Dark Romance: Ashville > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

6 of 6 found this review helpful

Super game !

PostedMarch 28, 2021

Granny512012

fromNew Orleans La.

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This game was not what I was expecting at all, good length of 4 and a half hours, beautiful graphics, great story, I am a HOG fanatic and I prefer list games but I will say this game only had 1 list of all the HOGS, but very creatively done never seen most of those all in all loved the game started and couldn't stop till I was finished. i don't understand all the low reviews I enjoyed it very ...Show more

This game was not what I was expecting at all, good length of 4 and a half hours, beautiful graphics, great story, I am a HOG fanatic and I prefer list games but I will say this game only had 1 list of all the HOGS, but very creatively done never seen most of those all in all loved the game started and couldn't stop till I was finished. i don't understand all the low reviews I enjoyed it very much Show less

I recommend this game!

+6points

6of 6voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

4 / 5

15 of 15 found this review helpful

I bought this game bc of the quality of the story (trial)

PostedMay 4, 2020

Astartay

fromFrance

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

This game is very interesting, very good storyline, rather long game.
The begining of the game is truly interesting but once again the standard is a cheap copy of the collector.
You can not access the journal so it is more difficult to follow the story, and you have access to the diary that is useless.
The game becomes then very difficult to follow and it is very tiring.
BUT, all the mini ...Show more

This game is very interesting, very good storyline, rather long game.
The begining of the game is truly interesting but once again the standard is a cheap copy of the collector.
You can not access the journal so it is more difficult to follow the story, and you have access to the diary that is useless.
The game becomes then very difficult to follow and it is very tiring.
BUT, all the mini games and HOP are creative and interesting. TOby is cute and the story still good.
You can switch in Match 3, so all in all it is a rather a good product.
The characters are nice and Toby cute cute cute Show less

I recommend this game!

+15points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

59 of 69 found this review helpful

THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE...

PostedApril 24, 2020

pennmom36

fromWhen people begin suggesting older HOPA games, that tells you the problem is with the genre development and NOT with the player!

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Top Reviewer

Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

Completed Game approximately 5.5 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & CE Bonus Chapter)
41 Main Game Scene Locations +13 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner (unless you enjoy doing the same thing over & over?)

This game has a good story, but that's all it has going for it. Domini games used to be highly anticipated, now they have joined the hundreds of others whose games have ...Show more

Completed Game approximately 5.5 Hours
(including completion of all puzzles & CE Bonus Chapter)
41 Main Game Scene Locations +13 CE Bonus Chapter
Difficulty Range: Beginner (unless you enjoy doing the same thing over & over?)

This game has a good story, but that's all it has going for it. Domini games used to be highly anticipated, now they have joined the hundreds of others whose games have become so linear the fun factor has become extinct. It's become a vicious cycle, the fans demand more challenge but more challenge means more work from the developer, the developer doesn't want to put forth more effort or work harder to think outside the box because let's face it, they won't make any more money now, will they? So the developers copy and paste puzzles, hidden object scenes, even graphics, and use the same, "already thought of tasks & story scripts" from game to game to cut production costs. This particular developer tries to mask that fact by stretching the game to 5 or 6 repetitive task chapters, we see the same unimaginative game scenario and buy fewer games, the developer thinks fewer people are interested in HOPA games (they don't see the root of the problem) The next game that comes out has even less, eventually, no one cares, the vicious cycle continues until the developer gives up and goes out of business. Who could blame them, would you want to do all that work fork for $6.99?

I have a solution! Why not offer a Gold Edition for more money? Something that developers are willing to pour their heart and soul into? If you don't want to spend more money the CE & SE HOPA's would still be available. This way, the devs would have an additional genre to keep them afloat, and gamers would finally have their thirst quenched. I have listened to people suggest hundreds of HOPA games from their library, to keep people entertained during the COVID outbreak stay-at-home orders, and every single one of them are older games BEFORE 2015! That says it all folks, that says there was a huge change in this genre and NOT with the player themselves, otherwise, they wouldn't be playing and suggesting the older games, right!

Gadgets/Helper:
Dark Romance is usually about 2 lovers being torn apart by unseen forces as you swap between players. This clever writing team (surely someone else was in charge of the tasks?) changed things up a bit with a journal that as one person pens an entry in the year 2000, it appears to the person in the year 1985...Nice! You will still swap between two characters who never meet...or do they?
Collectibles & Morphing Objects (CE Version Only):
Domini always gives you plenty of CE Bling, but these were some of the most uninteresting collectibles and morphs imaginable. You can enable/disable the Collectibles availability Tabs and choose whether or not to show them on the Map as well. There are 15 Morphing Police Evidence Items (with descriptions) 15 Scraps & Notes to go along with a gazillion Missing Notes because in Domini-World everyone litters) 100 Zoom Zone Bucks (because stealing other people's pocket-change coins was immoral so they upped the ante to committing a misdemeanor?) 15 Ugly Boring Furniture Items for Robert's Room (purchase with the stolen hundo, why not, it's harder for the police to trace used furniture, besides some of the money came from the bad guy, totally justifiable)
Hidden Object Scenes:
There are 13 Hidden Object Scenes +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter and an alternate Match 3 Game available, which btw, doesn't allow you to make consecutive matches quickly. (you have to wait for all tiles to stop falling before you can make the next match) They include Interactive List Finds, Silhouetted Shape Finds, Keywords in Sentence Finds, Missing Keywords in Sentence Finds, Replace Items into the Scene, Swatches Finds, This Plus That Equals Finds, and Combo Silhouettes (find items that match the description of two combined items) Unlike their last game, some of these scenes were located in interesting locations or took place over multiple scenes.
Mini-Games:
There are 21 Mini-Games +8 in the CE Bonus Chapter. You can choose to play them in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode and you can choose which mode to have them start out in the Custom Setting (you can still switch between modes for each individual game) I lost count of how many times I had to enter codes to open locks & doors...this is considered a mini-game? Here are a few brief descriptions of some of my personal favorites:
1-Switch levers to connect ladders & bridges to advance (a cool game but way too short)
2-Move officer to phone booth without getting caught by burglars (shouldn't this be the other way around?)
3-Place all shapes onto the grid.
4-Grab 2 fuses at a time and move to correct slots.

Bonus Chapter (CE Version Only)
Your augury lessons from Anna Lovelace (sounds like a lady of the evening name, what's ya been watching guys?) are abruptly interrupted when the police arrive to inform Anna that she is their prime suspect in the disappearance of Officer Marsh...no questions asked there or at the po-po's office...this will all make sense when I am older la la la..."Olaf" This is an above average-length chapter spanning over a whopping 13 scene locations with 8 additional Mini-Games and 4 Hidden Object Scenes. You will continue your search for the final 4 Morphing Police Evidence Items, 3 Pieces of Trash, I mean Scraps & Notes, and 12 Zoom Zone Dollars which allows you to purchase the final decorations for Robert's Room.
Collector's Edition Extra's: (CE version only)
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Music Soundtracks, 29 Movie Video Cutscenes, 40 Achievements (the same achievements offered in all of their games and notice how you earn them in the order shown AND you earn them when you didn't really earn them because they are given to you at specific set-points, not by randomly earning them. In other words, you won't earn the 5th achievement first because that's not when the game is programmed to award them...seems rather disappointing now doesn't it?), 16 Replayable Mini-Games, 16 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 15 Morphing Police Evidence Items (with descriptions) 15 Scraps & Notes to go along with a gazillion Missing Notes, 100 Zoom Zone Bucks, 15 Ugly Boring Furniture Items for Robert's Room (purchase with looted money) 5 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-In Strategy Guide (you won't need it)

DARK ROMANCE SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating

1-Vampire in Love (March 9-2014) 3.7
2-Heart of the Beast (May 22-2015) 4.0
3-The Swan Sonata (November 15-2015) 3.8
4-Kingdom of Death (May 20-2016) 4.0
5-Curse of Bluebeard (November 11-2016) 4.4
6-Romeo and Juliet (March 26-2017) 4.4
7-The Monster Within (October 6-2017) 3.3
8-Winter Lily (February 16-2018) 4.2
9-A Performance to Die For (August 24-2018) 4.0
10-Hunchback of Notre Dame (March 8-2019) 3.4
11-Ethereal Gardens (October 4-2019) 3.3
12-Ashville (April 24-2020) n/a

by: Domini Games Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+49points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

27 of 33 found this review helpful

DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT SPIN ON DARK ROMANCE

PostedApril 24, 2020

biscuitsmama

fromFor me a rather ho-hum sort of 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

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

The Dark Romance series are games that seem to be either hit or miss for me and Ashville seems closer to the miss mark. Although the game is not bad it does seem rather mediocre and is rather what I expect from this developer. Sometimes this team surprises me but for the most part it is “play one, then you’ve played all. There not much new here, except perhaps the creative ways they’ve set up for ...Show more

The Dark Romance series are games that seem to be either hit or miss for me and Ashville seems closer to the miss mark. Although the game is not bad it does seem rather mediocre and is rather what I expect from this developer. Sometimes this team surprises me but for the most part it is “play one, then you’ve played all. There not much new here, except perhaps the creative ways they’ve set up for us to find needed items.

The premise of the Dark Romance games is that we switch between playing lovers but in this case since it involves two different time periods it looks like we are switching between characters who are leaving notes for each other in a diary.

The bottom line here is that I haven’t played the entire game as I’ve found it a bit boring and, have I mentioned mediocre? There was nothing here that really held my attention and gave me the urge to play longer than I did. In fact, I wasn’t involved enough in the game to want to finish the demo.

Perhaps, like everyone else, I am simply bored with being in a virtual lock down. Granted this is an ideal time to play a great game but Dark Romance Ashville, isn’t going to be that game. I think I am going to have to browse back into my purchase history and replay an oldie but goody. In closing, I will leave you with one additional comment. Please play the demo because you might find something more interesting in Dark Romance Ashville than I could find. Happy gaming. Stay safe and stay healthy! Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+21points

27of 33voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

3 / 5

8 of 9 found this review helpful

it took a lot of effort to finish this game

PostedApril 28, 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

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

I had played the demo a few weeks ago and it was in my "to purchase when SE is available" (I don't purchase CE games because i can't be bothered looking for all the "extras") - i have no idea what i was thinking at the time.

This is just a silly game - going back and forth (in years) was, at the start, a little hard to understand why. But it didn't take long to actually work it out.

The ...Show more

I had played the demo a few weeks ago and it was in my "to purchase when SE is available" (I don't purchase CE games because i can't be bothered looking for all the "extras") - i have no idea what i was thinking at the time.

This is just a silly game - going back and forth (in years) was, at the start, a little hard to understand why. But it didn't take long to actually work it out.

The fortune teller said that you can't change anything in the past because it will change things in the future however she put out the fire on his arm !!! Not consistent.

I found the puzzles and hidden objects ok.

I really wanted to like this game and although i persisted and finished it it definitely wasn't the best game of the series.

It took me 3 days to finish it (over the lockdown period) because i would play for a bit and then just have to give up .... come back and go again later .............

So why give it 3 - would have given it 2.5.

Try the demo - happy gaming :) Show less

+7points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

5 of 5 found this review helpful

Go for the Collector's Edition

PostedMay 10, 2020

skeeteroo

fromCalifornia

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

This game is only ok, unless you get the CE. Then it becomes really fun. The extra stuff to look for makes all the difference. Also, the Bonus Game is one of the longest that I've seen. Go for the CE. I give it 5 stars.

I don't recommend this game.

+5points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

10 of 18 found this review helpful

Interesting stuff

PostedApril 24, 2020

amchelen

fromLuton, UK

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

This short review is based on the 90 minute trial.
As you may know, these games are identical to the collector's edition but are pared down to the minimum, so for £5.39 that's good value if you don't mind going without.
The story is about an investigation into Ashville and the games are standard as is the presentation. For more details just look at the collector's edition review, but for my ...Show more

This short review is based on the 90 minute trial.
As you may know, these games are identical to the collector's edition but are pared down to the minimum, so for £5.39 that's good value if you don't mind going without.
The story is about an investigation into Ashville and the games are standard as is the presentation. For more details just look at the collector's edition review, but for my money ($5.39) this is a good game. Show less

I recommend this game!

+2points

10of 18voted this as helpful.

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Overall rating

1 / 5

1 of 3 found this review helpful

Crashed half way

PostedDecember 6, 2020

peanutlee33

fromMichigan

Skill Level:Expert

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

I managed to get through to the basement area with the lobster and lock match game before it froze on me. Barely allowed me to exit, which became irritating. I should have checked these ratings before downloading and purchasing. It would have saved me the trouble and aggravation.

Not much a fun game. I'd been on the fence during the trial but had a free token so I foolishly bought.

No I do ...Show more

I managed to get through to the basement area with the lobster and lock match game before it froze on me. Barely allowed me to exit, which became irritating. I should have checked these ratings before downloading and purchasing. It would have saved me the trouble and aggravation.

Not much a fun game. I'd been on the fence during the trial but had a free token so I foolishly bought.

No I do not recommend it. Show less

I don't recommend this game.

-1point

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	, share your thoughts about this game! Dark Romance: Ashville When tragedy bridges the past and present... 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.