The Secret Order 4: Beyond Time

The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artistic style and beautiful visuals, particularly in the dark and eerie locations, while others criticize issues like blurriness, low resolution, and inconsistent quality compared to previous titles in the series. Some players appreciate the improvements in animations and effects, but frustrations arise from gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics are often described as lovely and immersive, they are marred by technical shortcomings and gameplay-related issues.

The gameplay is a mix of standard hidden object mechanics and modern twists, featuring an animal companion with unique abilities, though execution can feel lacking. While the puzzles are generally enjoyable and the game offers a fair challenge, many players find the frequent pixel hunting and recycled mechanics detract from the overall experience. Despite some engaging elements and beautiful art, the gameplay can become repetitive and dull due to a thin storyline and limited dialogue.

The music in the game is generally of high quality, with many reviewers noting that it complements the visuals and enhances the overall atmosphere. While some found the soundtrack decent and fitting, others described it as occasionally intrusive or monotonous, with a few expressing a desire for more variety. Overall, the voice acting received positive remarks, contributing to the immersive experience.

The game is reported to be quite buggy, with users experiencing various glitches that can hinder gameplay, such as dialogue issues and nonsensical minigames. While some players found the glitches to be minor annoyances, others reported more serious errors, making it one of the most unstable titles published by Artifex Mundi. Overall, stability is a significant concern for many players.

The emotional impact of the game is largely negative, with players expressing feelings of boredom and frustration due to a lackluster story, uninspired gameplay, and insufficient engagement with the plot. Many reviewers felt disconnected from the game, leading to an overall sense of disappointment.

The game is generally considered to have low replayability, with users expressing that it offers little incentive to play again after the initial experience.

The humor in the game is noted to be hit-or-miss, with some players finding certain moments amusing, particularly the unintentionally funny voice acting, especially the portrayal of Da Vinci. Overall, while the humor may not be consistently strong, it adds a lighthearted touch to the experience.

The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging ambiance and art style, which enhance the overall experience despite a greater reliance on atmosphere than content. Players appreciate the enjoyable writing and the game's extended playtime, contributing to its fun factor.

The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users reporting smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others experience lag and frame rate drops, indicating that optimization may vary significantly across different system configurations.

Players find that as the series advances, the grinding aspect becomes increasingly tedious, with repetitive puzzles that feel unnecessarily prolonged.