Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 684 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart Game Cover
Coming into this game knowing exactly what to expect will help inform whether or not this is for you. The combination of puzzle types that can be solved in multiple ways, along with the option to play a bit of Mahjong offers up some variation if hidden object searching fatigue sets in. A few moments of wonkiness stop it from hitting perfection, but there's still an extremely enjoyable game hidden within Nightmares from the Deep's haunted decks.
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In "Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart," you play as a museum owner who battles pirate ghosts to save your daughter, captured by the ghost of a ruthless pirate captain. This captivating hidden Invite objects and puzzle adventure game is set in a beautifully designed Caribbean town with detailed, high-quality graphics. Your mission: find the cursed heart to lift the pirate's curse and rescue your daughter before it's too late.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 684 reviews
story222 positive mentions
replayability6 negative mentions
  • Addictive gameplay with a captivating pirate-themed story.
  • Beautiful graphics and well-designed environments enhance the overall experience.
  • Offers a unique option to play Mahjong instead of hidden object scenes, providing variety.
  • Cutscenes are of low resolution, making them difficult to watch.
  • Voice acting is subpar, detracting from the immersion of the story.
  • The game requires significant backtracking without fast travel, which can be tedious.
  • story528 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging pirate-themed narrative and intriguing backstory, particularly that of Captain Remington. While some found the plot to be cliché and predictable, others enjoyed the emotional depth and character development, especially in the bonus chapter that expands on the main storyline. Overall, the story is seen as a solid complement to the gameplay, though it may not stand out as particularly original or groundbreaking.

    • “What also kept me engaged, along with the atmosphere, was the main story and tragic backstory behind Captain Remington.”
    • “The story is beautiful as you're also diving into the pirate's past and love story.”
    • “The story dares to venture away from the usual ‘bad unknown evil cursed the magical land’ formula; our main lead, a museum curator, involuntarily gets wrapped up in a bittersweet pirate ghost tale of two lovers torn apart by fate.”
    • “The story surrounding a paranormal kidnapping was somewhat generic (i.e. lowkey Monkey Island with mother/daughter combo) and the puzzles easy enough for even a rum-laden mind to fathom.”
    • “The story is pretty typical with no real scares and nothing memorable, and that goes for the voice acting too.”
    • “The story is weak.”
  • graphics207 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beautiful artwork and consistent art style, creating an immersive atmosphere. However, many reviews highlight a significant drop in quality during cutscenes, which are often described as pixelated and low-resolution compared to the in-game visuals. Overall, while the game's graphics are appealing, the cutscene quality detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are very good, has that nice painted look these games seem to have.”
    • “The detailed graphics and hauntingly beautiful environments enhance the immersive experience, creating a maritime world filled with secrets.”
    • “Beautiful graphics - love Skull Island, stunning audio/music, stacks of puzzles, collectibles, and morphing objects.”
    • “The visuals in the scenarios and puzzles are okay, but when it comes to cutscenes, the quality drops quite a bit.”
    • “The graphics are pretty decent, but unfortunately, the pre-rendered cutscenes are of miserable quality.”
    • “The cutscenes are rendered in a low resolution, so the graphics on the whole get noticeably worse whenever someone moves.”
  • gameplay99 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as accessible and enjoyable, featuring a mix of hidden object scenes and puzzles that cater to casual gamers. While some players appreciate the variety and smooth mechanics, others note that the game can feel simplistic or linear, with issues like backtracking and aging cutscenes detracting from the experience. Overall, it offers a decent length of playtime and is recommended for those seeking a relaxing gaming experience.

    • “Addictive gameplay and stunning graphics!”
    • “The gameplay is executed well in all areas and offered various improvements over older games that drastically improved the experience of play.”
    • “The gameplay is excellent and will not disappoint - well-constructed, enjoyable and steadily more complex hidden object scenes teamed with enjoyable puzzles and a robust hint system.”
    • “The animated cutscenes have more artifacts than a museum, and everything—the scenes, the achievements, and the mechanics—is very basic.”
    • “The weaknesses are mostly that it eventually becomes slightly tedious, as clues later in the game require less intuition and more room-bypass-clicking legwork; in this regard, there is a sense of the length of gameplay being somewhat inflated by unnecessary backtracking and uninspired search-errands.”
    • “However, since the gameplay arenas are limited to three areas, there is a lot of back and forth movement within the area until everything is completed.”
  • music59 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it repetitive and lacking in standout tracks. Many appreciate the integration of the soundtrack with the game's setting, contributing to a haunting or immersive mood, though a few note that certain tracks can become tedious over time. Overall, the music is generally considered good but not exceptional, with a few standout moments that resonate well with players.

    • “The background music, while maybe understated, is actually one of my favorites.”
    • “The soundtrack added to the chilling and sometimes tragic atmosphere.”
    • “The art is beautiful, the voice acting is good, and the music and sound effects set a good haunted-pirate themed mood.”
    • “The only negative thing is the lackluster music, all the more disappointing when we have so many amazing pirate songs and the epic Hans Zimmer soundtrack that could have inspired the ones in this game.”
    • “The background story is quite bland, and the same can be said for the music.”
    • “The music in this kind of game often strikes me as bland, but that's just a matter of personal taste, I guess.”
  • atmosphere46 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and dark qualities, effectively blending elements of pirate lore, gothic art, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the rich visuals and detailed environments, which evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue, although some note that certain gameplay elements, like repetitive puzzles, can detract from the atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating ambiance that draws players into its story-driven adventure.

    • “I absolutely adored the dark atmosphere, and I felt really immersed in it.”
    • “The atmosphere feels similar to an Agatha Christie novel, just those 1930s/20s vibes. I love the visual richness and baroque/gothic complexity of the art.”
    • “Location designs, even if upscaled to 1920x1080, still look amazing, with the perfect atmosphere surrounding a ghost ship devoured by age, and an island long abandoned with a deep fog just waiting to be traversed.”
    • “The atmosphere feels similar to an Agatha Christie novel/episode, just those 1930s/20s vibes. I love the visual richness and baroque/gothic complexity and sheer busyness of the art.”
    • “For the most part, it is an exciting task and the game successfully creates a dark, piratey atmosphere mixed with voodoo magic, mostly with its beautiful nightly tropical island landscapes. However, while the captain looks evil enough, the members of his ghost crew aren't scary at all; in fact, they are mostly ridiculous looking and goofy.”
    • “My only gripe is that the cutscenes are extremely low resolution compared to the rest of the game and spoil the atmosphere with a fuzzy, laggy cutscene.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally viewed as low, with many players noting that it offers minimal incentive to replay beyond achieving completionist goals. While some enjoy the option to solve puzzles in different ways and pursue achievements, the overall experience remains largely the same with little variation in story or gameplay. Players seeking replay value may find it limited, often rating it around 2 to 6 out of 10.

    • “I decided to buy it on Steam for replay value and the achievements.”
    • “Quite fun point and click adventure game; it has replay value as there are two ways to solve puzzles!”
    • “Achievements add replayability and a 'bonus chapter' that could have been totally implemented into the main game is always compelling.”
    • “Minimal replay value.”
    • “It's only worth two playthroughs if you're hunting achievements, but otherwise has no replay value.”
    • “The replay value for the game is low.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to excessive backtracking and a lack of fast travel options, which detracts from the enjoyment. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of hidden object scenes and simple puzzles, leading to a sense of monotony. However, some players still appreciate the game's atmosphere and find it relaxing despite these grinding elements.

    • “Navigating through the scenes becomes a tedious slog and takes away the enjoyment.”
    • “There is lots of backtracking and the map can't be used for fast travel, which gets a bit tedious.”
    • “The number of hidden object scenes are tremendously high and they soon get very tedious: the same ones are used multiple times and they overshadow other adventure elements.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players noting its comedic elements, particularly involving pirates and hidden object scenarios. However, opinions vary on its effectiveness, as some find it hit-or-miss depending on mood, while others feel it lacks depth and variation. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch, but the game is often described as short and occasionally overshadowed by its serious themes.

    • “I like the extra game more than the main game because of the funny pirate.”
    • “The voice acting and music were decent, and there was even a bit of humor with the pirates on the ship.”
    • “A surprisingly enjoyable game that has a hilarious (literally) change of quality between the animation and the game itself where the game looks 20 times better than the cutscenes.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it runs smoothly without glitches and meets the quality expectations typical of Artifex Mundi titles, the graphics suffer at higher resolutions, appearing pixelated and faded. Additionally, the voice acting lacks depth, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly; I never encountered a dead-end or a glitch.”
    • “-graphics, in the options it says optimized for wide mode, but let me assure you it's optimized only if you plan on playing in low resolution; on 1080p it looks pixelated and faded.”
    • “Like in every Artifex Mundi published game, we expect quality and performance.”
    • “The graphics options claim to be optimized for wide mode, but let me assure you it's only optimized if you plan on playing in low resolution. At 1080p, it looks pixelated and faded.”
    • “The graphics options claim to be optimized for wide mode, but let me assure you it's only optimized if you plan on playing in low resolution. At 1080p, it looks pixelated and faded.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed; while some players report experiencing significant bugs and glitches that detracted from their enjoyment, others found the game to be stable with no issues, allowing for a smooth gameplay experience. Overall, user experiences vary widely, with some encountering frustrating technical problems and others enjoying a seamless adventure.

    • “I experienced no glitches or errors of any kind, and if I got stuck on a puzzle, there is a help button to speed things along.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; it never lags or freezes, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay.”
    • “This first installment with its buggy achievements has turned me off from the rest of the franchise.”
    • “Same as the other games from Artifex Mundi, a short but good game with a nice plot, nice puzzles not too challenging, so play it in expert mode and didn't have any problems; no bugs or glitches.”
    • “I didn't find anything wrong or buggy.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the beautiful art and find the story touching, others criticize the lack of depth and poorly executed voice acting, leading to a generally lighthearted experience that doesn't aim for serious emotional engagement.

    • “The art is beautiful, the story is touching, and the gameplay is a satisfying mix of hidden object and puzzles.”
    • “Mostly a bit of leisurely wholesome fun that doesn't take itself too seriously.”
    • “Poorly rendered, drab, washed out colors, boring storyline, and amateur, inappropriate emotions from the voice actors.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is praised for its lack of online requirements, social interactions, advertisements, and micro-transactions, allowing for a more straightforward and uninterrupted gaming experience.

    • “I did not need to be online, or interact with other people, or watch advertisements, or deal with microtransactions.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the character designs and locations received praise, the character development was hindered by clunky facial animations that often failed to align with the dialogue, impacting the overall immersion and emotional connection.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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