Mystic Saga
- January 27, 2016
- FIVE-BN GAMES
- 50h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful graphics and music, creating an enjoyable atmosphere.
- Finding hidden objects can be challenging and dynamic, as items change positions, adding to the gameplay experience.
- It offers a casual gaming experience that can be played in short sessions, making it easy to pick up and put down.
- The game employs a pay-to-win model, requiring players to spend money to progress effectively, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The energy system limits gameplay, forcing players to wait for energy to replenish or pay for more, leading to a frustrating experience.
- Repetitive gameplay and quests can become tedious, as players often have to replay the same scenes multiple times to complete objectives.
- story52 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay mechanics and irrelevant mini-tasks, leading to a lack of engagement with the narrative. While there is some written dialogue and an interesting world, players feel that the story does not significantly impact gameplay or choices, making it feel inconsequential. Overall, those seeking a meaningful story-driven experience may find this game lacking.
“That said, the music for this game is nice and the story and world are both interesting.”
“Along with a good story too, in which not all these games have a good story to them.”
“The story is pretty good, too.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pretty and relaxing, enhancing the overall experience with its ambient quality. However, many users note that it consists of only a few looping tracks, which can become repetitive and dull over time. Overall, while the music complements the game's aesthetics, 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.”
“What I mostly love about the game is the soundtracks playing in the background while finding objects!”
“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.”
“On the positive side: the game is very pretty, both graphics and music.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the aesthetic appeal and find the visuals attractive, others criticize the artwork as mediocre and the overall presentation as lacking depth, likening it to outdated visuals from classic games. Additionally, the absence of resolution options and graphics tweaks detracts from the experience for some users. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a highlight by some, but a significant drawback by others.
“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, while mediocre, 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.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 33 % 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.'”
“This is clearly a mobile port with timed quests, energy, and repetitive gameplay.”
“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.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessive and frustrating, as it often feels like a tedious cycle of completing irrelevant mini-tasks and waiting due to an energy meter system. The gameplay, while initially appealing, devolves into a repetitive grind focused on unlocking content rather than meaningful progression, leading to a reliance on microtransactions for advancement. Overall, the game is criticized for prioritizing grinding over engaging storytelling or gameplay.
“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.”
“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.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % 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. Many users express frustration over the necessity of in-game purchases to progress, leading some to consider uninstalling the game.
“One of the best hidden object games and easy to play without in-game purchases.”
“In-app 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.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users feel that the presence of modern objects, like binoculars, detracts from the overall atmosphere of the game, suggesting a disconnect between the game's setting and these contemporary elements.
“Modern objects such as binoculars kind of break the atmosphere anyway.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game has poor replayability, primarily due to the repetitive nature of exploring the same areas or images multiple times to advance, which diminishes the incentive to revisit the game.
“Replayability is nonexistent, especially when you have to explore the same area or picture multiple times to progress.”
“Replayability is nonexistent, especially when you have to explore the same area or picture multiple times to progress.”
