The Broken Clues

I couldn't keep my disappointment. I like the detective games and this looked like the one. I played demo for 10 min. and gave up. The time given is very tight, every wrong click takes 3 sec off and the main problem - the objects are real "gosts", imposible to see. One needs to have more than the perfect eye sight to play this game. There are only 3 hints for the scene.

Todays game for Club Members , tomorrows game for all.

It's tomorrow and you can download Here.



As always, please remember to come back and tell us what you think.

Happy Gaming,
Ana

Thanks Ana
Tried this demo, and didn't like it It has the dreaded timer, and objects are hard to see. It has no excitement.
I think IHOGS have spoilt these kind for me.
linward

Agreed! totally boring and abscure.

Fun game to strain your eyes is Shopnspree.

Downloaded this game this morning. I am usually not one to knock a game, but I have to say I didn't like this one. The objects are very hard to see, and you are penalized 3 seconds for any wrong click. In the first screen I played, it asked to find a calculator, yet there were 3 objects that all looked like calculators to me. I found it to be very hard on my eyes, even with my glasses on. I think this is one of the few BFG's I will pass on.

thracia

Like Thracia I try not to knock games especially from BFG, but I have to say I don't like this one at all. The timer is the worse I've ever seen and I don't usually mind timers, you can't find any of the objects....I have to wonder if they are even there and I had some jumpiness with my mouse as well, which usually is never a problem for me. I will definitely pass on this one. I never got past he first screen.....UGH. Never had that problem before.
Barbara

I agree with all the above. Terrible timer, small objects and hard to see. I won't be buying this one (unless they come up with a relaxed mode). I have so many BFG games that I hate it when one like this comes along. I didn't even finish the demo.

Carlahelp

Ditto! I didn't get past the first screen. But, hey, that's why demos are so wonderful.

I agree with you all! looked like a good game uninstalled after the first chapter Very dissapointing but like NYLady said that's why there are Demo's

I didn't play past the first minutes. the click penalties were harsh, time short and objects hard to see. I'll pass

Played five minutes in to the demo, timer and random clicking, used up 3 seconds real fast. Won't be getting this one.
Richard

Oh, I just think this one was so sad! It was the sort of game I would have bought in a minute, as I love mystery games of any kind, and the plot sounded so intriguing.

The timer is very harsh, but I usually can beat any timer, so I forged on, mystery addict that I am. However, it only got worse from there. The objects require eagle eyes, and some of them are mislabeled or duplicated. (On a screen with a filled champagne bucket and a bottle of wine on the sideboard, the "bottle" they wanted was a light bulb--no, I'm not making this up.) You also lose three seconds each for every wrong click--wow--this really redefines "casual" in gaming.

Find the differences was also very obscure, but no penalty for clicking there, so, in order to have a prayer of beating the timer, I ended up resorting to random clicks, at which point I didn't like myself for the way I was playing, since I love challenges--and I gave up.

My bank account knows how much I love BFG, and how much I wanted to like this offering, but enough was enough. So sorry, so sad, and so uninstalled.

Ditto!

I have to add my ditto, I only made it through 5 minutes. Maybe the folks at Big Fish will convince the developer to fix it and make a no timer version, because the story sound interesting. Hint Hint Big Fish Guy
Kathy

I don't like to say I did not like it, but I did not finish the hour,
sorry, love everything else from BF.

What a shame, I played 3 minutes and used all the hints! I can't believe that the game designer deducts 3 seconds for each random click! Really stupid to have not given us a choice on the timer.
I was prepared to buy it because it looked like a fun game, but couldn't stand it more than 3 minutes, objects not easy to find. If BFG gets the game designers to omit the timer, I will buy it for sure. In the meantime I love Robinson Crusoe, BFG has another winner.

I couldnt even get it to play for me. I just got a screen full of lines and dots - but it appears by all your comments that I havent missed much.

I also agree. There aren't many HOG games I haven't bought from BF, but this one really gave me a headache - literally. Tried to make it throught the demo, but gave up and uninstalled for all the reasons already stated.

Another issue that was exceptionally annoying was the 'spot the difference' pictures. The lighting was completely different for each picture, and while one of the pictures was completely still, the other has areas with flashing or shifting lighting. That made trying to locate differences close to impossible for me.

As puzzler46 said, if BF could get the developer to make some changes, it's certainly one I'd be interested in.

Agree with everyone about the timer and objects hard to see. I carried on for the full hour, I kept the three clues until the end of each scene and finished in time. The 'find the difference' scenes and 'finding 15 pens etc.,' did not incur the 3 second penalty so just clicked everywhere in hope.
Found it rather boring and repetitive. Think I'll pass on this one.

I downloaded the game but never got a chance to play it. After the opening credits, I entered my name and went to the first scene at which point the game froze my computer completely. I couldn't exit, escape, control+alt+delete, bring up the command line, or log off the computer. After 60 minutes, the game manager came up and said the trial period was over and released control of my computer. I immediately uninstalled the game and cleaned my registry. The way the reports are coming on this game, it looks like I didn't miss much.

I'm curious who "quality tested" the game. It sure doesn't sound like anyone played it before releasing it.

Ana

I had the same problem as Rosa - nothing but lines and dots. After the second try and reading the reviews here, I just deleted it and won't even bother trying. What a shame.

Ok I need to vent somewhere. The game Broken Clue is the hardest hidden object game I have ever had the displeasure to try and play. I am about to give the game producers the final insult and uninstall it from BFG toolbar!

How can a game producer put so much effort to make a good storyline and than purposely frustrate the buyers of the game in making the objects so small you need a magnifying glass! Final insult to us gamers is the 3 second penalty for random clicks on a already too short timer!

I have had enough frustration and The Broken Clue has Broken all my patience causing me to lose my temper, raise my blood pressure and waste my time this is not worth the stress!

I went to the BFG Forum to see if I was the only one that this game frustrated and ceased to be a game and became a war between me and the game designers! I found on BFG Forum someone wrote a poem about her frustration. The poem lightened my mood and I felt vindicated. I am smiling again.

I am sharing it with GB family so others who struggled with this impossible game so they can also smile and say a big "We told you so" This is To all the game designers who refuse to listen. I hope this helps you, it sure did me as I with a smile on my face hit the uninstall bar on my BFG bar for The Broken Clue.

Listen up game producer and game designer maybe this poem below will give you a clue why the majority are not buying your game unless you fix what we hate!

BFG Guy we do not blame you, we know you have most likely asked them to fix the game. When a BFG exclusive is released BFG Guy makes sure it pleases us casual gamers that want to have a choice to play the game in a relaxed casual mode. This is why I personally have bought every BFG Exclusive that is released. BFG Guy knows to make money you have to please the customers not frustrate us. Thanks BFG Guy. Thats why we love ya! Your a game producer that thinks like a gamer.

I didn't write this poem, someone who goes by the name Celery heart did but if I hadn't of wasted so much time trying to play their hopeless game, I could have written every word for its exactly the way I feel!

Thanks for giving me a place to vent my frustration.
Sherryah

The Broken Clues – Advice to the DEVELOPERS, Game Designers

Oh boy, I have to say it and
This time it won’t be nice.
Cause it may be – the only way
You listen to advice.

Your game was simply awful
You don’t give me any time
To find those ghostly hidden objects
So you WON’T GET MY DIME.

To complete a scene I play it,
Not once or twice – but three
One scene said “find the dumbbell”
And I wondered - YOU OR ME “

You put so much in the making
I’d think you’d give your best
Why do you put a TIMER in ?
Who does your final test ?

And those teeny weeny objects
That I’m suppose to find
Do you think you’re being clever?
Do you want me to go blind ?

And just three hints…and deducting time
For wrong clicks that I do !!!
That’s simply unacceptable
And from me you get a BOO !!

Read thru the posts and you will see
Your game is just a joke
If you choose not to listen
Theres a good chance you’ll go broke.

Poodlebear may be right, and says
“Theres a lid for every pot”
But even there you have a choice
You may use it or you may not.

Why don't all of you listen?
Do I have to spell it out?
Okay I will - you asked for it.
Excuse me if I shout.

NO TIMERS please
What does it take to get it thru your head ?
I don’t need the stress timers put on me
I’d rather just be dead.

And give me HINTS, lots of HINTS
What difference is it to you ?
If you’re going to make the objects small
That’s the least that you can do.

And oh for heaven sakes you guys
Penalize me not… !
I’m not misbehaving !
I’m not a little tot.

So it’s up to you.. it is your game
I wish you all the best.
But again.. read thru the posts
It didn’t pass the test.

And BIG FISH.. to you I say
This game is a disgrace
I hope you’ll find another
To quickly take it’s place.

A BFG Exclusive has nothing to do with BFG developing it or what features are included. It only means that they were permitted exclusive rights to download from their portal only for a specific length of time. If you enjoyed them all, you are lucky because if you buy them sight unseen you may find yourself disappointed one day.

Ana

Thanks Ana, Wow dummy me I thought BFG designed the BFG Exlusive games. Live and learn.

EDIT................
Ana, I have to ask in curiosity did you play The broken Clue?
If so did you win it and have similar frustrations?

I did play the demo for the full time but I have to agree with everybody about how hard it was to find some of the items. The "spot the difference" part was really hard and you were not given very much time to find things. I know I had to redo a few of them due to running out of time. :LOL:


Nan

I had a very hard time finding things in Madame Fate and Escape the Museum...but little by little i did finish them (really enjoyed Escape the Museum even though a lot of things were so hard to find..too many in dark area, and just not enough contrast on the others.).. My opinion is there is no excuse to make objects too tiny...and then punish the player to boot! What kind of monitor do the developers use anyway??? I am so glad we get to download the 'free play's of the games..generally you can tell after the first few minutes whether it will be one to get or not...HOWEVER, i will say i was never able to finish Azada and that still rankles with me!..and there was another that had a math puzzle wheel that kept me from finishing it...grrrrr.

It reslly is nice to get to play the demo and get the opinions from you guys. I find fellow boomer comments so helpful. I think I will pass on this one but at least there are a lot of good games and if BFG guy can help, he does.

I know I'm a bit out on a limb here, but I like to use the timer.

(**Ducking quickly to avoid eggs and tomatoes**)

Seriously, though, I truly don't understand why some games make the use of timers mandatory and I likewise don't understand why other games don't have them at all. Surely timers could - and should - always be there for use or not at the player's option?

Same thing with generous hints and being able to skip all puzzles or mini-games - shouldn't these always be available options?

It seems to me that providing these elements as options allows the player to essentially customize the game to suit his or her own unique preferences, thereby maximizing enjoyment across the broadest range of players possible.

And surely maximizing the entertainment and satisfaction of the largest number of players possible would be the most lucrative and satisfying result for developers, no?

So what am I missing? Is it a lot more time-consuming and therefore expensive to add these functions as options to the game programs? I think there must be some kind of barrier to doing so, but I can't think what it might be.

GPM,

I think the reason behind a lot of developers not using the skip button is that if they do, people use it throughout and then complain that the game is too short. I can understand their point of view on that. Not having a timer though is not a big deal and I think that not enough people are writing them to express concern and let them know that we would buy if they produced them with options instead of just one way to play.
You need not fear expressing that you enjoy timers, I love sliders and sokoban puzzles and most don’t. It’s what makes the world go around.

Ana

Besides GPM,

Your not the only one who likes timers. I don't mind them either. I never use the "relaxed mode" option, although there are times that I have thought about it. For me the timer is part of the fun of the game. But as Ana says "that's what makes the world go around". However, I ducked as well from the eggs and tomatoes. : )

Actually, I have to laugh--I hate timers but my MIL loves them