DS Hidden Mysteries: Vampire Secrets
DS Hidden Mysteries: Vampire Secrets
What is intended as a relaxing vacation to Savannah, Georgia for Claire Donnelly, quickly turns into one of adventure and mystery. Upon her arrival, Claire starts experiencing unusual visions, which grow to vivid depictions of evil forces living among the citizens of Savannah. Dark Shadows: A Vampire’s Tale mixes hidden object gameplay with adventure elements. The dark and mysterious storyline will capture the attention of casual gamers and vampire fanatics alike.
Rating: 
(out of 2 reviews)
List Price: $ 19.99
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Review by weemadarthur for DS Hidden Mysteries: Vampire Secrets
Rating:
This is the first game I played in the Hidden Mysteries series. It is approximately equal parts hidden object game and point and click adventure.
This game allows 2 save profiles, although switching between them is a little clunky and you cannot name the profiles. So if you have 2 players, you’ll just have to remember which character picture went with your save file.
Most of the hidden objects are clearly visible, I did run into one word I didn’t recognize. For these difficulties, the game includes a hint function. The hint bar fills over time, so you cannot be totally stuck and unable to move forward. I did not test on the hidden object screen whether it ‘hints’ at the top item on the list, or a random item. Finding all the items I recognized left only 1 or 2 items, the ones I needed help with.
Between the hidden object screens are the point and click adventure sections, with puzzles. Many of the puzzles in this game have been seen in other DS or computer games. For instance, water pipes with mixed up sections: turn the pipe sections until all the pipes connect. I have seen this in at least 2 other games. This game is easier than a straight point-and-click adventure, because if you find 2 pieces of an item, the game automatically puts them together for you.
The one issue I had with this game was occasional poor recognition of where I was clicking. At one point, I resorted to a walkthrough when the item I was using didn’t work on the place I thought it should be used. It turned out, I needed to click slightly to the left. Also, on occasion, a ‘hot spot’ for interaction was so close to a door, that I ended up leaving the room multiple times.
The manual claims that the hint function can help you with the puzzles in game. I found that it never gave additional hints for solving; however, you can choose Skip to have the puzzle automatically solved. If you only mean to go away and try again later, be sure to walk backwards instead.
Overall, the built in help and assistance with items make this an easy game to finish.
Review by H. Miller for DS Hidden Mysteries: Vampire Secrets
Rating:
I love all things vampire, and enjoy hidden object games, so was anxious to get this one. There are some puzzles you have to solve throughout to get certain objects that allow you to go on, and not all of them were easy. However, when the game ended, it was so abrupt, I wasn’t sure if it was over, or if there was a glitch that kicked me back to the menu. I checked a walkthrough online, and sure enough, it was just over. There seems to be an issue w/the sensitivity of where you need to click sometimes, which is frustrating when you are supposed to use an object to do something. Moving around when trying to find the objects was a bit off as well. I would always get kicked back to the other side of the screen. I was a bit disappointed that I finished it so quickly (maybe 4 hours overall of gameplay, if that). I will trade it in after my kids get done with it. If you like hidden object games, then you will probably enjoy this one, but I would look for it used.