Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

37 of 44 found this review helpful

RITE OF PASSAGE MEETS HAUNTED HOTEL – A TERRIFIC GAME!

PostedJune 10, 2018

biscuitsmama

fromI must really love Carlos if I am going to leave my hotel room

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Hackamore Bluff is an amazing addition to the Rite of Passage series and I love everything about it. The game has a great storyline that is well developed (for a change) and one that creates a great feeling of mystery and fright (at least for me). As you can see by the title of my review we might just be meeting some creepy townsfolk as we move through the game.

The story centers on Carlos ...Show more

Hackamore Bluff is an amazing addition to the Rite of Passage series and I love everything about it. The game has a great storyline that is well developed (for a change) and one that creates a great feeling of mystery and fright (at least for me). As you can see by the title of my review we might just be meeting some creepy townsfolk as we move through the game.

The story centers on Carlos Montez who has been searching for something, but we don’t quite know what that might be at least early in the game. During a call to his wife (our character in the game) he tells her that he has finally found what he has spent years looking for. Just when he is about to tell her what that might be, the call is disconnected. Even though you try to call him back, he can’t be reached so you leave the safety of your home go in search of your beloved. Will you find Carlos and when you do what else will you find waiting for you in Hackamore Bluff.

This is one of the first games in months that has held my attention and kept me on the edge of my chair as I played. When the demo ended I was so thoroughly involved in the game that it was a shock.

For many of us who play virtually every HOPA game that comes our way, the mechanics and basics of the game are nothing new. We have the same tools but this time there is no cute little helper to amuse us with its antics. There is an amulet that must be (yep, you guessed it) recharged each time we use the thing. It will bounce, jiggle, and sparkle in our UI until we pick it up and use it for whatever the purpose might be. There is a puzzle to complete before it is ready to use (guess the thing used too much energy trying to get our attention).

I am not going to go into the nitty-gritty details as others have done an excellent job in providing that information for those of you who like to know what to expect. For me, most of the fun in a game is discovery as we move through the game. I will only say that I enjoyed the HOPS and Puzzles. There was nothing out of the ordinary but the HOPS were well-designed and creative. The puzzles were fun and even though most seemed easy, they were still quite entertaining.

The CE value is very good and there are lots of goodies included. We find the standard fare but the extras included make this a CE value that you should consider. I find that the package includes a lot more than we have seen in recent games. Needless to say, IMHO, it is an excellent CE game.

I couldn’t wait to download the game this morning and purchased it immediately (I had beta tested the game and knew it is one that I wanted). As you can guess by the title of my review this is a great mystery game that includes all of the creepiness that most of us could hope to find. I think this is an amazing game and hope that you will find it as enjoyable and entertaining as I do. I love the game and it has been difficult to drag myself away as I kept saying “only one more scene and I will have breakfast”. When a game is this good it really is difficult to leave and take care of those real-life tasks. Even though I think this is a terrific game, please try the demo to see if it is a game that you will enjoy. Happy gaming! Show less

I recommend this game!

+30points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

10 of 12 found this review helpful

Great Surprise

PostedJune 15, 2018

Dargonnoone

fromLondon

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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:Intermediate

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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I downloaded this game on the remote chance that it would be something a bit different and it didn't disappoint. I was stretched and instead of playing on a kind of autopilot had to use the little grey cells. There isn't a lot of hand holding in this game. You sometimes have to think outside of the box. The story line was great and I didn't for once forget what I was aiming for which I sometimes ...Show more

I downloaded this game on the remote chance that it would be something a bit different and it didn't disappoint. I was stretched and instead of playing on a kind of autopilot had to use the little grey cells. There isn't a lot of hand holding in this game. You sometimes have to think outside of the box. The story line was great and I didn't for once forget what I was aiming for which I sometimes do in lots of games. If you want to use your brain and also get a lot of pleasure then this game is for you. Show less

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

4 of 6 found this review helpful

Great game!

PostedOctober 8, 2018

rpggramma

fromMidwest, USA

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Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Puzzle, Strategy

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This was very good, thoroughly enjoyed!
Interesting story, keeps you playing to see how it ends.
Everything to make a great game is here!!
Only one suggestion:
please slow the info going across the top of screen! I only got to see the first part and then it's gone!!
Otherwise, great game!!!
I have most of series.

I recommend this game!

+2points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

49 of 57 found this review helpful

I COULD'VE DONE WITHOUT THE GADGET, OTHERWISE A DECENT GAME THROUGHOUT

PostedJune 10, 2018

pennmom36

fromWhy does it always take exactly 3 attempts to "battle" the bad guy?

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Skill Level:Expert

Current Favorite:

Maze: Subject 360 Collector's Edition

(306)

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I really liked Hackamore Bluff, it was a decent game with an interesting plot, although the ending was fairly predictable (but they usually are!) I usually determine the length of a game by the number of pages within each chapter of the SG. Each of the 5 main chapters has an average of 7 pages, the BC has 10, so in my opinion, that's a decent length, any more would just be wasted filler material. ...Show more

I really liked Hackamore Bluff, it was a decent game with an interesting plot, although the ending was fairly predictable (but they usually are!) I usually determine the length of a game by the number of pages within each chapter of the SG. Each of the 5 main chapters has an average of 7 pages, the BC has 10, so in my opinion, that's a decent length, any more would just be wasted filler material. There isn't really any "to & fro" back & forthing going on because once you're in a new scene, the tasks at hand are all within that location until you find a way out, at most, you may have to search a prior scene.

The CE Bonus Chapter is a continuation scenario with mostly the same characters and same issues. You will find the remaining 7 Skulls & 7 Morphs within the BC, and there are 3 more HOP's and 3 more HOP morphs to find, and about 6-7 puzzles within the BC as well. Here's a recap of my review to help you decide which version, if either, is right for you:

After years of searching, Carlos has finally found what he was looking for, and it was right here in Hackamore Bluff this whole time! Now Carlos is missing, so you hop on the first bus to Hackamore Bluff, but you are definitely not welcome here! The townsfolk of Hackamore certainly have skeleton's in their closets, but it's time to call their Bluff All roads seem to lead to the good town doctor, Emily Lynch... but these roads also lead to the dead!

Unfortunately, we have a Talisman Gadget, in the demo, it falsely leads you into believing that it isn't used that much, however, by the 4th & 5th chapter it is used repetitively, and I became very annoyed with its constant use! There is a mini-game associated with it where you memorize and then repeat the sequence of skulls lighting up on a grid after they fade, which adds more cells each time. In the Collector's Edition version, each scene has a Morphing Object and each Hidden Object Scene has a Morphing Object, and each scene has a Skull with a MHG Spiral. I will say that by the 3rd or 4th chapter those skulls are very creatively hidden.

The Hidden Object Scenes are mostly Listed Item finds, but the scenes are clear and most objects are fairly well hidden. There are some multi-layered HOP's, Silhouetted Shape finds, Multiple Item finds and finding and Replacing items in a story. In the Collector's Edition version, each HOP has a Morphing Object to find.

The Mini-Games are in abundance Puzzle-Lovers! (don't worry, there's also plenty of HOP's) Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during and after the demo:

1) Click rapidly to fill the meter.
2) Light buttons shown on the clue, 1 affects others.
3) Move tokens to the slots with matching symbols.
4) Talisman: memorize and repeat sequence after they fade.
5) Select when the balls land in the crosshairs.
6) Select the books according to the clue.
7) Swap books according to the clue.
8) Arrange books to create a complete image on their spines.
9) Slide layers of tiles to create the image.
10) Connect the pairs of yellow symbols.
11) Select squares to enter the correct symbols shown.
12) Swap tiles to assemble the picture.
13) Find and replace items in each scene.
14) Click tiles until a path is completed from end to end.
15) Arrange similar urns on shelves to match clues shown.
16) Slide tiles to form the image.
17) Slide tokens to red dots using bumper tiles as a guide.
18) Connect breakers with the correct number of connections.

The Collector's Edition version has 4 Wallpapers, 3 Concept Art pictures (before/after slider) 10 Music Soundtracks, 10 Achievements to earn (most with Gold, Silver, Bronze categories) 14 Character Gallery pictures, 21 re-playable Hidden Object Scenes (allows you to search for Morps you may have missed as well) 21 HOP Morphing Objects, 29 Scene Morphing Objects, 29 Hidden Skulls with Spirals, 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a built-in Strategy Guide, enjoy your walk amongst the undead!

RITE OF PASSAGE SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-The Perfect Show (June 7-12) 4.5
2-Child of the Forest (May 16-13) 4.7
3-Hide and Seek (June 12-14) 4.6
4-The Lost Tides (May 2-15) 3.7
5-Heart of the Storm (January 16-16) 4.0
6-Deck of Fates (October 27-16) 4.0
7-The Sword and the Fury (September 16-17) 3.8
8-Hackamore Bluff (May 12-2018) 3.4

by: Mad Head Games Show less

I recommend this game!

+41points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

16 of 18 found this review helpful

~~EDITION 8 OF RITE OF PASSAGE IS BACK ON TRACK.~~

PostedJune 10, 2018

skullfun

fromMadhead renewed my interest in The Rite of Passage series with this installment!

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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):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle

Current Favorite:

Paranormal Files: Fellow Traveler Collector's Edition

(62)

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

Carlos Montez was searching for an important object at the gloomy town of Hackamore Bluff when he suddenly went missing. As his wife Jenny, you immediately traveled to Hackamore Bluff in search for your missing husband. But with the townspeople being so mysterious and unwelcome toward you, can you navigate your way and solve this mystery in this newest Rite of Passage sequel?

Lately, the Rite ...Show more

Carlos Montez was searching for an important object at the gloomy town of Hackamore Bluff when he suddenly went missing. As his wife Jenny, you immediately traveled to Hackamore Bluff in search for your missing husband. But with the townspeople being so mysterious and unwelcome toward you, can you navigate your way and solve this mystery in this newest Rite of Passage sequel?

Lately, the Rite of Passage series seems to have lost its style a little bit. It used to be this oddball of a fantasy series, but with the last few installments, it turned out to be yet another dark fantasy cliché. Regardless, that does not discount the fact that Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff is an improvement regarding previous editions in the series and is brilliantly executed. The storyline is not the most original, but the suspenseful vibe of the atmosphere, the characters, and the town itself is engaging enough to pull you right in. Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff has the basic features that are expected from fans in a premium HOPA like this one. It also has a special mechanical device, the Talisman, which is occasionally used to progress the game and prompts a lite and fun mini-game every time you need to use it. Apart from that, the game is likely to come off as predictable to most fans of the series. Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff does strike a nice balance between the hidden object scenes and the puzzles. However, the majority of them are quite standard and do not offer much challenge or showcase the kind of creativity earlier editions offered. The visuals are decent and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, but they are not up Mad Head Games’ standard of excellence. The location designs could have been more imaginative and more visual details could have been added. Still, Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff is a beautifully designed game and it certainly looks great enough to propel the game forward and keep you engaged. The voice-overs are definitely spot on and realistic . On the audio side, the subdued, but creepy soundtracks are executed with a lot a variation which is important to gamers like me. Repetitive music and soundtracks are always a distraction during gameplay in my opinion. Despite falling short of breaking any new grounds, Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff is still an entertaining game through and through. I recommend the SE version in lieu of the CE version. Cheers!

Also in this series:
•Rite of Passage: The Perfect Show
•Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest
•Rite of Passage: Hide and Seek
•Rite of Passage: The Lost Tides
•Rite of Passage: Heart of the Storm
•Rite of Passage: Deck of Fates
•Rite of Passage: The Sword and the Fury
•Rite of Passage: Hackamore Bluff Show less

I recommend this game!

+14points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

9 of 10 found this review helpful

Not very good

PostedJune 12, 2018

ninja226

fromwichita, KS

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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

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

Story is not believable. Art work isn't bad. Puzzles are OK. HOPs a bit challenging. But the thing I like least about game is the tasks to complete in your quest are bizarre. Example--to get rid of some moss on a rusted out oven door, you use a spray bottle filled with beer and it lights up like fire?

I don't recommend this game.

+8points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

6 of 6 found this review helpful

A Good Game, Solid, but Nothing New

PostedJune 14, 2018

LikeAGoodStory

fromFlorida

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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:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object

Current Favorite:

Persian Nights: Sands of Wonders

(71)

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

This review is based upon completed play of the game.

Mad Head Games is a favorite developer, and usually, I find their story lines quite interesting. I admire what the developer was trying to do here as in "Rite of Passage meets Haunted Hotel" (from another review), which I think is a perfect description. Yet for me the game felt dull, quite predictable. I appreciate a bit of wit in the ...Show more

This review is based upon completed play of the game.

Mad Head Games is a favorite developer, and usually, I find their story lines quite interesting. I admire what the developer was trying to do here as in "Rite of Passage meets Haunted Hotel" (from another review), which I think is a perfect description. Yet for me the game felt dull, quite predictable. I appreciate a bit of wit in the conversation lines but it is not necessary for a good game, and this game is solid in all aspects.

Graphics are well done, and I enjoyed the music, a bit creepy but fun at the same time. As others have mentioned, the mini games are very straightforward and quite easy but still enjoyable and mostly connected to the story line. There are numerous Hidden Object Scenes, mostly for the traditionalist, and I admit to a growing preference for adventure over HOS.

I'm glad I bought the game. I always play SE versions because I do not care for collectibles or for the chapter that follows.

Again, a good game with familiar options. Enjoy! Show less

I recommend this game!

+6points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

Ok Game

PostedJune 20, 2018

hderoche

fromCleveland, Ohio

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

Sorry, but this game got boring toward the end. The repetitiveness of the amulet was just too much, and I thought the quantity of morphing objects and collectibles really took away from the excitement of the game - knowing the morphs/skulls were there made me not play the game until they were found. Really was disappointed. Didn't bother with the bonus chapter.

I don't recommend this game.

+5points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

5 of 6 found this review helpful

Could have been a contender.

PostedJune 15, 2018

dollfaye

fromIndiana, USA

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

I would have given this game a solid 4 stars but for the fact that the talisman ritual just got so repetitive that it irritated me to distraction! The hos and the puzzles were challenging but doable. I liked the story-line which is something I can't always say about the offered fare, lately. It flowed in a nice pace which kept my nose to the screen throughout the morning til...."Oh look....it's ...Show more

I would have given this game a solid 4 stars but for the fact that the talisman ritual just got so repetitive that it irritated me to distraction! The hos and the puzzles were challenging but doable. I liked the story-line which is something I can't always say about the offered fare, lately. It flowed in a nice pace which kept my nose to the screen throughout the morning til...."Oh look....it's noon, already!" As I said above, the little thing with the talisman (Simon says with skulls) was just used way too much! Show less

+4points

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Overall rating

2 / 5

10 of 10 found this review helpful

If I See One More Talisman or Amulet...

PostedJune 21, 2018

Yanie1020

fromIowa, USA

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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):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Strategy

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

1 / 5

Was really ready for this game to end. The talisman drove me crazy, especially since I don't care for memory games that much. If you don't like it the first time you certainly won't like it 10 more times after that. Too many uses for items that made no sense at all. Just didn't enjoy this one.

I don't recommend this game.

+10points

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