Mystic Saga
- January 27, 2016
- FIVE-BN GAMES
- 50h median play time
"Mystic Saga" is an adventure game set in ancient Asia, where players uncover secrets, find ancient scrolls, and decipher spells to master elemental powers. With over 250 quests and 15 unique characters, players must defeat an evil empress to restore peace.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful graphics and a relaxing soundtrack, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
- Mystic Saga offers a variety of hidden object scenes with randomized item locations, providing a level of challenge and engagement.
- Players can enjoy the game casually, as it allows for short play sessions and strategic energy management.
- The game employs a frustrating energy system that limits playtime, requiring players to wait for energy to replenish or spend real money to continue.
- Gameplay can become repetitive, as players are forced to revisit the same scenes multiple times to progress, leading to a lack of meaningful engagement.
- Technical issues, such as bugs and crashes, detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for some players to enjoy the game fully.
- story26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as weak and largely irrelevant to gameplay, with many quests feeling disconnected from any meaningful narrative. While there is some written dialogue and an interesting world, players often find it difficult to engage with the story, as choices have little impact and many tasks feel like repetitive grinding. Overall, the potential for a compelling narrative is overshadowed by gameplay mechanics that prioritize timers and item collection over storytelling.
“That said, the music for this game is nice and the story and world are both interesting.”
“The story is pretty good, too.”
“I generally like hidden object games, especially if there is a storyline behind it.”
“The game is also full of mini-tasks that have zero relevance to any supposed storyline; they're just there to keep you grinding and using up energy.”
“There is quite a bit of written dialogue and backstory, but it is difficult to care since nothing really impacts your choices, and you don't need to know any of the story to play successfully.”
“If there is a storyline, it is totally and completely lost in the mechanics such as timers, gems, coins, and endless waiting of this game.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the visual aesthetics and find them appealing, others criticize the lack of resolution options and overall visual presentation, comparing it unfavorably to classic games. The artwork is described as mediocre, with some users feeling it resembles a slideshow rather than an engaging game experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as average, with a few positive notes on their appeal in specific contexts.
“On the positive side: the game is very pretty, both graphics and music.”
“The game itself is well done; I enjoy the graphics and riddle pictures.”
“If you like hogs, then it works well and has good graphics.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“While the artwork itself might be considered passable, the visual presentation here is negligible; it might as well be a slideshow or a YouTube video.”
“Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Asteroids had more advanced animation and visuals going on than this game does.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pretty and relaxing, enhancing the overall experience with its ambient quality. However, some users note that the limited number of tracks leads to repetitiveness, which can detract from the enjoyment over time. Overall, while the music complements the game's visuals and atmosphere, it lacks variety.
“The music for this game is nice, and the story and world are both interesting.”
“The scenery is gorgeous, finding some of the hidden objects can be challenging, which is nice rather than having it all too easy, and the music is very pretty.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“The scenery is gorgeous, finding some of the hidden objects can be challenging, which is nicer than having it all too easy, and the music is very pretty.”
“What I mostly love about the game is the soundtracks playing in the background while finding objects!”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for its transition from a free-to-play model to a pay-to-play format while retaining microtransactions, leading to a repetitive and frustrating experience reminiscent of mobile games. Players note the presence of timers and energy mechanics that detract from any potential storyline, resulting in a lack of depth and engagement. Overall, the gameplay feels shallow and overly reliant on mobile game tropes.
“I already have half the achievements with just a few hours of gameplay.”
“Going from a free-to-play model with microtransactions to a, 'you pay up front for the game but we'll keep the microtransactions without rebalancing the gameplay.'”
“Pay-to-play game mechanics in a hidden object game somehow smell like mobile phone trash.”
“If there is a storyline, it is totally and completely lost in the mechanics such as timers, gems, coins, and endless waiting of this game.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessive and tedious, with many mini-tasks that lack relevance to the storyline, serving primarily to prolong gameplay. The energy meter system restricts playtime, forcing players to either wait or spend money on microtransactions to progress. Overall, the game feels like a continuous cycle of grinding through repetitive tasks rather than a fulfilling experience.
“The game is also full of mini-tasks that have zero relevance to any supposed storyline; they're just there to keep you grinding and using up energy.”
“The game is one long grind for the purpose of grinding, and due to the energy meter system, you cannot even play when you want to, but rather have to wait a lot, play too often to even make slight progress, or pay up money in microtransactions.”
“The game is superficially about finding hidden objects but feels more like a never-ending sequence of unlocking new places, collections, and NPCs for the purpose of endless grinding.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the ability to play without in-game purchases, while others criticize the transition from a free-to-play model to a pay-up-front system that still includes microtransactions, leading to frustration and potential uninstallation.
“One of the best hidden object games and easy to play without in-game purchases.”
“Going from a free-to-play model with microtransactions to a, 'you pay up front for the game but we'll keep the microtransactions without rebalancing the gameplay.'”
“I tried to avoid the in-game purchases but this game will not allow that; it's pay up or no play, so I am going to uninstall soon.”
“In-app purchases.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the presence of modern objects, like binoculars, disrupts the intended atmosphere of the game, detracting from immersion and authenticity.
“Modern objects, such as binoculars, kind of break the atmosphere.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game lacking, citing the repetitive nature of exploring the same areas multiple times as a significant drawback that diminishes the overall experience.
“Replayability is nonexistent, especially when you have to explore the same area multiple times to progress.”
“The lack of replayability is frustrating, as revisiting the same locations becomes tedious.”
“There is no incentive to replay the game, given the repetitive nature of the exploration.”