Vampireville HD review (iPad)

February 23, 2012

♫ “Love me like you love the sun
Scorching the blood in my vampire heart”

10 word description: Hidden object, puzzle adventure game. 3D story scenes. Mini games.

Familiar hidden objects basics, but a lot of the background scenery (curtains, cupboards, etc.) can be moved or otherwise interacted with

10 word review: Varied puzzles enhance hidden object searches. Amusing, well made cut-scenes.

An early puzzle involves placing cogs to complete a mechanical sequence

You will like this if you enjoy: Hidden object puzzle games; way too many to start listing them. If you like this kind of game, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Rooms tend to have a set of object searches and puzzles to complete, before you can move on

The good news: It’s fairly easy and the hints unlock quickly enough that you don’t get stuck. Graphics are good in the hidden object screens and very well done in the story scenes, of which there are plenty. Voice acting is passable, predictably hammy in parts and often quite funny. Other sound effects are ok. Good variety of puzzles and mini-games in addition to the hidden object searches that often span multiple screens.

The bad news: Vampireville sounds like a freemium “build your own vampire town” type game, which is a shame. I’m just here to point out that it definitely isn’t one of those. There is an option to buy more hints (with real money) but, if I don’t need them, you certainly won’t.

Her dad's a vampire, so I'm guessing there's a good chance she is too

Arcadelife verdict: The hidden object genre isn’t one of my favourites so it’s quite significant that I got hooked on this one, puzzling my way through the first 6 chapters without taking a break or feeling like I wanted to. (I’m now up to chapter 9). Whether this means the game will appeal to hardcore hidden object experts or prove possibly a bit too easy for their awesome skills, I couldn’t possibly say. Compared to other HO games I’ve played, it’s as much fun and it has a quirky and very well presented set of 3D story scenes that add a lot to the atmosphere and rather odd charm of the game.

Here's the character that you play. Yes indeed, it's a Keanu Reeves tribute act

I’m having a lot of fun with Vampireville; some of the latest puzzles, such as reassembling a faded black & white photograph, are starting to get quite tough but not to the point of bringing the experience to a frustrating halt. If you’re into hidden object / puzzle games, I think you’re going to be happy with this one.

There are 24 chapters, so you won't be rushing through this in 5 minutes

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