The mysterious ship（诡船谜案）

A fair amount of work has gone into this game. Quite nice graphics, good but simple concept and some reasonably good puzzles. Basically, you are alone on a ship that is littered with dead bodies and you need to find out how they all died. Sadly, the English version suffered from a few problems due to the translation from Chinese (?). E.g. the text overlapping with the graphics in some of the pages of the books and I believe it also might be missing dialogue that is in the original version (although I didn't feel I missed anything). I had to refer to the in-game walk-through a fair amount and sadly, my version ran out about 5 pages before the end (another translation problem perhaps) but I found a walk-though on-line that had all of it so I did manage to complete the game. I think my main problem was getting about on the ship because it wasn't always intuitive and I don't have much patience for wandering round looking for the right doorway when they all look so alike. There was a bug which others have mentioned whereby you collect 3 torn bits of a piece of paper which you have to combine and which is essential to moving forward in the game. If you attempt to combine 2 of the pages before you have picked up the 3rd page, the 2nd page disappears. It happened to me and the only thing to do was start the game from scratch (there is an option to obliterate any saved data so that you start with a clean sheet). Thankfully, this bug is near the beginning so it wasn't too much of a problem. If this is a trial run by this developer before embarking on something a little more ambitious, then it is a good start and I wish them well. Hopefully, there will be someone to test the English version for any problems before it is released.

The Mysterious Ship: A Flawed Yet Atmospheric Puzzle Adventure Adrift at Sea

Overall Verdict

"The Mysterious Ship" offers a glimpse into a haunting and atmospheric world, but its flaws as a mobile port and lack of narrative depth hold it back from being a truly great experience. If you're a puzzle enthusiast with a tolerance for rough edges and a desire for a chilling atmosphere, the game's budget price might make it worth considering.

Positives

* Haunting Atmosphere: The game's hand-painted 2D visuals and eerie sound design create a genuinely creepy and immersive experience.
* Engaging Puzzles: The puzzles are thoughtfully designed and integrated into the environment, providing a satisfying challenge for those seeking to test their wits.
* In-Game Walkthrough: The inclusion of a walkthrough offers assistance to players who may find themselves stuck, although it abruptly ends before the final puzzles.
* Budget-Friendly: The game's low price point makes it an accessible option for those on a tight budget.

Negatives

* Lack of Story & Context: The game suffers from a severe lack of narrative depth, likely due to a poor port from its original mobile version. Crucial story elements are missing, leaving players feeling disconnected from the events.
* Puzzle Issues & Bugs: The abrupt ending of the walkthrough can leave players stranded in the final stages. Additionally, there are reports of game-breaking bugs.
* Mobile Port Issues: The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, and the overall presentation lacks polish.

Final Thoughts

"The Mysterious Ship" has its moments of brilliance, particularly in its atmospheric visuals and engaging puzzles. However, the lackluster port from mobile, missing story elements, and frustrating design choices ultimately drag the experience down. If you're a die-hard puzzle fan who can overlook these flaws and enjoy a creepy atmosphere, the game's low price might make it worth a try. However, for those seeking a polished and narratively rich experience, it's best to look elsewhere.

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