The Mystery of the Crystal Portal from Artogon Games is the latest casual title to bend the genre mold and create a hidden object/adventure hybrid. This one succeeds where many other efforts fail, however, by ramping up the level of intrigue and by building relationships between items you find and objects on the screen. The result is less of a hidden object game and more of a still-screen adventure title... with a few missing items.
Journalist Nicole Rankwist receives a strange note from her father who has discovered an artifact with the power to change humanity. When he goes missing, however, Nicole must find pieces of the Crystal Portal key and retrace his steps by visiting exotic locations and searching for clues by sifting through mountains of items and solving puzzles.
At the bottom of each screen are a number of slots initially occupied by question marks. Each of these represents a "container item", an object somewhere on the screen that needs to be activated. Clicking on these container items brings up a menu similar to the action menus in old-school adventure games. By finding items shown on these menus and dropping them onto the container you open new spaces on the screen, activate parts of the scenery, or cause some other minor change. To complete each scene, simply find all of the container items and their associated "minor" items.
Sometimes you will have to fill a certain container item to reveal an item needed for another container, so solving puzzles is rarely straightforward. Most objects are fairly easy to find and aren't hidden in strange areas or color-masked to blend in with the background. This creates a much more intuitive experience and makes the game feel more like an adventure than a seek and find title.
Analysis: Hidden object games have become the new match-3 of the casual realm, but thanks to titles such as Azada, Cate West - The Vanishing Files, and The Mystery of the Crystal Portal, old-school adventure philosophy is creeping its way in, and those classic games have survived decades of gaming for a very good reason.
Visually, The Mystery of the Crystal Portal is quite impressive, featuring seven unique locations (each with several scenes) rendered in gorgeous detail, complete with animated areas, moving pieces of scenery, and crisp sound effects to boot.
One drawback to The Mystery of the Crystal Portal is the simple ability to, well, cheat. Most hidden object games penalize you for clicking where there are no items to find. The Mystery of the Crystal Portal does not, opening up the path of randomly clicking all across the screen in order to find items. The use of container objects cuts down on the usefulness of this "cheating", and you have unlimited use of the hint feature if you're willing to wait for it to refill, so it's not as big of a temptation (or spoiler) as you might think.
The rules are somewhat laid back, with no penalties for random clicks and no time limit to put you in a frenzy, and the care put into the visual layout of every scene is evident. With the variety of puzzles, interesting minigames, and strangely compelling container item system, The Mystery of the Crystal Portal is a surprisingly robust hidden object/adventure experience that should not be missed.
Windows:
Download the demo
Get the full version
Mac OS X:
Not available.
Try Boot Camp or Parallels or CrossOver Games.
Walkthrough Guide
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Crystal Portal - walkthrough
Tutorial
The containers are described in order, which makes it easy to go through. Often you open more than one container and find objects for it, but it can happen that you can't finish one, before you didn't finish another one first.
Some containers only open after you have done some actions. Go over the scene and have a look, where your cursor changes.
Every item can be a container.
An item, that wasn't shown as container in the beginning of the level, can be one later in the level.
Use diary to move to locations, see your goals and reread the story
What kind of special item you need, how much you have and how much you still need, you can see at the button at the left down corner of the scene - When you see your cursor changing to a magnifier you can click. This can be a new container or to open a box, a bag, a hut or something else, where you find objects, you need for one of the containers. It doesn't mean that you already need that object NOW. It can also be, that you need this is a later part of the scene.
items do not always look exactly like they do on the container photo - a straight nail can be KRUMM, a sitting teddy lay around and so on
the special items start to glow when you go over it with you cursor
Daddy's office
Goals: 3 key objects, 1 diary
Click on desk-lamp (container1)
Find all times
When you have them all, the lamp will fall and you see a telephone ringing. You will need this telephone with the next container.
Click on the pot (container2) in front of the gong and find all items
When you have them all, smoke will come up showing you the face of the mask, that is laying on the armchair.
Click the mask and a broche (container3) will appear, click it and find the items. To get the pen and the box there, you first have to find hat, glasses and the globe.
After you found this, your cursor will change into a magnifier, when you go over the chest, on the left side of the scene. Click the chest and take the pen. When you drag the pen into the broche, a picture from the shelf above the armchair is falling down. Now you can take the box.
As soon as the container disappears, the diary will appear on the shelf, where the box was before.
Click it and the scene is done, click the diary to go to the next location.
Japan - Temple Part 2
Goals: 5 key objects, 23 normal objects, 3 weights
Click first the left stone column on the top and a container (1) will open. Find all the objects
When you found all, the top of the column will glow and a red Chinese hieroglyph will appear at the bottom
Click now the right stone column on the top and a container (2) will open. Find all items.
When you found all, here also the top will start glowing and another hieroglyph will appear at the bottom.
Now click the grey wooden sign on the right side of the scene and a container (3) will open. Find all items.
The boy-doll you need there is hidden in the middle red Chinese lamp, hanging over the house door - when your cursor goes over it, it changes to a magnifier, click it. When you have found all objects, the sign will fall. In front of the hut-door you will now see a weight. Click it, this is the first of the special objects you need to receive the Crystal Portal key piece. At the fallen sign also appears an item, you need for the next container.
Click on the gong on the right side of the stairs. A container (4) opens. One of the items you will find in the wooden hut. When you now go with your curser over the left window of the hut, you will see, it changes to a magnifier. Click it and look for the music instrument you need. At the stairs, a little left under the gong is the Buddha standing, you need. When you click it you will see a second weight. When you found all items, there is nothing more to do in the moment and you are asked to get a ladder.
Go to diary to change location.
Japan - docks
Goals: 5 containers, 22 normal objects, 3 weights
There are two weights: on is standing on the wooden planks in front of the shovel, in the middle of the scene, the other one more in the back of the scene, under the right red chinese lantern. Take them both.
Click first the smoking pot (container 1) on the right side of the scene and find all items. When you found all, a weight will appear. Take it.
Now click at the wooden bucket (container 2), middle of the scene, in the back part of the wooden planks.
Find all the items
When it is done, an item will appear.
The now following dialogue can confuse a little, just ignore it, you will be fine.
Now click on the wooden wind wheel (container 3), middle of the scene on the top. When you found all objects, you will see, that the wind wheel is moving and on its right side, a sign is moving in and out the scene.
Click now on the little wicker basket (container 4), under the left, red chinese lantern. One of the items you are looking for is on the moving sign. When you found everything, you will see a bicycle.
Click on the drum (container 5), located under the wooden wind wheel. Find all items.
When you are done, a ladder will appear on the roof on the right side of the screen.
Click it - you're finished with this location, now go back to the temple
Japan - Temple Part 2
The ladder automatically went to the tree on the left side of the scene.
Click on the oven (container 5), left side of the scene, right next to the stone column and find all the items. Now that you have the ladder, you can get the item out of the nest. After you found all, look at the golden statue in the middle of the roof. It holds you last weight. Click it. You are done with the temple and are now allowed to go to the next room.
Japan - secret place
Goal is to get the scale in balance.
To do this, take as many weights on the left part of the scale till the pointer on top of the scale shows exactly at the red line.
All weights have different weights. Figure out which weights you have to put on the scale.
If its not random (I don't know for sure), use all weights, except the second and the last one.
When you are done, you will receive the first part of the Crystal Portal Key.
Swiss - Tavern Part 1
goal: 5 containers, 25 normal objects, 4 small stones
Click the candleholder (container1) on top of the fireplace and find the required items.
Get the stone (1), which is lying in the middle of the scene on the floor, right to the stool.
Click the globe (container2) on top of the closet in the back of the scene and find all items
Click the accordion (container3), right side on the sideboard. When you have found all items, a stone(2) will appear, take it.
Go to diary and change location
Swiss - Yard
Goal: 5 containers, 24 normal object, 6 stones
Take the stone (1) at left side of the scene, left side of the hay
Pick up the stone (2) in the wooden tub, middle of the scene, left under the green mailbox
Click the stone (3) in the wooden basket on the right roof, at the top of the scene
Take the stone (4) under the chimney on the red roof, in the middle of the top
Click the pumpkins hat (container1) and find all the items.
Click the birdhouse (container2) on the top middle and find all items.
Click the clock (in the window). After you found all items, you will see a cat, you need for another container.
Click the rocking horse (container4) on the ground in the middle. After you found all items, the horse moves a little and you can pick up a stone (5).
Click the green mailbox. To find the key and the last stone (6), click on the doormat, left handed under the mailbox. It will move a little and you can grab one of the items. Do it again to get the other one also.
Now the mailbox opens and you can take out the needed matches.
You are finished here. Go back in the tavern
Swiss - Tavern Part2
Click the red lantern (container4) in front of the scene. And find all items.
Click now on the golden fire shield (container5). After you found there the meat grinder, you can pick up the stone (3), that was lying behind it. After finding all items, a stone (4) will appear
You are done here and allowed to go to the Secret Place
Swiss - Secret Place
You see two rows with 5 empty spaces each. The little stones, you collected are parts of this ancient puzzle. You have to bring them now in the right order. Do that by clicking one stone with the left mouse button and click again, when you think, it's the right place. If it is right, the tile will be stucked. Otherwise you can move it again by clicking on it.
When all stones are at the right place, you will receive the next part of the Crystal Portal Key
Guatemala - Camp Part 1
Goal: 5 containers, 25 normal objects, 3 runes
Click the bulls head (container1), at the right side of the wall on a crate, where the darker part begins. When you found all items a rune (1) will appear at the generators left side.
Take rune (2), left side of the screen, left side of shovel and ladder
Click the mask (container2) on top of the ladder and find all items.
Go to diary and change location to station
Guatemala - Station
Goals: 5 containers, 20 normal objects, 2 runes
Click the gear (container1) at the left upper side of the green station wagon and find all items.
Click the rune (1) on the crate on the bottom of the screen, left side of your bar
Click on the vase (container2), left handed to the wooden bench and find all items. To get the whistle, you need to click on the little hatch at the right side on the top. Click it twice, as you will also find a rune (2) in it.
Click the clock (container3) and find all objects (for the light bulb, click left side of the container, the window will open and you see the light bulb)
Click on the hanging weights (container4) at the right side of your bar and find all items
Click the suitcase (container5) on the other side of the bar and find all items.
Click the rune (3) right side of the third ladder step
When you finished the suitcase, you will find the gas can, click it.
You are done here; now go back to the Camp
Guatemala - Camp Part 2
The generator was automatically filled with the gas. Click it and it will start
Click now the green box (container3) right side of the generator on the bench - when you found all items, click this box again to get a rune (2)
Click the shovel, standing at the ladder on the left side of the scene and find all items
Click the dragon head above the generator and find all items
You are done here and can now enter the tomb
Guatemala - Tomb
Goals: 5 containers, 25 normal items 3 runes
Click the generator handle at the left side and the light will turn on
Click the bee hive (container1) at the top of the scene, left side and find all items
Click the rune (1) right hand to the fourth ladder step
Click the big stone head (container2) in the right corner
Take the rune (2) whern you are done
Click the wooden basket (container3) in the left corner and find all items
Click the big stone vase (container4) at the right side, and find all items
Click at the ball (container5) in the well, in the middle of the scene. One of the items, you are looking for is half stuck in the vase from before. Take it and pick up after the rune (3), which was now rolling on the wooden planks in front of the vase. Another item you will find, when you click the colored 1 in top of the vase, another one, when you click on the little hole in the stones under the well
You are done here now and can enter the secret room
Guatemala - Secret Room
The runs have to go in the right order into the holes of the Mayan clock.
When you found the right rune, it will be stuck in that place, so you can't move it anymore.
When you are done, you will receive another part of the Crystal Portal Key
Africa - Shaman's Hut Part 1
Goal: 5 containers, 26 normal objects, 2 prisms
Click on the plate (container1), located on the arch at the right side of the screen and find all items - Click on the mask (container2)in the left upper corner and find all items
Click on the skull (container3) on the trunk and find all items. To find the last item of the the skull - container, you have to click the big drum in front of the scene. It will disappear and give set free an item.
When done with the skull, pick up the prism (1)
Click the mask (container4), located left handed of the whickered basket, right side of the screen. To find the ceremonial handle, you have to click on that green leaf bunch, right side of the first container mask.
You are done here for now, go to the airfield
Africa - Airfield
Goal: 6 containers, 27 normal items, 2 prisms
Click at the golden snake (container1), which is laying on floor, fixed with a silver spring, center of the scene.
Click the prism (1), laying now on the crate, left to the Hint-button
Click on the radio (container2) , standing on the table in the center of the scene and find all items. For one of the item you have to click on the black spot at the airplane
Click on the suitcase (container3) and find all items.
Click on the leaking water tank (container4). For one of the items, you have to click on the suitcase, you had as container before. Click the suitcase again and get out the prism (2)
Click the helmet on the crate (container5) in the left corner and find the items. After finishing, click the helmet again.
Click the little toolbox (container6), standing on one of the airplane wings and find all items.
Now click on the black briefcase, laying on a crate right side of the scene. Take the lever out. Now you are done and can go back to the Shaman's hut
Africa - Shaman's Hut Part 2
The lever automatically went to the spot of that machine in the middle of the hut. Click it. Even though you cant see it, it opens a part in the cave, you couldn't enter before.
Pick up the prism (2), lying left side of the wicket basket in the right corner.
Click the black mask, which is standing in the center of the scene on the floor. One of the items, you find inside the basket, where the prism was laying before.
Your are done here now, go to the cave
Africa - Cave
Goal: 5 containers, 32 normal objects, 2 prisms
Click the crate (container1) on the left side, next to the wicket basket. One item you will find by clicking on the little crate, standing on the floor on the right side of the screen.
Click the mask (container2) on the floor, right side. One of the items, you will find by clicking on the crate, that was your container just before.
Click the copper plate (container3), hanging at the left wall in the back and find all items. One item you will find, when you click at the big vase in the front center of the scene
Click the mask (container4), located right side of the copper plate - when you found the feather hat, pick up the prism (1), after finding the suitcases, a prism (2) will appear at this place on the floor
Click the head (5) of the big wooden statue and find all items. Now you are done here and can go to the Secret room
Africa - Secret room
Goal: The laser has to make the prism at the right side glow.
Click the 1st prism and place it in the first row, second line from down
Click the 2nd prism and place it below the lower colored stone
Click the 4th prism and place it above the lower colored stone
Click the 5th prism and place it in the first row, second line from up
Click the 3rd prism and place it below the upper colored stone
Click the 6th prism and place it above the upper colored stone
When you are done, the back wall will disappear and you will receive the next part of the Crystal Portal Key
Russia -Yard
Goal: 5 containers, 28 normal objects, 5 gears
In this level comes a moment that the hint will only point at the door even though you still have objects to find. It seems, it's a glitch of the game. Let me know, if you don't find an item at all and I will see if I can help you.
Pick up the gear (1) at the top of the chimney
Pick up the gear (2) in front of the barrel, right side of the house
Pick up the gear (3) from the left side of the house door, next to the ski
Pick up the gear (4) from the canopy above the door
Click the metal bucket (container1) on the left side of the scene. For the last item you have to click the hanging ice at the right side of the shelter. It will disappear.
Click the pumpkin (container2) on the roof and find all items
Click the snowman's head (container3). Click the crate on the left side of the trolley. It will disappear and give you an item.
Click the rusty bucket (container4), hanging in front of the window right to the door. One item you will find, when you click at the front stones of the well
Click the butter bucket (container5) in the lower left corner. When there are two items left, click first the rusty bucket from before again and you will find one item. Now click on the snow on the crate in the right lower corner. It will melt and you can get the last item. Click the bucket now again and pick up the gear (5). Then click again and pick up the holy water.
Now click on the door to let the bad spirit out of the house. You are done here and can now enter the Peasant Hut
Russia - Peasant Hunt
Goal: 5 containers, 30 normal objects, 5 gears
Click the gear (1), lying on the wooden bench in front of the scene, next to the picture with the horse
Click the gear (2), lying under the wooden stool in the left lower corner
Click the gear (3), lying right side of the fireplace bench
Click the picture (container1) with the horse (where you found the first gear) and look for the objects. One object you will find in the hanging pot a little left sided above this container.
Click the towel (container2) with the cross above the fireplace. One item you will find by clicking on the little black door at the bottom of the fireplace
Click inside the fireplace (container3). One of the items you will find in the chest, standing on the floor at the lower left side. Click it again and pick up the gear (4).
Click the cuckoo clock (container4), right to the window in the back of the scene. One item you will find by clicking the first picture in the left upper corner
Click second picture in the left upper corner (container5).
Take the gear (5) out of the bowl, lying on the floor in front of the fireplace
You are done now and can enter the secret room
Russia - Secret Room
See the gears from the left to the right as 1 - 10
1 is the big one, 2 the little one right above, 3 the bigger one right lower and so on
Use 10 on the first spot next to the left upper corner
Use 6 on the spot with the circle right above
Use 4 on the spot with the triangle, left above 6
Use 5 on the spot with the square, left above 4
Use 3 on the spot with the square, right handed to 4
Use 2 on the spot with the circle right under 3
Use 1 on the spot with the circle at the low right side under 2
Use 7 on the spot with the square direct above 1
Use 8 on the spot with the triangle above 7
Use 9 on the spot with the cross
Click the Start - button in the low left corner
You receive another part of the Crystal Portal key
Back home - Office
Goal: 2 containers, 10 normal objects
Click on the dogs head. One of the objects you will find, when you click the microscope on the desk.
Another one is hidden in the bowl on the left shelf.
One you will find in the pot in front of the gong.
Look into the vase on the desk and
in the bowl which is half hidden behind the right bust.
Click the bowl, standing in front of the bookshelf behind the container
Open the chest in front of the armchair on the left side
Click on silver bowl, standing in front of the window on the desk
Click on the skull, standing on the book shelf
After Nicole is done with talking, pick up the stick for the gong and put it in there
Nicole talks again und you see a light spot on the carpet under the desk. Click it
Click the hatch and after that the arrow to enter the secret room
Back home - Secret Room
Click on the big bowl in front of the desk and find 9 scrolls and 30 triangles. Some are hidden in the wall or behind books. You see this, when your cursor turns into a magnifier.
When you found all scrolls you will see a diamond. Click on the top of the chair, a container opens. Pick the diamond and put it into the container.
The triangles are tricky, they show up at places where you already looked or even found one. So make sure, that you look at every place even two times.
Once you have all triangle click at the burning bowl one after each other
Click at the back part of the chair twice. First time a picture appears, second time Nicole talks
Now click on the book and when it opens on the right page. Your cursor will pick up the page, click with the page on the back of the chair. The page goes into a container and Nicole talks again.
Now you have to solve the final puzzle
Final Puzzle
You have to redo the puzzle. Click one part and click it again at a spot where you think, it belongs to. If you are right, the puzzle tile will be highlighted and you can't move it anymore.
This is the end - or isn't it?
Posted by: Kayleigh | August 3, 2008 3:05 PM