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Crystals of Time

Crystals of Time Game Cover
63%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, stability
63% User Score Based on 524 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Crystals of Time Game Cover

About

Crystals of Time is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by exosyphen studios and was released on June 13, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Crystals of Time" is a mystery adventure game featuring Ashley Ford, a skilled thief seeking her missing father. Armed with a time-traveling crystal, Ashley explores the secrets of the Three Oak Mansion across 80 hand-drawn scenes, solving 24 mini-games and hidden object scenes. The game offers a classic gameplay experience with an atmospheric soundtrack.

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Crystals of Time screenshot
Crystals of Time screenshot
Crystals of Time screenshot
Crystals of Time screenshot
Crystals of Time screenshot
Crystals of Time screenshot
Crystals of Time screenshot
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63%
Audience ScoreBased on 524 reviews
story38 positive mentions
grinding26 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and a nice soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
  • It offers a mix of hidden object scenes and puzzles, providing a decent level of engagement.
  • The game allows for exploration and has a hint system that helps players when they get stuck.
  • The story is weak and lacks depth, with an abrupt ending that feels unsatisfying.
  • There is excessive backtracking required, as players must revisit the same locations multiple times to find new hidden object scenes.
  • Some objects are poorly defined or misnamed, leading to confusion and frustration during gameplay.
  • story
    181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game revolves around Ashley Ford, a thief searching for her missing father in a mansion filled with secrets and time travel elements. While the premise is intriguing, many players find the narrative underdeveloped, with a lack of character depth and an abrupt ending that leaves much to be desired. Overall, the story serves primarily as a backdrop for exploration and puzzle-solving, but fails to engage players meaningfully.

    • “Released on Steam in 2014, the game invites players into a world of old mansions, forgotten secrets, and temporal paradoxes through the story of Ashley Ford, a skilled thief drawn into a supernatural mystery after her father vanishes.”
    • “This time-travel mechanic is central to both the plot and gameplay, serving as a clever device that allows players to explore multiple eras of the same mansion and uncover how its secrets evolved—or decayed—over centuries.”
    • “The story moves at a deliberate pace, unfolding through environmental clues, short dialogues, and cutscenes that maintain an air of intrigue without overcomplicating the structure.”
    • “Despite its intriguing premise, the time-travel mechanic is underutilized in gameplay; while it supports the story thematically, it doesn’t significantly alter the structure of the puzzles or exploration.”
    • “The only real criticisms I have are that there's quite a bit of backtracking but the player is sometimes given no clue of where something new became available, and that the story ends very suddenly to the point that the end screen caught me by surprise.”
    • “The story seems like it was added as an afterthought; there's a short introduction and the end is as abrupt as a bucket of cold water to the face.”
  • music
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as atmospheric and fitting, enhancing the overall experience with its relaxing and haunting qualities. However, many users noted issues with repetition, as the soundtrack often consists of a limited number of tracks that loop frequently, and some experienced interruptions where the music would stop entirely for extended periods. Despite these drawbacks, the music is often highlighted as one of the game's stronger aspects, contributing positively to the mood and ambiance.

    • “For those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries filled with beautiful artwork, soft music, and the satisfaction of piecing together clues at their own pace, Crystals of Time offers an enjoyable and quietly memorable experience.”
    • “The artwork is nice and the music adds to the mood of mystery.”
    • “The music is actually pretty good, rather haunting.”
    • “Music/sounds cut out every so often.”
    • “The soundtrack is bad and it will accompany you through the entire game, and you have a lot of backtrack to make.”
    • “There's only one song in the game, and it plays in a loop.”
  • graphics
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful artwork and atmospheric visuals that enhance immersion, while others criticize the low resolution and grainy quality, particularly on modern displays. Many agree that while the visuals can be appealing, they often lack interactivity and polish, leading to a somewhat dated feel. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for the genre, but not without notable flaws that detract from the experience.

    • “The visuals and art were beautiful, the animation and effects were there and ran smoothly, and then there was the nice background music to suit the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The graphics are beautifully rendered and painted.”
    • “As the entire experience plays out in a series of still pictures (with some minor animation at times), the player is treated to a wide array of stunning visuals that range from the vast, brooding insides of a sprawling mansion to a glittering moonlit coast.”
    • “Really dated, the graphics seem almost blurry on a new monitor.”
    • “As with most mobile ported HOGs, there's a simplistic interface, locked/unchangeable screen resolution, next to no customizability, and somewhat low resolution graphical assets.”
    • “The seek and finds are tediously repetitive, the graphics are grainy and low resolution (adding to the tedious nature of the seek and finds) and the ending to the game is ultimately unsatisfying.”
  • gameplay
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Crystals of Time" features a blend of familiar hidden object mechanics and a time-travel element that adds potential depth, though many players feel the latter is underutilized. While some enjoy the straightforward item-hunting and mini-games, others criticize the repetitive nature of the scenes, clunky mechanics, and lack of challenge, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its engaging premise, the gameplay often feels simplistic and can become tedious, particularly for those seeking a more dynamic experience.

    • “Gameplay-wise, it has this mix of familiar elements and small twists that keep things from feeling stale.”
    • “If you’re looking for something that balances comfort with challenge, familiar mechanics with fresh touches, and a world that’s just fun to be in, then I genuinely think this one is worth giving a shot.”
    • “This time-travel mechanic is central to both the plot and gameplay, serving as a clever device that allows players to explore multiple eras of the same mansion and uncover how its secrets evolved—or decayed—over centuries.”
    • “Repetitive hidden object scenes, poor mechanics, frustrating puzzles.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit clunky, in that it is sometimes difficult to figure out where you need to go, and what you need to do.”
    • “The worst part is the gameplay and the presentation; the game is littered with horrible design decisions.”
  • grinding
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, describing it as tedious and repetitive due to excessive backtracking and uninspired hidden object scenes. Players frequently encounter the same tasks and locations, leading to frustration and a lack of engagement, despite some positive aspects like decent artwork and a straightforward help system. Overall, the grinding experience detracts from the enjoyment, making the gameplay feel laborious and unfulfilling.

    • “Stay away, this game is one of the worst games of its type that I've ever played. The story is somewhat interesting but there's no hook, no progress, and the ending is boring. There's too much backtracking without explanation or story hints, no animation or voice acting, and lazy puzzle design which repeats many times in your playthrough. You can't warp, and even though the game isn't that big, the excessive backtracking makes it tedious to go from one point of the mansion to another.”
    • “However, when you need to travel back and forth across the map to areas you need to search and there are painfully few quick travel points on your map, it makes it beyond tedious.”
    • “The seek and finds are tediously repetitive, the graphics are grainy and low resolution (adding to the tedious nature of the seek and finds), and the ending to the game is ultimately unsatisfying.”
  • atmosphere
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Crystals of Time" is consistently praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by beautiful visuals and a fitting musical score that evokes a sense of mystery and quiet discovery. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a relaxing and atmospheric experience, with art and sound design that complement the hidden object adventure genre. While some areas may lack depth, the overall ambiance is described as pleasant and engaging, making for a memorable journey through its world.

    • “Crystals of Time, developed by RVL Games in collaboration with Exosyphen Studios, is a classic point-and-click hidden object adventure that leans heavily on atmosphere, mystery, and the sense of quiet discovery.”
    • “Visually, Crystals of Time excels in creating a consistent and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “For those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries filled with beautiful artwork, soft music, and the satisfaction of piecing together clues at their own pace, Crystals of Time offers an enjoyable and quietly memorable experience.”
    • “The areas themselves don't look so bad, but they don't provide much atmosphere besides 'spooky (maybe haunted) mansion wooo'.”
    • “In addition to the art, the soundtrack is both simple yet effective, adding to the atmosphere of the game in a substantial way.”
    • “Crystals of Time, developed by RVL Games in collaboration with Exosyphen Studios and published by Exosyphen Studios, is a classic point-and-click hidden object adventure that leans heavily on atmosphere, mystery, and the sense of quiet discovery.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting significant bugs such as unresponsive hidden object features, UI issues, and frequent crashes upon launch. Many players experience glitches that hinder gameplay, including unclickable spots and audio problems, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “I can't even get this game to work; as soon as I launch it, it freezes and I have to Ctrl + Alt + Del to shut it down.”
    • “The UI is horrible compared to newer games and occasionally buggy.”
    • “There were a lot of nice ideas in this game, but that can't save the spotty object clicking, glitches, tough-to-see language, and game length padding searching.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to engage players through relatable themes and moments of personal reflection, though some find the storyline lacking depth and coherence. While certain players felt a strong connection and nostalgia, others were left feeling detached and uninterested due to a perceived lack of substance in the narrative.

    • “Ashley Ford’s story may not be groundbreaking, but it provides just enough emotional and thematic weight to keep players invested until the end.”
    • “I loved I Spy as a child, and this was my first hidden object game; it made me feel at home.”
    • “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
    • “The story is very boring, with a nonsensical sequence of events.”
    • “The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I felt no emotional impact; the narrative failed to engage me.”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate a consensus that the game has minimal to zero replayability, with many players expressing disappointment in the lack of engaging content to revisit after completing it. The endings are also criticized, further diminishing the incentive to replay the game.

    • “And the ending was poorly done, but I wouldn't want a refund; I wish there was more replayability.”
    • “There is no replayability to this.”
    • “Minimal replay value.”
    • “Zero replayability.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both hilarious and entertaining, often leading to strong emotional reactions. Many users report that the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to their enjoyment, making it addictive and memorable.

    • “The ending is hilarious.”
    • “It's a fun game; so funny that I'm now an addict.”
    • “It's funny and entertaining.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is commendable, with smooth performance on both modern and older systems. The intuitive controls and fair puzzles enhance accessibility, contributing to a positive user experience.

    • “The accessibility is another plus—the controls are intuitive, the puzzles fair, and the requirements minimal, meaning it can run smoothly on even older systems.”
    • “Performance has been mostly fine.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to harsh performance issues.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is polarizing; some players find it lacking and dull, criticizing the absence of voice acting and a slow, abrupt story, while others praise it for its well-written dialogues and engaging character arcs that enhance the overall experience.

    • “Spending several hours in mind battles with the clever puzzles, well-written dialogues, and enticing character development, I must say this is truly a game for the ages.”
    • “Very dull, lacks character development, no voice acting, slow lackluster story that ends abruptly.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers appreciate the monetization approach as it feels cohesive and intentional, contributing to the overall experience of the game rather than detracting from it. The system is seen as fitting seamlessly into the game's design, enhancing player satisfaction.

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4h Median play time
6h Average play time
3-11h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Crystals of Time is a casual puzzle game.

Crystals of Time is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Crystals of Time.

Crystals of Time was released on June 13, 2014.

Crystals of Time was developed by exosyphen studios.

Crystals of Time has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Crystals of Time is a single player game.

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