of charge, and is also a PC game that has gained tremendous support from users around the world.
It's an appealing work because it's aimed at a young age, so even elementary school students can play it, and it's also a recommended adventure game because it can be played by almost anyone with a wide range of PC environments. The multilingual support is also a nice feature. If you're interested, head over to the Steam store now and enjoy the fun-filled gameplay while making full use of the brain-playing elements.
[Recommended points]A new game that can be played for free is now available!
Gameplay flow
When you start the game, the home screen appears first. Items such as “Start,'' “Settings,'' and “Reset'' are lined up here, and a signboard for “Aurora Hills,'' which symbolizes the game's worldview, also appears in the background. The point is that if the language setting is set to Japanese, even the “Welcome to” part of this signboard will be translated. It's a charm that the context is a bit strange.
You can start playing by pressing the “Start” button, but first you have to decide on the “difficulty setting”. You can select any difficulty level on the pop-up screen, and the default is “Standard”. Choosing Standard makes the puzzles easier and gives you access to hints and help. By the way, you can change the difficulty level at any time.
When the play actually begins, an impressive movie scene is played first. The game progresses from the perspective of the main character, Ethan Hill, through the hallways of a building that feels a little dated, but there is also an eerie effect where picture frames hanging on the walls fall irregularly (without anyone's interference), making it clear that this is a game with a mysterious atmosphere.
A mysterious red door appears at the end of the hallway, and then the camera from the main character's perspective quickly moves toward the back of the hallway, as if being dragged by someone. Although this is an introduction to the work and has nothing to do with the actual gameplay, it is a valuable scene that makes you realize how important the developer is to the production aspect in order to draw the player into the world.
After that, the screen goes black and the main character Ethan's room appears. At this point, an interface will appear on the left side of the play screen, and a pop-up screen will give you the option of whether or not to experience the tutorial. It doesn't make much sense to skip the tutorial and play the game for the first time, so even if it's a hassle, let's go through the tutorial thoroughly.
About various interfaces
The rectangular frame that appears on the left side of the play screen is an inventory that can store discovered and obtained items, and this is a part that can be easily understood by those who usually play role-playing game genres. Unfortunately, due to a translation glitch, it only says “inventory” instead of “inventory,” but in other words, this part is where items are stored.
The icon that combines a hammer and a wrench at the top of the frame has the ability to “combine” two different items, and after you progress through the game and obtain multiple items, you will use them to combine them. This part is also displayed as “combination” instead of “combination,” but the translation is correct, so I'll take it with a grain of salt.
The “!” icon displayed on the right side of the frame is used to confirm the objective during play. The magnifying glass icon above it is a function that displays “hints” that can be used depending on the difficulty level. Regarding the accuracy of the Japanese translation, there are some parts where the wording is somewhat unclear, so it's best to try to guess the meaning while playing.
The icon at the bottom right of the frame is the “back button”, and by pressing this the player can return to the previous scene. The basic design of the game interface is similar to the way icons are arranged in Windows, so if you are familiar with PC environments, you should be able to quickly understand the functions and proceed with the game. It's a new game with an excellent and well-organized UI.
A large arrow appears on the PC version's play screen, and this is linked to the mouse you are controlling. By clicking on a specific location on the play screen, which is reproduced with beautiful still image graphics, you can advance from your current location to the back of the game. This is a method often used in retro games, and many people may feel nostalgic about it.
When you click on the “!” icon, the actions the player should take will be displayed in text. There may be a list of items to pick up in this area, so first press the “!” icon to check the text, then use the arrows to move around the map and collect items to achieve your goal.
The first objective presented to Ethan is to “gather things needed for work,'' and he will collect items such as “car keys,'' “ranger uniforms,'' “cameras,'' “albums,'' and “food.'' In point-and-click games, the character moves under certain conditions, so be sure to understand this as well.
Numerous puzzle elements
As the game progresses, Ethan will delve deeper into the series of disappearances that are occurring within Aurora Hills, the setting of the game. In the process, a number of ingenious puzzle actions will appear, and you will take on the challenges while making full use of brain play elements, using hints from the information and images you have collected so far.
The puzzle action that appears in this work is, in a sense, universal, and does not require any special knowledge or understanding of foreign cultures. Depending on the difficulty level, you can see hints to solve the puzzles, but the keys are generally hidden in the items and objects you've seen so far, so it's fun to take on the challenge without any hints.
Puzzles have a variety of mechanisms, and it can be seen that the developers are seriously trying to create an “interesting game work.'' Along with solving the mystery, you can also experience the elements of sorting out the victims of serial disappearances and approaching the “hidden secret'' at the same time, so the big appeal is that you can feel like a “detective'' or “detective'' rather than a park ranger.
The graphics you see while playing have a calm finish, and it's good that you can enjoy the “adult atmosphere'' of the game, which is definitely not a game aimed only at children. The drawing style of this game is basically rendered still images constructed with 3D graphics, so the sense of depth is well reproduced, and you should be able to continue playing while maintaining a high sense of immersion.
Since the game is positioned close to a free trial version, some people may be concerned about its volume, but this game is very demanding, as it will take several hours or more to clear the first time you play it, including the time spent deciphering the puzzles. This is a new work that can be highly anticipated for future sequels to the series, and its appeal is that you can fully immerse yourself in it.
This new game is definitely recommended for those who are good at games that challenge you to decipher puzzles while combining numbers and shapes, and even those who like playing adventure games with a detective novel-like worldview should enjoy it. On the other hand, there are no action scenes, so this game is not suitable for people who like games that can be played without thinking.
Overall review: A must-see work that inherits the royal road system
As mentioned in the previous section, “point-and-click'' games have a long history and are known to have many fans around the world. Although this genre is mainly popular among users overseas, and there are also enthusiastic fans in Japan, there are currently no new releases being actively created. This work, which has been released in the midst of all this, is a work that Japanese users would definitely like to play.
Although it is not groundbreaking as a game system, this work has the characteristic of facing the “royal road genre'' that has been cultivated over many years with the correct attitude, and it also shows a desire to continue the point-and-click game culture. The elaborate graphics and challenging puzzle elements will provide players with a high level of fun.
Point-and-click games are recommended for people who don't like the fast-moving screens that come with allowing the player to freely move the camera, such as action FPS games.They also have the effect of making time feel more relaxed, and they also have the fun of solving puzzles at your own pace while reaching deeper story elements.
It is a genre that is easy for people who enjoy reading as a hobby to get into, and when the graphic quality and BGM are integrated, it can be recommended that you can enjoy a completely different playing experience from the game genre you have played so far. In short, it's an “elegant game,'' and it's a title suitable for intelligent users.
Nowadays, we often see videos that have been quickly edited, and while they are exciting in their own way, I get the impression that the opposite, “static beauty,'' is gradually decreasing. It may be unavoidable that as time passes, we shift towards a less busy culture, but I would at least like to see more laid-back works in the game industry.
Part of the reason why I'm praising “Aurora Hills: Chapter 1'' so much is because it brings back memories of my original adventure game experiences in the past. I remember the “unique adult atmosphere'' that the “JB Harold'' series, which was sold as a game for the PC-8801, had, so I can feel that in this game as well, which intrigues me.
The definition of the adventure game genre differs from person to person, but as I understand it, game works like full-length novels with detective elements are also included in this genre. This genre, which flourished mainly in the 1980s and 1990s, feels like it has been pushed to the back burner in recent years, but its appeal as a genre is universal.
The guys at NovaSoft Interactive Ltd., who released their debut game when I was a college student, are clearly younger than me, but it's hard to overlook the fact that they understand the best parts of point-and-click adventure games: “immersive art and atmosphere,'' “strong and engaging storylines,'' and “engaging and challenging puzzles.''
Regardless of the genre of game work, if the developer does not understand the essence of the game, an interesting game will not be created, and the result will be “half-baked games'' that are just superficial versions of hit titles. In this regard, NovaSoft Interactive Ltd. has established the above three items as the studio's beliefs from the beginning, and I am amazed at the correctness of their stance.
In Japan, there has been a recent trend of “downsizing'', with major companies ceasing game development one after another or discontinuing distribution services for existing titles, but I think part of this is due to developers not understanding the “essence of games.'' Proceeding with the work while correctly understanding the essence should result in a game that is interesting to users.
In that sense, this is a “real'' game created by a developer who understands the “essence of a truly interesting game,'' and the Steam user rating of “overwhelmingly positive'' speaks to its content. Developers who can create “games to be proud of'' while firmly grasping the quality and content that users want will continue to survive.
[Recommended points]This fun is real!
