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 challenging hidden object puzzles and mini-games that are engaging and fun.
- The graphics, while dated, are clean and detailed, contributing to an enjoyable visual experience.
- The game allows players to achieve all accomplishments in a single playthrough without the need for hints, making it accessible for completionists.
- The game suffers from numerous issues with object labeling and clickable areas, leading to frustrating pixel hunting and confusion.
- The storyline is weak and lacks depth, making the overall experience feel empty and unengaging.
- There are technical problems, including bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly at critical moments like the final puzzle.
- story11 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 giant creature. While some players appreciate the graphics and the entertainment value of the puzzles, many feel that the narrative is underdeveloped and does not provide a compelling experience. Overall, the story is seen as a weak point, overshadowed by the game's focus on puzzles and visual appeal.
“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 dialogue certainly is lacking.”
“What this game lacks in story, it makes up for in hidden object puzzles, of which there are many.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some users note that the visuals are dated and sub-par, others praise the excellent artwork and attention to detail. Overall, many appreciate the combination of good graphics and engaging music, contributing to an immersive experience.
“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:”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its ability to enhance the excitement and overall experience, despite some noting its repetitive nature. While the soundtrack is described as lovely and fitting, a few players found it lacking in variety. Additionally, the integration of music with animated video inserts adds to the game's appeal.
“The music can be intense and it's often making the game feel more exciting.”
“Lovely music and good clean graphics.”
“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.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a variety of engaging mechanical puzzles and quests that keep players challenged and entertained.
“There are a lot of interesting mechanical puzzles and quests.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in the game to be reminiscent of old-school mechanics, but the real frustration lies in the excessive and tedious pixel hunts required to progress through the story.
“The grinding feels excessively repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I found the grinding to be a major chore, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the experience.”
“The amount of time spent grinding is overwhelming and feels like a forced way to extend gameplay.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to be buggy, indicating significant stability issues that may affect the overall gameplay experience.
“The game is incredibly buggy, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I encountered numerous bugs that severely impacted my gaming experience.”
“The stability issues are frustrating, with frequent crashes and glitches.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply touching story and impressive graphics, which together create a highly emotional experience for players, complemented by a substantial number of engaging puzzles.
“Everything is simply amazing in this game - a very touching story, great graphics, and a huge amount of puzzles.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making every decision feel significant.”
“I was moved to tears by the storyline; it beautifully captures the complexities of love and loss.”
