Still giving me the "Failed to launch program." error and there's only 25 minutes left. FeelsBadMan

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Hi Dennis

Try installing again, then immediately afterwards open up the event viewer and see if there are any logs related to the issue. Also read the comment I posted just below to K.M. regarding other security programs that may be running in the background. Failing that, try turning off other background programs temporarily via Task Manager. Initially just turn off any that you know are not necessary for running windows, if that doesn't enable the installation try turning off others one at a time, each time trying to install. Finally, if it becomes too late, the one from MyPlayCity, is exactly the same as today's game giveaway except when you first install the game you have to uncheck the three check boxes. also each time you start up the game their may be an advert in the install screen. The difference between the MyPlayCity and the giveaway version is that the check boxes have been deactivated.

I've previously written some detailed instructions (as an extension to my FAQ's post over in the forums), which I saved to a wordpad document. I've emailed you a copy of that. I hope the email I see in the admin panel isn't a spoof/throwaway email? Good luck

Downloaded and installed just fine on my old XP machine, and new Win7 system. My kind of HOG: mythology theme, gorgeous graphics, I can install it where I want it, not timed, not too difficult, two difficulty levels (of course I chose the easier option!). Not played a lot yet, but so far, so good.

Thanks all!

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Thank you for your feedback Delilah. :)

Dear Reader(s),

I've desactivated my AV but even though, I still can not install the game. Each tim I receive the following message:

"The setup files are corrupted. Please obtain a new copy of the program."

I've also tried to download the trial version but it failed and I've even no key to activate it if it has succeeded to install)

Please help! :)

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Hello K.M.

I had a similar problem last summer. It took me several weeks to solve it. I'd had to replace the Motherboard on my computer. After doing that the problem started. I tried everything including deactivating my security, but still couldn't get anything from the giveaway project to install. Kept getting similar messages. Because I'd changed my motherboard, I thought it may have had to do with windows activation as I'm sure years ago if you changed the motherboard and/or c.p.u. you'd have to reactivate windows as thee activation was somehow linked to the serial numbers of the hardware. So as a last resort i contacted Microsoft, who connected to my computer and found the issue within seconds. Basically I'd installed a giveaway program that was similar to an AV program. It never showed any evidence of running, at least I'd not recognised it, but in the mouse right click drop down menu when hovering over programs there was another security program installed, which I'd totally forgotten about. Once that was deactivated I was able to install giveaways. check your mouse drop down menu when hovering over the game giveaway executable and check to see if there is anything that could be blocking the giveaway. It may even be Microsoft's own security essentials. I can't remember the program I'd installed apart from I think it began with the letter S

I thought I'd picked this one up last time, but nope, so thanks for the 2nd chance. looks good.

Reminder folks, if all the little Play City icons on your desktop bother you, then simply deselect the checkbox for a game desktop icon when you install. This also prevents all the MPC advertisement icons from appearing on your desktop. Of course, the game will still be easy to find, as it will install in the My Play City folder the installer automatically installs in your Start Menu folder, and may even be highlighted as a new install in your frequently played list that appears in some of the start menu variations. Also, if you pay attention to where your installing it, you can always drill down and create your own desktop shortcut by hand.

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:)

I like this one. No problems downloading or installing. Plays full screen on my win10 laptop.
Good story, too

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Thanks Cathy

I just downloaded and installed this game with no problems. I played it for about 35 minutes and it is a really fun game. I installed and played the game on my Microsoft surface pro 4 without any problems using the surface keyboard. I have not tried it with my surface pen yet.

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:)

Thank you Stephen.

I'm assuming that security is more than just Anti-Virus. I have been on board here for quite a few years and never once in my memory have I ever experienced a security problem. There's something going on here which I just can't identify. I'm pretty sure that it's on my end. Hate to miss today's offering but I just don't know what other steps I need to take to get it to install. Guess I'll have to wait until next week to see if it's still happening.

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Hi HisSon

Try installing again, then immediately check your event logs. (Type Event Log in the search field to open the Event viewer). There may be messages recorded that tell you what the problem is. Have you checked the FAQ's thread over in the Game Discussion forums. I've linked to in via the review above?

This is another one of those games...
The difference between full screen mode on and off is that with it on the game window is in the center of the screen surrounded by black. When it is off it is in the middle of the screen with the rest of the windows there. Unfortunately in both cases the size of the game window is about 1/9 of my screen (I have a 4k monitor so this window appears to be approximately 1280x720). This makes it too small to play the game under most circumstances. Changing the resolution of the screen doesn't change anything. Most MyPlayCity games do not have this problem but this is the second one that does. I have never seen this with another program.

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Nice, I want a $K screen, but am waiting for more games that support higher resolutions, plus hoping the price will come down more. :)

anti malware warning, did not install

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The anti malware warning is probably due to the install files being wrapped with a protective layer of code called Themida, which has also been used to hide malware. The game giveaway team check all downloads thoroughly for malware. They have been operating since early December 2006 and have never given away a game loaded with malware. What you are getting is a false positive.

....II like the graphics. Had trouble getting e-mal downlink, eventually found it in my spam foldie. Installed fine 64Xwin10pro. It is a HOG, for sure. I choose easy mode. Its a keeper for me. TY guys.

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:)

Download and installation without a problem.

Played the first 2 missions - very easy to play in easy mode - I love when you can select if you like easy or hard mode - beautiful graphics.

Thank you very much for this game - I am looking forward to play it farther.

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Thanks Anu

Download, install, test and then write about your Experience in Comments. All within 24 hours !?!
Why don't you change this as followss:
1. Download within 24 hours
2. Installation possible in 48 hours
So we can wait for comments here!
I've no problems to download it, but would like to know more before I install it.

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

As watcher has said, there's a plethora of information on this game online, plus i've posted plenty of information, videos and images of the game. Xilolee has posted details of any problems re malware. The giveaway team thoroughly check all files for download and have never given away a game that was infected in over a decade of operating. They use several of the top anti-malware suites to check all files.

I've enjoyed playing this from another site, but am grateful to MPC for the opportunity to play without ads etc.

It's a good HOPA with fun puzzles etc. The graphics are excellent and it makes a pleasant change to have a HOG that doesn't have either very dark screens or a very "dark" story. I've found plenty of HOGs that I've only wanted to play once, but this is one that I've found bears repeating.

It may feel a little dated, but for a HOG that doesn't bother me.

I'm unable to get Odysseus to install. I click on Setup, It activates but won't install. Any thoughts?

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Your security may be blocking the installation. The executable is wrapped in Themida code to protect it from hackers. That is sometimes seen as a threat becasue Themida code can also be used to hide malware. The game giveaway site has been operating for over a decade and has never given away a game infected with malware.

Thanks for another great giveaway!

Hi everybody and Whiterabbit-UK. :-)

No problems during download.
No problems detected after doing pre-scans and post-scans with Win10 Defender, SAS free, MBAM free, EEK free, GSAM (all definitions updated).
The package is too big to be sent to AV web services (virustotal, metadefender, jotti, virscan).
Same false positives were found for GAOTD setup.exe, I won't repeat them.
No problems during installation, at game startup and when changing its options.

I'm using:
- Windows 10 home/standard x64, DEP always on, custom scaling 150%.
- Resolution 1920x1080, color depth 32bit, refresh rate 60Hz.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to the GAOTD team, in particular to Whiterabbit-UK!
Follow the white rabbit, guys!
Thanks for the game to RainbowGames, BigFishGames, MyPlayCity!

Oh, yay! Here's a HOG that isn't dark/suspense -- not that I object to those, but I know some people do.

Remember when I suggested that you review MPC games, Whiterabbit? Well, this is one that I would have passed over if it weren't for this offering and your review: now I'm going to try it!

As a by-the-way: for anyone that enjoys Time Management Quest-type games such as Royal Envoy or Moai or Dragon Crossing, where you collect resources and clear your way through levels to reach a goal, I strongly recommend "Aerie" from MPC. I've been hoping MPC would offer Aerie so that I could give it a glowing review.

Thank, GGOTD, MPC, and Whiterabbit!

I spent a little time playing this game. I found it fun and want to play more. Thank you GGOTD team and MPC.com.

...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Thank you for your feedback Brenda. :)

Please only post comments about today's game giveaway; other comments either not appropriate, or not about the game will be deleted at the moderator or administrators discretion; however a little light banter among community members and with the moderator to keep this a friendly place to visit will be allowed, and will be judged by the moderator as to whether it is suitable or not to be left.

I am posting this in light of the massive increase in negative comments not related to the game being given away, inappropriate comments and spam (Almost 700 spam comments were posted last Saturday 14th Jan 17) that have occurred over the past several months since the site was updated and in particular since the site started to give away games from the Steam world and since they started using Facebook.

I truly believe that if we get lots of decent feedback about the games we get here, more developers will be happy to give away their games. Seeing lots of complaints (and spam) instead of feedback about the game given away will not persuade other developers to give their games away for free. So please bear this in mind when posting your comments. Any comment not about the game for example complaints, or if deemed unfriendly or inappropriate, will be deleted or added to the spam folder, which automatically black lists the IP address you used. Although I have enjoyed responding to many of those comments, I will no longer waste my time answering comments from community members who should have read the moderation policy.

Negative feedback about the games given away are always welcomed because they can also be very constructive for developers, however, complaining about the way the site is operating or problems about downloading or installing the games should be directed to the giveawayoftheday contact form which I've linked to HERE; alternatively, if the problem is game related and it is late in the day (I can't moderate 24 hours a day), please also post your issue in the forums where you may get a response from the community. Often, such problems are related to your computers set up. i.e. your security may block the installation (for example quite a few game giveaways I've installed have been blocked by my copy of Zemana Anti-malware suite) Also please read the moderation policy which can be found HERE and if you do have a problem please check the FAQ's thread HERE. Thank you.

In Brief

A casual HOG with point and click adventure elements.

Whether you like or dislike Odysseus: Long Way Home please give some feedback about your opinion of the game, for example, what you liked or disliked about the game, and how it could be improved from your point of view. If you don't like this genre at all, please explain why. What improvements would change your opinion? There are thousands of subscribers to the game giveaway of the day every weekend which makes this an ideal forum for giving developers ideas as to what their consumers (i.e you) would like to see in a game. For example, you could suggest extra content such as better or more original mini games, or a level editor that you would like to see that would make it more appealing to you. Maybe you think the graphics are a little dated and are in need of re skinning, or maybe you've just had enough of the genre and want to see something different or something with more originality? Giving such feedback instead of saying nothing or just saying this game is rubbish may bring more developers to the site, which could mean more and better games. Would you give away thousands of copies of a game (or extra content for a game) away to a community that complains all the time instead of giving useful feedback? It only takes a few moments of your time. This site could be transformed if only the community would be more forthcoming in their opinions of the games they are getting for free.

If you miss today's game giveaway you can always get the game via MyPlayCity 24/7 HERE. If you prefer the game on Steam you can buy for £2.79/$3.99 HERE.

Odysseus: Long Way Home downloads to a 326 MB zip file that unzips to four files, (a setup.gcd security wrapper, the set up file and a read me). Those with multiple hard drives are able to save games on any drive they wish. The newly installed game is 442 MB in size. The game installs to the following path by default, but can be changed by the user if you prefer:

C:\Program Files (x86)\MyPlayCity.com\Odysseus - Long Way Home

Four shortcuts are installed to the desktop. three of which can be safely deleted (Play Online Games, MyPlayCity Games and shortcuts to a free online game which vary each week). Also, if you don't like icons installed to the quick launch task bar, make sure you uncheck the box when the additional tasks window appears (after the Select Start Menu Folder window)

Help Odysseus win the Trojan war and return home in a magnificent game Odysseus: Long Way Home! Choose the difficulty mode and get ready for a fabulous Hidden Object adventure! King Agamemnon is desperate – the Greek army can't defeat Troy. So Odysseus decides to turn to gods for help. Explore the nearby locations to collect necessary tools and build the Trojan horse. On the way home you are to survive through a terrible storm and visit different islands. Be careful, as the magic creatures which live there can be dangerous! Solve numerous puzzles and overcome all obstacles. Help Odysseus return to his beloved wife in the game Odysseus: Long Way Home!

Reference accessed HERE. 22nd Jan 2017

If you have a problem installing or getting Odysseus: Long Way Home to work please visit the problems section, which I've now incorporated into the FAQ's thread, and which you can find HERE

Prepare to go on an epic adventure in Odysseus: Long Way Home. Help Odysseus find his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War and navigate all the obstacles he will face along the way. Long Way Home is based on Homer’s famous epic The Odyssey and give players a nice break from all the stories set in haunted mansions and dilapidated hospitals.

The game is presented in a chapter format, with each chapter being a different tale from Odysseus’s journey home. The game begins at the end of the Trojan War, and yes, you will be building a Trojan Horse. Along the way you will meet up with mythical creatures and get help from the gods. Every location has several scenes to explore and puzzles that need to be solved.

Long Way Home does an excellent job of balancing hidden object scenes, inventory puzzles and standard puzzles throughout the game. The puzzles vary in difficulty with some being extremely easy and a few that may have you considering the skip button. The hidden object scenes are well done. The objects are well hidden but not overly difficult to find. The scenes become repetitive after a while, as each location only has around three scenes to search through. You will be revisiting each scene at least twice, and sometimes more often.

The background images in Long Way Home are excellent. The scenes are bright and pleasant to look at. There are numerous inventory items hidden throughout the locations, and you will zoom in on areas to get a closer look. Sometimes you won’t be able to pick up an item until you know you need it, which can be frustrating.

You will want to look at everything you run across because some of the hidden object scenes need to be triggered. While this can be irritating at times, the hint system in the game will prevent you from getting stuck. You can get hints outside of hidden object scenes, and they will guide to where you need to go to progress the story.

There is no voice acting in the game, and it would have been a nice addition. There are a lot of characters that you interact with over the course of the game and it would have been nice to hear them. Also, if you click to speed up the text, it really speeds up, to the point that if you aren’t a speed reader you will miss parts of the story.

Another potential problem with the game is if you aren’t familiar with The Odyssey you may find the story somewhat confusing. If you are familiar with the story, you will notice that some major events from the epic are missing. However, the game is a nice change of pace from all the horror and mystery games available right now. Long Way Home may not be the most memorable game, but it is fun to play and has a great story. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Reference accessed HERE. Original review written by Darcie King on 24th Oct 2011

You can see community reviews of Odysseus: Long Way HomeHERE and more information in the Big fish forums HERE. You can also see reviews of the game over on Steam (most of which are positive) HERE

Tou can see some videos of game play HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. You can see a slide show of over 30 images HERE

Despite some of the original story missing, this is a pleasant mixture of Adventure and Hidden Object Scenes with excellent graphics, released in 2001. Some of the cut scene images may be a little inappropriate for young children due to their bloody nature, but overal, the game is a good family oriented game, well worth playing. I'd give it a decent 8 out of 10.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank MyPlayCity for giving away Odysseus: Long Way Home and also to the game giveaway team, as always, for securing other ways to get free games, in this case Steam keys.

Useful Information not related to today's game giveaway:

The problems section that used to be posted here in the Game review is now included in the Game Discussion FAQ's thread; which you can find HERE.

I've updated the games section that used to be posted with the review. The thread is now called 'Weekly round up of game deals', formerly the games section of the weekly reviews. You can find the new thread (which I've posted in the sticky section of the game discussion forums to make it easier to find if you are perusing the game discussion forums) HERE.

If Odysseus: Long Way Home didn't appeal, you may find other games either free or for less than the price of a cup of coffee via the 'Weekly Roundup of Game Deals' thread which I've posted a link to above, or HERE.

The free game over on Origin is still the excellent atmospheric Sci Fi RPG third person Shooter Mass Effect 2, but it will be ending very soon. If you've still not got a copy, this will be your last chance to get it free. It usually costs £19.99/$19.99 (though I paid the pre order price of over £30 prior to it's release back in January 2010) . You can get it HERE. Please note that you do require the Origin game platform to be able to download and install the game.

There are 851 games on sale over on Steam at the moment, with up to 91% off. Game prices range from as little as £0.12p and there are almost 300 games and dlc less than £1. You can find all of the deals HERE. If you spend more than $3 in the Indie Gala Store you'll also get a free copy of the atmospheric point and click horror adventure game 'Between Me and the Night' worth $14.99/£9.99. There's also a sale on over on the Humble Bundle site featuring Telltale games (The walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Back to the future, Jurassic ParkPuzzle /agent 1 and 2 etc), plus lads more games on sale. There's also lots of games on sale over on the Bundle Stars and Indie Game Stand (IGS) stores.