Do you want a gripping story? A world with rich lore? Some good story surprises? Then Dark Parables 5 has you covered, as long as you can forgive some of its weaker fragmented objects gameplay.

What if Cinderella was not a person but an idea? This is the premise of Dark Parables 5, where an evil Fairy Godmother wants to gain this power for herself. So, it is up to us, the Fairy Tale Detective, to team up with Pinocchio and stop her and her army of dastardly dolls.

Since this is a fragmented object game, the story is mostly about finding some necessary item to progress, yet it still has an exciting plot full of surprises and twists that can put you to the edge of your seat. On top of that, you can feel the rich lore built by Blue Tea Games throughout the entire game, be it in the many callbacks to earlier Dark Parables or the interesting backstories found in the collectables.

With such writing, I can mostly forgive some of the weaker gameplay elements. The fragmented object scenes are colourful, and the fragments are easy to spot. However, the puzzles are a bit mediocre, and the series still has some big problems with its adventure-lite item searches and backtracking.

"Once upon a time, there was a "Cinderella" named Ella. After her father died, she was sent to work in the kitchen by her stepmother. One day, news came that the Prince has decided to hold a ball. All the girls in the kingdom were invited, but Ella was forbidden to go. Ella made a wish that she could join her stepsisters at the ball. Hearing her desperate plea, Godmother appeared. She transformed a pumpkin and mice into a beautiful horse -drawn carriage. Then, Ella's rags were transformed into a stunning ball gown and glittering glass slippers. Arriving at the ball, Ella immediately captured the Prince's attention. He fell in love with her gentle nature, and they got married and lived happily ever after."

Ella Blom,
The First Cinderella.

Game Information

"Dark Parables: The Final Cinderella" Collector's Edition is a Fragmented Object game. The game was developed by Blue Tea Games and published by Big Fish Games Studio.

"The Final Cinderella" is the fifth episode of "Dark Parables." Previous episodes: "Curse of Briar Rose;" "The Exiled Prince;" "Rise of the Snow Queen" and "The Red Riding Hood Sisters."

Since this is a collector's edition game, it comes with extra features that are not available in its counterpart; the standard edition.

The Game Review

Game Visuals

I want to mention that the visuals in the game are nicely done. The visuals can be adjusted in the game's option menu.

Game Audio

I want to mention that audio for the game is well done. Even though the audio is somewhat simplistic and repetitive. The audio can be adjusted in the game's option menu as well.

Gameplay

There are no game difficulty modes to choose from. When the game is being played for the first time; it is in normal mode. When the game is being played for the second time; it is on hard mode.

There is a map in the game. The map is automatically given at the start of the game.

There is no padlock feature that is available to lock the inventory panel in place to make it stationary. The inventory panel automatically comes stationary.

The hidden object scenes consist of the following: Fragmented items. Some of these hidden object scenes may require a little or no interaction.

The puzzles are fairly easy to solve without having the need to skip any of them.

There are morphing objects (beyond objects) in the game. They are scattered throughout the game for the player to find. The morphing objects are used to refill the hint bar.

Since this is a collector's edition game, there is a bonus chapter, but it can be accessed only after the main story is completed.

Miscellaneous

There are extra features in the game: Bonus Chapter; Wallpapers; Soundtracks and Game's Strategy Guide. Some of these extra features can be accessed only after the entire game is completed.

There are nine different trading cards to collect. Only five of those trading cards are given out by the game. There are several ways to get the rest of the trading cards: Purchased from the Steam's Community Market; Trade with friends; Booster Packs and its Booster Pack Creator.

Final thoughts: I have found the game enjoyable to a certain extent. The replay value for the game is low. I would recommend this game, but not at the game's full price value.

I bought this Game last Winter Sale as I had been waiting for Ages for this and the other Dark Parables to go on Sale and I must say I dont regret it.

First of all If you havent played any Dark Parables Games I recommend you to go back and play the first one as those games are meant to be played in Order.

Dark Parables: The Final Cinderella Collector's Edition comes with the Main Story, a Bonus Story and some other Bonus Content such as a little Artbook, Bonus Puzzle Levels, the Soundtrack & Wallpapers

The Voice Acting was once again very nicely made and the Art Style was absolutely beautiful! This time you were able to change the Screen either into Widescreen or into Classic Resolution. I personally chose classic as widescreen simply made it all stretched and horrible to look at.

The Steam Overlay is in my opinion unusable as on the bottom right corner the Steam Notifications where just completely bugged and ghosted. Also once you enter the Steam Overlay via Shift & Tab you will be left with a horrible gray filter ingame, which is only reversable via restarting.

This Game is also including Trading Cards on Steam which is to my surprise not advertised on the actual Steam Store Page. But that is just a Bonus in my Eyes.

Once again you were able to collect different pieces throughout the Game which will, once everything is collected, unlock a Background Story that will be read to you or if you prefer to read it yourself you will be able to turn the Sound off and do as you please.

The Hidden Object Scenes were rather well hidden and the Puzzles were challenging. I personally did like them alot and was surprised how well you can hide something in this game.

The Story was absolutely lovely and reminded me a little bit on my Childhood just in a more Grimm way.

All in all this Game is fantastic, however due to the fact that is rather short I do recommend getting it on Sale rather then for its base price of 10€.

Here are my other Reviews for the Dark Parables Series:
Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose (Number 1)
Dark Parables: The Exiled Prince (Number 2)
Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen Collector's Edition (Number 3)
Dark Parables: The Red Riding Hood Sisters (Number 4)
Dark Parables: Jack and the Sky Kingdom Collector's Edition (Number 6)
Dark Parables: Ballad of Rapunzel Collector's Edition (Number 7)
Dark Parables: The Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide Collector's Edition (Number 8)
Dark Parables: Queen of Sands Collector's Edition (Number 9)

Dark Parables is one of the BEST HOP game series I have run across and by far one of the most fun. I own almost the entire collection to date and would love to continue adding to my library. Buy the bundle or when they're on sale and you will literally have HOURS of fun. Each of these games takes me roughly 6 hours. Well worth it!

It's dark parables, and like every one I could say : Very nice HOG with some puzzles.
You decide how hard you want to make it, and a very decent amount of content.
The trick is keeping track of the locations that are missing pieces as often you get pieces that you only need much later in the story. Not a complaint at all, at least it keeps you from sleepwalking all the way through.

Using the hints you can do that afcourse, but then, what's the point of playing it.

one of my childhood game that i played on my ipad, back then i was a child and couldn't purchase the full version, now i truly get to experience the full version makes me so happy feeling the nostalgia... the art, puzzles and story are top notch no kidding after all these years! sad that theres no more new dark parables anymore... i truly love fantasy fairy tales puzzles hidden object games with interesting stories like this kind...

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i love this game it is so unique and very calming

Starting to really get into this series. I recommend this one, it's quite dark and very pretty