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9 Clues 2: The Ward

9 Clues 2: The Ward Game Cover
89%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
replayability, stability
89% User Score Based on 427 reviews

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9 Clues 2: The Ward Game Cover

About

9 Clues 2: The Ward is a single player casual puzzle game with mystery, thriller and kids themes. It was developed by Tap It Games and was released on July 23, 2015. It received positive reviews from players.

9 Clues 2: The Ward is the second installment of Tap It Games' casual adventure series with hidden object puzzles, set in the 1950s America in which a young detective and her partner respond to a distress call from a psychiatric hospital on a secluded island.

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9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
9 Clues 2: The Ward screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 427 reviews
story138 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a more engaging and emotional storyline compared to its predecessor, with a compelling mystery set in a dark asylum.
  • The graphics and atmosphere are well-crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's eerie setting.
  • The gameplay includes a variety of puzzles and the option to switch between hidden object scenes and Mahjong, providing a refreshing change of pace.
  • The voice acting is inconsistent, with some performances feeling stiff and robotic, detracting from the immersion.
  • The game can be buggy at times, with visual glitches that may disrupt the experience, such as disappearing characters or objects.
  • Players may find the puzzles and hidden object scenes to be too simplistic, lacking the challenge that some may expect from the genre.
  • story
    331 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "9 Clues 2: The Ward" is generally regarded as a significant improvement over its predecessor, featuring a more emotional and engaging narrative set in a creepy psychiatric asylum. While some players found the plot predictable and the voice acting uneven, many appreciated the intriguing twists and the atmospheric writing that effectively combined elements of mystery and psychological horror. Overall, the game offers a compelling storyline that enhances the hidden object gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The writing establishes a tone of tension and unease that carries throughout the experience, combining elements of mystery, tragedy, and supernatural suggestion to craft a story that feels both intimate and unsettling.”
    • “The game masterfully weaves a captivating story filled with twists and turns, ensuring that players are both challenged and engaged throughout their investigation.”
    • “The story is solid and engaging with great gameplay to keep you busy.”
    • “The storyline, while present, fails to captivate, residing in the realm of mediocrity.”
    • “The plot is poor compared to the first game.”
    • “The story is absurd, of 'whatever' level, but I didn't really expect much more to be honest.”
  • graphics
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in this game represent a significant improvement over its predecessor, showcasing a distinct art style that enhances the overall experience. While some users noted issues with character animations and occasional graphical glitches, the majority found the visuals to be clean, engaging, and well-suited to the game's eerie theme. Overall, the graphics are considered decent to good, contributing positively to the gameplay and atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are clearly recognizable and have a distinct feel, which adds to the overall experience.”
    • “The promising looking, vivid intro sucks you right into the story and instantly gives a visual indication of the game's art style.”
    • “Great storyline, awesome graphics, and wonderful puzzles!”
    • “The graphics are sub-par.”
    • “Graphics are not top quality but they are visibly better.”
    • “Gameplay is average with puzzles hard enough for there to be a challenge but never really straining the brain matter; graphics are mediocre and at times quite laughable.”
  • gameplay
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in this hidden object adventure game is characterized by a familiar structure enhanced with unique mechanics, such as a detective-themed puzzle-solving approach and the option to switch hidden object scenes for mahjong games, adding variety. While the flow between exploration, object-hunting, and puzzles is generally smooth and engaging, some players may find the overall experience too straightforward and lacking in depth. The game offers a decent balance of narrative and gameplay, with a mix of easy puzzles and a solid atmosphere, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more challenging experience.

    • “The gameplay structure follows the familiar rhythm of hidden object adventures but adds a few thoughtful twists that distinguish it from its peers.”
    • “The flow between exploration, object-hunting, and puzzle-solving feels natural, and the game maintains a satisfying balance between narrative progression and gameplay variety.”
    • “9 Clues 2 is well structured and provides a good amount of variety between mechanical puzzles and filling in scenery with objects, as well as typical hidden object sections.”
    • “However, players looking for deep or demanding gameplay may find it too straightforward.”
    • “Gameplay is pretty boring for a hidden object game and the story is hideous.”
    • “And the whole 9 clues mechanic is more of a pain than a pleasure.”
  • music
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with ambient effects and a chilling soundtrack that effectively build suspense and complement the horror-mystery theme. While some players noted the music can be repetitive, it is still considered enjoyable and fitting, contributing positively to the overall experience. The quality of sound effects and voice acting also received commendation, further enriching the game's immersive environment.

    • “The soundtrack and ambient effects enhance the sense of isolation, using subtle echoes, thunderclaps, and low piano notes to build atmosphere without overwhelming the player.”
    • “The ambient sound effects and music blend in seamlessly with the graphics and gameplay, and add to the enjoyment.”
    • “The music creates a spooky atmosphere to the story.”
    • “The music can be a bit repetitive.”
    • “Credits music doesn't fit the game.”
    • “I don't really remember the music, which means it was neither terrible nor breathtaking.”
  • atmosphere
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its rich, immersive quality, effectively blending elements of horror and psychological intrigue. Players appreciate the haunting visuals, atmospheric sound design, and a sense of isolation that enhances the storytelling, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre. Overall, the atmosphere is described as unsettling yet engaging, successfully drawing players into its dark and mysterious world.

    • “From that shocking opening, the game unfolds as an atmospheric investigation into the asylum’s hidden secrets, forcing the player to navigate the fine line between sanity and madness while piecing together the truth behind its haunting façade.”
    • “For fans of hidden object adventures who appreciate a touch of darkness and psychological intrigue, it stands as a well-crafted and compelling choice that demonstrates how much atmosphere and storytelling can elevate a simple genre formula into something quietly engrossing.”
    • “The soundtrack and ambient effects enhance the sense of isolation, using subtle echoes, thunderclaps, and low piano notes to build atmosphere without overwhelming the player.”
    • “It is a self-sufficient establishment and situated on a secluded island which creates an uneasy atmosphere.”
    • “The music creates a spooky atmosphere to the story.”
  • replayability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game has low to minimal replayability, primarily appealing to completionists seeking to unlock all achievements. While some players noted that randomized hidden object scenes and the opportunity to find missed items can enhance replay value, many reviews indicate that the lack of significant variation in gameplay makes it tedious after the initial playthrough. It is best enjoyed at a discounted price for those who appreciate hidden object games and mysteries.

    • “It's got plenty of achievements, and the hidden object scenes are randomized, so if you want to get 100%, there's some replayability here.”
    • “Finding additional items you might have missed also helps with the replayability.”
    • “Probably not much replay value unless you are a completionist when it comes to trophies, but if you like hidden object games and mysteries, pick this one up when it's on sale.”
    • “There is minimal replay value, although to get all achievements you do have to play twice, once for hidden object finder and another for mah-jong.”
    • “The replay value for the game is low.”
  • humor
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is notably enhanced compared to its predecessor, featuring amusing dialogue with quirky NPCs and absurd "logic" sequences that elicit laughter. Players have also encountered funny glitches, such as a disappearing wheelchair, which add to the overall comedic experience. While some elements, like certain character voices, may be off-putting, the game successfully delivers a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “Dialogue with NPCs can be funny at times; some are quite the personalities.”
    • “A particular mention for the series' trademark 'logic' sequences, which are just absurdly hilarious!”
    • “I actually do really like the 9 Clues series' 'detective mode' hob sequences, even though I find their conclusions fairly arbitrary and hilarious most of the time.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is characterized by minor bugs and visual glitches that do not significantly disrupt gameplay. While some players noted occasional oddities, such as disappearing objects and inconsistent voice acting, these issues were generally seen as humorous rather than game-breaking, allowing for an enjoyable experience despite the imperfections.

    • “It's a little bit buggy, nothing that broke the game, just some visual glitches.”
    • “There are a couple of glitches but nothing that completely breaks the game, see the mahjong glitch.”
    • “It's not perfect, especially some odd graphic glitches once in a while, but nothing game-breaking and some of the voice acting was only just okay at best.”
  • grinding
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the intriguing storyline and challenging puzzles, others find the backtracking tedious and the lack of replay value frustrating. The game avoids grindy achievements, but those who dislike repetitive tasks may still feel the experience drags due to its narrative and voice acting shortcomings. Overall, the grinding experience can vary significantly based on individual preferences.

    • “If you don't like them, you'll find it incredibly tedious with lots of backtracking for no reason other than to make the game longer, and will most likely roll your eyes at the voice acting and plot.”
    • “This is where the game, since it has very little replay value, begins to get tedious.”
    • “It’s all downhill from there, as the narrative flounders around attempting to find itself, puzzles become more obscure and tedious, and a veritable cornucopia of bad accents meander through lines as if the voice actors are simultaneously bored and learning to read for the first time.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deeper narrative and psychological tone, which some players found more impactful than its predecessor. While the plot may not be groundbreaking, it successfully weaves emotional undercurrents into the mystery, though some reviewers felt it lacked a strong emotional response overall. Overall, the game balances moments of emotional connection with a lighthearted approach, appealing to a range of player experiences.

    • “The plot of 'Insane Person Scary' isn't groundbreaking, but this game had a more emotional core that I felt the first one lacked.”
    • “Narratively, 9 Clues 2: The Ward leans heavily into its psychological tone, weaving a story that combines mystery with emotional undercurrents.”
    • “Have the emotional connection with the goddamn violent murderer after you leave!”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is criticized for being forced and unearned, with convoluted plot reveals that detract from the overall experience. While the environments and character designs are praised, the clunky animations and strange circumstances hinder the depth of character growth.

    • “The environments and character designs were very good, showcasing a rich and immersive world that enhances the character development experience.”
    • “The character arcs are well-crafted, allowing players to witness significant growth and transformation throughout the game.”
    • “The interactions between characters are meaningful and contribute to a deeper understanding of their motivations and backgrounds.”
    • “The big reveals are confusing and convoluted; the circumstances are strange and unlikely. They try to force-feed you character development that's not earned. There are just so many issues that could be resolved by trimming down the plot.”
    • “Character arcs feel rushed and unconvincing, leaving players disconnected from the characters' motivations and growth.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices in character development makes the experience feel shallow and unengaging.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users reporting smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others experience lag and frame rate drops, indicating that optimization may vary significantly across different system configurations.

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5h Median play time
5h Average play time
3-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

9 Clues 2: The Ward is a casual puzzle game with mystery, thriller and kids themes.

9 Clues 2: The Ward is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, iPhone and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing 9 Clues 2: The Ward.

9 Clues 2: The Ward was released on July 23, 2015.

9 Clues 2: The Ward was developed by Tap It Games.

9 Clues 2: The Ward has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

9 Clues 2: The Ward is a single player game.

Similar games include 9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creek, Enigmatis 2: The Mists of Ravenwood, Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden, Dark Arcana: The Carnival, Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek and others.