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Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is the final episode of a proper trilogy with a continuing storyline, although it might not have been the best episode of the three. The gameplay won't cause any major surprises here, but there have been a few changes, such as a more linear map that streamlines the whole experience. Alongside the usual hidden object mini-games and puzzles are contextual actions, which add variety but no extra challenge. Those who are sick of hidden object puzzles can also try the pair matching alternative, whose gameplay has been altered slightly from previous titles so that its difficulty matches the rest of the game. The best puzzles are still the evidence board, even if this is easier than in previous episodes. At the end of the day, this title is a satisfactory end to the Enigmatis story arc, and it's concluded in a satisfactory manner with no loose ends left behind.
Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics
Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, grinding
92% User Score Based on 435 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala Game Cover

About Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is a single player casual action adventure game with fantasy, mystery and kids themes. It was developed by Artifex Mundi and was released on August 11, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is the final chapter in the blockbuster trilogy, an exciting detective story rife with adventure, puzzles, and ancient mystery. Follow the trail of a demonic preacher and unravel the secrets of Karkhala Peak!

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Games Like Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala

Looking for games like Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala? Here are top casual action adventure recommendations with a fantasy, mystery and kids focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with Enigmatis 2: The Mists of Ravenwood, Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek or Grim Legends: The Forsaken Bride.

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Reviews

92%Audience ScoreBased on 435 reviews
story137 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions

  • Beautiful and detailed artwork with rich atmospheric environments that enhance immersion.
  • Engaging storyline providing a satisfying conclusion to the Enigmatis trilogy with well-paced narrative and some surprising twists.
  • Varied and logical puzzles alongside interactive hidden object scenes offering an enjoyable and accessible gameplay experience.
  • The game's length is shorter compared to previous installments, leading to a somewhat rushed and anti-climactic ending.
  • Some puzzles suffer from unclear instructions or trial-and-error mechanics, and certain hidden objects are difficult to find without hints.
  • Occasional technical issues include long loading times, bugs causing softlocks, and no manual save, sometimes forcing replay from the start.
  • story

    346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    40% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The story in Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala serves as a satisfying conclusion to the overarching trilogy, continuing the detective narrative with supernatural and horror elements across striking, atmospheric settings. While generally engaging and well-paced with notable twists and good integration of puzzles, some found the plot less compelling or more predictable compared to earlier entries, and the bonus content somewhat underwhelming. Overall, it's recommended to play the first two games for full context, as this finale wraps up the narrative with decent storytelling but is considered the weakest story-wise of the series.

    • “The story is well-paced, detailed, and very engaging.”
    • “The story is a satisfying climax to the trio of Enigmatis games, and this is one of the only series I have actually followed to the end.”
    • “The story has a fascinating twist as you progress towards the end, but I was still absolutely speechless from the get-go.”
    • “The story is the weakest of the three, with the finale being very anti-climactic.”
    • “The story was very weak and a lot of scenes didn't even make sense. The puzzles were too easy and the conclusion of the story is a letdown after the buildup in Enigmatis.”
    • “But by itself, the story of Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala isn't that good, really, and it's certainly the weakest of the three games.”
  • graphics

    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    58% positive mentions, 39% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    Enigmatis 3 features significantly improved and beautiful graphics compared to its predecessors, with detailed artwork, vivid 2D backgrounds, and realistic 3D characters that enhance immersion. While some cutscenes have lower quality and minor animation inconsistencies, overall the visuals are polished, colorful, and richly contribute to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. The art style and graphics are frequently praised as a major highlight, elevating the hidden object and puzzle gameplay experience.

    • “Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is such a satisfying finale to the trilogy with even better visuals.”
    • “Graphics are superb, story is far better laid out than before, environments and characters... all got improved since the second game in the series.”
    • “This game is stunningly beautiful, the artwork and background music were amazing.”
    • “Graphics are somehow worse than the second one, and the story is way weaker.”
    • “Poorly rendered cut scenes that don’t match the lush HD visuals of the rest of the game.”
    • “The cut scenes are not HD though and the discrepancy is clear as the visuals are blurred and nearly myopic when segmented between the game's environments; it’s a small overlook that they weren’t upgraded, though it is partially understandable considering the original release date of the series.”
  • gameplay

    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    22% positive mentions, 74% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    The gameplay is a refined yet traditional hidden-object puzzle adventure experience that maintains core mechanics from earlier titles while introducing improvements like the evidence board system to enhance immersion. While some find it repetitive or overly linear with occasional hand-holding, others praise its smooth integration of puzzles, interactive elements, and improved pacing, considering it the best in the series. Overall, it offers a solid, polished gameplay experience, especially for fans of the genre, though it may lack challenge or mechanical innovation for veterans.

    • “Known for its expertise in hidden-object puzzle adventures, Artifex Mundi refines many of the mechanics introduced in earlier entries while elevating the stakes through a dramatic mountain setting and a more focused narrative drive.”
    • “One of the most compelling mechanics is the evidence board system. This mechanic enhances immersion by reinforcing the detective identity of the protagonist.”
    • “In many ways, Enigmatis 3 is the best game of the series, being finally comfortable with the formula of hidden object puzzles and straightforward, connective adventure game mechanics that was always its strong point.”
    • “The gameplay itself is very lackluster compared to the earlier titles, as it includes too much hand-holding and not enough classic point-and-click elements.”
    • “The hidden object puzzles feel tedious and needlessly drawn-out, but it is mild in comparison to the illogical point-and-click mechanics, which may force brute-force trial-and-error at some parts with their unpredictable solutions.”
    • “I am basically stuck after 2 hours of gameplay and will have to replay the entire game again because I skipped a step along the way.”
  • music

    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    60% positive mentions, 40% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric, orchestral, and relaxing qualities that perfectly complement the visuals and story, enhancing the overall immersion. While some users note occasional audio balance issues in cutscenes, the soundtrack is generally considered a standout feature, with memorable tunes like flute pieces and an unobtrusive, haunting ambiance. The option to save music tracks in special editions and the variety in audio settings further add to the positive reception.

    • “Orchestral music underscores key moments with subtle intensity, while ambient effects—wind sweeping across peaks, distant echoes in temple halls—contribute to the sense of isolation and danger.”
    • “Amazing soundtrack that perfectly matched the atmosphere as well as the voice overs of the new protagonists we meet in the story.”
    • “The soundtrack accompanies the game nicely and is unobtrusive, even as it is pleasant to listen to with haunting tunes and soft melodic set pieces.”
  • atmosphere

    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    71% positive mentions, 15% neutral mentions, 14% negative mentions

    Enigmatis 3 delivers a richly atmospheric experience, with vivid environments, a mystical Himalayan setting, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the supernatural and adventure themes. While some fans missed the darker, gloomier tones of earlier installments, the game’s polished visuals, immersive design, and dramatic ambiance create a memorable and engaging finale to the trilogy.

    • “Snow drifts, flickering torches, and ancient stone corridors create a vivid atmosphere that complements the supernatural undertones of the story.”
    • “The atmosphere was so dramatic and captivating that I was breathing heavily when the intro sequence was finally over.”
    • “The cinematics, design, atmosphere, and music were all very nice and immersive.”
    • “The story still has the same end goal which is to get to the priest and destroy his evilness, but it feels detached from the gloomy mysterious atmosphere prevalent in the previous two.”
    • “Personally, I preferred the dark atmosphere of the first game.”
    • “The game wraps up the story fairly well, even though the ending is quite lacking after the first game's eerie atmosphere and the second one's bleakness.”
  • replayability

    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    29% positive mentions, 28% neutral mentions, 43% negative mentions

    The game offers limited replayability, with minimal replay value overall. However, it includes some additional content such as a prequel bonus chapter, extra menus with mini-games and multimedia, and hidden object sets that provide modest incentives for replay.

    • “Infinitely replayable.”
    • “A prequel bonus chapter about Brittany and an extra menu with replayable hops, mini-games, cutscene videos, wallpapers, music, etc. Includes 3 sets of extra hidden objects: 21 morphing tainted spirits, 15 feathers, and 8 flowers.”
    • “Minimal replay value.”
    • “The replay value for the game is low.”
    • “Hopa = no replayability.”
  • optimization

    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    43% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 14% negative mentions

    The game's optimization is subpar, with noticeable performance drops and slow loading times, especially during extended play and post-game content. While not game-breaking, these issues cause frustration and indicate unoptimized coding.

    • “Performance issues after running for a while get rather bothersome.”
    • “Don't assume that it has crashed as it is simply loading the next area in a very unoptimized way.”
    • “The main issue I had is the same one I've had with a bunch of these, which is slowly deteriorating performance as you play.”
  • grinding

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    Grinding in the game is characterized by tedious and repetitive hidden object puzzles with little guidance, making collectible hunting frustrating. Trial-and-error gameplay and illogical puzzle design further contribute to a drawn-out, grindy experience.

    • “I go back and replay to pick up ones I missed but there are no indications whether those objects are in a scene or how many you may have found or not found--the game was just too tedious to have to do that multiple times.”
    • “The most tedious thing about the game for me was locating all the collectibles.”
    • “The hidden object puzzles feel tedious and needlessly drawn-out, but it is mild in comparison to the illogical point ’n’ click mechanics, which may force brute-force trial-and-error at some parts with their unpredictable solutions.”
  • humor

    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game's humor is intelligent and witty, featuring clever writing and playful moments like tongue-in-cheek jokes and amusing bug occurrences. Players find it genuinely funny, enhancing the engaging hidden object adventure experience.

    • “The script is beautiful, very smart and funny.”
    • “There was also a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor with the research team all butchering Fang's name, while your character is the only one who pronounces it correctly.”
    • “I ran into a bug where the safe opened by itself without the need of keys, but I went around with them and it was hilarious.”
  • emotional

    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The voice acting delivers sufficient personality to support the main characters and enhance emotional engagement, especially given the increased presence of visible deaths. However, the final confrontation falls short, feeling brief and lacking in tension or emotional impact.

    • “Voice acting, while not overly theatrical, provides enough personality to anchor the main characters and reinforce emotional stakes.”
    • “It seemed a lot more heartfelt in this game since there were a lot more visible deaths.”
  • stability

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 50% negative mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with some users experiencing bugs such as long pauses and black screens during cut scenes requiring restarts, while others found it well-polished and bug-free.

    • “The story is more absorbing, the game is well polished and was bug free for me.”
    • “Sadly, this game was quite buggy. During the cutscenes, it would pause for a long time on a black screen, forcing me to restart the game multiple times.”
  • monetization

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 100% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    Users note that the developers addressed previous issues with aggressive monetization seen in their free-to-play collection, Unsolved, suggesting improvements were made to create a less intrusive experience.

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Play Times

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

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is a casual action adventure game with fantasy, mystery and kids themes. Common tags for Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala include indie, trading, 2d, female protagonist, detective and others.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala was released on August 11, 2016.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala was developed by Artifex Mundi.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala is a single player game.

Similar games include Enigmatis 2: The Mists of Ravenwood, Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek, Grim Legends: The Forsaken Bride, Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden, Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart and others.