Haunted Hotel: Lost Time > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

18 of 28 found this review helpful

Hauntingly Beautiful Game. I loved it!

PostedJuly 17, 2020

BooksandGameFan

fromJacksonville, Florida

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Arcade & Action, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Family, Hidden Object, Large File, Word

Current Favorite:

Family Mysteries: Echoes of Tomorrow Collector's Edition

(52)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This review is after purchasing and playing the entire CE game.

I really enjoyed this game. The flow was great, most of what you had to do, what you had to find or where you needed to go made logical sense, a big plus in my opinion! The music and sound effects were perfect, mini-games not really my thing but they were ok, I Loved the hidden object scenes and I was glad there were so many, lately there have been less and less in the newer games. I sat and started playing this game and didn't want to stop until it was over, I'm so glad I got the CE so I could find out the actual back story and it gave me another hour of fun. There was also another bonus that was called the secret room, wasn't actually any room you just got to find a bunch of morphing items in 4 different rooms, that gave me at least another 15 or 20 minutes of added fun!
This game does tie up nicely in this SE edition so you don't actually need to purchase the CE. I myself don't normally buy the CE unless I'm really enjoying the game and we get a really good sale. This is one of the few games I personally suggest the CE for the bonus games.
Yes, I highly recommend this game. Show less

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

8 of 12 found this review helpful

Fun game to play

PostedJuly 21, 2020

beauti77

fromSummerville SC

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Mahjong

Current Favorite:

Haunted Hotel: Lost Time Collector's Edition

(33)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I lost track of time cause I just kept playing the game. Graphics are good and I like the story line too. Honestly if the story line does not keep my interest then I do not typically finish the game. I plan on buying more that are in this series.

I recommend this game!

+4points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

36 of 39 found this review helpful

LOST TIME IS ONE OF THE BETTER GAMES IN THE HAUNTED HOTEL SERIES

PostedJuly 17, 2020

biscuitsmama

fromLosing track of time as I play this game. I must find Jessica before it’s too late.

Key Contributor
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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

It is hard to believe that it has been over twelve years since the first Haunted Hotel game was released. Way back then it would have been hard to imagine that the series would become a classic hit with gamers and that we are now looking at game nineteen in a series that, IMHO, should have been ended years ago. That being said, I decided to try the demo for Haunted Hotel Lost Time and was ...Show more

The graphics are excellent as usual with the only exception being the HOS scenes that are sometimes so dark and blurry that it is extremely difficult to spot the items that should be found. I know it is old school to have very tiny items to be found but that is what I disliked about the early games. I am not saying that items should be in your face easy to find but they should not be almost invisible, which unfortunately is the case with Lost Time.

The puzzles were entertaining but the downfall is that they were so easy to solve and so familiar that it took the challenge of solving them away. The good thing about Haunted Hotel Lost Time is that there is a good balance between HOS and Puzzles. I am sure those who love puzzles will be disappointed that there are not more of them included in Lost Time, but I did enjoy the balance for a change.

There is a CE version of the game and if you happen to enjoy them you will find that the collectibles are the standard fare and the same thing that we see in every game from this developer. There is nothing new just the same picture pieces to collect, the same collectible statues, and the same morphing objects. Yes, there is the Strategy Guide, Wallpapers, Music, and a Secret Room but I don’t put those in the same category as finding well-hidden collectibles and morphing objects. I appreciate that the developer has added morphing objects to each scene but there should be some creativity with the collectibles. I question why I continue to purchase the CE releases when I could wait a couple of weeks and get the same game as an SE. It would make no difference to the game as far as I’m concerned.

The gameplay was enjoyable, and I didn’t mind at all that I had to go through more than one room before using an item that I found as I played the game. Even though I needed to backtrack in the game, for me at least it was more enjoyable than finding a key and then turning around to spot a shed that needed the key I just found. I happen to enjoy going back to locations to find the objects needed to progress in a game. Many gamers want the items available in the same room but that tends to make the games more linear. I remember when I started playing HO games and would have to go through many rooms and cart along a large inventory of items. It was far more enjoyable than this “find an object, use it immediately” type of gameplay.

Although Haunted Hotel Lost Time is not a five-star game it is still a good HOPA game and one that I did enjoy. Overall, the game was a bit too easy with too much hand-holding to give it a higher rating. However, I think the game does deserve four-stars because of the storyline and the gameplay that had me very involved as I moved through the various locations in the hotel. Even though I enjoyed the game, as always I recommend that you play the demo to see if Haunted Hotel Lost Time is a game you will enjoy as well. Happy gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+33points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

11 of 19 found this review helpful

~Haunted Hotel: Lost Time is a worthy addition to this best-selling series.~

PostedJuly 19, 2020

skullfun

fromThis is the 19th game in the series and while I love them all, Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher is my all time favorite!

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Current Favorite:

Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher Collector's Edition

(55)

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

James Blackthorn and his girlfriend Jessica have now been together for a year and to celebrate this special occasion, they planned a weekend getaway at the luxurious Victorian Spa Hotel. Given James’ track record, he probably should have known that this trip would not end well. With Jessica missing and strange happenings around the hotel, can James survive another nightmare situation in Haunted ...Show more

I am actually quite astonished by how the Haunted Hotel series is able to bring new ideas to each new sequel. Unlike most other long-running series, Haunted Hotel never feels stale or recycled; each new installment feels different and exciting. Haunted Hotel: Lost Time is a good example of this. Although the idea behind the plot is not unique by the slightest, the spa hotel setting is original enough to keep the player engaged. This game also excels in terms of pacing and delivery. There is always something intriguing waiting at every corner, whether that be storyline development or just a creepy moment.

Haunted Hotel: Lost Time is also, perhaps, the most heart-pounding thrilling installment since the excellent Haunted Hotel: The Thirteenth (all though Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher) is my personal favorite. The visuals in this game serve the psychological thriller genre of the game well. Most scenes are dark, but with thoughtful touches of colors to make them pop and edgy. The actual design of the locations and the details in them are astounding, which further proves why Elephant Games manages to maintain its position at the forefront of the HOPA genre for so long. Further, the background music and the voice-overs are appropriately ominous and help enhance the experience of the game.

For a hardcore hidden object fan like me, Haunted Hotel: Lost Time is not the most challenging game in this long running series. The gameplay is fast-paced and hectic, yet straightforward and familiar. The hidden object scenes and the puzzles contain some neat ideas, but never fully execute them. Thus, they remain simple and easy to solve.

Should you chose the SE or CE version?

I chose the Collector's Edition because of the exhilarating storyline and the 3.5 hours main gameplay flew by for me like it was nothing. The bonus chapter was equally well-done and took me another 45 minutes to complete. The Collector’s Edition also includes a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, screensavers, soundtracks, replayable hidden object scenes, replayable puzzles, achievements, collectibles, morphing objects, jigsaw puzzle, and a secret room! Cheers and happy gaming.

Other Haunted Hotel games to check out:
Haunted Hotel
Haunted Hotel II: Believe the Lies
Haunted Hotel: Lonely Dream
Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward
Haunted Hotel: Eclipse
Haunted Hotel: Ancient Bane
Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence
Haunted Hotel: Eternity
Haunted Hotel: Phoenix
Haunted Hotel: The X
Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher
Haunted Hotel: Silent Waters
Haunted Hotel: The Thirteenth
Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare
Haunted Hotel XV: The Evil Inside
Haunted Hotel: Lost Dreams
Haunted Hotel: Beyond the Page
Haunted Hotel: Room 18
Haunted Hotel: Lost Time Show less

I recommend this game!

+3points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

62 of 68 found this review helpful

I THINK THIS VERSION IS THE BETTER VALUE BECAUSE THE CE COLLECTIBLES WERE WAY TOO OBVIOUS

PostedJuly 17, 2020

pennmom36

fromI 'think" I'll return to my awesome tower escaping adventure now!

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Completed Game approximately 4.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
19 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner

Honey, I have a great idea, why don't we go to this seemingly beautiful Victorian Hotel for our one year anniversary and get the "House Youthful Treatment Special" So tell me, James, after 18 Haunted Hotel experiences, how is it that you manage to remain clueless about the whole "Haunted" part until you're smack-dab in the middle of the situation?

Elephant Games is hard to beat as far as storylines go, their games always have interesting plots, some of which keep you on the edge of your seat. Some of which is the only reason you keep playing because lately, their games have become so predictable that they are far too easy to play. They strayed away from the tasks that require a player to think and replaced those tasks with endless, emblem-placing tasks that don't require any thought process whatsoever (think about it, they don't have to think of something creative, we don't have to think about how to solve something, eventually, nobody has to think about anything, are you thinking about it now?)

My point is, Elephant Games chooses not to work any harder than they have to, of course not, no one does, but as we get older, we have to force our neurons to work, to make new connections, we do this by problem-solving and it's not exactly rocket science to place emblems for 5 or 6 hours straight. The only way they are going to revert to making the quality of "thinking" games they did in the past (Mystery Trackers: The Void, Surface: The Noise She Couldn't Make-Hallowed Legends: Ship of Bones) is if we tell them we prefer THINKING over EMBLEM-PLACING, the way it was not the way it is :)

☽☾Morphing Objects/Collectibles: (CE version only)☼
There are 27 Scene Morphing Objects, one per scene. They are large and in charge, can't miss objects. They morph way too fast, the objects are ridiculously large, they offer no challenge whatsoever, so what's the point? There are 13 Morphing Character Statuettes which are actually larger than the scene morphing objects...both of these objects are larger than just about anything else in the room with the exception of a desk, a bed, or a couch, so all you have to do is take a glance at anything in the room that's huge, what's even worse is that they are always laying side by side, and always on the floor, and they morph so quickly your eye can't help but notice them the second you walk into a new location, so you click on them because they are annoying, not because they are a challenge or because they are fun to SEARCH for! That is how they used to be in older games (do you remember staring intently at a scene because they were never obvious?), that is what their purpose was, they were intended to be added as an extra CE CHALLENGE, these aren't Challenges? These are just Clickables these are just large interactive items you can click on to add them to an inventory collectible category, nothing more! There are also 20 Zoom Zone Puzzle Fragments to create 4 Screensavers, no assembly required.

◔Hidden Object Scenes◕
There are only 10 Hidden Object Scenes +8 in the CE Bonus Chapter, + 4 Zoom-Zone HO's. They were just average, so-so HO's in my opinion, not impressive, but not dreadful either. There are Interactive List Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Symbols Finds, Multiples Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, and a Swatch Find where you find the exact area on a painting that matches circular token swatch examples, shown. One of the HO's was rather odd, you had to find 3 items at a time but the 3 items would fade in and out constantly and I thought this may bother a lot of people that had vision problems, especially if they were prone to seizures, but the items don't flash, they just fade in and out if that makes sense?

♙Mini-Games♙
There are 16 Mini-Games +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I did not encounter any new or original mini-games, in fact, they were such familiar puzzles that I didn't have to read any of the instructions to know how to solve them. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would like to see a little more creativity in the future?? Here are some of my favorite games:

1-Select a number on the lock with directional arrows to move the latch to the round slot
2-Fill the grid with more hourglasses than syringes, moving 1 space creates another hourglass, placing one next to a syringe turns it into an hourglass.
4-Guide the pearl into the slot by selecting the numbered buttons, if it hits a bumper you must start over.
5-Move blue & green blocks into their matching slots using directional arrows. They move at the same time so use other blocks as bumpers.

✯Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)✯
Rewind the hands of the clock as you play a vibrant, young version of Josephine who's father has demanded she stop Bernard from continuing his experiments because he fears something catastrophic may occur...don't worry dad, I'm sure his experiments are perfectly safe, practically benign, what could possibly go wrong? This is an average-length chapter that takes place over 8 scene locations and is geared towards HO fans with 8 Hidden Object Scenes and only 4 small mini-games. You will complete the collections with the final 8 Scene Morphing Objects, 4 Morphing Character Statuettes, and the final 5 Zoom Zone Puzzle Fragments which completes the fourth and final Screensaver.

♕Collector's Edition Extra's♕
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 18 Achievements, 13 Replayable Mini-Games,14 Hidden Object Scenes 13 Morphing Character Statues 27 Morphing Objects 20 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces, 4 Screensavers, a Secret Room (Return to Scenes to Locate HO Objects) 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide.

HAUNTED HOTEL SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-Haunted Hotel SE only (March 5-2008) 2.9
2-Believe The Lies SE only (January 7-2009) 2.7
3-Lonely Dreams SE only (August 28-2010) 3.3
4-Charles Dexter Ward (July 14-2012) 3.9
5-Eclipse (November 8-2013) 4.3
6-Ancient Bane (June 27-2014) 3.9
7-Death Sentence (January 16-2015) 3.9
8-Eternity (May 29-2015) 3.8
9-Phoenix (September 13-2015) 3.9
10-The X (December 11-2015) 4.3
11-The Axiom Butcher (May 29-2016) 4.3
12-Silent Waters (October 16-2016) 3.3
13-The Thirteenth (January 22-2017) 3.4
14-Personal Nightmare (June 23-2017) 4.3
15-The Evil Inside (October 29-2017) 4.0
16-Lost Dreams (April 6-2018) 3.5
17-Beyond The Page (January 20-2019) 3.1
18-Room 18 (November 29-2019) 4.0
19-Lost Time (July 17-2020) n/a

by: Elephant Games Show less

I recommend this game!

+56points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

2 of 2 found this review helpful

Finished the game in about 4 hours???

PostedJuly 28, 2020

julinmette

Skill Level:Expert

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

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

It's a really good game, it's just too easy to complete. The puzzles were pretty easy.

All in all, I completed the game in about 4 hours - and that includes that part of what is a demo. So it was not so much I got for my money this time unlike for example Mystery Case Files where there are several more hours of play.

I don't recommend this game.

+2points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

1 of 2 found this review helpful

Not the best Haunted Hotel

PostedAugust 24, 2020

Crybabyblue66

fromCanada

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Current Favorite:

Haunted Hotel: Beyond the Page

(8)

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

I quite enjoy the haunted hotel line of games, after discovering them a while ago...
this one isn't one of the better ones, the story is a bit confusing but it isn't a bad game.
it feels a bit shorter than other games in this line, and did not draw me in as much as the others i've played before.
I definitely don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it either.

I recommend this game!

0points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

A Chore to Finish

PostedNovember 29, 2021

roaming

fromTexas

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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):Hidden Object

If I could award two and half stars, I would. Do not be fooled by the intriguing demo like I was. The story starts out interesting, draws you in, and hooks you. You want to know more. Do not be fooled. The end is Preposterous... the capital P is intentional. Thankfully, I used a credit to buy it. The early Haunted Hotel games were excellent and I own several of them. This one? Somebody's ...Show more

I don't recommend this game.

0points

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