Sea of Lies: Beneath the Surface > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

4 / 5

54 of 66 found this review helpful

This Is Why I Stay Away From Water (Rivers, Lakes, Bathtubs)

PostedMarch 6, 2016

kdblueey

fromLeesburg, Ohio

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Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Current Favorite:

Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain

(28)

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I wasn't able to complete the 90 min. demo (only 36 mins) as it is 0500 in the morning, but wanted to finish this review, so any typos are my responsibility :0

I think I played another 'Sea of Lies' game before but didn't enjoy it, but I don't remember the name. From what I played of this game, I did enjoy. What caught my attention in the first place was the introduction: the deep baritone of ...Show more

I wasn't able to complete the 90 min. demo (only 36 mins) as it is 0500 in the morning, but wanted to finish this review, so any typos are my responsibility :0

I think I played another 'Sea of Lies' game before but didn't enjoy it, but I don't remember the name. From what I played of this game, I did enjoy. What caught my attention in the first place was the introduction: the deep baritone of the guy's voice before the screen came on that took you to the page where you add your name, options, etc....kind of like a climatic beginning.

Once your aboard the ship, your immediately attacked by some sea creature/monster. The captain becomes injured and asked you, (a Surgeon) to steer the ship to safety. The man next to him (a chauvinistic man of course) asks the captain 'Why would you ask her to steer the ship. She's only a surgeon'?The captain has a few choice words of course and that is soon settled. Mind you, you've never done such a thing in your life. This takes you to a mini-game of a sort where you have to steer the ship while avoiding attacks from the monster at the same time. I'm not good at navigation, plus it was 5 o'clock in the morning, so I just hit the SKIP button. So of course you crash, sink the ship and land on some island.

Until I got tired, this is what I encountered in the demo:

I met a woman from the island who collected poisonous plants. Something not quite right about her. She just stands there and stares at you a lot.

Then you go into town, and you get to help the Mayor because somehow he has contracted some virus or illness and his daughter goes into the forest and collects these plants (another woman who collects weird plants and who is also weird.......hmm, do we all see some connection???)

You get to gather some plants , make up a vial and give it to the Mayor and the daughter says she needs to go into the forest to gather enough ingredients for two more potions for her father to be completely healed??? He didn't seemed healed to me. Anyway......

In the 36 mins of the demo that I played, I played two HOS, and it was your typical find one part, and that part connected to another part, etc (my favorite kind). I hate the straight forward kind of HOS.

The graphics for the most part were clean cut and crisp, like you were right there, except maybe the brief scene on the ship before it sank, The music was a little distracting, had to turn it down some, maybe because it was 5 in the am. The colors were kind of drab on the ship, the island colors were OK, not as vibrant as I am used to seeing.

All in all, I think this might be a good game to try. As we all know, we all have different taste. Been with Big Fish since 2007, and love love love their games, but have not loved them all, as we all have not loved them all. Enjoy!! or not! Show less

I recommend this game!

+42points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

18 of 19 found this review helpful

A good one.

PostedMarch 15, 2016

Aliana_4711

fromGermany

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Current Favorite:

Steel LIFE

(50)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

My rating is based on playing the entire SE and meeting most of my requirements. This game is state of the art and contains nearly all staff, I’m expecting (s.b.). Good handicraft. One can play w/o helping texts, this mode was quite challenging.
Only issue: length, it was a little bit too short..

- Story: Mystery story. You survived a shipwreck, there was something mysterious about. A pirate ...Show more

My rating is based on playing the entire SE and meeting most of my requirements. This game is state of the art and contains nearly all staff, I’m expecting (s.b.). Good handicraft. One can play w/o helping texts, this mode was quite challenging.
Only issue: length, it was a little bit too short..

- Story: Mystery story. You survived a shipwreck, there was something mysterious about. A pirate attack and a monster attack at the same time? Stranded on an island, you’re discovering what’s behind.

- Difficulty can be customized in all issues: Tutorial, sparkles, map issues, glitter, contextual pointer, plus item indicator, helping texts, penalty and hint / skip recharge.

- Graphics/locations: Colorful and lucid. Detailed and vibrant.

- Animation: really good

- Music: more or less background noises only.

- Voice-overs: well-done

- Tools: only an interactive map.

- HO’s: Mostly description. Some silhouettes. Nicely done. You can switch to match 3.

- Mini games: not that difficult.

- Adventure part: The tasks were mostly logical, especially retrospective. Some were w/o helping texts quite tricky. All in all, it was challenging. You don’t have many items, so “trial and error” is means of choice.

Dislikes:
- Length: I needed only 3 1/2 hours for completing. Show less

I recommend this game!

+17points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

4 of 4 found this review helpful

A fun seafaring HO adventure

PostedMarch 18, 2017

ninja226

fromwichita, KS

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

This game deserves better reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cinematics are excellent, voiceovers are good, well drawn characters, and most tasks are logical. It's not a very hard game (for experienced Fishies), but great for newbies to this genre. The storyline isn't terribly original, but it does feature a female protagonist who is a surgeon and saves the day.
The game has a good flow and ...Show more

This game deserves better reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cinematics are excellent, voiceovers are good, well drawn characters, and most tasks are logical. It's not a very hard game (for experienced Fishies), but great for newbies to this genre. The storyline isn't terribly original, but it does feature a female protagonist who is a surgeon and saves the day.
The game has a good flow and can be completed in a few hours (of fun). Enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+4points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

5 of 7 found this review helpful

discover what is behind the sea monster

PostedApril 21, 2016

denniann2

fromharrisonburg, virginia

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

there is a custom level. an interactive map. it was a good game, but i had some problems with clicking on some items that needed action done. i couldn't figure out the map either. you are trying to discover what is behind the sea monster that is dragging all the ships down and of course there are pirate ships to disable the ships as well. sequel.....maybe.

I recommend this game!

+3points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

3 of 4 found this review helpful

Very Pretty Game

PostedApril 13, 2019

Kimmycoo

fromVirginia USA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

The most compelling thing about this game other than the great story line-I love when a story line is about real people being the culprits. Im tired of magic or blue and purple steam or mists and evil underlords. I like more crime stuff. Things that could possibly actually happen. So this game was a great relief from all of the HOGs that involve magical stuff. Back to the compelling part-THE ...Show more

The most compelling thing about this game other than the great story line-I love when a story line is about real people being the culprits. Im tired of magic or blue and purple steam or mists and evil underlords. I like more crime stuff. Things that could possibly actually happen. So this game was a great relief from all of the HOGs that involve magical stuff. Back to the compelling part-THE MUSIC!
I loved the music in this. Great job on that guys!
The mini games were very easy and the HOGS were a bit junky and some of the rooms were very very junky but all in all it was a great game!

I enjoyed it! Show less

I recommend this game!

+2points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

Nice, average game with a plot twist.

PostedNovember 8, 2020

Heather_G

fromIndiana

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Match 3

Current Favorite:

Natalie Brooks: Secrets of Treasure House

(6)

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I won't ruin it by giving away what happens, but I like a little more complex story than most hidden object adventures offer and this one delivers to some degree. The voice and visual acting is good, as are the sound effects. I got to play the beta version which was the first part of the game. I'm glad I got to finish the story. Yes, there are shaped keys galore but that's hard to avoid these ...Show more

I won't ruin it by giving away what happens, but I like a little more complex story than most hidden object adventures offer and this one delivers to some degree. The voice and visual acting is good, as are the sound effects. I got to play the beta version which was the first part of the game. I'm glad I got to finish the story. Yes, there are shaped keys galore but that's hard to avoid these days. Overall it was an entertaining game. Show less

I recommend this game!

0points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

72 of 88 found this review helpful

The Pied Piper Of The Seas

PostedMarch 6, 2016

pennmom36

fromThank goodness my documents survived the sinking ship scenario!

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Phantasmat Collector's Edition

(100)

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

Pirates are responsible for sinking several trading vessels en route to Puerto Valiz, so Captain Woodhouse has asked Doctor Norton to accompany his escort convoy ship. Unfortunately, the pirates show no mercy, using their latest weapon, "The Siren". This pied piper of the seas has just called for backup, a giant tentacled Kraken, that rips through the hull of your ship, sending Doctor Norton and ...Show more

Pirates are responsible for sinking several trading vessels en route to Puerto Valiz, so Captain Woodhouse has asked Doctor Norton to accompany his escort convoy ship. Unfortunately, the pirates show no mercy, using their latest weapon, "The Siren". This pied piper of the seas has just called for backup, a giant tentacled Kraken, that rips through the hull of your ship, sending Doctor Norton and most of the crew to the bottom of the sea. The shores of Puerto Valiz are nearby, but the pirates are relentless, and they attempt to cut off all sources of communication to and from the small town of Elberton. You'll need to prove your worthiness to the crew members and gain their trust before they will allow you to plan a strategy against these ruthless pirates, after all you are only a surgeon!

This is another great addition to The Sea of Lies, although none of them seem to hold a candle to the original episode. The graphics have improved, but I just found myself a little bored with the motions at times, there's just no real wow factor to make me want to purchase this game, it's a take it or leave it kind of game. There are plus signs on some of the inventory items requiring an extra step before the items can be used, some of which are in the form of a small simple puzzle to solve. The Collector's Edition has 12 Achievements to earn as well as a Hidden Sign (ship's wheel) in each of the 45 locations throughout the game.

The Hidden Object Scenes are not bad, but again, there's no wow factor. There are small zoom zone HOP's and there is an optional Match 3 game to play. Most of the HOP's are interactive list finds, but there are silhouetted shape finds, descriptions of items to find and even scenes that require you find 5 of the same objects on each side which gives you a tool to unlock the list of items.

The Mini Games are sea worthy, but rather simple to solve, which isn't necessarily bad, just not very challenging. Below are brief descriptions of the games you'll encounter in the demo:

1) Complete the picture to use the spyglass by selecting directional arrows.
2) Use arrows to rotate the ship's wheel and avoid the monster's tentacles.
3) Collect the correct roots by pulling flowers until you find a match.
4) Use the ship's log to select and place ships correctly on a map.
5) Lead the wheel on the left to the ship on the right through obstacles.
6) Use levers to move flags to match the diagram, selecting one affects others.

The Collector's Edition has 12 Achievements, 45 Hidden Collectible Signs, 9 Videos, 8 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, 9 Music Soundtracks, 15 replayable HOP's, 17 replayable Mini Games, a Souvenir Room, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy! Show less

+56points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

18 of 21 found this review helpful

out to lunch on this one.....

PostedMarch 7, 2016

bessiegirl

fromOcean Shores, WA

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Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I usually don't post a review after only playing the demo, but I'm not sure if this is a buyer. Awkward game-play. Not real smooth. Game even seems to lag technically a bit.

Transporter map is also awkward and takes awhile to get used to where to click for movement...lots of circles etc. You can customize your game-play to set for no tutorial and fast refresh on the skip and hint which is ...Show more

I usually don't post a review after only playing the demo, but I'm not sure if this is a buyer. Awkward game-play. Not real smooth. Game even seems to lag technically a bit.

Transporter map is also awkward and takes awhile to get used to where to click for movement...lots of circles etc. You can customize your game-play to set for no tutorial and fast refresh on the skip and hint which is always good in my book.

A lot of dialog which you can skip, but annoying just the same. I really dislike those sidebars which keep popping in outlining you tasks AND telling you that it has been accomplished. Those seem to be popping up in a lot of games and they are really, really annoying. The game curser is way too big and clumsy but it can be changed. HOS are interactive but also awkward and the puzzles the same.

All in all, I don't feel its worth the $$, maybe a credit or on sale. Play the demo, you may like it or not. Show less

+15points

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Overall rating

1 / 5

11 of 15 found this review helpful

Arrgghh..........

PostedMay 10, 2016

roaming

fromTexas USA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

You can turn off helpful messages in the custom settings, but you can't get rid of "Let's see," "What could I possibly do here," "Let me think," etc. ad nauseum every time you click on some object in a scene. And if that doesn't drive you nuts, the stiff posture of the characters and the horrid phony accents in the dialogue will.

I don't recommend this game.

+7points

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	, share your thoughts about this game! Sea of Lies: Beneath the Surface What's lurking in the water? Heres what your review will look like once it’s posted. Click Submit if you’re happy. Your review should appear soon. To make changes, use the Edit or Cancel buttons. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this game! You’ve already shared your thoughts about this game. Thanks for submitting the review below.