Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

19 of 20 found this review helpful

Well, I thought it was fun!

PostedMay 11, 2018

bessiegirl

fromOcean Shores, WA

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I have all these Edgar Allan Poe games and there was only one (the name escapes me) which I felt was not worth the money. Apparently I'm the lone ranger on this one because I thought it was great.

A long game whose only flaw I saw were the scenes, HOG and puzzles were a bit dark and hard to see at times. I'm not a "critical cathy" when it comes to expecting a game to echo the real story so my ...Show more

I have all these Edgar Allan Poe games and there was only one (the name escapes me) which I felt was not worth the money. Apparently I'm the lone ranger on this one because I thought it was great.

A long game whose only flaw I saw were the scenes, HOG and puzzles were a bit dark and hard to see at times. I'm not a "critical cathy" when it comes to expecting a game to echo the real story so my review is not based on that at all, but just the play-ability of the game. I found the game played smoothly, was entertaining and the HOGs and puzzles were creative and fun.

Choosing the "custom" setting I was able to quickly skip any puzzle I didn't like or have patience to play and the hint came in hand if I chose not to use the map all the time.

Voice overs were good and you could skip the cut scenes if you chose too. I really cannot find any big flaws in this game and totally enjoyed it. However, it did end with a snap..I guess the "over priced" collector's edition didn't but I don't find those worth the money to get a more elongated ending.

Fun game...don't let the dismal reviews get your down. At least play the demo and make your own decision. Show less

I recommend this game!

+18points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

21 of 23 found this review helpful

Wicked and Creepy Hidden Object Game

PostedMay 4, 2018

DeadRiver

fromOrange County, California

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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

Based on the Demo
This SE version is great. The graphics were beautifully done, with interesting well drawn characters and beautiful scenes, most of them, like the story line, creepy and somewhat wicked.
The voice overs were realistic, the background music was something one would expect from a Poe story, eerie and creepy and very well done.
Hidden object scenes were fun, some of them ...Show more

Based on the Demo
This SE version is great. The graphics were beautifully done, with interesting well drawn characters and beautiful scenes, most of them, like the story line, creepy and somewhat wicked.
The voice overs were realistic, the background music was something one would expect from a Poe story, eerie and creepy and very well done.
Hidden object scenes were fun, some of them interactive, some pretty challenging. The puzzles run the gamut, some were very easy, some were impossible for me to finish and I had to skip them, but plan on finishing them in the full version, after I purchase the game when there are no time constraints.
After that cliff hanger of an ending in the demo, I have to buy this game. It was fabulous and packed with things to do. Never a dull moment. Show less

I recommend this game!

+19points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

12 of 12 found this review helpful

Not Quite What I Expected

PostedMay 9, 2018

PATinPNS

fromPensacola, FL

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

This is posted after playing the entire game.

No, this game is not Poe's Pit and the Pendulum, but it was an okay game just the same. It isn't near as good as others in this series, but passable. I'm glad I got it with a coupon or I would probably have been a bit more disappointed. It killed a few hours and that's all I was looking for anyway.

Graphics were the best part of the game. They ...Show more

This is posted after playing the entire game.

No, this game is not Poe's Pit and the Pendulum, but it was an okay game just the same. It isn't near as good as others in this series, but passable. I'm glad I got it with a coupon or I would probably have been a bit more disappointed. It killed a few hours and that's all I was looking for anyway.

Graphics were the best part of the game. They were well done. Music went along with the action in the scene and wasn't intrusive. I was a bit disappointed in the voice overs. The sinc wasn't present as usual with this developer and Dupin sounded like he's recovering after a hard night at the pub. Colors were natural and the effects were pretty darn good.

I did like the level of challenge. The hidden objects were clear and pretty simple. There was the lists and some interactive ones. No silhouettes thank goodness. I hate those things. Mini games were varied and again not too difficult. I completed several of them and skipped some mostly out of boredom or I couldn't figure out what to do. The instructions weren't clear on some. The map was extremely helpful. It did show areas where something needed to be done and transported. There was a lot of back and forth it seemed like so that transport feature was great.

Again this is not Poe's Pit. It is a story that honestly needed a little work to tie it together. I was a bit lost in it, but not enough to panic. My main complaint was the ending. It.... well just ended. Not much imagination there.

All in all this is an okay game. If you are one who loves to beat your brains out doing puzzles, you'll probably not like this. It is a bit boring at times, but I found few flaws. Give the demo a shot and see if this is for you. Show less

I recommend this game!

+12points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

3 of 3 found this review helpful

Fun but short

PostedMay 12, 2019

shelterhill

fromThe Netherlands

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

I took this game with a coupon and I'm glad I did. It was a really enjoyable game in spite of its flaws already mentioned. I finished it in two and a half hour which is really short ( I hardly skipped a puzzle)
Dupin looked odd to say the least but it was a pleasant game to play. If it was longer I would have given it an extra star.

I recommend this game!

+3points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

2 of 2 found this review helpful

Fairly Average Game

PostedOctober 17, 2018

roaming

fromTexas

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Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

I didn't see anything scary during the demo in spite of the warning. And no, it didn't seem to have anything to do with the Poe story, at least not during the demo, although there was a kind of a pit. Maybe the pendulum comes later. It was the standard go here, play a puzzle, go there, find some hidden objects, and then something shocking at the end of the demo intended to entice you to buy. I ...Show more

I didn't see anything scary during the demo in spite of the warning. And no, it didn't seem to have anything to do with the Poe story, at least not during the demo, although there was a kind of a pit. Maybe the pendulum comes later. It was the standard go here, play a puzzle, go there, find some hidden objects, and then something shocking at the end of the demo intended to entice you to buy. I didn't love this game, but I didn't hate it either. As always, try before you buy. Show less

I recommend this game!

+2points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

2 of 2 found this review helpful

On the Boring Side

PostedMay 28, 2018

Yanie1020

fromIowa, USA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Strategy

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

It's not a good sign when I'm anxious to finish a game because I'm bored. This may be a good game for beginners but it was not a good game for me. I felt as if I were playing a game I'd already played long ago. Nothing new and certainly nothing exciting. I'm giving it three stars because there were some fun puzzles that took a while to complete. The rest of the game was rather dull. I'm ...Show more

It's not a good sign when I'm anxious to finish a game because I'm bored. This may be a good game for beginners but it was not a good game for me. I felt as if I were playing a game I'd already played long ago. Nothing new and certainly nothing exciting. I'm giving it three stars because there were some fun puzzles that took a while to complete. The rest of the game was rather dull. I'm recommending it because players who are new to these games will most likely enjoy it. Show less

I recommend this game!

+2points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

1 of 1 found this review helpful

Very Short Game

PostedMarch 22, 2021

MissPeach3

fromRockland County, NY

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

The game in and of itself was okay, but it was SUPER short. I finished it in like an hour and a half. Usually I can kill a few hours playing these games, but this one was over before I knew it.

+1point

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Overall rating

2 / 5

39 of 47 found this review helpful

THE DEMO IS BUT AN ILLUSION-YOU'RE GETTING SLEEPY-VERY SLEEPY zzzzzz

PostedMay 4, 2018

pennmom36

fromJean Eugène Robert-Houdin, a french clockmaker preformed the first magic show when he opened a theatre to display mechanical animals he had created that appeared to be alive.

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat: Crucible Peak Collector's Edition

(111)

Fun Factor

1 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

1 / 5

Level of Challenge

1 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

Once again, Dark tales has hypnotized me into believing things have changed. What you see in the demo is merely an illusion and with each new chapter, I could visually see the irrelevant ERS ways returning. Amax is falling into a Pit that they may never be able to claw their way out of. The hand-drawn graphics are out-dated and "old-school" you can't differentiate this game from the last one, in ...Show more

Once again, Dark tales has hypnotized me into believing things have changed. What you see in the demo is merely an illusion and with each new chapter, I could visually see the irrelevant ERS ways returning. Amax is falling into a Pit that they may never be able to claw their way out of. The hand-drawn graphics are out-dated and "old-school" you can't differentiate this game from the last one, in fact, if Dupin wasn't a familiar character, you absolutely wouldn't be able to distinguish a Dark Tales game from a Redemption Cemetery game, or a Shadow Wolf Mysteries game, from a Grim Facade game. The characters look exactly the same as they did in 2009 when the first Dark Tales game was released, and they too look the same as every other game series by this dev. These games are old-fashioned and dated, and Amax refuses to upgrade, they refuse to listen to criticism and adapt to the changing times. We aren't the same HOPA fans that started this revolution because we have evolved while they remain in the year 2009.

I originally thought that this game was different, that this game had promise, but I was wrong, and for that mistake, I apologize! The cliffhanger demo ending, left me wanting to continue onwards...oh no Dupin, what happened? By the middle of the third chapter, I felt connected to the plot, not because it drew me into the game-play, but because I felt like I had been hypnotized as well. I just wanted it to end, I wanted to fall asleep! The same ole same ole features returned and I soon realized that "they were back" they being Amax/ERS, were back, meaning a return to their old ways. This games only redeeming feature was with the CE Morphing Objects and Collectible Cards! Here's a recap of my review to help you decide which version, if either, is right for you:

Zula the Illusionist will be entertaining the guests at the Pendulum estate this evening, by invitation only. Detective Dupin will be a special guest star participant, so this will be a party to die for! Dupin had a bad feeling about this performance and begged Zula to reconsider, but "the show must go on" until it doesn't, and it did! It's a good thing you made it to the show on time, unfortunately, this show will be the Grand Final, but is it just an elaborate Grand Illusion?

I will admit that the Morphing Objects become a bit more elusive after the demo, some of which are difficult to spot. I liked how they tied the Morphs into the Collectible Cards. There are 9 Collectible Cards that give a brief description of various "bad guys" in a "before" scenario. To learn about the "now" scenario, you must find all 3 Morphing Objects shown at the bottom of each card to unlock the current situation of that person. I've never seen this feature, so I have to give credit where credit is justly deserved!

The Hidden Object Scenes are just okay, nothing spectacular, nothing really new., and basically the same as they have been for the last 9 years. There are Interactive List finds, Keywords in Sentence finds, Progressive Interactive finds, and several Zoom Zone HOP's where you are tasked with finding 5 Fragments to receive an inventory item.

The Mini-Games are pretty easy to solve, even on the Hard difficulty setting. Typically, I don't really care how hard or easy puzzles are, as long as they are fun, and I did enjoy some of them before and after the demo. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:

1-Slide buttons to correct positions according to clue shown.
2-Drag latch through symbol without touching borders.
3-Match both card sections correctly within their categories.
4-Select all pictured items to receive the safe code.
5-Turn safe wheel to the correct numbers shown on the clue.
6-Use numbered buttons to push tokens into place.
7-Click when both tokens are aligned (progressive speed)
8-Navigate through a dark maze, picking up and using items.

The Collector's Edition version has 6 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art pictures, 5 Screensavers, 4 Music Soundtracks, 12 Movie Videos, 16 re-playable Mini-Games, 12 re-playable Hidden Object Scenes, 16 Achievements to earn, 26 Morphing Objects, 9 Collectible Illusionist Cards, 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a built-in Strategy Guide.

DARK TALES: EDGAR ALLAN POE'S GAMES AVAILABLE:
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-Murder's In The Rue Morgue (December 17-2009) 3.7
2-The Black Cat (September 16-2010) 4.4
3-The Premature Burial (October 7-2011) 4.5
4-The Gold Bug (January 10-2013) 3.8
5-The Masque Of The Red Death (April 25-2013) 4.4
6-The Fall Of The House Of Usher (March 20-2014) 4.0
7-The Mystery of Marie Roget (February 19-2015) 4.1
8-The Tell-Tale Heart (November 14-2015) 2.7
9-Metzengerstein (July 21-2016) 3.5
10-The Raven (December 29-2016) 3.2
11-Lenore (August 10-2017) 2.9
12-Morella (December 16-2017) 3.7
13-The Pit and the Pendulum (April 5-2018) 3.2

by: Amax Interactive Games: Ukraine founded March 25-2006
(Changed name from ERS Games to Amax Interactive in 2016)

Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's (ERS games 1-9 *Amax games 10-12) Haunted Legends, Puppet Show, Redemption Cemetery, Spirits of Mystery, Grim Facade, Shadow Wolf Mysteries, Queen's Tales, Twilight Phenomena, Reveries, Christmas Eve, Maestro, Ghosts of the Past, Forgotten Books, Beyond the Unknown, Haunted Halls, Flights of Fancy, Azada (games 3-4) Reality Show, Phantasmat (Crucible Peak only), Gothic Fiction, Dark Alley's, Nightfall, Hidden Wonders of the Depths, Pathfinders, Sarah Maribu, Steve the Sheriff, Many Years Ago, Mysterious Travel Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+31points

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Overall rating

2 / 5

16 of 22 found this review helpful

Zzzzzz!

PostedMay 4, 2018

dancemom1

fromYakima, WA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Family, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

1 / 5

Storyline

1 / 5

Hello friends! I usually only comment on the game play and leave the story to others, but this time, I have to comment. This is not my usual type of review, not because I didn't finish the demo (I had to force myself), but because I just couldn't get into the story enough to be interested in the game. I love Poe. As I have said with all of these EAP games, if you are going to call it a Poe, then ...Show more

Hello friends! I usually only comment on the game play and leave the story to others, but this time, I have to comment. This is not my usual type of review, not because I didn't finish the demo (I had to force myself), but because I just couldn't get into the story enough to be interested in the game. I love Poe. As I have said with all of these EAP games, if you are going to call it a Poe, then you better stick a heck of a lot closer to the story. This one doesn't even come close! That said, the graphics weren't bad, not as blurry as most these days. Game play was good. Colors not bad at all. Voices were okay, but why do we need to keep changing character voices for Dupin? I keep hoping that the next in this series would be much better, but have consistently been disappointed.

HOPs were nothing new and the puzzles were painfully simple. I do not care for the "trace" game. It's old and boring. Hint system is helpful and we do have the transport feature. The sound you hear when finding an object is quite annoying.

Collectibles? I didn't even see any. To be honest, the story was so boring, I didn't even look for them. I couldn't even find a strategy guide!

The story was muddled, slow and boring. Yes, we have a twist at the end of the demo, but there was nothing in this game to make me want to play any further. I'm sure there will be those who find it fun, but I am not one of them. I try to find something good about a game so I can recommend it, even if I don't care for it, but all I can say about this one is...maybe a beginner would like it, as long as they haven't played any of the first couple in the series. No, there is no buy for me and I can't bring myself to recommend it even to a beginner. Personally, I think this one either needs some serious updating, or a retirement.

As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this to be what you are looking for. Thanks for the reviews. Play on! Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+10points

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Overall rating

2 / 5

7 of 8 found this review helpful

Oh, the horror!

PostedMay 7, 2018

Pilot1

fromTaos, NM

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Current Favorite:

Adam Wolfe: Flames of Time

(162)

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

2 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

Once again we are offered a so-called Edgar Allan Poe tale that, apart from its title, has no connection to the work of this master of the written word. If you have read any of my previous reviews, and played some of the other offering in this series —Dark Tales - Edgar Allan Poe's Lenore and Dark Tales - Edgar Allan Poe’s Morella, for example— you are probably as disappointed as I am.

The ...Show more

Once again we are offered a so-called Edgar Allan Poe tale that, apart from its title, has no connection to the work of this master of the written word. If you have read any of my previous reviews, and played some of the other offering in this series —Dark Tales - Edgar Allan Poe's Lenore and Dark Tales - Edgar Allan Poe’s Morella, for example— you are probably as disappointed as I am.

The graphics in this game, as in the others of this series, are more or less appropriate for the time period and atmosphere of the game. Having said that, I must also say that, given the state-of-the-art of current graphic rendition software, they were more than a little primitive.

The background music continued what is the norm for these games —slow and gloomy.

I’m not going to comment on the game play except to say that it offered nothing in the way of plot or characters that we have not seen time and time again.

The same can be said of the HO sequences and mini-games; nothing new, innovative, or even very interesting or challenging.

Edgar Allan Poe was the father of the ‘horror’ genre, but the only horror here is the audacity of the game developer to associate his name with this yet again lame offering.

If you must, play the demo . . . I do not recommend this game. Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+6points

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