The third and final chapter in the Hapland series and this one is arguably the best of the bunch. Not only is the game visually stunning, it is also just about the right size and difficulty to enjoy by oneself. A genre defining series from a very talented young artist. It doesn't get any better than this.
Why we picked it: It is unlikely there exists a single point-and-click game from 2006 that comes close to the production of CDX. The integration of video segments into a point-and-click game is not new, but CDX was done exceptionally well and included an engaging storyline, too. However, it is terribly disappointing that the BBC decided to make it off-limits to everyone outside the UK. All things considered, we are pleased to have chosen Hapland 3 to represent this category's Best of 2006. Although Rob Allen's Hapland series defies what we've come to expect from a game of the genre—other than the fact that you are, indeed, pointing and clicking—the tremendous popularity of the series proves that players are willing to endure a little frustration and frequent dead-ends to solve intricate and complex puzzles. Hapland 3 is easily the most beautiful and rewarding of the series, a veritable interactive work of art.
