Family Mysteries: Criminal Mindset > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

16 of 20 found this review helpful

More Codes Than Puzzles and Excellent Play

PostedAugust 8, 2020

LikeAGoodStory

fromFlorida

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I don't mind puzzles, obviously, as I always learn from them but this game is one of many codes/ciphers, and yes, a few puzzles, all of which are integral to the storyline so the game is well-paced and just a lot of fun.

For me, this series just gets better and because each game is different from the previous game, with lots of new ways to tell a HOPA. Brave Giant, brava!

I recommend this game!

+12points

16of 20voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes16No4

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

4 / 5

38 of 48 found this review helpful

A SERIES OF CRIMINAL MINDS MAKING POISONOUS PROMISES REVERBERATING DEADLY ECHOES OF TOMORROW

PostedAugust 7, 2020

pennmom36

fromI hope this isn't just a trilogy?

Top Reviewer
This "Top Reviewer" is one of our most frequent game reviewers. We think you'll trust what they have to say and find their reviews helpful and informative.
Top Reviewer

Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate-Expert

And you thought working for Professor Webster with a huge new grant was a good thing? You haven't even started your research and already there's crimes, coverups, CIA operatives, links to government ...Show more

Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including completion of all mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
25 Main Game Scene Locations +8 Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner-Intermediate-Expert

And you thought working for Professor Webster with a huge new grant was a good thing? You haven't even started your research and already there's crimes, coverups, CIA operatives, links to government mind-control programs, scams, deceit, and kidnapping?

I loved the story, but it was a little too drawn out and I started becoming bored in the fifth chapter. The HO's were not as stellar as the last game because they didn't include those highly interactive Rube Goldberg styles of Hidden Object puzzle games I had so looked forward to from the previous game, which was a huge letdown for me. In the CE version, the CE collectibles were what I refer to as "clickables' they present no challenge whatsoever, they are so large you can't miss them so they are just there to click on, nothing more than clickables! I still loved the story, it's a great story, but the last Family Mysteries, Echoes of Tomorrow, had the whole package for me :)

웃G.A.D.G.E.T웃
NO gadgets...that's a wonderful feature!

☽☾Morphing Objects/Collectibles: (CE version only)☼
There are 15 Morphing Photo Pieces, one in each scene, but they are way too large and easily spotted the second you walk into the room. There are 14 Character Figurines as well and they look like creepy voodoo dolls, to be honest lurking in the corners or sometimes in plain sight?? There is a lamp indicator on the inventory bar that tells you if the collectibles have been found in that particular scene.

◔Hidden Object Scenes◕
There are only 11 Hidden Object Scenes +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter and I was really disappointed that there were only one of my favorites included from the last Family Mysteries game :( Although there were a few that were progressive and somewhat creative, the HO's were just the same ole same ole as far as I'm concerned, with the exception of that SINGLE HO. In true Brave Giant fashion, the HO's include at least one object that morphs and can only be clicked on when it is in the correct object form. There are Interactive List Finds, Multiples of the Same Object Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, or Spot The Difference Finds. My absolute favorite by far is a Progressive Interactive Puzzle type that requires figuring out sequences and codes (the clues are all there folks, you just have to look! similar to a Rube Goldberg type of puzzle where you have to fiddle with several aspects and use discoveries to unlock the next interactions (it wasn't nearly as intricate as the last Family Mysteries Game...what happened??) There is an alternate Associated Pair game available where you flip two tiles at a time and match objects that are similar such as a Horse & Car.

♙Mini-Games♙
There are 53 Mini-Games +10 in the CE Bonus Chapter, most of which are mechanical type puzzles and they are very creative, and entertaining games. That seems like a ton of games, but don't freak out if you aren't a mini-game fan, because a lot of the mini-games are 3-part puzzles that have a few different variations, they aren't brain-burners, but some do require a bit of thought to solve them, and I loved that even the codes required some grey matter to solve versus the standard "sticky note" answers. I'm still going to complain that out of a whopping 63 mini-games, only 8 can be replayed in the extras menu??!!?? Here's a list of a few of my personal favorites:

1-Measure specific amounts of colored liquids♡♡♡
2-Swap fuses to equalize the sums of all fuses to the designated numbers. ♡♡
3-Rotate outer circle to align with symbols by following tangled wires. ♡♡♡
4-Cut the correct wire according to riddled descriptions. ♡♡
5-Set each colored knob according to the number of the butterflies in that same color. ♡♡♡
6-Connect joints with a specific number of connections that won't appear unless you enter the correct amount of connections. ♡

✯Bonus Chapter (Collector's Edition version only)✯
I'm not going to say much about the storyline folks, to say anything would give away the awesome plot of the main game. I will say that Nancy Bradford finally gets a chance to use her Mind Controlling device on a human test subject...but she had no other alternatives! There are 8 Scene Locations in this decent-length bonus chapter with an additional 10 Mini-Games and 4 Hidden Object Scenes, however, there are no Collectibles or Morphing Puzzle Pieces.

♕Collector's Edition Extra's♕
16 Wallpapers (none of which have characters on them, whoo-hoo! 5 Music Soundtracks, 8 Cutscene Videos, 24 Achievements, 8 Replayable Mini-Games, 8 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Puzzle Pieces, 14 Character Figurines, 5 Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-in Strategy Guide.

FAMILY MYSTERIES SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-Poisonous Promises (December 1-2019) 3.4
2-Echoes of Tomorrow (May 10-2020) 4.0
3-Criminal Minds (August 7-2020) n/a

by: Brave Giant Studio Show less

I recommend this game!

+28points

38of 48voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes38No10

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

4 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

LOTS OF PUZZLES

PostedAugust 22, 2020

deddu

fromCalifornia USA

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):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

If you like puzzles this game is for you. Some are very easy others are somewhat hard and you can always skip. I enjoyed the story and when I thought it was over it went on for quite some time. Good solid SE game.

I recommend this game!

+5points

5of 5voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes5No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

3 / 5

7 of 7 found this review helpful

If this game doesn't make you yawn, you sleep too much!

PostedAugust 7, 2020

Pilot1

fromTaos, NM

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

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

2 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

While this game is not worthy of the many stars that some rate it, nor as few others give it, this game is just not as good as it could be.

The graphics are okay, nothing about which to get excited. There is nothing here that you haven’t already seen in one form or another in almost any game that you have played,

Either the voice actors or their director, probably both, need to get some ...Show more

While this game is not worthy of the many stars that some rate it, nor as few others give it, this game is just not as good as it could be.

The graphics are okay, nothing about which to get excited. There is nothing here that you haven’t already seen in one form or another in almost any game that you have played,

Either the voice actors or their director, probably both, need to get some more training and experience before they presume to make another attempt at playing game roles. I mean, really, why such slow delivery of the lines? Why such odd and inappropriate inflection or accentuation? Certainly, it was not done for dramatic effect. Well, maybe it was but, if so, if failed miserably at doing so.

The background music’s tempo, beat, and, oh, let’s call it drama, just doesn’t match the foreground action. It is distracting rather than an enhancement to game play enjoyment.

There’s not much in the story line that, as with the graphics, you also haven’t seen in other games.

The game play is very slow, and I do mean slow!

There is a bare sufficiency of HO sequences to justify this game being classified in this genre, and those few don’t offer much of a challenge nor, once again, of anything new.

So, having said all of that, if you’ve got a freebie coupon, or a few dollars to toss away, and you just want a game that will kill some time, this one may be for you. Everyone else might want to just ignore this one and keep hoping for a worthwhile game to be offered. Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+7points

7of 7voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes7No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

3 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

it was an ok game ...............

PostedAugust 11, 2020

storm011

fromaustralia

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

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

It is about a 3.5 game - because i can't do that i will opt for 3

the visuals were great - the puzzles (and i am not a puzzle person) were very simple

pleased that it had a proper ending - not sure what the CE offered in the bonus chapter but this one had a satisfactory start, middle and END.

Try before you buy - happy gaming :)

I recommend this game!

+5points

5of 5voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes5No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

3 / 5

7 of 11 found this review helpful

Just okay

PostedAugust 7, 2020

cyndrap

fromMississippi

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, Match 3

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

2 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

This was a no buy for me. The story was overwhelmed with puzzles and nonsensical tasks. I think this game had promise but perhaps too many people had too many ideas of what needed to be in this game.

I don't recommend this game.

+3points

7of 11voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes7No4

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

2 / 5

38 of 47 found this review helpful

PUZZLES, PUZZLES, AND MORE PUZZLES. I WILL BE SEEING PUZZLES IN MY DREAMS TONIGHT!

PostedAugust 7, 2020

biscuitsmama

fromNot everyone who loves HOPA games enjoys puzzles. Too many puzzles spoiled this game.

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

Family Mysteries Criminal Mindset is not the game I was expecting. I love HOPA games, but Criminal Mindset is a puzzle game with one puzzle after another with a few hidden object scenes thrown in to justify the HOPA designation. Although I enjoy a few puzzles in the HOPA games that I play, it becomes boring for me to solve too many puzzles particularly when they interrupt the storyline and the ...Show more

Family Mysteries Criminal Mindset is not the game I was expecting. I love HOPA games, but Criminal Mindset is a puzzle game with one puzzle after another with a few hidden object scenes thrown in to justify the HOPA designation. Although I enjoy a few puzzles in the HOPA games that I play, it becomes boring for me to solve too many puzzles particularly when they interrupt the storyline and the flow of the gameplay.

Aside from the issue of far too many puzzles in the game, I disliked the voiceovers. The voice of Richard was really quite terrible. One would think that the voice of a research assistant would not sound like the voice of a teenage girl at a birthday party. I don’t know why the developer chose the voice for Richard but it sure didn’t work for me. The voices of the man from Neurotech and the CIA agent were also awful. Even though the voiceovers were bad, the graphics were actually quite good, which is something I didn’t expect given the poor voiceovers.

The storyline was excellent, but the gameplay couldn’t keep me involved because of all the puzzles in the game. I hate having to interrupt the flow of gameplay to solve a puzzle that is thrown into a game as a time extender.

In the end Family Mysteries Criminal Mindset could have been a terrific game had it not been for the oversaturation of puzzles. I hope that if the developer creates another Family Mysteries game, they will back off a bit on the puzzles and create more hidden object scenes for those of us who love finding the objects and playing through creatively designed scenes.

There are some aspects of Family Mysteries Criminal Mindset that I enjoyed such as the storyline and the well-designed HOS. Had there been a better balance between the HOS and the puzzles I would have given the game a far higher rating but since there wasn’t, I am giving the game only two stars. Developers, please consider that many HOPA game lovers are not puzzle lovers and try to make future games those that both factions will enjoy playing.

Even though Criminal Mindset is a game that I don’t like, as always, please try the demo because it might be the perfect game for you. Happy gaming! Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+29points

38of 47voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes38No9

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

2 / 5

1 of 1 found this review helpful

Repetitive

PostedAugust 19, 2020

Crybabyblue66

fromCanada

Skill Level:Intermediate

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

Current Favorite:

Paranormal Files: The Tall Man

(10)

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

2 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

I got this game on sale for pretty cheap so I don't exactly regret buying it. This game is VERY repetitive, the storyline isn't very clear or interesting, and the puzzles are very tedious. I bought this because the title sounded like it would be very interesting, I was thinking it would be something like Criminal Minds, mixed with a dark familial secret, that's really not what it was...

I don't recommend this game.

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes1No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

1 / 5

3 of 4 found this review helpful

Yawn....

PostedAugust 9, 2020

roxyragdoll

fromCalifornia

Skill Level:Expert

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

Fun Factor

1 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

1 / 5

Storyline

1 / 5

Wow. This game moved so slow, I could have binge-watched a series on tv while playing it.
In the beginning, you cannot get through this gal's notes/diary until you wait for the speaker to get completely through the thought...THEN and only then can you click on the corresponding picture. A five year old could have done that. I knew in the first three minutes that this game would bore me and that ...Show more

Wow. This game moved so slow, I could have binge-watched a series on tv while playing it.
In the beginning, you cannot get through this gal's notes/diary until you wait for the speaker to get completely through the thought...THEN and only then can you click on the corresponding picture. A five year old could have done that. I knew in the first three minutes that this game would bore me and that it would move ridiculously slow. Makes me realize that many game makers don't understand their customers at all.
Five minutes in, I didn't care anymore and backed out. I deleted the trial version.
This held zero appeal for me. Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+2points

3of 4voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes3No1

Flagged as inappropriate.

Overall rating

1 / 5

Impossible to play because of glitches

PostedJuly 10, 2021

Nisatee

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure

Have had to restart my computer twice trying to play this. Miserable. Lately this seems to be a big fish special...I bought another game and the same thing happened. :(

I don't recommend this game.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Was this review helpful?Yes0No0

Flagged as inappropriate.

Browse by Genre:

Browse by Genre:

Family Mysteries: Criminal Mindset

Reviews

Family Mysteries: Criminal Mindset

, share your thoughts about this game!

Family Mysteries: Criminal Mindset

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! Family Mysteries: Criminal Mindset Is the human mind that easily corrupted? 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.