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The Lost Crown is a single player arcade puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Darkling Room and was released on June 6, 2014. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"The Lost Crown: A Ghost Hunting Adventure" is a horror-themed point-and-click game. Players assume the role of Nigel Danvers, an investigative journalist searching for a legendary crown with supernatural powers. The game features a dark, atmospheric setting with challenging puzzles and a focus on stealth and ghost-hunting tools. It also boasts a unique mechanic for capturing ghostly apparitions.

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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 345 reviews
story106 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions

  • The game has a unique and atmospheric art style, blending black and white visuals with occasional splashes of color that enhance the eerie setting.
  • The story is engaging and well-crafted, drawing players into the mysteries of the town of Saxton and its ghostly inhabitants.
  • The sound design and music effectively contribute to the creepy atmosphere, making for an immersive experience.
  • The pacing is painfully slow, with the main character moving at a glacial speed and unskippable animations that can frustrate players.
  • Voice acting is often subpar, with some characters delivering lines in a stilted or awkward manner that detracts from the overall experience.
  • Certain puzzles can be obscure or illogical, leading to confusion and requiring players to rely on walkthroughs to progress.
  • story
    246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is widely praised for its depth, intrigue, and atmospheric setting, drawing players into a rich narrative filled with ghost hunting, ancient mysteries, and character development. While some reviews note pacing issues and occasional plot holes, many players appreciate the slow-burn storytelling that allows for exploration and immersion in the game's eerie world. Overall, the narrative is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling experience for fans of adventure and horror genres.

    • “How wonderful it is to play it again after 13 years a magnificent story, leaving much to personal interpretation: mysticism, the tragedy of others’ fates and secrets guarded for centuries.”
    • “The story is by far Boakes' best work, interweaving ghost-hunting, treasure hunting, and Celtic/Anglo-Saxon myth into one package, with its location being the perfect backdrop to the story.”
    • “The story is immersive, and it makes the scary bits all the more effective.”
    • “The story content and the dialogue feel a little bit rough; maybe it's because of the voice acting or the fact that some voice lines are reused frequently. It does feel like there's something missing to make the characters feel more than just cardboard cutouts that give you exposition.”
    • “The main character's not particularly likeable, moving around is slow, story progress is sometimes tied to nonsensical things, a few puzzles seem to rely on you just stumbling upon the right thing, voice lines get reused to an excessive degree, despite the theme there's never any real tension, and while the story starts off as a decent mystery, half of the plot points seem to get forgotten and a couple of other things get resolved either anticlimactically or without you really doing anything at all.”
    • “The plot starts off very dreary, picks up steam and atmosphere rapidly around the 10-hour mark, then just falls apart during the rushed final portions.”
  • atmosphere
    122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie, immersive quality, combining haunting sound design, a unique black-and-white aesthetic with splashes of color, and a richly detailed environment that evokes a sense of unease and mystery. Players appreciate the slow-paced exploration and the chilling ambiance that enhances the storytelling, although some note that the dated graphics and pacing may detract from the experience for certain players. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to create a captivating and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after playing.

    • “The atmosphere is creepy, oppressive, and sticks with you even after you close the game.”
    • “The game oozes atmosphere, from the slight creep of something wrong in the cottage to the tense night ghost hunt in a church.”
    • “The dark and creepy atmosphere is ever-present and very well done through background noise and other means.”
    • “The plot starts off very dreary (as all Boakes games do), picks up steam and atmosphere rapidly around the 10-hour mark, then just shits all over itself and plops down in the mess to play with it during the rushed final portions.”
    • “That uneasy anticipation is especially heightened in Harbour Cottage, 'home sweet home', the place where you sleep which is supposed to be a safe haven, but is actually the creepiest, oozing with dark, heavy, oppressive atmosphere.”
    • “Under the guise of going for an eerie atmosphere, the people ramble nonsense and the 'conversations' as they were are mostly just two people taking turns saying things with little regard for the presence of the other person.”
  • graphics
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game evoke mixed reactions, with many praising the unique blend of photographic backgrounds and 3D models, particularly the striking black-and-white aesthetic accented by splashes of color. While some players find the visuals atmospheric and immersive, others criticize the dated character models and lack of resolution options, noting that the graphics can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the art style is seen as a defining feature, contributing to the game's eerie atmosphere despite its technical limitations.

    • “A gripping game with constant tension, thanks to the sound design and unique visuals.”
    • “I really love the graphics; the photo-realistic black and white with small pops of color is really atmospheric.”
    • “The art design and graphics of the game are great for a 2D point-and-click, mixing photography and pixel animation surprisingly well, to the point where you almost forget the characters are not 'in' the background.”
    • “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
    • “The atmosphere is great and the game starts out strong, but the graphics and engine are very dated to the point where it throws the pacing off.”
    • “Its black and white, terrible blocky graphics, resolution doesn't scale so it's a small box on the screen and hard to tell what all there is in each scene.”
  • gameplay
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Lost Crown" is characterized as a classic point-and-click adventure with a focus on exploration and ghost-hunting mechanics, set in a richly atmospheric environment. While the game offers a compelling story and unique elements, many players find the pacing slow and the mechanics somewhat unpolished, leading to frustration with obtuse puzzles and navigation. Overall, it appeals to fans of the genre who appreciate a detailed narrative and eerie ambiance, but may not satisfy those seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere is so creepy, the story is great, and all of the exploration and ghost hunting mechanics are a ton of fun.”
    • “The game, while having not aged too well, is surprisingly well made and differs quite a bit from the standard point & click mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics of using technologies and pseudo-sciences, old and new, to hunt down, record, or figure out how to repel ghosts is a fairly novel one.”
    • “The gameplay itself isn't linear whatsoever, meaning it can stray off on different paths, or force you to do a very specific thing before you can progress at all.”
    • “I guess I'm somewhere in between, and while I appreciate the great lengths The Lost Crown has gone to evoke an interesting atmosphere and tell a quite possibly interesting yarn - unfortunately the glacial pacing and pedantic talk-to-everyone-and-examine-absolutely-everything gameplay left me a little uninspired.”
    • “For me, the gameplay is much too slow compared to other point-and-click games.”
  • music
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the eerie setting. While some players noted a lack of variety and found certain music puzzles challenging, the soundtrack and sound effects are generally considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's suspense and intrigue. Overall, the combination of music and ambient sounds creates a rich, otherworldly atmosphere that many players found captivating.

    • “The music and sound effects were spot on, and it's really reminiscent of movies about haunted places.”
    • “Background music is minimalistic and ethereal, not in your face but seamlessly woven with ambient sound effects to create rich otherworldly sound collages.”
    • “The game's music and sound effects are brilliant, background music chilling and haunting, sound effects very realistic and adds a startling contrast to the shades of black and grey throughout the game.”
    • “Do note two music puzzles towards the end of the game; yes, one of them has small hints, but I just think any puzzle relying on a player's skill to listen to tones isn't really fair.”
    • “There was also a puzzle that relied on knowing how to identify music notes by ear, which makes the puzzle impossible for non-musicians like me.”
    • “Music-wise, for me, the game is a bit annoying, especially with the effects repeating themselves when I played it.”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, describing it as tedious and frustrating due to excessive backtracking and unclear puzzle activations. Players feel that the need to explore pointless areas detracts from the overall experience, making it long and boring, ultimately leading to a lack of engagement with the story.

    • “I don't think I'll play it again simply because of how tedious it could be, which is why I came to the ultimate conclusion that no, I can't recommend it.”
    • “If some ideas are really good, they are ultimately held back by the technology of the game and the constant backtracking makes it tedious to complete.”
    • “I really wanted to like this, but it was just too long, boring, and tedious.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a blend of intentional comedy and unintentional hilarity, with quirky character designs and amusing dialogue that often elicits genuine laughter. Players appreciate the bizarre animations and the over-the-top voice acting, which, while sometimes poorly executed, adds to the overall charm and comedic experience. The interactions with a variety of eccentric characters, including the hilariously animated cat, contribute to a consistently funny atmosphere throughout the game.

    • “A lot of the dialogue is genuinely funny and the acting is very believable.”
    • “Overall very consistent with itself, and many funny and interesting characters to interact with.”
    • “Oh and the nutter in the antique shop is bloody hilarious!”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players report feeling a deep connection and kinship with characters, particularly during a pivotal chapter, others find the protagonist unlikable and the overall experience lacking in emotional engagement. The game elicits strong reactions, from genuine emotional ties to frustration and boredom, highlighting a divide in player experiences.

    • “There was finally one jump scare that totally covered my spine in ice; that wasn't fun... but that chapter was the most emotional of all, I finally felt some sort of kinship with Nigel and some other people he encountered.”
    • “No other game has ever made me feel like this, and it inspires me to want to travel to Britain, to experience this feeling in real life.”
    • “You will become involved with the story to the point where you feel emotionally tied to it.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is mixed, with users reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly with achievements and the tutorial. While some players experience graphical issues during level loading, others find the game runs smoothly at full screen with the correct settings. Overall, stability appears to be a concern, but performance can vary based on individual setups.

    • “I run it at 16:9 1920 x 1080, checked the box for maintain aspect, and it runs great in full screen.”
    • “The game has been incredibly stable; I haven't experienced any crashes or major bugs.”
    • “Performance is solid, and I can play for hours without any issues.”
    • “A surreal game with its own flaws and glitches.”
    • “Achievements can be a little frustrating as they are buggy.”
    • “Perhaps the tutorial is just buggy as hell?”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from poor optimization, lacking support for modern display resolutions and widescreen monitors, which affects its performance on contemporary gaming PCs. While it generally runs smoothly, players have reported freezing issues after extended playtime, particularly in specific scenarios.

    • “As far as performance goes, the only issue I've ever had is it freezing up after long hours of play and in a particular spot towards the end of the game when Nigel gets a vision from the Saxon king of the area.”
    • “As far as performance goes, the only issue I've ever had is the game freezing up after long hours of play, particularly towards the end when Nigel gets a vision from the Saxon king of the area.”
    • “I hope to see much of the same or better performance in the sequels!”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling it exploits nostalgia rather than offering genuine value, suggesting it capitalizes on abandoned titles for profit.

    • “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience.”
    • “I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game; it feels like a constant money grab.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, with multiple pathways, varied character choices, and dynamic outcomes encouraging them to revisit the experience. The inclusion of unlockable content and different difficulty levels further enhances the incentive to play again. Overall, the game offers a rich and engaging experience that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “The replay value is incredible, with so many different choices and paths to explore.”
    • “Every playthrough feels unique, thanks to the diverse character options and branching storylines.”
    • “I love how each run can lead to a completely different experience, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
    • “The game lacks any significant replay value, making it feel like a one-time experience.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The limited choices and outcomes mean that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally strong, with most characters receiving substantial growth; however, some story elements feel rushed, particularly the resolution of the "catnapper" identity, which is revealed abruptly. The unique graphics and character design enhance the overall experience, contributing to the game's engaging narrative.

    • “The ambience and the character design are made using graphics we rarely see in good games, which adds character to the overall experience.”
    • “Story was quite engaging and most of the cast got a solid amount of character development, though some parts felt rushed like the creators ran out of time or forgot to resolve them until the last moment.”
    • “Story was quite engaging and most of the cast got a solid amount of character development, though some parts felt rushed, like the creators ran out of time or forgot to resolve them until the last moment. The identity of the 'catnapper' was the biggest offender, as they turned out to be a random background character, and it took roughly a minute from the game revealing their true identity to them being dealt with.”
    • “The character development felt shallow and predictable, leaving little room for players to connect with the characters on a deeper level.”
    • “While the game had potential, the character arcs were poorly executed, making it hard to care about their journeys or outcomes.”
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50%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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25h Median play time
24h Average play time
15-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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The Lost Crown is a arcade puzzle game with horror theme.

The Lost Crown is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 24 hours playing The Lost Crown.

The Lost Crown was released on June 6, 2014.

The Lost Crown was developed by Darkling Room.

The Lost Crown has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The Lost Crown is a single player game.

Similar games include Black Mirror, Syberia, Sanitarium, Gray Matter, Oxenfree and others.