Hidden: On the trail of the Ancients
- August 5, 2015
- Lost Spell
Overall, Hidden: On the Trail of the Ancients is a good purchase for fans of horror or point-and-click games, but a must buy for fans of both.
Get on SteamIn "Hidden: On the Trail of the Ancients," you play as Thomas Farrell, a young anthropologist exploring ancient woods in Buenos Aires to uncover the Legend of the Ancients. The game is a high-res, first-person horror point n' click adventure with a focus on story, puzzles, and exploration. The rich storyline is presented through various documents, books, audio records, and visual elements. The game is the first part of a two-game series, followed by "The Untold."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features an intriguing story and a dense Lovecraftian atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
- Graphics and sound design are well-executed, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- Puzzles are challenging and require critical thinking, appealing to fans of old-school point-and-click adventures.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, making it difficult to play and often unplayable.
- Many players found the game to be overpriced for its short playtime and lack of a satisfying conclusion.
- The reliance on pixel hunting for items can lead to frustration, as some objects are too small or well-hidden.
- story32 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Hidden" is described as atmospheric and intriguing, with a focus on supernatural horror and ancient civilizations, but it suffers from a lack of development and a cliffhanger ending that leaves players feeling like they've only experienced half of the narrative. While some appreciate the Lovecraftian elements and voice acting, others find the plot unengaging and the pacing slow, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. Many reviewers suggest waiting for the second installment to fully appreciate the story, especially given the game's pricing.
“The best thing about the game is definitely the mysterious story and dense Lovecraftian atmosphere.”
“The interface is easy to navigate, the voice acting is amazing, graphics are perfect for the atmosphere and the story is captivating!”
“You see the beginnings of a well thought out supernatural horror story with enough detail to make you want to know more and well-pitched tension leading to some properly 'jump out of your seat' moments.”
“The storyline and your character's voice are both bland.”
“It is a bit disappointing to only play half of the story, and the game is overpriced as it is, so I would recommend getting it when it's on sale, or you can wait for the second part to get the story as a whole.”
“The story is set up but hasn't developed at all.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highlighted by strong mechanics that enhance the overall experience, complemented by appealing visuals and a unique environment. While most puzzles are enjoyable, a few can be frustrating due to mechanical issues. Overall, the interaction between gameplay, mechanics, and visuals is well-executed, contributing to a satisfying experience.
“It has a unique environment, some good acting and visuals, and the interaction between gameplay, mechanics, and visuals works.”
“It looks very appealing, and overall I really enjoyed the puzzles, although there were three of them that frustrated me just because of game mechanical reasons.”
“It looks very appealing and overall I really enjoyed the puzzles, although there were three of them that frustrated me just because of game mechanical reasons.”
“The mechanics in the game are the strongest aspect of the gameplay.”
“It has a unique environment, some good acting and visuals, and the interaction between gameplay, mechanics, and visuals work.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users praising the detailed visuals, atmospheric design, and effective cutscenes, while others criticize them as ugly and basic. Overall, many players appreciate the graphics for enhancing the game's atmosphere and complementing the story, alongside positive remarks about the soundtrack and voice acting.
“The graphics are nice, with a lot of detail and even some decent cutscenes.”
“The interface is easy to navigate, the voice acting is amazing, graphics are perfect for the atmosphere and the story is captivating!”
“The graphics, atmosphere and sounds/music are great.”
“Ugly graphics, basic story, and a cliffhanger.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Hidden" is highly praised for its dense Lovecraftian elements, captivating story, and immersive audio-visual design. While some users note the game could benefit from further polishing, the overall dark and mysterious ambiance, complemented by excellent voice acting and graphics, makes it a compelling experience worth exploring.
“Overall, the game could definitely use some polishing but it's still worth checking out even if just for the dark atmosphere.”
“The interface is easy to navigate, the voice acting is amazing, graphics are perfect for the atmosphere and the story is captivating!”
“Overall, the game could definitely use some polishing, but it's still worth checking out even if just for the dark atmosphere.”
“The best thing about the game is definitely the mysterious story and dense Lovecraftian atmosphere.”
- music6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised as perfect and well-suited to the overall experience, complementing the impressive graphics and atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a significant positive aspect, enhancing the game's immersive qualities.
“The music is perfect for this game.”
“The graphics, atmosphere, and sounds/music are great.”
“Nice graphics and soundtrack as well.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous glitches, significantly impacting its stability and overall user experience.
“The game is full of glitches.”
“The game is full of glitches.”
“The game is full of glitches.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be boring, tedious, and overpriced, indicating a lack of enjoyment and value in the repetitive tasks required for progression.
“Boring, tedious, and overpriced.”
“Boring, tedious, and overpriced.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game primarily stems from the poorly executed lip syncing and exaggerated facial movements of characters, particularly Petrov, which unintentionally creates comedic moments in an otherwise serious context. This contrast between the game's tone and the humor derived from its technical flaws has elicited laughter from players.
“The lip syncing is hilariously bad; I couldn't stop laughing at Petrov and his facial movements, which isn't a good thing when this is a super serious game.”
