Awakening is a casual hidden object puzzle adventure game series developed by Boomzap Entertainment and published by Big Fish Games. In order to progress through each game, the player must solve puzzles and find hidden objects. It is available on PC, Mac, iPhone and iPad platforms. The games are released in several languages with both Standard Editions and Collector's Editions, the latter including additional features.
As of 2014, the series consists of eight installments with connected storylines, all with positive reviews. The third game, Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom has hailed the most praise, being awarded the Best Hidden Object Game of 2011 by Casual Gameplay. It has also topped Big Fish Games' top 10 PC Games chart for 42 days.
The sixth game, Awakening: The Redleaf Forest: Collector's Edition was released on May 31, 2014, to conclude the adventures of Queen Sophia, the main protagonist of the series. A free-to-play version called Awakening Kingdoms was released in the previous year. Shortly after Queen Sophia's story finale, a seventh installment Awakening: The Golden Age was released on November 1, 2014, to serve as a prequel to the series.
As of August 2014, games from the Awakening series have been downloaded over 17 million times on PC, Mac and mobile devices. It is considered "one of the oldest and most successful hidden object adventure franchises."
Plot
Princess Sophia awakens in a mysterious castle after sleeping for one hundred years. She is separated from her family and is helped by her fairy friend to escape. Her goal is to find her people by travelling through different locations filled with puzzles and pick up valuable items along the way. She seeks the help from the magical creatures she encounters, including a wise Goblin king. Many obstacles come her way, such as dark foes and a curse cast on her exiled kingdom. She seeks the help of a powerful Enchantress that can undo the spell. Finally, she embarks on a journey to Redleaf Forest in order to defeat the enemy once and for all.
Games
Awakening: The Dreamless Castle
Awakening: The Dreamless Castle was released as an exclusive game on Big Fish Games on February 14, 2010. Awakening is an adventure/hidden object PC (also available for Mac) casual game set in a light fantasy setting. It debuted as the #3 game on the Big Fish Games Top 100 downloads list, quickly rising to #1 for all formats. Awakening has also been released in German, Spanish, French, and Japanese - and has ranked at #1 in every language. According to a review by About.com, "Awakening: The Dreamless Castle is a superb example of a hidden object/adventure game." Awakening: The Dreamless Castle was released on the iPad on December 16, 2010 and on the iPhone on December 18, 2010.
Awakening: Moonfell Wood
Awakening: Moonfell Wood was released as an exclusive game on Big Fish Games on December 26, 2010. Awakening: Moonfell Wood picks up where Awakening: The Dreamless Castle leaves the main character, continuing the story of Princess Sophia. In a review by Gamezebo, the game was given a 3.5/5 rating, saying that "the story in Awakening: Moonfell Wood is intriguing, especially for those who have played the first game and would like to see where Sophia’s journey takes her next."
Awakening: Moonfell Wood peaked at #2 and stayed within the top 10 PC games for 42 days. The Mac version also entered the top 10 Mac games chart, peaking at #3. The iOS port was released last May 26, 2011 for the iPad and July 7, 2011, for the iPhone.
Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom
Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom is the third game in the Awakening series, and the Collector's Edition was released as an exclusive game on Big Fish Games on August 25, 2011. The Standard Edition was released on October 1, 2011. Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom is also the first game by Boomzap to be released on both PC and Mac platforms simultaneously.
In Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom, Princess Sophia is led by the Fairy Queen to the Goblin Kingdom to ask the Goblin King about the whereabouts of her people. However, there are dark forces at work, waiting to spring a trap on the human princess.
Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom received positive reviews. Gamezebo gave the game a 4/5 rating, saying that "Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom is an overall better package even if only due to the increased puzzle variety that keeps the game feeling fresh... it’s an instant recommendation that we all jump back into Princess Sophia’s shoes." Jay Is Games also mentioned that "Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom is a magical enchanted ride and a worthy successor to the games that preceded it."