Howlville: The Dark Past
- May 11, 2018
- N-Tri Studio
Get on SteamHowlville: The Dark Past is a casual hidden object game set in a mysterious town with a dark past. Players take on the role of a journalist investigating supernatural occurrences, solving puzzles and uncovering secrets in a thrilling adventure. With stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and a captivating storyline, Howlville offers a delightful experience for all ages.
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Reviews
- The game features a variety of hidden object puzzles that are engaging and challenging, providing a fun experience.
- The graphics and artwork are well-done, with attention to detail that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Players can easily achieve all accomplishments in a single playthrough, making it accessible for completionists.
- The game suffers from numerous issues with mislabeled items and unclear clickable areas, leading to frustrating gameplay.
- The storyline is weak and lacks depth, making it feel empty and unengaging for players seeking a narrative experience.
- There are technical problems, including bugs that can disrupt progress, particularly in the final stages of the game.
- story22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being clichéd and lacking depth, with a simplistic plot that fails to connect the protagonist's quest to find her father with the more fantastical elements, such as battling a Cthulhu-like creature. While some players appreciate the graphics and the entertainment value of the puzzles, many feel that the narrative is weak and does not provide a compelling experience. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay mechanics over a meaningful storyline.
“Probably the storyline is a great example: it starts in a clichéd abandoned town, where the protagonist is looking for her missing father, yet somehow we end up shooting a giant laser cannon at a Cthulhu wannabe.”
“I really love the obvious attention that went into the superb graphics and a story which moved along and kept one engrossed.”
“Everything is simply amazing in this game - very touching story, great graphics and a huge amount of puzzles.”
“While this sounds awesome, sadly, there is precious little actual plot between these two cardinal events.”
“There are very few (if any) redeeming qualities to this game - the storyline and dialog certainly is lacking.”
“What this game lacks in story, it makes up for in hidden object puzzles, of which there are many.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players note that the visuals are sub-par and standard due to its age, others praise the artwork and attention to detail, highlighting the superb graphics and overall aesthetic quality. The combination of lovely music and clean graphics enhances the experience, making it engaging despite its older resolution.
“Lovely music and good clean graphics.”
“The artwork was excellent.”
“I really love the obvious attention that went into the superb graphics and a story which moved along and kept one engrossed.”
“It is old, so the graphics are sub-par and the resolution is standard.”
“Graphics and sound are lacking in quality.”
“The artwork is decent, but it doesn't make up for the outdated graphics.”
- music14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the excitement, with some users noting its intensity and contribution to the overall atmosphere. However, there are criticisms regarding the limited variety, as some tracks repeat frequently. Overall, while the music is appreciated, its repetitive nature may detract from the experience for some players.
“The fact that you don’t have to play more than once to get all the achievements, the artwork and the music.”
“There are animated video inserts, music and voice!”
“There wasn’t much music, and it was obvious that it kept playing over and over, but what was there was good.”
“I dislike musical follow the sequence puzzles, so I skipped that one.”
“The music can be intense and it's often making the game feel more exciting.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a variety of engaging mechanical puzzles and quests that challenge players and enhance the overall experience.
“There are a lot of interesting mechanical puzzles and quests.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious, particularly due to excessive pixel hunting required on the story screen, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the old-school difficulty, many feel it pales in comparison to the monotonous nature of the grinding involved.
“The grinding feels excessively repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“The amount of time required to level up is frustrating, leading to a sense of burnout.”
“The grind is so monotonous that it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, with multiple users describing it as "buggy." This suggests a lack of polish and reliability, potentially impacting the overall gameplay experience.
“The game is incredibly buggy.”
“There are numerous bugs that ruin the experience.”
“The stability issues make it hard to enjoy the game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply touching story, which resonates emotionally with players, complemented by impressive graphics and a plethora of puzzles that enhance the overall experience.
“Everything is simply amazing in this game - very touching story, great graphics, and a huge amount of puzzles.”
