The Secret Order 4: Beyond Time

The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artistic quality and beautiful visuals, particularly in the dark and eerie locations, while others criticize issues like blurriness, low resolution, and inconsistent quality compared to previous entries in the series. Some players appreciate the improved animations and overall aesthetic, but note that gameplay elements, such as the interface and puzzle graphics, detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics are often described as lovely and immersive, there are significant concerns regarding resolution and clarity that impact player enjoyment.

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 recycling of mechanics detracts 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 users appreciating its fit with the game's atmosphere and voice acting. However, opinions vary, with some finding it decent but not exceptional, while others describe it as drab or occasionally intrusive. Overall, the soundtrack complements the gameplay well, though it lacks variety in certain areas, such as during cutscenes.

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

The emotional aspect of the game is largely negative, with users expressing feelings of boredom and disappointment due to a lack of engaging story and gameplay. Many felt that the character and plot were unimportant, leading to a disconnection from the game's emotional impact. Overall, the experience left players feeling uninspired and frustrated.

The humor in the game is polarizing, heavily reliant on the player's taste, with many finding the intentionally poor voice acting—ranging from exaggerated accents to inconsistent character portrayals—either amusing or cringe-worthy. While some moments are genuinely funny, the overall comedic value may not resonate with everyone.

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 game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging ambiance and art style, which enhance the overall experience despite the content being less central. Players appreciate the enjoyable writing and the game's extended playtime, contributing to its fun and immersive quality.

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 feel that the grinding aspect of the series has become increasingly tedious, with repetitive puzzles that unnecessarily prolong gameplay, leading to a less enjoyable experience.