Phantasmat: Insidious Dreams Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

199 of 236 found this review helpful

THIS IS NO DREAM IT'S A NIGHTMARE

PostedSeptember 14, 2017

pennmom36

fromI sure do miss Codeminion!

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat Collector's Edition

(100)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

It's no secret that this is my favorite series of all time, and that the original Phantasmat game is my all time favorite HOPA game. There has never been a game that has a better storyline, or more entertaining. The reason the original Phantasmat is so good in my opinion is that it was produced by Codeminion.

Phantasmat games are not about life or death per se, they are about whether or not ...Show more

It's no secret that this is my favorite series of all time, and that the original Phantasmat game is my all time favorite HOPA game. There has never been a game that has a better storyline, or more entertaining. The reason the original Phantasmat is so good in my opinion is that it was produced by Codeminion.

Phantasmat games are not about life or death per se, they are about whether or not you are alive or dead, or just somewhere in between the phantasmal realm of reality. In Insidious Dreams, Ashley probably wishes she were dead, after a car accident that leaves her with a severe concussion and amnesia. Is her mind playing tricks on her, or does this old farmhouse really have otherworldly residents? Ashley tries to fit the missing pieces of the past together, but whose past is it? More importantly, what's in her future?

This isn't one of the best Phantasmat games in the series, but I love the creepy, psychotic vibe, of not knowing who to trust, similar to The Town of Lost Hope. In this Collector's Edition, there are 35 collectible creepy Dolls (should have been clowns) and there are Morphing Objects within 9 of the Hidden Object Scenes (you know how I feel about morphs only being in the HOP's!) I'm not convinced this game is CE worthy, so I'll wait until there's a $6.99 sale on CE's, even though I'm anxious to find out more of the storyline.

The Hidden Object Scenes are really lengthy and entertaining, something I rarely say about HOP's nowadays. Most offer two types per HOP with Progressive Interactive Silhouetted Shape finds, Interactive List finds, and Multiple Object finds, some even have smaller Zoom Zone HOP's within the main HOP. There is a Morphing Object within 9 of the scenes, a feature I'm never thrilled about in the first place, and why only 9? There is an optional Match 3 game to play if you're not into hidden object finds.

The Mini Games are decent as well, they aren't really difficult, but some of them are difficult to complete on the first attempt. Below are brief descriptions of the games you'll encounter during the demo:

1-Place sliders on the corresponding disks by selecting buttons to rotate the sliders around the board. Select the slider when it's at the beginning of the inside rail to move it to the disk at the end of the rail.

2-Use directional arrows to move the slider to pick up 2 tokens at a time and place them on their corresponding slots, by retracing tangled wires.

3-Select left and right flippers in a game of pinball.

4-Remove all but one sphere by jumping spheres to remove them.

5-Place the padlock pins into the four center spaces using directional arrows to move the chains in the direction indicated.

PHANTASMAT GAMES AVAILABLE
Title Collector's Edition Release Date Average Rating

1-Phantasmat (February 8-2011) 4.5
2-Crucible Peak (December 6-2012) 3.8
3-The Endless Night (January 10-15) 4.0
4-The Dread of Oakville (July 9-15) 4.2
5-Behind The Mask (December 17-15) 4.4
6-Town of Lost Hope (April 7-16) 3.5
7-Reign of Shadows (October 6-16) 4.3
8-Mournful Loche (April 13-17) 3.7
9-Insidious Dreams (September 14-17) n/a

This Collector's Edition version has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 8 replayable Movie Videos, 9 Music Soundtracks, 12 replayable Puzzles, Alternate Hidden Object Scenes, a Souvenir Room, 35 hidden Dolls, 9 Morphing Objects within the Hidden Object Scenes, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+162points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

44 of 50 found this review helpful

Felt creepy for the first time.

PostedSeptember 15, 2017

fingaz123

fromcolumbus ga

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

It really takes a lot to scare me in a movie or games. This is the first time I have ever been nervous playing a hidden object game. I only played the demo and I really enjoyed it. now I do know a lot of games die down after the trial so I will wait a while to see if I want to purchase this game.I have been reading the other reviews and noticed some people thought this game sucked. well I love ...Show more

It really takes a lot to scare me in a movie or games. This is the first time I have ever been nervous playing a hidden object game. I only played the demo and I really enjoyed it. now I do know a lot of games die down after the trial so I will wait a while to see if I want to purchase this game.I have been reading the other reviews and noticed some people thought this game sucked. well I love horror movies and have a huge collection of dvds that are mostly horror. so for me to be a little scared playing this was a huge plus for me.so with that being said im wondering how this game is going to pan out based on the other reviews. I really hate to waste my money. most of the time I don't go by what other people say cause there have been times when i rated a game a 5 and other people thought it was a 1. but this one is weird cause I actually felt the demo and others didn't. so I guess I will hope for the best and take a chance and purchase it anyway. just have to wait on a sale. well anyway happy gaming. Show less

I recommend this game!

+38points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

30 of 32 found this review helpful

Totally enjoyable and fun game

PostedSeptember 18, 2017

LosAngeHell

fromLos Angeles, CA

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Time Management

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat: Insidious Dreams Collector's Edition

(45)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This game held my interest throughout because the developers added countless new twists on gaming ideas. This made the genre fresh and unexpected. Definitely well thought out development. They upped the ante with other game manufacturers to the pleasure of us players.

I recommend this game!

+28points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

18 of 19 found this review helpful

I Really Liked It.... make sure to try the demo

PostedSeptember 16, 2017

p2668

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Arcade & Action, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Time Management

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I was going to pass trying the demo of this game, because I really hated the previous Phantasmat games, but reading there were tricky puzzles (which I love), I decided to give it a try. I'm thinking this is a purchase for me, and I haven't bought any new games in awhile since they are all so boring and the same. This game really held my interest, and yes the tasks for some of the items were ...Show more

I was going to pass trying the demo of this game, because I really hated the previous Phantasmat games, but reading there were tricky puzzles (which I love), I decided to give it a try. I'm thinking this is a purchase for me, and I haven't bought any new games in awhile since they are all so boring and the same. This game really held my interest, and yes the tasks for some of the items were ridiculous (not sure what the devs were smoking when they thought of these), but hey, it's a game. And it's about dreaming, so things should be silly. I love the challenging puzzles, and a good ghost story, so give this a try, you might be surprised. At least there are no stupid amulets, and helpers, so that's good. Show less

I recommend this game!

+17points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

20 of 23 found this review helpful

Phantasmat: Insidious Dreams Collector's Edition

PostedSeptember 17, 2017

Ladyklee

fromFloral Park, New York

Skill Level:Beginner

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat: Insidious Dreams Collector's Edition

(45)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Excellent....started yes with not babies,... but Children watching a Friend named Kevin climb rocks ...... caught my attention there and then, I wondered HUmmmm..... was NOT a bloody Gorey Very Frightening Game like it sounded by other people,... but it was GREAT, glad I overlooked the comment, instead it was ..... truly money well spent!!! and I plan to Play it again .....the maze game was THE ...Show more

Excellent....started yes with not babies,... but Children watching a Friend named Kevin climb rocks ...... caught my attention there and then, I wondered HUmmmm..... was NOT a bloody Gorey Very Frightening Game like it sounded by other people,... but it was GREAT, glad I overlooked the comment, instead it was ..... truly money well spent!!! and I plan to Play it again .....the maze game was THE BEST- award winning, Id say.....I never have, nor will I ever come across a game with such a Maze-Intelligence again i think, for example when I saw him (the bad guy) dont want to spoil.... I was so into the game it did make me jump just a little but hey thats "GAMEPLAY" for you and for a senior citizen this was soooooo me ..... ...... Thank you for this game I needed and waited for such a game forever ....MORE _ MORE _ MORE keep it up ....EXTRODINARY and Thank You Big Fish :) Show less

I recommend this game!

+17points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

10 of 10 found this review helpful

Surprisingly Fun Game

PostedOctober 1, 2017

codom

fromChicago

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

To be honest, I bought this not expecting to like it. I've never been a big Eipix fan. I found this game to be surprising fun and it held my interest well. Some reviews haven't cared for the live acting, but I found that a refreshing improvement and more like the older BFG games. My one complaint is that the cut-scenes are mainly drawings. As an adventurer gamer of 20+ years, cut-scenes used to be ...Show more

To be honest, I bought this not expecting to like it. I've never been a big Eipix fan. I found this game to be surprising fun and it held my interest well. Some reviews haven't cared for the live acting, but I found that a refreshing improvement and more like the older BFG games. My one complaint is that the cut-scenes are mainly drawings. As an adventurer gamer of 20+ years, cut-scenes used to be the primary story mover of the game but now they just seem like filler. The cut-scenes also used to be a "reward" for solving the puzzles and using your brain to figure out what to do next. Now....not so much. Show less

I recommend this game!

+10points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

9 of 9 found this review helpful

Based on completed game & info on the bonus

PostedOctober 25, 2017

kerith90angel

fromThis game has the best rendered, and LIVE ACTOR, ghosts that I have ever seen in casual gaming!

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This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat: The Dread of Oakville Collector's Edition

(62)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I thought the intro cut scene to this game was just amazing, as you look up into the trees crossing over head. Wow!
The task list has a handy counter that keeps track of the percentage of the game you’ve completed; just so you’re aware it’s there.
This is a quality game that became better for me after the demo. Live actors are portrayed as ghosts and they are just off the hook—It is so ...Show more

I thought the intro cut scene to this game was just amazing, as you look up into the trees crossing over head. Wow!
The task list has a handy counter that keeps track of the percentage of the game you’ve completed; just so you’re aware it’s there.
This is a quality game that became better for me after the demo. Live actors are portrayed as ghosts and they are just off the hook—It is so refreshing to see characters in a game that don’t move in gliding or clunky ways. It feels like Eipix spent time and money to perfect them and it works! For this reason alone, the CE was worth it for me, but I also liked the bonus play. This game was larger on quality than quantity I thought, and I’m ok with a shorter game if the time to create it is quality.
The SE portion of the game took me 3 hr 2 min
The bonus play took me, 38 min
Bonus souv. play- 5 min
TOTAL GAMEPLAY with bonus was 3 hr 45 min
I play on custom- average rate of play and try to figure out most things but I skip the mini games I get frustrated with. I play all the HOPs & not match 3, but know M3 is available here as an alternative
At one point in the demo, we glance in a mirror, & you see the reflected image of the character you are playing. PERFECT. It made me connect to the character and the story more. Pay attention to the water in this game, it looks so real; especially in the “Orchard” in chapter 2. The voice actor for our baddy is also remarkable and consistently gave me the creeps throughout the game. I loved when a story taps into the astral plane and it was perfectly done here. I love the storylines in the Phantasmat series , and this one will not let you down either. The main works you up to a great ending and it’s independent from the CE. I loved the ending of the main game.
Chapter 2 has a MG that is set up like a 80s console video game where you must avoid obstacles with your little car. This one was so fun and had me on my toes in the fastest setting.
Chapter 4 has a maze game, over several scenes, where you feel like you are actually walking through the corn yourself.

ABOUT BONUS PLAY: You play as Ashley again. You are called and told another portal has opened and you must find and close it. You continue the collectibles in the bonus and the morphs in the HOPs (I just prefer the morphs in the main scenes and always forget them in the HOPs.) The bonus play is on the short side, at 38 minutes (for me), but I still feel it was worth playing. The bonus play also has a great ending but it needed a pinch more in the final cutscene to tie it all up, I felt.

There are 7 areas of play in bonus. 3 are NEW AREAS and 4 are OLD or slightly revised. Bonus play is consistent with the rest of the game as far as location and feel. If I counted right, there are 4 more MG and 5 more HOPs. There are 2 more cutscenes in the bonus.

Please refer to the perfect reviews by Codom (& Greenshade) under the CE of this game. I feel exactly the same! Cutscenes used to be a reward and I miss the journal that keeps track of the story. I also love when the DEV show us the “making of” because I’m actually a fan of the DEV and like to see who made what. RE: Cutscenes & Journal- Another DEV does it perfectly at BFG where you don’t have to leave from in game to the extras to view them, like you do in this game. I prefer when they are used beside the inventory – I love when the pickup notes & articles can be clicked on to review the game, IN ORDER of how your viewing them IN gameplay. It really helps a game when you care about saving these characters and you actually remember who did what, and why—So I hope Eipix changes this in their future games.
*****************potential spoiler @next title head~ only read if you want to know what what unlocks**************************
BONUS TABS THAT UNLOCK
Eipix, if only you’d add a screensaver to the CEs! I’d buy them all!
~After bonus is finished and “alt hop/match 3” unlocks- I wasn’t sure of the purpose of it as it seemed endless.
~You can replay 12 MG, but I thought the game had more.
~8 non logo, no-save, blk & wht- concept art can be viewed.
~8 x 4sizes wallpapers that DL to doc file.
~9 DL music tracks
~ 8 cut scenes to replay (2 of these are more concept art sketches, —but the rest are great.)
~13 HOPs to replay with % and timer. I thought the game had more, though.
~35 collectable dolls which have a page of shelves they sit on. There doesn’t seem to be any reward for collecting them, other than an achievement.
~Achievement slider- is on the main page with 13 to earn.
~Souvenir room- You revisit 20 scenes from the game and collect 1 item. When I played it on “hard, no hints or glints” it took me 4 min 50 seconds. These items also have a “room page” where they are viewed.
~Bonus play- took me 38 min.
~There is an in-game WTG that is 38 pages total (33pgs of gameplay). Chap 1 children’s room is 7pgs, Chap 2 barn is 7pgs, Chap 3 basement is 8pgs, Chap 4 Kevin’s room is 4pgs, and Bonus Chapter is 7pgs., Gen notes & coll. is 5pg.

If you liked this game you might want to try these—I thought these were similar here at BFG:
1. Phantasmat #4- The Dread of Oakville is the scariest of this series (later in the game), and also perfect for a scare at Halloween. I’ve added a link.
2. Fright CE (also a great game to play at Halloween with live actors). It’s an older game but it does have a jump map, and a favorite of mine to this day.
3. Bonfire Stories: The Faceless gravedigger (has a similar in game feel)
4. Sable Maze #7 Nightmare Shadows 2017 gm, and it’s predecessor, Sable Maze #1 Sullivan River (older game, with no maps, slow hint) also starts out with kids at a camp.

Thanks to BFG, and Eipix, you should be so proud of yourselves, for perfecting the graphics, and the use of live actors mixed in; it makes for a really fun game. These are the best rendering of “ghosts” I have ever seen in casual gaming. Great job. Show less

I recommend this game!

+9points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

52 of 75 found this review helpful

A spooky ghost story

PostedSeptember 14, 2017

nariiska

fromOntario Canada

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I feel that this game is amazing, Eipix really improved the intro, games and overall look of the game compared to the other chapters in the series.

I recommend this game!

+29points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

10 of 12 found this review helpful

Phantasmat: Insidious Dreams Collector's Edition

PostedSeptember 19, 2017

dbakerpets

fromNew York

Skill Level:Beginner

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Absolutely one of the best games I have ever played!!!

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

51 of 78 found this review helpful

‘Drive carefully..’ through this thrilling game, as a killer is after you!

PostedSeptember 14, 2017

rainworm

fromFrankfurt, Germany

Key Contributor
This "Key Contributor" plays, rates, and reviews a lot of games. We think you'll trust their thoughts and opinions about games.
Key Contributor

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

In the introductory movie we see a group of children around some rocks. One boy has climbed the biggest and the others applaud him. In his attempt to climb down, he loses his grip, falls and dies. The other children leave him in awe – had this been a dare, gone wrong?
The initial game scene shows us in a car, radio casts the weather report, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain. Already a hard ...Show more

In the introductory movie we see a group of children around some rocks. One boy has climbed the biggest and the others applaud him. In his attempt to climb down, he loses his grip, falls and dies. The other children leave him in awe – had this been a dare, gone wrong?
The initial game scene shows us in a car, radio casts the weather report, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain. Already a hard rain has started, another car appears out of the mist – and we have an accident. Next we see a doctor in a hospital telling a man, that his wife suffers from a serious concussion combined with amnesia. She may leave for home but should rest for some time to overcome the memory loss. The man promises to bring her to their farmhouse, in the quiet and lonely countryside.
This turns out to be the house, we saw at the end of the introduction, a dark building in a wide landscape with nothing but wilderness around.
We play as the alleged wife, alleged, as we have no idea, this would be our husband. First we just believe, it is the concussion but slowly we realize, something is wrong: we find prove, he is not who he pretends to be. He left us in our room to help him make the house safe for the coming storm. When he is outside, we leave it, to look around. Piece by piece we find little things, hinting at the big ‘something is wrong here’. First, a wedding photo and ID-card - you realize, you don’t remember the wedding, nor the name on the card. Down in the hall you find a bag, on it stitched another female name, the same, you saw before on a sign plate, hefted on a coat in the closet.
When confronting your ‘husband’ with these peculiarities, he doesn’t give answers but seems angry and sends you back´ to your room. You will go on with your discovery tour and end up in the basement. There he suddenly reappears and closes the trap door, imprisoning you. He mumbles, your behavior is much more difficult than that of the others. The others? In the basement we finally realize, there is not just something wrong, but this man is about to kill us.
An ominous atmosphere underlines the suspense of the player’s being practically a prisoner in a lonely house with some man, threatening his life. Flashbacks to the origin of all this make the story easily understandable, but that doesn’t hurt. We know the facts and are off to our fight back a killer.
A very well made game with mostly multilayered HOS, several not too difficult puzzles and minigames in the demo. Most impressing the ghostly appearances of a boy and the laid out pieces to find by the player to slowly but surely detect what his role is in this. Show less

I recommend this game!

+24points

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