New hidden object game is immersive and a touch disturbing, kind of like the book.

I-play recently released a new hidden object game called Classic Adventures: The Great Gatsby. After playing it, I feel a bit like I did after reading The Great Gatsby: a little off-balance. Like the book, the game is fairly quick. I’m a slow player and the first play-through didn’t take more than a few hours—but I can see playing through again.

The game follows the story of The Great Gatsby, so don’t play it before reading the book (instead of or after, but the game includes narration that absolutely spoils key plots points from beginning to end). Ninety percent or so of the game is finding hidden objects in really lovely scenes that include minor animation, such as leaves rustling, and some narration after you’ve found a certain number of objects. There are story-appropriate word puzzles and a few different theme-appropriate minigames, as well as a library you can furnish with your winnings, and in which your gameplay trophies reside.

The lush scenes, period music and classic storyline, complete with casual violence and loathsome characters, actually make for a fun and relaxed experience. The game is replayable, promising to mix up the hidden objects when you change your profile name, but too fast a play-through for the $19.95 price tag (major discounts available with I-play subscription). Facebooky types can post their accomplishments to Facebook, although the game nags only once, and I was very pleased to see that integration is opt-in, not opt-out.

NAGOYA, Japan, April 23 /PRNewswire/ — Ateam Inc., a leading Internet and mobile content developer in Japan, announced on April 23 its Pubbles game for Windows (TM) computers is now available for download through the game’s website www.pubblesgame.com (US$9.99). Pubbles features a relaxing and enjoyable marine theme with soft colors and beautiful backgrounds created exclusively for the game. With 3 great game modes, consumers on tight gaming budgets can enjoy Pubbles for hours and hours at half the price of most other popular casual match-3 puzzlers. Also as a free bonus, Pubbles comes with 10 beautiful desktop wallpapers straight from the game.

“I’m excited that people around the world will have the opportunity to play Ateam’s first PC game Pubbles,” explained Takao Hayashi, founder and president of Ateam Inc. “I think with its wonderful graphics and stress-free play style, everyone from kids to adults will enjoy Pubbles.”

In Pubbles the player pops sets of 3 or more bubbles to gain points and clear levels. If a large set of bubbles is popped at once, the player is rewarded with a dazzling lightening blast special which creates point coins to collect and the chance for sensational combos. Players can play at their own pace in RELAX mode, or challenge their skills in the quicker and more challenging EXPERT mode. Players can also have fun timing their popping speed in SPEED POP mode. Get Pubbles today for just US$9.99 at www.pubblesgame.com.

About Ateam Inc.

Ateam Inc. (www.a-tm.co.jp) is a leading Internet and mobile content developer in Japan. Based in Nagoya, Ateam Inc. was founded in 2000 and creates/manages websites used widely throughout the country, develops hundreds of game sites and content for Japanese mobile phones, and releases consumer games around the world through digital platforms like WiiWare (TM) and iPhone (TM). For the last 2 years Ateam has been in the Top 10 of the Deloitte Technology Fast50 as one of Japan’s fastest growing technology companies.