Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises
- March 26, 2020
- Brave Giant LTD
- 9h median play time
Get on SteamHidden object puzzle adventure from Brave Giant and Artifex Mundi which stands as the rousing trilogy-opener for the "Family Mysteries" police drama, evoking a fanciful nostalgia for such TV hits like Miami Vice, Beverly Hills Cop and CSI.
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Reviews
- Engaging mystery with unexpected twists and a solid storyline that keeps players hooked.
- Good variety of puzzles and hidden object scenes, with some innovative mechanics like evidence gathering.
- Decent graphics and art style, along with enjoyable music that enhances the atmosphere of the game.
- Voice acting is often poor and can detract from the overall experience, leading to a 'B movie' feel.
- Some puzzles, particularly the sliding tile puzzles, are frustrating and lack clear instructions, making them tedious.
- The game can feel linear and repetitive, with a lack of depth in certain gameplay mechanics and a somewhat predictable plot.
- story63 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises" follows Emma Emerson, a police detective in 1980s Miami, as she navigates a familiar plot of solving mysteries and chasing criminals. While some players found the narrative engaging with intriguing twists, others criticized it for being convoluted, poorly executed, and filled with nonsensical elements. Overall, the game offers a mix of entertainment and detective work, though it may not satisfy those seeking a deeply coherent or innovative storyline.
“This delightful game seamlessly blends mystery, detective work, and unexpected plot twists into an engaging experience.”
“The intriguing storyline, visually impressive artwork, and immersive music captivated me throughout.”
“The main storyline is full of twists, so I must say I was impressed by it, even if I could see some things that weren't realistic.”
“The story is occasionally hard to follow; several scenes and situations are borderline nonsensical.”
“The story has more holes than a doughnut shop; like they are cops, but never call for backup.”
“The story/dialogue in this game is beyond stupid, even for the already incredibly low standards for Artifex Mundi games.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics received mixed reviews, with many praising the artwork and attention to detail, while others found the cutscenes lacking and some scenes overcrowded or empty. The visuals are generally considered decent for the genre, though some players noted that character designs and voice acting could use improvement. While the art style and settings were appreciated, opinions on the overall execution varied, with some feeling the graphics were passable compared to similar games.
“🟢 Excellent artwork and attention to detail.”
“The intriguing storyline, visually impressive artwork, and immersive music captivated me throughout.”
“I just love the settings, the art style, and the puzzles.”
“Decent graphics but cutscenes are bad, some scenes are unnecessarily overcrowded by items, some feel empty.”
“The visuals are passable (although I've seen noticeably better in similar games) and the music is 'meh'.”
“Graphics are pretty much the same for these types of games and to be honest I like them, they are nothing amazing but for these types of games they work.”
- music16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its immersive and atmospheric qualities, while others find it repetitive or lacking in excitement. Many highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the overall experience, though a few express disappointment with its execution compared to other titles. Overall, the music contributes positively to the ambiance, but opinions on its quality vary significantly.
“The intriguing storyline, visually impressive artwork, and immersive music captivated me throughout.”
“The music and scenery in this one are pretty cozy in a mysterious atmospheric way.”
“Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises is a well-made game, with exciting music, an interesting story, and it looks good too.”
“The visuals are passable (although I've seen noticeably better in similar games) and the music is 'meh'.”
“Dreary, melancholy, and repetitive music and a sluggish interface just make it seem drawn-out.”
“I certainly should have turned the music off far earlier than I did.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of traditional mechanics typical of the genre, such as item searching and mini-games, alongside some unique elements like evidence gathering and fight scenes. While some players appreciate the variety and challenge, others find the mechanics to be shallow and the linear progression somewhat boring. Overall, the gameplay receives a positive reception for its innovative aspects, despite some criticisms regarding depth and the lack of impactful choices.
“The talented voice acting and challenging mini-games added depth to the gameplay.”
“The gameplay is the classic one for the genre: you find items, you assemble or examine them, you play mini-games, you search for items that are more hidden and even morphing!”
“Interesting use of some mechanics most HOGs don't use (evidence gathering, the fight scenes).”
“Game mechanics are varied but shallow; using the match-3 mechanic for a fight scene is certainly a strange choice.”
“There are a few dialogue choices to be made that have zero impact on the game or plot, and the clue gathering mechanic/case building is reflective of the plot points.”
“I was getting quite bored with that linear gameplay until the end where they put a couple of decent minigames that would probably get most to hit the skip button, but I persevered and it paid off.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it funny and enjoyable, often eliciting laughter through decent voice acting and amusing content. Many reviewers appreciate the comedic elements enough to express interest in exploring other titles in the series.
“A ton of fun and really funny; I am going to grab the others in the series.”
“This game is rather hilarious.”
“What's hilarious is that I've been obsessively playing hidden object games for the last two months, and I recognize music from Lost Grimoires and voice actors from other Artifex Mundi games as well.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when it involves completing multiple puzzles within a single puzzle to unlock items. The sliding tile puzzle, in particular, is frequently mentioned as a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially for those aiming for 100% completion.
“Later in the game, you have to do two or three puzzles within the same puzzle to unlock an item; it's a tedious bore and not fun.”
“If you're going for a full 100% completion for the achievements, the sliding tile puzzle was the only one that became tedious and tempting to skip.”
“The exception was a sliding puzzle of two seascapes that became tedious to complete.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a cozy yet mysterious ambiance, enhanced by its music and sound effects. While many appreciate the atmospheric elements, some players express a desire for a more uplifting tone as the game progresses.
“The music and scenery in this game are pretty cozy in a mysterious, atmospheric way.”
“Music and sound effects just add that little bit of extra atmosphere.”
“I was just hoping the atmosphere it created was going to cheer up soon.”
