9 Clues 2: The Ward

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 253 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
9 Clues 2: The Ward Game Cover
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In "9 Clues 2: The Ward," players assume the role of detectives investigating a mysterious death at a psychiatric hospital on a storm-ridden island. As they delve deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and past tragedies, with each clue raising more questions. The game features a detective mode for a more immersive investigation experience. Players must piece together the asylum's dark past and solve the murder while dealing with uncooperative staff and unstable patients.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Windows Phone
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 253 reviews
story79 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating and eerie storyline that keeps players engaged throughout.
  • Graphics and art style are visually appealing, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The puzzles are well-balanced, providing a mix of challenge without being overly difficult.
  • The voice acting and writing are subpar, detracting from the immersive experience.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive, with some hidden object scenes being too easy or poorly designed.
  • The game lacks replay value, requiring multiple playthroughs to achieve all achievements due to missable collectibles.
  • story166 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its creepy and engaging narrative, particularly in the context of a hidden object game. While some found the plot intriguing with unexpected twists, others criticized it for being predictable or convoluted, with a few noting issues with character development and voice acting. Overall, the story is seen as a strong point for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay, despite some inconsistencies and clichés.

    • “The game masterfully weaves a captivating story filled with twists and turns, ensuring that players are both challenged and engaged throughout their investigation.”
    • “In '9 Clues 2: The Ward,' players are drawn into an immersive narrative that surpasses its predecessor, as they find themselves entangled in a mysterious plot set within the eerie confines of a psychiatric ward.”
    • “The story-telling was the biggest area of improvement; it was well paced and unfolded nicely between dialogue and items found throughout the game.”
    • “The story is absurd, at a 'whatever' level, but I didn't really expect much more to be honest.”
    • “This is a thoroughly mediocre game, with no particularly clever features or bonuses to recommend it, very little variety in the gameplay, way too many cut scenes, bad animation, terrible voice acting, a story that would insult the intelligence of a 5-year-old, and overall it's a let down, especially from this publisher.”
    • “The story line was bland and the game itself was boring.”
  • graphics43 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users praising the beautiful artwork and improved visual quality compared to previous titles in the genre. While some noted that character animations and certain graphical elements could be jarring or mediocre, the overall aesthetic, including the painted feel and atmospheric design, was well-received. Players appreciated the clear and clean graphics, which contributed to an engaging experience, despite some critiques regarding the story and gameplay.

    • “Really enjoyed the graphics and theme.”
    • “Clear, clean artwork/graphics/scenes.”
    • “Great storyline, awesome graphics and wonderful puzzles!”
    • “The story was okay, but the graphics for the character's faces were quite jarring when they spoke.”
    • “Gameplay is average with puzzles hard enough for there to be a challenge but never really straining the brain; graphics are mediocre and at times quite laughable; audio is sufficient to get the job done.”
    • “The story, the graphics, and voice acting are all of mediocre level, very typical for the genre.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the horror-mystery ambiance with chilling and eerie tones. While some users noted that the music can be repetitive, it is still considered fitting and contributes positively to the overall experience, alongside good voice acting and sound effects. Overall, the combination of music, graphics, and sound design is well-received, creating an engaging atmosphere for players.

    • “The sound effects and the background music have better quality and are perfectly aligned with the horror-mystery ambience of the game.”
    • “Chilling and eerie music.”
    • “I really liked the music in the game; though repetitive, it really did build the suspense at certain moments.”
    • “The music can be a bit repetitive.”
    • “The music, although repetitive, isn't intrusive.”
    • “I really liked the music in the game, though repetitive, but it really did build the suspense at certain moments.”
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it boring and lacking depth, while others appreciate the variety offered by switching hidden object scenes to mahjong. The puzzles provide a moderate challenge, and while the game is relatively short (around 2-4 hours), it features solid mechanics and good graphics. However, the overall experience is marred by a weak story and occasional glitches.

    • “Unfortunately, there is no bonus chapter, but it is possible to switch hidden object scenes to games of mahjong, which adds even more variety to gameplay and gives a fair reason to play the game once more and find the rest of the collectibles if you missed some.”
    • “The graphics are good, the voice acting is good, the story is tight, and the gameplay is solid.”
    • “The thematic consistency with regards to gameplay mechanics and collectibles is awesome.”
    • “Gameplay is pretty boring for a hidden object game and the story is hideous.”
    • “Gameplay is average with puzzles hard enough for there to be a challenge but never really straining the brain; graphics are mediocre and at times quite laughable; audio is sufficient to get the job done.”
    • “Maybe a bit short at around 2 hours of gameplay to complete it.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a cozy yet slightly spooky autumnal vibe, enhanced by atmospheric background music and good graphics. Reviewers appreciate the unsettling and immersive qualities that complement the story and gameplay, making it a fitting experience for fans of the genre. Overall, the atmosphere strikes a balance between creepiness and comfort, creating an engaging environment for players.

    • “This game's cozy, ever so slightly spooky, autumnal atmosphere is best enjoyed with a cup of your favorite warm beverage.”
    • “Good story, atmosphere, good mechanics, a few hours (nearly 4, first run, no haste) fun.”
    • “Unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere is slightly creepy and fits the genre well, without being in any way too much.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily appealing to completionists seeking to unlock all achievements. While the randomization of hidden object scenes offers some incentive to replay, many players find the experience tedious after the initial playthrough. It is best enjoyed at a lower price point, particularly for fans of 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.”
    • “The replay value only increases when you have clue symbols, asylum pieces, and hallucinations to collect.”
    • “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.”
    • “I'd say it is average with little replay value, so it's worth the $3-$4 I paid, but not any more.”
    • “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.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as significantly enhanced compared to its predecessor, featuring a mix of silliness and amusing glitches. While some elements, like a character's voice, can be irritating, there are still memorable moments that elicit laughter, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.

    • “While the first game was pretty funny and you knew who the bad guy was right away, this game amps it up in a silly way.”
    • “Funny thing is, I thought I wanted to 100% this game, but then I found myself just enjoying the humor.”
    • “A few funny glitches and Zed's voice was piercingly annoying, but all in all, it was a very enjoyable game.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor glitches reported, such as disappearing objects and occasional humorous bugs. While some issues, like the mahjong glitch, are noted, they do not significantly disrupt gameplay, allowing for an enjoyable experience despite the presence of these quirks.

    • “There are a couple of glitches, but nothing that completely breaks the game; see the mahjong glitch.”
    • “Ignoring the unspeakably awful plot for a moment: the mechanics work well, there's three kinds of hidden objects to discover, and minimal glitches (the wheelchair disappearing was a big one though).”
    • “A few funny glitches, and Zed's voice was piercingly annoying, but all in all, a very enjoyable game.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while it is recommended for farming resources, it can become tedious due to the game's limited replay value.

    • “This is where the game, since it has very little replay value, begins to get tedious.”
  • character development2 mentions

    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, but the character animations were a bit clunky at times.”
    • “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 attempts at character development often come off as superficial, lacking the depth and nuance needed to make the characters relatable or memorable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game's narrative, even when it involves complex and morally ambiguous characters, such as a violent murderer. This depth of emotional engagement leaves a lasting impact after gameplay, highlighting the game's ability to evoke intense feelings.

    • “The game creates a profound emotional connection that lingers long after you've finished playing.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the character's journey, feeling their pain and triumphs as if they were my own.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story left me reflecting on my own experiences and relationships.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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