Escape from the Shadows

About

"Escape from the Shadows" is the seventh game in the Hidden Town series, offering a single-player horror point-and-click experience. With an intriguing story, outstanding game mechanics, wonderful visuals, and phenomenal music, players are immersed in a thrilling adventure to escape the shadow world. However, the game is marred by excessive advertisements and bugs, with mixed reception regarding its "wholesome story" claims.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,616 reviews

story868 positive mentions

monetization162 negative mentions

story
1,433 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
39%
1%
The game's story has been widely praised for its engaging and imaginative narrative that intricately ties together multiple installments, creating a cohesive and immersive experience. Players appreciate the depth of character development, unexpected plot twists, and the overall emotional impact of the storyline, which keeps them invested throughout the gameplay. While some noted minor issues with pacing or predictability, the majority found the storytelling to be a standout feature, eagerly anticipating future installments in the series.
- “Imaginative, gripping, scary yet whimsical, with deft storytelling and illustration.”
- “The way this one ties together the storylines of the past few games was very exciting to see through and it was very fun to play through.”
- “The storyline is powerful and makes you want to follow it through till the end.”
- “However, compared to the other entries in this story, its plot is more nonsensical, and the two main twists fail to land.”
- “The way the story ended in the game didn't make me feel like all the hard work I did paid off.”
- “The storyline was lacking a bit.”
monetization
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The monetization model of the game primarily relies on ads, which are generally described as minimal and non-intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game for free. While some users noted an increase in ad frequency compared to previous installments, many appreciated the option to watch ads for hints and the ability to purchase a premium version to eliminate ads entirely. Overall, players found the balance between ads and gameplay acceptable, with most agreeing that the ads did not significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “I paid for no ads because I love these games and want to support, but even with the ads, it's a great game.”
- “I highly suggest spending a dollar something for no ads and free hints; it's cheap and makes the play more fun!”
- “Definitely worth the tiny cost of premium content/no ads.”
- “Cute game, but the ads are atrocious. Normally I don't mind supporting the developer either by watching ads or making purchases, but this game's business model can be best described as 'make the ads as annoying and random as possible and hope that the player gets annoyed enough to pay to turn them off.'”
- “The only problem I had was the amount of ads. It's a shame the devs chose to include in-game ads for this installment; I hope they remove this for the next one.”
- “Honestly, the ads weren't that big of a deal for me because it's way better to get a bunch of ads rather than have half of the content hidden behind a paywall.”
graphics
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
30%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their captivating art style, stunning visuals, and attention to detail, contributing significantly to the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the unique and cute character designs, although some noted minor graphical bugs and occasional blurriness. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and engaging storytelling has left a lasting impression on players, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The graphics are stunning as well!”
- “The art style is so nice!”
- “Amazing graphics and thrilling storyline, it was very cool to find references to other games of the series constantly while playing and it was fun to look for the little creatures hidden around.”
- “And sometimes parts of the graphics get blurry.”
- “However, the game had a little bit of graphic bugs (the challenge with the x-ray scanner and the various toys).”
- “The graphics of the other games are better than this one but I love the story.”
gameplay
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
31%
4%
The gameplay is widely praised for its captivating mechanics, smooth execution, and engaging puzzles that strike a balance between challenge and accessibility. Players appreciate the integration of a compelling storyline with immersive gameplay, enhanced by beautiful graphics and minimal ad interruptions. Overall, the game delivers a satisfying experience, though some users noted that certain puzzles felt repetitive or simpler compared to previous installments.
- “The gameplay is smooth and enjoyable.”
- “Great gameplay and puzzles, the plot is wonderful!!!”
- “I absolutely love the gameplay, and the puzzles are incredibly well done and very fun to solve.”
- “I feel the ad-hoc ads that pop up midgameplay take away from the atmosphere quite a bit.”
- “This requires a restart of the app and severely halts gameplay.”
- “I like your games but adverts in the first 2 minutes of gameplay?”
music
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
22%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players describing it as soothing, immersive, and perfectly fitting the game's atmosphere. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the mood, making the gameplay more engaging and enjoyable. While some expressed a desire for more variety or higher quality in certain tracks, the general consensus is that the music is a standout feature that complements the intriguing story and beautiful art.
- “The music is just fabulous; it enhances the vibe of the game and creates an immersive experience.”
- “A very good storyline, interesting and engaging puzzles, and a special mention for the music used, which was very calm and soothing and effectively enhanced the mysterious ambience of the game.”
- “The artwork and music are very nice and don't become annoying as they are played in the background.”
- “One suggestion I have is perhaps make the background music fit the situation at hand.”
- “The puzzles, though difficult and frustrating, were my favorite parts; alongside the art and music that created this subtle tension in the place.”
- “A very good storyline, interesting & engaging puzzles and a special mention for the music used which was very calm & soothing and somehow very effectively enhanced the mysterious ambience of the game.”
emotional
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game's storyline, highlighting its heartbreaking moments and character sacrifices that evoke strong feelings of sadness and joy. Many reviewers mention being moved to tears by the plot twists and character arcs, particularly the emotional endings that leave a lasting impact. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to engage players on an emotional level, making it a memorable experience.
- “That Bastian's brother died... I hope they all are living happily. I'm damn sure there will be another part of another Shadows or Haunted Laia because, as shown in the ending, the witch is going to take her revenge. Another thing is that I wish the storylines and discussions between the characters were clearer and longer because then it fills more emotions and feels. Although the game was mind-blowing, the ending was quite emotional and nice.”
- “A heartbreaking storyline.”
- “I really love the game; its backstory is so touching and it's full of mysteries. The puzzles are not so hard, the whole story is full of twists, and I loved the Darkdome games.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
8%
69%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report a smooth experience with minimal glitches and no lag, others encounter bugs, particularly during specific sections and cutscenes, leading to frustrating freezes. Some users also noted issues with the autosave feature, which can disrupt gameplay. Overall, while the game is generally playable and enjoyable, it does have notable stability concerns that could affect immersion.
- “The game runs so smoothly, with no glitches, lagging, or bugs!”
- “No lag, no glitches... the only thing I will say is that I wish the autosaves happened more frequently.”
- “I waited a very long time and pre-registered for the game, and finally played it till the end in one day. My experience was splendid; there were no glitches, no bugs, only fun.”
- “A little buggy - particularly the second detective section.”
- “I had to begin from a certain moment, even though I saved right before quitting the game... this is kind of ridiculous that I have to go through a few riddles one more time, just because of game glitches.”
- “This sequel to 'Haunted Laia' (and presumably 'Nowhere House' - which I was unable to play due to a bug) has a gripping plot and good puzzles, but unfortunately the app suffers from the same bug as Haunted Laia where it freezes after certain cutscenes and you can only progress by exiting and restarting the game.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
Overall, the game's atmosphere is praised for its immersive and visually stunning qualities, contributing to an engaging experience filled with whimsy and challenge. However, some players feel that intrusive ads detract from this atmosphere. Despite mixed feelings about puzzle inventiveness, the overall ambiance remains a highlight, with many considering it a perfect escape game.
- “The game's immersive atmosphere and challenging enigmas kept me engaged, making every minute an enjoyable and thrilling experience.”
- “It's just as visually stunning as expected and has a very unique atmosphere around it.”
- “I love the atmosphere and the puzzles are well balanced.”
- “I feel the ad-hoc ads that pop up mid-gameplay take away from the atmosphere quite a bit.”
- “I enjoy the storyline, the difficult puzzles, and the gloomy atmosphere.”
- “The whimsical parts of the game are also very cute and lighten up the atmosphere.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Reviewers consistently praise the character development in the game, highlighting the impressive character designs and animations that complement the engaging story. The art style is particularly appreciated, contributing to the overall immersive experience. Players find the combination of intriguing narratives and well-crafted characters to be a standout feature, enhancing the game's appeal.
- “I love the art style, I love the story, I love the character design.”
- “Good puzzles, interesting story, and neat character design.”
- “Everything you'd expect from a dark dome's game... interesting story, great character design, great animation, brain-racking puzzles, lol but that's what makes it an awesome game 10/10.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, the game runs smoothly with minimal interruptions, particularly due to the absence of long ads. However, players have encountered specific optimization issues, such as unresponsive elements during certain gameplay sections, which can hinder progress despite the game's otherwise solid performance.
- “Because it doesn't have irritating long ads, it runs smoothly.”
- “If you're looking for a quick mystery game that you can finish in one day, then I really recommend this. The ads are short, which means it won't affect your game performance. I just finished this, and it's really perfect.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players highlighting moments that elicited genuine laughter, such as a witch's reaction to a tattoo and playful interactions with brooms. Overall, the game balances its comedic elements with a poignant ending, making it a recommended experience for fans of the series.
- “There were parts that made me laugh, like the witch freaking out over the tattoo, and whenever I saw a broom, I kept saying 'flip it quick.' I can't wait to see what comes next!”
- “This game is pretty funny! I just finished it in 2 hours. I think the story is fine, and I highly recommend playing the other parts first. Great game overall! 👍”
- “Very funny; the end was sad.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users generally agree that the game offers good replayability, encouraging players to return for additional playthroughs.
- “The game definitely has replayability.”
- “Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences.”
- “I find myself coming back to it time and again for different outcomes.”