The Agency of Anomalies: Mind Invasion Collector's Edition
- July 18, 2016
- Orneon
Get on SteamExplore haunted military hospitals!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features an engaging and well-written story that captivates players with its unique paranormal theme set in a historical context.
- The hidden object scenes are varied and well-designed, providing a good challenge for players familiar with the genre.
- The atmosphere is enhanced by a good soundtrack and well-drawn cutscenes, contributing to an immersive experience.
- The graphics are dated and low resolution, which may deter some players from fully enjoying the game.
- The bonus chapter is repetitive and lacks depth, failing to add meaningful content to the overall story.
- The interface can be clunky, and the absence of a map or fast travel option leads to excessive backtracking.
- story13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, featuring a solid structure and engaging main narrative that concludes satisfactorily, although the bonus chapter is criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth. While the storytelling is enhanced by good graphics and sound, some players find it somewhat nonsensical and feel that the bonus content fails to add meaningful context to the overall plot. Overall, it stands out as a classic hidden object game with a decent narrative, despite some inconsistencies.
“A classic HOG with a great story!”
“Gameplay is nicely varied, and the story is strong without drowning you in things to read.”
“The main storyline wraps up nicely at the end, so we are given a new area of the hospital to explore in the bonus.”
“The bonus chapter is the only contradiction, because despite the huge density of hidden object scenes, it is painfully bland, repetitive, boring, and lacks almost any semblance of story.”
“The story doesn't make much sense, but is told well, with appropriate graphics, sound, music, and occasional voice acting.”
“Usually these extra snippets give additional background into the plot and characters, but it merely included a few documents hinting at the sequel, and not much beyond that.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting dated and low-resolution visuals alongside a clunky interface, while others praise the artwork as beautiful and well-executed. The game's visuals can be adjusted, and the inclusion of sepia-toned art pieces adds a pleasing contrast to the overall grim aesthetic. Overall, while the graphics may not stand out in the genre, they effectively complement the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
“The graphics, on the other hand, are very nice; sometimes beautiful!”
“I want to mention that the visuals in the game are nicely done.”
“The inclusion of beautifully painted, sepia-colored art pieces serve as a pleasing complement, and contrast, to the grittiness of the rest of the game's graphics.”
“If you can look past the dated and low resolution graphics and clunky interface, this is actually an enjoyable puzzle game.”
“The graphics are grim.”
“Perhaps the artwork and premise may not appeal to those used to more brightly painted titles, but the gameplay, atmosphere and writing is truly some of the best I’ve come across in the genre.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of hidden object scenes, item placement, and minigames, typical of early 2010s titles in the genre. While some players find the gameplay standard and occasionally repetitive, others appreciate the strong atmosphere and engaging story that elevate the experience beyond mere mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a foundational element that can either enhance or detract from the enjoyment depending on individual preferences.
“The gameplay is the foundation for this type of game, especially for the early 2010s: hidden object scenes with a fixed list, items to place in the right locations, and mini-games, along with objects requiring specific actions to find them.”
“Gameplay is nicely varied, and the story is strong without overwhelming you with excessive reading.”
“Gameplay itself is pretty standard 'adventure lite' fare, but it's the little details that make it stand out.”
“The gameplay is the base for that kind of game, mainly for the beginning of the 2010s: hidden object scenes with a fixed list, items to place in the right location, and minigames, without forgetting objects requiring a specific action to find them.”
“However, as I booted up this classic, I questioned just what it was about the game that left such a mark on my memory; the artwork is good, but it’s nothing that stands out among others in the genre (or even the series itself), and the gameplay is your typical hidden object puzzle adventure fare.”
“Gameplay itself is pretty standard 'adventure lite' fare, but it’s the little details that make it stand out.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered pleasant and not intrusive, with separate sliders for adjusting music and sound. While it may not be exceptional, it complements the gameplay adequately, and additional content like bonus chapter soundtracks enhances the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is also good, but if you read previous evaluations from me, it's pretty rare when I'm whining about the music.”
“There are separate sliders for music and sound, plus options for full-screen, wide screen, and custom cursor.”
“The music was far less annoying than usual.”
“The story doesn't make much sense, but is told well, with appropriate graphics, sound, music, and occasional voice acting.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Agency of Anomalies 1" is characterized by its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by a muted color palette and survival horror elements that create a sense of danger. While some may find the visuals less appealing compared to more vibrant games, the incorporation of secret animations and strong writing contributes to a captivating experience that stands out in the hidden object genre.
“I mean, don't expect colorful scenes but less flamboyant colors, to strengthen the heavy atmosphere.”
“Since progression is similar to a survival horror, the setting and even the copious amount of backtracking help to create an immersive atmosphere, one where we almost expect to find our character in mortal danger (even though this is still just a hidden object game, so you can never get stuck).”
“I mean, don't expect colorful scenes but less flamboyant colors to strengthen the heavy atmosphere.”
“Agency of Anomalies 1 is the kind of hidden object game that either captivates you with its eerie paranormal atmosphere or you quickly file it under the 'okay, but nothing special' category.”
“The addition of secret animations that play on certain clicked items breathes life and atmosphere into the empty world, even if they’re only tricks of the agent’s mind.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that while the optimization of the game was initially acceptable, the absence of certain features has limited its potential, particularly when compared to other titles in the series. Overall, there is a sense that improved optimization could enhance gameplay possibilities.
“It didn't bother me at first, but after playing Cinderstone Orphanage and The Last Performance, I must say that it would have opened more possibilities for the game if that optimization feature was included.”
“It didn't bother me at first, but after playing Cinderstone Orphanage and The Last Performance, I must say that it would have opened more possibilities for the game if optimization features were included.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
While the game features eight mini-games that offer some replayability, overall, users feel that the game's replay value is low.
“The game features 8 replayable mini-games that keep the experience fresh.”
“The replay value is incredibly high, offering new challenges and experiences each time.”
“The replay value for the game is low.”
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