I think part of the problem is that there simply aren't this many good adventures around but you're focussed on the same few pearls over and over again.
For example you were bashing Ankh for beeing a cheap copy of Monkey Island but have you played through both versions? I've enjoyed them, especially part two was well done (another solid 8) and i also didn't found the puzzles to easy.
Sometimes puzzles are just easy because they are simply more logical. It really is a art of it's own making something logical but still challeging. If you have a look at walkthroughs then you might notice that they weren't always this logical. You can check this with your memory and visiting the sites were the solutions are hosted.
So i would say: Yes there is a lack of logical challeging puzzles but on the other side we also got more of the logical not so brilliant ones and these often makes up easier games. If i remember the last LucasArts adventure correctly then there only was one brilliant riddle inside, the time riddle in the swamps. Ankh doesn't has such a brilliant riddle but on the other side it has more logical enjoyful riddles in a whole.
I think they do this a) out of the casual idea not scaring away potential customers and b) because it's not so easy and costs more ressources.
Anyway i've enjoyed especially Ankh 2 much more than the last Monkey Island game. If you haven't already you might wanna give it a try.
And again let's hope that they make some money and at least some of them reinvest the money into very good adventures. And i bet as soon as LucasArts recognizes that they can make money with adventures again they'll go for it, may it be their own production or that they source it out to one of the new companies. Maybe they've lost it but maybe they still have some talented people who could do it. If not feel free to contact me! :O)
For example you were bashing Ankh for beeing a cheap copy of Monkey Island but have you played through both versions? I've enjoyed them, especially part two was well done (another solid 8) and i also didn't found the puzzles to easy.
Sometimes puzzles are just easy because they are simply more logical. It really is a art of it's own making something logical but still challeging. If you have a look at walkthroughs then you might notice that they weren't always this logical. You can check this with your memory and visiting the sites were the solutions are hosted.
So i would say: Yes there is a lack of logical challeging puzzles but on the other side we also got more of the logical not so brilliant ones and these often makes up easier games. If i remember the last LucasArts adventure correctly then there only was one brilliant riddle inside, the time riddle in the swamps. Ankh doesn't has such a brilliant riddle but on the other side it has more logical enjoyful riddles in a whole.
I think they do this a) out of the casual idea not scaring away potential customers and b) because it's not so easy and costs more ressources.
Anyway i've enjoyed especially Ankh 2 much more than the last Monkey Island game. If you haven't already you might wanna give it a try.
And again let's hope that they make some money and at least some of them reinvest the money into very good adventures. And i bet as soon as LucasArts recognizes that they can make money with adventures again they'll go for it, may it be their own production or that they source it out to one of the new companies. Maybe they've lost it but maybe they still have some talented people who could do it. If not feel free to contact me! :O)