Criminal Archives: City on Fire Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

20 of 23 found this review helpful

You Gotta Use The Map!

PostedDecember 3, 2021

radarsweet

fromSt. George, UT

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, Mahjong

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I Loved this game! it wasn't too hard, wasn't too easy. It had just the right enough amount of challenge.

There is, however, a lot of jumping from room to room & it can be confusing. It's just easier to use the jump map to see where you need to go.

Another thing I loved about this game is that rather than find Hidden Object, it also gives you the option of playing Match 3.

The story line ...Show more

I Loved this game! it wasn't too hard, wasn't too easy. It had just the right enough amount of challenge.

There is, however, a lot of jumping from room to room & it can be confusing. It's just easier to use the jump map to see where you need to go.

Another thing I loved about this game is that rather than find Hidden Object, it also gives you the option of playing Match 3.

The story line is a good one, although you do have to break out of jail for a murder you didn't commit, & there's no clearing of your name (hole in the plot). That is the only part of the story that was hard to accept; that & the fact that you're a reporter & you do all the work while the cops stand there & ask you to do more!
\
All in all, a great game. I played the Collector's Edition. In it, you can collect small cities (morphing objects) & coins. I failed miserably on the coins... The bonus chapter is a decent enough length, with as much challenge as the main story.

I enjoyed this one very much. I wish there were more like this one. Show less

I recommend this game!

+17points

20of 23voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes20No3

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

7 of 8 found this review helpful

I am now a bonifide crime reporter! Wuhoo!

PostedDecember 28, 2021

Italia47

fromOne of the puzzles in this game is trying to apprehend the murderer in a maze; well, let's just say, if there had been snow, I'd be as dead as a doorknob like that so-called actor in The Shining!

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I just completed the entire CE game and once again, the pros outweigh the cons. I've given the Level of Challenge category a 4 instead of 5 because of the illogical tasks and steps that the reporter had to take in order to complete a task. Big Fish should have a "logic" category added in the individual ratings. I can understand why some of the reviewers were frustrated regarding this matter. For instance, why did the reporter have to go through all that work to end up using boots for a couple of the tasks, or a ruler to unscrew the screws, or find the glue to repair a horn to scare the crow away? The reporter could have just screamed at that silly bird! Domini Game devs' logic is insane, but these crazy devs have a method to their madness. I managed to complete all those tasks but I must admit I skipped a couple of the minigames. I should mention, too, that I found a couple of grammar errors. By the way, if you don't like listening to the characters speak, you can always skip the dialogue.

After all those annoying tasks and the back n' forth business throughout the entire game, I realized that as frustrating as it was, the game still managed to flow quite well. Everything else though was perfect. I did get all the 70 stone tokens; all of the 15 newspaper clippings; and all of the 15 furniture figurines.

What makes this game so special and unique to me was the amazing and incredible minigames and puzzles. Ingenious Domini Game Devs! Ingenious! I thoroughly enjoyed those and looked forward to playing them. Another great feature these devs offered was the Match 3 Game.

The storyline was excellent, the voiceovers were wonderful, the graphics were really lovely, the music was great. This is yet another game that I thoroughly enjoyed playing regardless of the negatives. Many of the mini-games were very challenging, and there was such a wonderful array of those. Just loved it!

The map was a wonderful transporter as well as the hint button, and, of course, the hint button could be used just for hints, too.

The Bonus Game really rocks! You have to apprehend the moneylender who is a murderer. Of course, you have help from others along the way. I must say, this particular CE version gives you a lot of bang for the buck. I highly recommend this game! Awesome job, devs! Show less

I recommend this game!

+6points

7of 8voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes7No1

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

122 of 209 found this review helpful

A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SURPRISE!

PostedNovember 27, 2021

sunnyglow

fromWhat a happy Thanksgiving weekend surprise! No turkey here – just a fantastic holiday treat.

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:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 52 pages (My Time – 10 Hours)

Enjoy sleuthing your way through a new crime mystery series from Domini Games. Play a budding crime reporter out to get the scoop on bizarre and seemingly unsolvable cases, all while helping solve the crime. In the premiere episode, find yourself in San Francisco where an arsonist known as the Plague Doctor is out to exact revenge upon those whom he feels escaped punishment. This game will not only test your detective skills, it will also test your endurance skills as you solve numerous puzzles and tackle many HOP scenes as well.

Domini again provides an exceptional game and one which I feel is worth every penny I paid for it. I do not mind paying for quality and this game is a good example of what a HOPA game should be. This is a very long game chock full of puzzles and HOP scenes. This game is one of the longest HOPA games I have ever played.

The framework for this game is the same as in most of their games. Most of the puzzles have the option to be played in either a hard or easy version. The difficulty of the puzzles can be set in the menu but can be changed while playing the puzzle if it seems too easy or too difficult. There are three collectibles, one of which is exchanged to outfit some room or office. There is a sidebar which lights up when a collectible is within a scene.

The story is excellent; however, there is a lack of surprise as to the evildoer. The player will know who the evildoers are before the end of the game. The game is a period piece with graphics reflecting San Francisco in the early 1900’s. The three collectibles are newspaper clippings, morphing building figurines and stone tokens. Two of the collectibles alternate between scenes. The stone tokens can be exchanged for items to outfit a newspaper office.

FINAL NOTE: There were two HOPA games out this week, something rare nowadays. If I were going to choose only one to play, it would be this one. It is far superior in my opinion than the other game. It is another little gem from this developer. This is my favorite developer for HOPA games, and this game is illustrative of what a HOPA game should be.

MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 38 achievements.
• Collect 15 newspaper clippings and 15 morphing building figurines
• Collect 70 stone tokens to exchange for items to furnish an office
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 19 mini-games

BONUS CHAPTER: It is another story with the same crime reporter. This time you will travel to Quietown, New York to investigate the death of a recently divorced woman who finds herself in dire financial straits. After she borrows money from an unscrupulous moneylender, she ends up dead. Get some help from her ex-husband as you both try to discover who murdered her. This is a long chapter with five (5) HOP scenes and ten (10) mini-games. Continue to collect the three collectibles. This is an exceptional chapter and worthy of a collector’s edition designation.

HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes within the entire game. All can be replayed upon completion of the game. There is a variety of different styles. All are highly interactive, with some having puzzle-like aspects to them. For a developer who is best known for their mini-games, it should be noted they also provide some fantastic HOP scenes as well. Most of the scenes are standard lists of items, silhouette and those items which are located within a storybook setting. However, there are also matching scenes, cryptic clues scenes, spot the differences scenes, and search-and-replace scenes. My favorite is a scene in which items are located in sequential order, after which they are returned back within the scene to locate the next item on the list. And for those who dislike these scenes, Domini provides a thematic Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.

MINI-GAMES: Domini does not disappoint in puzzle design. It always amazes me their genius in constructing puzzles which can be played in two different versions, easy or hard. Amazing! I counted thirty-four (34) puzzles within the game. However, there are a few instances when there are sequential puzzles, which I counted as one puzzle. Unfortunately, only nineteen (19) of these can be replayed upon completion of the game. I truly wish all could be replayed but understand the need for brevity in design.

SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE 34 MINI-GAMES FROM THE GAME: (E = EASY; H = HARD)

A. E/H. Weights and Balances Puzzle. Place weighted spheres on pedestals arranging them from lightest to heaviest. The easy version has 4 spheres and the hard has 6.
B. E/H. Sequence Puzzle. Open drawers in a cabinet to locate items which are then placed back into the scene in slots on the drawers. Upon placing an item, the drawer opens to disclose another item. Continue until all items are placed. Find items in the hard version in the dark with only the light of a flashlight.
C. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch pharmaceuticals and place them into the proper position on two shelves based upon clues on scraps of paper on the side. The easy version has 6 to switch and the hard has 8.
D. Map puzzle. Two-part puzzle. (1) Lead a horse through a path avoiding obstacles within its path. (2) Cross a street by moving the horse through oncoming car traffic.
E. E/H. Matching puzzle. Uncover leaves to match like symbols. The hard version has more leaves than the easy version.
F. E/H, Maze puzzle. Move an amulet to the other end of a grid by pressing piano keys – each one representing a direction and number of spaces it will move the amulet. The hard version has a more twisted path than the easy version.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Jigsaw puzzle. Assemble a picture by placing fragments into position. Fragments turn green when placed correctly. The easy version provides an outline of the image the hard version does not have.
H. E/H, Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no parts cross each other. Move knots.
I. E/H, Sequence puzzle. Press levers up-and-down to match those on a given diagram. Moving one lever affects the others. The hard version has 6 levers and the easy has 4. 3X Show less

I recommend this game!

+35points

122of 209voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes122No87

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

4 of 5 found this review helpful

Fire ! Fire!

PostedDecember 4, 2021

RPgames

fromNM

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, Puzzle, Time Management

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Very well made game that is interesting. Graphics was excellent with very good voice actors.
Most items were not too hard to find and used. Didn't need to hold on to items after finding them to long. Most bonus items were not too hard to find and there were couple in each scene.
Game play was easy as the map yelped to back track to scene's or use the arrow on the bottom to back track.
Not too many interactions with other people and the player says nothing unless I missed something.
The game had some good length to me along with the bonus round being a good length, so this game is a good value in that regard. Some time it did get a little dull but that might be me getting burnt out with these types of games maybe.
I don't like to get into much detail so not to ruin it for others
Like I aways say try it out first if you like the free part you will like the rest Show less

I recommend this game!

+3points

4of 5voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes4No1

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

42 of 73 found this review helpful

WHOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PostedNovember 27, 2021

mmdgaston

fromoklahoma

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:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

thank you domini for this nice game......great graphics, and there is a storyline.......some of the puzzles are new and fun......i never go into great detail of any game....i think once you have read these long detailed accounts..to me, you have played the game...that said..this is a very good game and a keeper....................have fun people!!!!!

I recommend this game!

+11points

42of 73voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes42No31

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

5 of 7 found this review helpful

Excellent game

PostedDecember 11, 2021

PeterJKH

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Prior to this game, I played the newest MCF release (Pendle Tower). Nice, but not in the same league of the MCF games I used to play, like 13th Skull, or Dire Grove.

This one, however, ticked all the boxes, way better than the latest MCF releases. Coherent storyline, lots of interaction, challenging puzzles, some were easy, others took some thinking, nice hidden object scenes, that fitted into ...Show more

Prior to this game, I played the newest MCF release (Pendle Tower). Nice, but not in the same league of the MCF games I used to play, like 13th Skull, or Dire Grove.

The only thing that puzzled me was: this game seems to take place in the 1920's/1930's, so you start out with periode cars (the detective himself is driving one), and suddenly there are cars from the 50's and '60's around, like the police car that has some goodies in the trunk.

Also: having to connect wires by means of ducktape, or having to restore a step ladder by finding some planks and nails, gets a bit old. Also, it would be nice to have some locks/lamps/switches that are NOT broken, it adds to the reality, because it seems a bit odd that in every room and every house you enter, all the switches are broken, all the closet locks need some intricate amulet, and that keys to the garage are hidden in a squirrel's nest or buried in a flower pot two blocks away.

However, this game was top notch, long, good storyline, not too many inconsistencies, and it offered me many hours of gaming pleasure. I can recommend it. Show less

I recommend this game!

+3points

5of 7voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes5No2

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

1 of 1 found this review helpful

good game

PostedMay 17, 2022

BaByD12

fromuk

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

really enjoyed the game. I'm not a lover of hidden object games and this did not have a lot of that in it ...

I recommend this game!

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes1No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

1 of 1 found this review helpful

Criminal Archives- CITY ON FIRE

PostedFebruary 16, 2022

Kajaeule

fromGörlitz

Skill Level:Beginner

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

Current Favorite:

Mystery Case Files®: Fate's Carnival Collector's Edition

(390)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

As the title suggests, it's about fires breaking out. We see right from the start that the fires are being set by someone.In the middle of the game we understand that revenge is at stake. The mysterious avenger visits various people who have covered something up in the or done wrong in the past.

Once again a very successful game from Domino Games. Color wonderful again. A very good length and ...Show more

Once again a very successful game from Domino Games. Color wonderful again. A very good length and this time with many new puzzles that are very nicely done, especially not that easy. Riddle lovers will definitely have their riddle fun here. Show less

I recommend this game!

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes1No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

2 of 3 found this review helpful

Stop the presses - find the perp!

PostedDecember 30, 2021

ColoradoGold

fromColorado Springs, CO

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I really enjoyed Criminal Archives: City on Fire. Clear storyline, great graphics, interesting puzzles (some harder than others) and nice hidden objects - including some difficult to find collectables in this version. Hours of enjoyment, and overall great fun. A great addition for your collection. Won't rehash description but give it a try. The Bonus Game was a nice length and maintained ...Show more

I recommend this game!

+1point

2of 3voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes2No1

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

5 / 5

2 of 3 found this review helpful

Great New Series!

PostedDecember 26, 2021

hopqueen

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:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management

Current Favorite:

Robin Hood: Spring of Life Collector's Edition

(25)

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Domini is always so creative in their games. Even on the start screen, you can click around on all kinds of objects and they move and do things, and as always, that's the way it is through much of the game scenes as well. I always think that adds a layer of detail and creativity.

There are three collectibles to find, and this developer seems to be one of the last to have so many collectibles. ...Show more

There are three collectibles to find, and this developer seems to be one of the last to have so many collectibles. To me, the more collectibles, the merrier. As always, they have an area on the side of the screen that tells you if there's something to find.

In one of the first HOPs, you take photos of evidence on a dead person in the street, and for each type of injury or evidence, it tells you what the presumption is. Very cool reminiscent but not the same as Dark City games. Inside the house, you need to collect evidence, and lo and behold, the cop actually helps find things, which I really like.

Domini now has a back button in its games to prevent you from having those issues where you try to get your mouse to turn to the arrow to head to the previous room and accidentally end up clicking on inventory or something in the scene. It does take a minute to get used it, but it's ultimately more convenient.

The colors are vivid, the scenes are detailed, the HOPs can be challenging, and the acting is good (especially after the initial call assigning you to your duty). I'm a fan of this game and the new series! Show less

I recommend this game!

+1point

2of 3voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes2No1

Flagged as inappropriate.

1-10 of 28 Reviews prev 1 2 3 next>>

Browse by Genre:

Browse by Genre:

Criminal Archives: City on Fire Collector's Edition

Reviews

Criminal Archives: City on Fire Collector's Edition

, share your thoughts about this game!

Criminal Archives: City on Fire Collector's Edition

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.


	, share your thoughts about this game! Criminal Archives: City on Fire Collector's Edition He wants to cleanse the city... 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.