Magic City Detective: Secret Desire Collector's Edition > iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac & PC Game

Overall rating

5 / 5

14 of 20 found this review helpful

Magic City Detective: Secret Desire Collector's Edition

PostedJuly 24, 2022

andrewhow110

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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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Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I enjoy playing games by this developer and I enjoy playing games based on fantasy. I enjoy using the matching function when I get stuck

I recommend this game!

+8points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

12 of 31 found this review helpful

Secret desires of the vampires

PostedJuly 23, 2022

Lissi22

fromMunich

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Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

4 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

I can only say i like it. sunnyglow has already mentioned the reasons in detail, which i can only agree with. I bought it and am looking forward to playing more, very entertaining.

I recommend this game!

-7points

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Overall rating

5 / 5

58 of 148 found this review helpful

DIP YOUR FANGS INTO A NEW VAMPIRIC DELIGHT: I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS NOT BLOOD!

PostedJuly 23, 2022

sunnyglow

fromI wonder if the artificial chemical concoction of fake blood served to the vampires in this game has the same effect as artificial food does on humans – can it cause blood clots or hardening of the arteries?

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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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Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 84 pages

Emerge yourself into another delightful game from Domini Games! The sleuth duo at the Magic City Detective Agency is back on another case, one they can really sink their teeth into. An envoy from the vampiric kingdom, Geoffroi, needs help locating one of the elders of the elf kingdom, Cornelius. To ...Show more

REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 84 pages

Emerge yourself into another delightful game from Domini Games! The sleuth duo at the Magic City Detective Agency is back on another case, one they can really sink their teeth into. An envoy from the vampiric kingdom, Geoffroi, needs help locating one of the elders of the elf kingdom, Cornelius. To keep peace between the elf and vampire kingdoms, Cornelius developed an artificial blood serum which allows the vampires to satisfy their thirst for blood without victimizing others. However, now, this elf elder has disappeared and the supply of this serum is dwindling. With shortages, a bloodbath is looming - vampires are starting to attack elves and humans alike. Where is Cornelius and why did he vanish? Surprises await as to the culprits in this game.

Domini is my favorite HOPA developer, providing more game value for the money and this game is no exception. This vampiric jaunt is one of the longest games I have played from this developer. However, I was not bored, nor did I get tired of playing it! I found the stories in both the main game and bonus chapter intriguing and the pace excellent with many fun-filled activities throughout the game. There are many extras in this developer’s games which other developers do not provide. As always, Domini always adds some new element to their games, this time it is the search for fragments in a few of the HOPA scenes.

The gaming format is the same as in all this developer’s other games. There are three collectibles. They include morphing vampire amulets, plants, and vials of blood which can be exchanged at the end of the game to deck out a vampire’s chamber. I found all easy to locate. Hurrah! Domini has provided larger pictures in the strategy guide making it easier to see the location of those collectibles. This is a nice feature as the images in previous games have been so small it was impossible to see where the collectibles were located. As in the last game you have the option to add more supplemental game footage – this time it is meandering around a library to learn the history of vampires, and later in the game, in learning the history of a magical artifact. I would love to see this feature added to other developers’ games. You do have the option to opt out of the extra footage if you wish. The extra footage adds another HOP scene or puzzle.

MECHANICS:

• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 40 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing vampire amulets plus 15 plants
• Collect 70 bottles of blood to exchange for items to decorate vampire chambers
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 20 Mini-games

BONUS CHAPTER: It is a continuation from the main game. A mysterious chemical brew is being sold to vampires which are turning them into glass statues. Uncover the evildoer behind this serum and learn the reason for his or her madness. A tale of revenge is involved and you again as part of a detective duo must stop it. Continue collecting the collectibles. There are four (4) HOP scenes and ten (10) mini-games. This chapter is a wonderful addition to the main game. I felt the activities were equal in quality to those in the main game.

HOP SCENES: There are twenty-one (21) scenes, all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. The scenes are very creatively designed. All are interactive and two of them have puzzles within the scene. As in previous games, the player can play a Match-3 game instead of the HOP scenes. These are some of the best HOPA scenes out there and all are somewhat puzzle-like. There are storybook scenes which further the story behind the game. There are lists of items, silhouette, and matching morphing objects. There are a few scenes in which the player searches for fragments to create an image. There is also a scene in items are provided which must be placed into the scene in the proper location.

MINI-GAMES: This game is puzzle-intense. There are thirty-eight (38) mini-games, twenty (20) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. As in other games, most of the puzzles can be played in either an easy or a hard mode. In this game, Domini spent more time in puzzle development than in creating HOP scenes. There are twice the mini-games as HOP scenes. Again, with so many wonderful puzzles within this game. I wish this developer had offered a few more to replay at the end of the game.

SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MIND GAMES FROM THIS GAME (E = Easy; H = Hard)

A. E/H. Domino puzzle. Switch pentagram-shaped tiles into position on a round grid so that sides which abut each other have the same symbols The hard version has one extra pentagram-shaped tile in the center, in which each side must match with each of the other 6 pentagram sides surrounding it.
B. Assembly puzzle. Place tokens with pictures on them so that each token is placed under one of 3 pictures which matches up with it thematically. There are path segments which must be switched to create paths to the pictures
C. E/H. Ye olde Fix-the-Net Puzzle. Place strands of rope onto a net with holes in it to create a complete net. The player only receives a specific number of ropes to fix the net. The harder version provides one more piece of rope and the net has more holes to fix.
D. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Click on columns of toys so that a space is created between the rows and columns which allows the rows to be removed. The easy version has one less column and one less row.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Click on digits in order from 1 to 10. Use arrows along the side of the grid to disclose the numbers. The grid is more complex in the hard mode.
F. E/H. Use arrows to move musical notes so they fit into their slots on a harp. The easy version has 6 notes, and the hard version has 8.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Assembly puzzle. Place animal tokens on a grid so that each row has either one color or one type of animal.
H. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch portraits so that the shape of each portrait matches the shadow beneath it. In the hard version. Two of the portraits are hidden by a shutter.
I. Gear puzzle. Switch gears until each is within its proper location and all mesh.
J. E/H. Ye olde book puzzle. Switch books on a bookshelf so the spines create a picture. In the hard version the player can only move one book at a time.
K. Mathematical puzzle. Connect wires to numbers on the bottom of a grid to according to a given clue Show less

I recommend this game!

-32points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

14 of 14 found this review helpful

Huge Moon

PostedJuly 26, 2022

MajesticSunset

fromSummer Time

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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

Fun Factor

5 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

There is a place when the toolbar and hint disappears and you need to find a light. This was do-able. It took me a bit but it works. Just click around like crazy.

There were three places the game asked me if I wanted to proceed and if I did I couldn't come back. I didn't proceed and finished up what I need to. I really liked that it stopped me from making a mistake. I guess with free roaming ...Show more

There is a place when the toolbar and hint disappears and you need to find a light. This was do-able. It took me a bit but it works. Just click around like crazy.

There were three places the game asked me if I wanted to proceed and if I did I couldn't come back. I didn't proceed and finished up what I need to. I really liked that it stopped me from making a mistake. I guess with free roaming around come decisions.

I feel this game may have been rushed for sale before it was ready. The cloves said carnation. Pinchers were cutters and tweezers were cutters. A hops was a outline and didn't feel finished. A jack o' lantern says fall to me. It's July.

I clicked on all the replays in the hops, mini-games and videos and have grayed out ones that should be available but aren't after to finish the bonus chapter.

I hate the noisy door sound in a area. Don't like that they haven't had outlines in their plus items.

I liked the game but wished I didn't have some issues. Show less

+14points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

20 of 26 found this review helpful

I'm Always Up For A New Vampire Story

PostedJuly 23, 2022

HeavenBound7729

fromOcala, Florida

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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

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

4 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

4 / 5

I love vampire tales and this modern-day story seems to have an interesting plot. Just hoping it doesn't turn into a boring go nowhere game laden with tasks and little else. Vampires usually never fail to pull me into the story with their sinister deeds and fragile immortality.

After playing the demo, I can't honestly decide if this game will deliver the entertainment it claims to contain. Too ...Show more

I love vampire tales and this modern-day story seems to have an interesting plot. Just hoping it doesn't turn into a boring go nowhere game laden with tasks and little else. Vampires usually never fail to pull me into the story with their sinister deeds and fragile immortality.

After playing the demo, I can't honestly decide if this game will deliver the entertainment it claims to contain. Too many disappointments from Domini have made me leary. Domini does not always add new elements to their games nor do they provide many extras that other devs do not. Simply not true! So let's just check it out and try to have some fun!

A couple of improvements were evident right away. The game got into the story much quicker this time and the movements of the characters are more fluid. The graphics are again excellent, color's good but a little on the dark side. I really liked the music, very fitting for a vampire story, but it overpowered the voices at times. Adjusting the volume was a necessity. Speaking of voices...the voice acting with the accents was horrid, actually laughable. Flat out mismatched to the characters. It amazes me that someone actually approved it even for a game. Occasionally talking would stop long before the lips stopped moving but we've seen that in other games many times. I thought the characters looked great for the most part, but the expressions were stiffer on some than on others, the fashion was nicely done. I do think that the vampires needed more expressive features though, as they are usually angry or emotional beings that don't just look stone-faced all the time. All this stuff is more important to a game than you may think.

Although, this game got into the story pretty quick it was still full of locks, broken and lost items, digging, an animal to feed, using ridiculous items for tools, finding what I need in the stupidest places. I could see the tasks coming before they even reached my screen, they were so obvious. I noticed very few animated objects in this game. Some players really enjoy them, I think some of them are clever. I really didn't enjoy dialing the phone in an early scene, just an unnecessary time waster and slow at that.

I loved the few HOPs in the demo, creative and interactive, and some containing games. They were much more fun than in recent games. The Match 3 was the same old boring clunker with huge board and tiles, loud sound f/x. The games were lots of fun, too. I always appreciate Easy and Hard Modes, it allows me to do less skipping. Not being a wiz at puzzles, some require a helping hand so I am less apt to give up. My patience wears thin and the options are appreciated. I do wish there weren't so many and give us some more HOPs. Puzzle lovers are favored too often, leaving HO lovers always "out in the cold". The scenes and locations were full of interesting visuals, I enjoy taking my time to check everything out, especially in games with the atypical characters. I am always hopeful, in any game that includes ME, that I will actually take form. Please let us see what we look like, I don't like always being just a hand, not even a voice!

So it's another CE with the same Domini game format as all their others. But, hooray, I didn't find the plethora of notes this time!! Love that! However, still the same number of easy to find collectibles, another room to decorate, same amount of achievements, etc. As usual, way too many mundane tasks that take away from the gameplay. It would be nice to at least have some new, more creative tasks to waste our time. There is never enough time allotted to the story and IMO it effects the ending with a disappointing abruptness. A good story always needs good closure.

The story was interesting, I liked the cast of characters, the demo wasn't so bad because it wasn't entirely tasks and puzzles this time. Haven't bought a Domini game in ages but since this one involves vampires and elves, I may consider the SE. I want to see what others have to say, also, who have played the entire game, so I'll be on the fence for quite awhile. Show less

+14points

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Overall rating

4 / 5

3 of 5 found this review helpful

Fun and challening Hidden Object Game

PostedJuly 26, 2022

kittykittybang

fromRiverview, FL

Skill Level:Intermediate

Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy

Current Favorite:

Clutter IX: Clutter IXtreme

(39)

Fun Factor

4 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

5 / 5

Storyline

5 / 5

Challenging Mini Games, Hidden Object Puzzles and a Good Story Line.

I recommend this game!

+1point

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Overall rating

3 / 5

13 of 17 found this review helpful

Just Not a Buy for Me

PostedJuly 23, 2022

CNew

fromLas Vegas, NV

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Skill Level:Expert

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

Current Favorite:

Lost Lands: Mistakes of the Past Collector's Edition

(67)

Fun Factor

2 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

Based on the demo. I really wanted to like this game as I like stories with vampires but just not a buy for me. Nothing new or imaginative. Like all their games used a hairpin, missing knobs, okay storyline. I know there has to be a magnet somewhere and always a hungry bird or animal. Did not care for the main character with blonde hair and elf ears. I will go back to my older games like Lost ...Show more

Based on the demo. I really wanted to like this game as I like stories with vampires but just not a buy for me. Nothing new or imaginative. Like all their games used a hairpin, missing knobs, okay storyline. I know there has to be a magnet somewhere and always a hungry bird or animal. Did not care for the main character with blonde hair and elf ears. I will go back to my older games like Lost Lands series or Hidden Expedition when Eipix were the developers or play my Jewel Match 3 games. Show less

I don't recommend this game.

+9points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

1 of 2 found this review helpful

good games but has gliches

PostedAugust 20, 2022

bigfish4tp

Skill Level:Intermediate

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

5 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

I liked playing the game except for 2 spots in the beginning. It took me 4 times of restarting the game to get the 'dial for a cab sequence' to work. also the game froze on making the serum so I had to pass on that. The balance of the game was fun.

I recommend this game!

0points

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Overall rating

3 / 5

0 of 1 found this review helpful

elves and blood suckers really !!!

PostedAugust 6, 2022

theswede

fromlakewood,co.

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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

Fun Factor

3 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

3 / 5

Level of Challenge

3 / 5

Storyline

3 / 5

okay game a vampire is a vampire what can i say leave the elves 0ut they just don't belong in a blood sucking game

I don't recommend this game.

-1point

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Overall rating

2 / 5

56 of 75 found this review helpful

what a mess

PostedJuly 23, 2022

mmdgaston

fromoklahoma

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Skill Level:Expert

Fun Factor

1 / 5

Visual/Sound Quality

1 / 5

Level of Challenge

1 / 5

Storyline

2 / 5

this poor game never had a chance. the "storyline" is old , the graphics are very blurred....and why do all the woman sound like valley girls? potions to make again,same old game play......somebody needs to go back and play some of the older games to understand why a huge % of us are so shocked at how bad these games really are.good luck

+37points

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