Faces of Illusion: The Twin Phantoms

Middle of the road HOG. Graphics are not bad, easy to find most objects and puzzles are fairly straight forward. Vice acting is not very good... in some parts it is hard to distinguish who is actually supposed to be speaking. There are typos as well. The story is pretty straight forward as well. On the plus side, you don't have to play the whole game over if you miss an achievement as they carry over from game to game. 5 out of 10 hidden 'globs'...

Raczej średnie ale tragedii nie ma. Do przejścia i zapomnienia.

The game itself is decent enough, but I wish [spoiler]the title wasn't a bit of a spoiler for the plot twist...[/spoiler]

Gewohnte Artifex Mundi Qualität, ein gutes HO Game mit einer Spielzeit von ca. 3 Stunden. Die Sammel- und Illusionsobjekte sind ohne Hilfe fast nicht zu finden weil extrem gut versteckt. Für HO Fans durchaus empfehlenswert.

Recht kurz, aber okay. Theater, Paris, 19. Jahrhundert. Illusionen und Zauber, die üblichen Bösewichte und irgendwer der/die gerettet werden muss. Als Helfer bekommt man hier den Theaterjungen zur Seite gestellt. Allerdings ist er teilweise etwas unaufmerksam und so kann es passieren, dass er in ein Loch fällt, aus dem man ihn erstmal retten muss. Die Rätsel sind okay, wenn man sie auch kennt. Die Wimmelbilder sind auch nett gemacht. Ein Bonuskapitel gibt es hier nicht. Für den Vollpreis würde ich das Spiel aber nie und nimmer kaufen, da für knapp 15,- Euro viel, viel zu teuer, für die 2 bis 3 Stunden Spielzeit.

断断续续玩的时间挺久，好像就是说什么魔法书的东西吧，打发时间的话还可以

Oh, this game is nostalgia inducing. I love the colorful art of mystery and magic this game brings. I remember playing this game for once or twice. Came back now on my third playthrough. For a 2017 game, the font in the game feels too printed and rigid that it breathes no life into. It's like seeing text in a file document, too serious and less magical. Sure, it may be a nitpick, but the repetitive view of dialogues throughout the story can evoke the feeling of having it simply monotone. There is no indicators of acquired collectibles per stage, so you are bound to miss some if not most of the collectibles in the map. Some of the animations also felt a little wonky as experienced. The voice acting wasn't too bad, just the animations I had to nitpick. The game did have quite a positive reception from the little inherent quirks. The music is very intense and you could feel the tension drawing closer as navigation in the story continues. I appreciate having multiple puzzles in one puzzle, giving it a layer of complexity than your usual one-and-done puzzles in hidden object games. It was also interesting they allow the option to remove dubbing. It's up to the player whether they'd want to play the game and focus on the background ambiance or with the flair of the dialogue delivery. Despite the nostalgia, I fear the game is simply but a longing to it. I played for almost 3 hours with an 84% achievement clearing score. I missed one collectible and have no plans of re-trying the game for now to get it. Perhaps, one day or two to speedrun. But for now, this falls under a comfortable [u]7/10[/u] score. I'd recommend it, but only to a niche that enjoys mystery, a bit of magic, with the mix hidden object aspects.

Faces of Illusion: The Twin Phantoms is a hidden object adventure developed by Moonrise Interactive and published by Artifex Mundi. Built around a mystery steeped in stage performances and deception, the game transports players to a beautifully imagined version of 19th-century Paris. The story begins with the sudden disappearance of a renowned theater star during what should have been a triumphant performance. Taking on the role of a determined journalist, players are drawn into an investigation that quickly evolves from a simple missing person case into a larger tale involving masked figures, family secrets, and a criminal plot concealed beneath layers of illusion. One of the game's most memorable qualities is its setting. While many hidden object titles favor haunted estates or supernatural landscapes, Faces of Illusion embraces the grandeur of theaters and the culture surrounding stage magic. Every environment, from lavish auditoriums to dimly lit backstage corridors, contributes to a sense of mystery and spectacle. The game consistently uses its central theme of illusion to influence its locations and storytelling, making players question whether what they are seeing is genuine or merely another trick designed to mislead them. This thematic cohesion gives the adventure a personality that helps it stand apart from many of its contemporaries. Gameplay adheres to the traditional hidden object structure that Artifex Mundi fans have come to expect. Players search for clues, collect useful items, and solve a variety of environmental puzzles while progressing through the investigation. Hidden object scenes are thoughtfully assembled, offering enough challenge without becoming frustratingly cluttered. The inclusion of alternative puzzle modes for certain sequences is a welcome addition, providing variety for those who prefer logical challenges over object hunting. Exploration is paced comfortably, encouraging players to thoroughly examine each scene and revisit previous areas when new information or tools become available. The puzzle design maintains a steady level of quality throughout the adventure. Mechanical locks, pattern-based riddles, and inventory-driven challenges are integrated naturally into the narrative, ensuring that gameplay rarely feels disconnected from the story. None of the puzzles are particularly groundbreaking, but their diversity keeps the experience engaging over its runtime. Collectible items and bonus content further reward attentive players, adding a layer of replay value for those interested in uncovering every detail hidden within the game world. Narratively, Faces of Illusion succeeds by balancing intrigue with accessibility. The mystery unfolds at an enjoyable pace, gradually introducing new revelations while keeping the central objective in focus. Although some plot developments can be predicted by seasoned adventure game players, the theatrical presentation and emphasis on suspense make the journey worthwhile. The protagonist's role as an inquisitive reporter works well, allowing players to naturally investigate suspicious individuals and piece together clues without feeling forced into the narrative. Supporting characters may not receive extensive development, but they fulfill their roles effectively within the larger mystery. Visually, the game remains impressive despite its age. Hand-painted backgrounds are rich in detail and capture the elegance of Parisian culture during the era. Costumes, props, and stage equipment all contribute to the authenticity of the setting, while lighting effects help create moments of tension and wonder. The soundtrack complements these visuals with orchestral compositions that shift seamlessly between mystery and drama. Voice performances are solid throughout, enhancing the cinematic qualities the game strives to achieve. Its shortcomings are largely tied to its reliance on established genre conventions. Veterans of Artifex Mundi's library will recognize many familiar mechanics, and certain moments of backtracking can feel repetitive. Additionally, the adventure's relatively brief duration means some narrative threads could have benefited from additional development. However, these issues do little to diminish the overall experience, particularly for players seeking a polished and approachable hidden object game. Faces of Illusion: The Twin Phantoms delivers exactly what it promises: an entertaining mystery wrapped in the glamour of stage magic and theatrical performance. Its combination of atmospheric environments, satisfying puzzles, and engaging storytelling makes it a worthwhile addition to the hidden object genre. While it may not redefine adventure gaming, it confidently delivers a memorable experience that celebrates mystery, deception, and the enduring appeal of uncovering what lies behind the curtain. Rating: 6/10

Simple hidden objects game!

Extremely derivative HOG. Every single puzzle have been in another similar (and much better) game. Let's see, we have, sliding blocks, "pipe dream", the one where you more two or three steps in a circle and need to color all fields the same color, some basic logic puzzles, a fuse puzzle where you need to put the correct fuse with the correct number. The story is mediocre with some terrible english translations and the inventory puzzles are definitly pushing the logic (why can't i pick up a crank in what looks like a feet of water and instead need to make a new out of seeweed and a stick...). The collectable achievement is also kind of BS in this game since some of them are in a maze where you only pass one time and there are no way of going back.