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Secret Files 3

A fun, good-looking and interesting adventure game that will last you about 8-9 hours depending your thinking level and tolerance for timing mechanisms.
Secret Files 3 Game Cover
69%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, grinding
66% User Score Based on 80 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCWindows
Secret Files 3 Game Cover

About

Secret Files 3 is a single player puzzle game with romance, mystery and kids themes. It was developed by Animation Arts and was released on September 13, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In "Secret Files 3," Nina Kalenkow is back in an exciting adventure to clear her name and uncover a conspiracy. The game features engaging puzzles, stunning graphics, and a captivating story that will keep players on the edge of their seats. As Nina, players will travel to various locations around the world, interacting with characters and solving intricate puzzles to reveal the truth.

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66%
Audience ScoreBased on 80 reviews
story13 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions

  • Improved voice acting and graphics compared to previous installments, making for a more polished experience.
  • Some puzzles are enjoyable and logical, providing a decent challenge without being overly complicated.
  • The game offers multiple endings based on player choices, adding a layer of replayability.
  • The storyline is convoluted and lacks the charm and coherence of the first two games, making it hard to follow.
  • The game is significantly shorter than its predecessors, with many players completing it in under 5 hours.
  • Repetitive gameplay mechanics and tedious puzzles detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration.
  • story
    59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers describing it as convoluted, rushed, and lacking the charm of its predecessors. While some appreciated attempts to tie up loose ends and incorporate character arcs, the overall consensus is that the plot is overly complicated, poorly executed, and fails to engage players effectively. Additionally, the brevity of the story and abrupt ending left many feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.

    • “The story was interesting, but towards the end, you realize that they really needed a science advisor.”
    • “I really liked the story; I thought it was much more engaging than the previous titles.”
    • “The story ends kind of abruptly, but the global story does get resolved pretty definitively.”
    • “The biggest problem this game has is its story; it's all over the place.”
    • “The game's storyline lacks the intrigue and excitement of the previous games, and the characters and dialogue feel uninspired and unmemorable.”
    • “The story doesn't make much sense, skips exposition when it wants to, and ends very suddenly.”
  • graphics
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the high-quality, polished pre-rendered visuals and improved animations, others feel that the locations are less visually appealing compared to previous installments. Despite some dated elements, the graphics are generally considered enjoyable, with notable lighting effects and artwork, though the overall visual experience is marred by occasional clarity issues that hinder gameplay.

    • “As a saving grace, SF3 at least leaves a nice aftertaste with its final cutscene and artwork extras.”
    • “+ high quality and polished pre-rendered graphics.”
    • “- good graphics and textures, good lighting effects.”
    • “While the graphics have improved again, the locations we visit this time aren't as pretty as in previous installments.”
    • “Although the animation and graphics may seem somewhat dated, it's still enjoyable.”
    • “Well, be prepared for boring casual stuff and some unsolvable puzzles - unsolvable not because they are complicated, but because you cannot discern the graphics.”
  • gameplay
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in this sequel is noted for its dynamic and varied mechanics, introducing new elements like climbing routes and underwater navigation, which enhance the experience. However, some players found the reliance on mechanical puzzles excessive and frustrating, particularly towards the end of the game. Overall, while the gameplay is smoother and more streamlined than previous entries, opinions are mixed regarding its depth and engagement.

    • “I don't understand why the average rating is 'mixed'; this is probably the best game in the series (I've played only the first two though). It's very dynamic, and you can expect some sort of twist every ten minutes of gameplay.”
    • “This sequel is also more varied with its gameplay.”
    • “Departures from the standard adventure fare include things such as picking your route while climbing a wall, timing your moves to destabilize enemies, freeing yourself while hanging upside down, navigating an underwater labyrinth, and more.”
    • “I'm not a fan of mechanical/logic puzzles, so having four of them in a row (navigating a labyrinth, finding the clues to enter a sequence of characters, setting hands of a clock to correct positions, and sliding bars on a small board) late in the game was a bit much for me, especially since the first one of them was incredibly annoying.”
    • “Gameplay feels a little more streamlined than the previous games.”
    • “Anyway: from a gameplay perspective, there is improvement as the game becomes much smoother as a result of improved puzzles and logic; but from a story perspective, this game is painful, doesn't make any sense and is (luckily?) over far too quickly.”
  • humor
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game retains its self-aware charm and engaging character mannerisms, though some players feel it falls short compared to its predecessors, with less effective fourth-wall moments and outtakes. While the humor is still present and references previous games amusingly, it struggles to deliver consistent thrills or laughs. Overall, fans of the series may still find enjoyment, but newcomers might not find it as funny.

    • “Better voice acting, decent plot, and the same self-aware humor you hopefully loved in the previous games.”
    • “The sense of humor in the game is still there.”
    • “Nina's mannerisms were funny and engaging.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with a good soundtrack that enhances the experience; however, issues with audio balance detract from the overall enjoyment, as voice acting can be too quiet compared to the music. Additionally, some users feel that the style of music occasionally feels out of place, and the sound effects do not contribute to an immersive atmosphere.

    • “The soundtrack is good.”
    • “Good music.”
    • “The voice acting has been further improved and could even be called decent now.”
    • “The voice acting has been further improved and could even be called decent now, but the audio balance is kind of wack; Nina speaks so quietly sometimes that the music is five times louder than her voice on default settings.”
    • “The style of music is often out of place.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unchallenging, with puzzles and mini-games that feel repetitive and serve primarily to extend gameplay rather than provide genuine difficulty or engagement. The experience is marred by a lack of meaningful variation, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.

    • “Also, some puzzles offer a 'challenging' variant which is never challenging at all, just tedious.”
    • “The same overly unrealistic puzzles you know from the first two games, except that these now have ones that will punish you if you misstep and have you repeat the same tedious stuff just in order to provide filler material and make the game seem longer than it is.”
    • “The mini-games in this game are tedious and boring.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks significant replay value, with players indicating that while the first two games in the series may be worth revisiting, this installment does not offer the same incentive for repeated playthroughs.

    • “I may play the first two games again, but there's definitely no replay value in this one.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate a notable deficiency in character development, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and focus on the characters throughout the game.

    • “There wasn't as much character development or character focus in this one.”
    • “Lack of character development and depth for most of the cast.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is criticized for its lack of detail and bland environments, which detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the sound effects and music do not effectively contribute to an immersive atmosphere, falling short of the compelling standards set by previous titles.

  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers note that the characters, particularly Nina, exhibit a limited emotional range, failing to convey appropriate feelings in critical situations, such as Max's arrest before their wedding. This lack of emotional depth detracts from the overall impact of the narrative.

    • “The characters, including Nina, exhibit a profound emotional depth that resonates with players, especially during pivotal moments like Max's arrest on the eve of their wedding.”
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150h Median play time
150h Average play time
150-150h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Secret Files 3 is a puzzle game with romance, mystery and kids themes.

Secret Files 3 is available on Nintendo Switch, PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 150 hours playing Secret Files 3.

Secret Files 3 was released on September 13, 2012.

Secret Files 3 was developed by Animation Arts.

Secret Files 3 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Secret Files 3 is a single player game.

Similar games include Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter, Syberia II, Chaos on Deponia, Silence, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes and others.