Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 356 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

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 356 reviews
story109 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and graphics that create an engaging atmosphere.
  • Variety in puzzles and the option to play Mahjong instead of hidden object scenes adds depth to gameplay.
  • Decent storyline with an intriguing pirate theme that keeps players interested.
  • Cutscenes have low resolution and poor quality, detracting from the overall experience.
  • Voice acting is subpar and can be distracting, with some dialogue feeling cheesy.
  • Lack of fast travel on the map leads to tedious backtracking, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
  • story259 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and atmospheric, particularly praising its pirate theme and character development. However, many others describe the narrative as clichéd, predictable, and lacking depth, often overshadowed by subpar voice acting and simplistic plotlines. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it provides enough intrigue and context to enhance the gameplay experience for fans of hidden object games.

    • “It has a compelling story with an intriguing atmosphere that will draw you in from start to the end.”
    • “The story will ensnare you into a land of pirates and mystery.”
    • “I really enjoyed the story in this game, especially the ending!”
    • “The voice acting was as bad, and the story, such as it was, as banal, hackneyed, and uninteresting as they always are in these games.”
    • “The story is mediocre but it always is in these games.”
    • “The main reason I feel disappointed is a very basic plot and even more basic implementation of it.”
  • graphics110 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beautiful and consistent art style, with many reviewers noting the impressive in-game visuals and attention to detail. However, the cutscenes are frequently criticized for their low resolution and pixelation, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game's aesthetic and atmosphere are often described as charming and immersive.

    • “The graphics, animations, and effects are all neat and polished, though the audio and cutscenes could've used a little more work.”
    • “Beautiful graphics - love Skull Island, stunning audio/music, stacks of puzzles, collectibles, and morphing objects.”
    • “The graphics are very good, with that nice painted look these games seem to have.”
    • “The cutscene graphics are rendered in low resolution, making the overall graphics noticeably worse whenever someone moves.”
    • “The pre-rendered cutscenes are of miserable quality, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “Cinematics are blurry and less presentable compared to the actual in-game artwork.”
  • gameplay49 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily centered around simple hidden object mechanics, fetch quests, and puzzles, appealing to casual gamers looking for a relaxing experience. While some players find the gameplay too basic or linear, others appreciate the variety of tasks and the option to switch between different game styles, such as mahjong. Overall, the game offers decent hours of play, engaging art, and a satisfactory story, though some may feel it lacks depth and complexity.

    • “Pretty great story and very extensive gameplay.”
    • “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 art is beautiful, the story touching, and gameplay a satisfying mix of hidden object and puzzles.”
    • “The animated cutscenes have more artifacts than a museum, and everything—the scenes, the achievements, and the mechanics—is very basic.”
    • “Gameplay was simple, perhaps too simple for some point-and-click veterans, so make sure you play on expert.”
    • “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.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its atmospheric qualities that enhance the gameplay and story. While some found it to be occasionally repetitive, the soundtrack is often described as catchy and fitting for the game's themes, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, a few reviews noted that the music could be less memorable compared to other aspects of the game.

    • “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 music is memorable, the story is charming.”
    • “The background story is quite bland, and the same can be said for the music.”
    • “Sound and music was ok.”
    • “The soundtrack is catchy and it looks like we're searching for Jack Sparrow or something related.”
  • atmosphere23 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to classic literature and films with its rich visuals and evocative soundtrack. Players appreciate the intricate art style and thematic consistency, which effectively create a captivating pirate-themed experience. However, some note that certain gameplay elements, like tedious puzzles and low-resolution cutscenes, can detract from the overall atmospheric experience.

    • “It has a compelling story with an intriguing atmosphere that will draw you in from start to the end.”
    • “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.”
    • “Incredible atmosphere, the animations are truly amazing and breathtaking... it's like a new episode for Pirates of the Caribbean!”
    • “It makes no sense and if anything detracts from the atmosphere.”
    • “My only gripe is that the cutscenes are extremely low res compared to the rest of the game and spoil the atmosphere with a fuzzy, laggy cutscene.”
    • “The story, atmosphere, and graphics are admirable, and the voice acting is serviceable.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to repetitive puzzles, excessive backtracking, and a lack of fast travel options. While some enjoyed the gameplay, many felt that the simplicity of the puzzles and the poorly executed story contributed to a monotonous experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Dull, generic story and way too simple puzzles makes this adventure a tedious grind of clicking stuff and placing them in their correct place.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with a score of 6/10. While achievements and a bonus chapter offer some incentive to replay, many users feel that the lack of substantial content limits the overall replay value.

    • “I decided to buy it on Steam for replay value and the achievements.”
    • “Achievements add replayability, and a 'bonus chapter' that could have been totally implemented into the main game is always compelling.”
    • “Replay value: 6/10”
    • “The replay value for the game is low.”
    • “- no replay value.”
    • “Achievements add replayability and a 'bonus chapter' that could have been totally implemented into the main game is always compelling, I guess.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is hit-or-miss, often depending on the player's mood, with some finding it amusing while others feel it lacks depth and variation. While the voice acting and music contribute positively, the humor tends to be brief and not particularly challenging, with some enjoyable moments, especially involving pirate characters. Overall, it offers a lighthearted experience, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “It's the sort of genre that is funny that way - sometimes you will just not be into it, sometimes it'll fit like a glove for what you are in the mood to play.”
    • “The voice acting and music were decent, and there was even a bit of humor with the pirates on the ship.”
    • “A lot of hidden object games, these are pretty funny but no real variation.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly without any noticeable glitches or dead-ends. However, some users have criticized the performances of the voice actors, particularly for the mother and daughter characters.

    • “The game runs smoothly; I never encountered a dead-end or a glitch.”
    • “The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for a seamless experience.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end systems without sacrificing quality.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the character designs and locations received praise, the clunky facial animations detracted from the overall character development, as they often failed to align with the dialogue's pacing.

  • stability1 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized due to numerous bugs, particularly with achievements, leading some players to lose interest in the franchise.

    • “This first installment, with its buggy achievements, has turned me off the rest of the franchise.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined my gaming experience.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game is praised for its beautiful art and touching story, which together create an emotionally engaging experience, complemented by satisfying gameplay that combines hidden object elements with puzzles.

    • “The art is beautiful, the story is touching, and the gameplay is a satisfying mix of hidden object and puzzles.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making every decision feel impactful.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it made me reflect on my own experiences and emotions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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