This was a truly abysmal game. Not the most terrible thing in the world, it was playable, but that's all.
The plot: clichéd and just pointless, it wasn't really worth putting in a story at all. Fair enough, most of these games are a bit typical plot wise and often over the top, but this one was especially yawn-inducing. The game is sort of marketed as a dark, horror-ish type genre ('tales of terror' would imply some level of, I dunno, terror) but in reality its yet another one of these look around a mansion with a few 'creepy' items thrown in and call it a plotline games.
The puzzles: annoying, some were challenging but not in a way that makes you want to workto solve it, just in a way that makes you want to skip and be done with it.
Hidden object scenes: not particularly interesting, mostly standard click on items from a list scenes. At least you can see what you're meant to be clicking on unlike some games.

Honestly, by the end plaing this started to feel like a chore- I just dont like to leave a game unfinished. I'd hoped the plot would get better, give it a chance and before that happened it was obvious it was nearly at the end! At least it was pretty short, so I didn't waste too much of my life with it.

Game Information

"Tales of Terror: Crimson Dawn" is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game. The game was developed by Deep Shadows and published by Big Fish Games Studio.

"Crimson Dawn" is the first episode of "Tales of Terror."

The Game Review

Game Visuals

I want to mention that the visuals for the game are nicely done. The visuals can be adjusted in the game's option menu.

Game Audio

I want to mention that audio for the game is well done. Even though the audio is somewhat simplistic and repetitive. The audio can be adjusted in the game's option menu as well.

Gameplay

There are three different game difficulty modes to choose from: Casual; Expert and Professional.

The notebook keeps track of the progression in the game. Such as story events and clues.

There is an interactive map in the game. It allows the player to fast travel between each location quickly. It also indicates that there are certain tasks that need to be completed at certain locations within the game. The interactive map is automatically given at the start of the game.

There is no padlock feature that is available to lock the inventory panel in place. The inventory panel is stationary.

There are some interactive items in the game. Some of the interactive items may require extra components before they can be interacted with. All interactive items are marked with a symbol at one of the corners.

The hidden object scenes consist of the following: Fragmented items; Shadow items; Find 'x' amount; Traditional word lists. Some of these hidden object scenes may require little or no interaction. Most of the hidden object scenes can be replayed in the game's extra feature section.

There is an optional mini-game: Associated Pairs. It is only available during hidden object scenes.

The puzzles are fairly easy to solve without having the need to skip any of them. Most of the puzzles can be replayed in the game's extra feature section as well.

There is a collectible in the game: Scrolls. They are scattered throughout the game for the player to find.

There are morphing objects (beyond objects) in the game. They are scattered throughout the game for the player to find as well.

Miscellaneous

Final thoughts; I have found the game enjoyable to certain extent. The replay value for the game is low. I would recommend this game, but not at the game's full price value.

fummmmmmm

There is no map and hint seems more confused than I was.

far too short - story lacking

I just finished playing this game for the first time. I really enjoyed it. I loved the gothic-type scenery and the plot was ok. HO games are one of my favorite kinds of games, though. There was a nice mix of puzzles and HO. I love this kind of horror/gothic landscape games so I highly recommend it to anyone who likes mysterious large mansions that have their own graveyards or whatever else and to anyone who likes hidden object games.

Alright, so... it's definitely a Hidden Object Game, but that's about as much good as I think I can say about it. It fits the genre, there's hidden object scenes, you find items in a picture and click on them, and later in the game you do the opposite, placing objects into the scene to complete them. There's even some fragmented objects to mix it up a little. These parts are to standard, and I have no complaints over them.

Now, as for the story... it has every trope found in a "dark and spooky" hidden object. Your family member has been been taken, and you, the protagonist, must go and save them, somehow foiling an evil plot along the way. There's no depth here, despite some attempt at backstory and twists. Also, in this case, our characters are green-screened in actors, and that's fine! Different from the usual, even. Other than the end scene, they're not overly distracting from the scenes around them, but the end just looks... bad.

Gameplay works fine, there were no glitches, bugs, or crashes. The hint and skip buttons also work... which got some use due to oddly frustrating puzzles. Some were fun and unique, others had me just waiting on the skip button to charge so I could get away from them.

As a game, it's fine, a solid 2 or 3 hours of time-passing and mild entertainment. Don't go in with high expectations and you may even have a good time but personally, I do not recommend it, at least not at full price.