Reviews for: Mystery of Shark Island

Maeya's Review - May 16, 2007 - View all my reviews (5)

Full Version (PC)

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Surprisingly good

Its your usual find hidden objects game. Except instead of finding various items like animals, plants etc that you have to do in most of the other hidden objects game, in this one you find different types of shells. And you do so on various beaches. Sometimes the shells are half buried under sand, so you've got to dig about to find it. Sometimes the shells are embedded or are camoflouged into the surroundings to make it more challenging. You have to find a certain number of shells at each beach in order to collect a number of keys. Once you have enough keys you can then solve a puzzle to get through a portal to allow you to get to the next island.

The puzzles itself are not particularly challenging, in fact you could say they're quite easy. Certainly nowhere as challenging as the puzzles in MCF 3. Finding the shells are quite challenging, but not incredibly so. You'd probably manage to collect it all on your second try at the very least.

However the real winning point of the game is the way everything meshes in. The graphics for the beach and the waves which washes the shells up are beautifully done and very believable. That together with the realistic sound effects can sometimes make you feel like you're actually on a beach itself. There are many many different beaches, each beautiful in its own way. And to top it off, the music in the background is sort of like those natural sounds music cds you get when you need to relax or go to sleep, you know sounds of a rainforest, or sounds of a thunderstorm, that sort. Because of this I found playing the game incredibly relaxing.

Conclusion: if you're looking for something to keep you constantly entertained, this game isn't for you. But if you'd like a soothing game to relax and unwind, or to while away a rainy afternoon, then this is your winner.

This review has an average score of 4.1 - Based on 12 ratings
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Barakhai's Review - July 29, 2008

Full Version (Mac)

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Eye Catching!

I am completely surprised that this is such a wonderful game! I downloaded the trial version and was completely hooked within minutes. The screen shots really don't do the game justice.

The story version of the game provides some structure for your collection of precious shells and such. It keeps you wanting one more clue, one more challenge, one more step towards finding out where the mystery lies.

Even without a story to go by, this game is riveting. The waves washing shells up on the ever changing beaches make you wish this came with a screensaver. I just want to play it for the sound of the waves crashing and the sand washing over the objects. The sand washing over and slightly obscuring some of the shells shows you just how much detail there is in this game. You even have to use your cursor to brush away the sand!

Little tokens help you out along the way as you try to find the shells, sea horses, starfish, and sea glass before the next wave washes them away!

I recommend this game with all my heart. Even if you don't like seek and find games, you should give this game a chance. I think you'll find you like it.

This review has an average score of 4 - Based on 4 ratings
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micky7830's Review - May 28, 2007 - View all my reviews (3)

Full Version (PC)

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Mystery of Shark Island

This is a great Hidden Object Game although it gets a little difficult on the last couple of levels. The graphics are great, and the beaches are beautiful as are the shells that you are searching for even though they are sometimes hard to find and they don't always give you enough time to find them, you have to be quicker than most hidden object games, it is a great game anyway. I have played it all the way through twice even though I had to quit a couple of times out of frustration it was a relaxing and fun game because of the great graphics and beautiful waves and beaches!!!!! If you like hidden object games give this one a definite try!!!

This review has an average score of 3.8 - Based on 4 ratings
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CarolHitchcox's Review - May 14, 2007 - View all my reviews (17)

Full Version (PC)

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Not boring

I've found this game a bit of a challenge. Yes it its trying to find different types of shells, sea horses, shark teeth on every level but each level is different. Some levels you can easily see the items other levels you have to pick up rocks, clear away sand. On some levels the items are very small and half buried which makes things a bit more difficult. As you get further into the game you have to either try to remember what the shells look like just from an outline OR you are just given a row of ?????? so you are not sure exactly what you are looking for. On top of all the above you are chasing the time which again sometimes goes very quickly. I like others before me have had to play the same level quite a few times before progressing either because I've not found all objects or because I've not gained enough points but I have managed to persever and finished the game. So to all you out there who have purchased this game hang in there you will get to the end just make sure that you enjoy the journey. When you have finished the story mode try the arcade game play that is a bit of a challenge trying to see how long you can last before loosing all your lives.

This review has an average score of 3.5 - Based on 8 ratings
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bigpixels' Review - October 3, 2007 - View all my reviews (97)

Demo Version (PC)

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OUTSTANDING IN EVERY ASPECT!!

Without tugging at any nostalgic strings, Mystery of Shark Island takes you embarks you in the subtle practice of every beach goer: picking up seashells. This is executed in an incrementally interesting fashion laced with an intriguing storyline, spoon feeding you fresh new gaming elements at every few levels.

The mystery is constant, the letters left behind by your invisible avatar are written in desert island castaway form, using enough words to be understood, and little enough to be short on writing materials. It's incredibly clever, and will keep you interested.

The shells beautifully wash up ashore in a random layout, making the replay value on this one a total winner. You will dust away sand, pick up heavier stones, and strive for performance objectives.

Shark Island has a wonderful soundscape that is definitely award worthy. It creates a truly transporting canvas of immersion that will seal you up in gamespace. I can't stress just how well all of this is put together.

Truly, you should be snatching this one up. It's a Casual sleeper.

This review has an average score of 3.4 - Based on 5 ratings
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