Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt

my honest recommendation would be "yes and no" at the same time. But sadly i can chose only 1. Pros: +Riddles are fun Cons: - Story Conclution: You play as "detective" but the things you do, would put you into jail rather then solving anything or atleast you could lose your job over it.

Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt is a pretty enjoyable hidden-object adventure with a darker crime-investigation theme. I liked playing as a detective and following the clues to figure out who was behind the murders. The story kept me interested, and there are plenty of locations to explore along the way. It's a good choice if you're looking for something relaxing rather than a really challenging puzzle game. Enjoy :)

Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt is a Hidden Object puzzle game, the type you normally see on mobile app stores or even as browser apps. There's literally hundreds of these on Steam, mostly published by Artifex Mundi (like this), many of them free on mobile app stores (like this), but this one will cost you money on Steam. There's a ghost hunter theme to the game, but this is a just a veneer over a tired and overdone set of hidden object minigames and Adobe Flash tier puzzles, wrapped together with a bunch of static screens that you "move" through by tapping your finger on your iPhone screen. While these kinds of games are popular amongst casual gamers, it's difficult to argue this is a great value proposition as a PC game, especially considering the price of this compared to the hundreds of free HOGs on the mobile app stores. From a technical perspective, as a mobile app, this doesn't meet basic minimum requirements that most PC gamers expect as standard. The game features somewhat lazy, simplistic "retro" looking 2D graphics, of the type you normally expect to see in low effort Flash/browser games and mobile apps. Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing. The controls can't be customised because the game has such a dumbed down, simplified interface that it's just iPhone screen tapping stuff. The fact that the interface is this dumbed down might be seen as a problem in itself, however... this is a fairly shallow experience if you're the kind of gamer that likes to play games with deep, rich control schemes and interaction. You'll get none of that here. Because this is a mobile app, it carries a number of deliberate design deficiencies. Compromises were made to cater to the iPhones that the game was designed for. These are unfortunate handicaps and limitations that PC gamers shouldn't be forced to accept, but it's evident that PC was an afterthought for the iPhone developers who are to blame for this. The game is deficient as a result of these choices, and would have been so much better without the handicaps that designing games for mobile phones forces upon a game. Once more, mobile devs have made gaming worse for everyone. I didn't spend thousands on building a gaming rig just so I could pretend it's an iPhone. These technical defects push this mobile app below acceptable standards for any modern PC game. You're forced to sign a highly questionable yet legally unenforceable End User License Agreement... for such a relatively low effort, low quality mobile app this comes across more as a delusion of grandeur than anything else. This agreement includes questionable requirements that may attempt to revoke consumer law protections that gamers expect to have, which is also highly problematic. Developers must learn they are here to serve gamers, not control them. I had my cat walk over the keyboard while the EULA was displaying, which fixed that problem for me. Let's talk about pricing and the actual value this has for gamers. Is this mobile app one of the best of the 140,000+ games on Steam? Yet again, we've caught a greedy mobile developer trying to scam PC gamers. On Steam, this is $15 USD, on app stores? Free for mobile peasants. PC gamers have to pay for a free mobile app. Disgusting. Mobile developers need to understand that PC gamers aren't here to be unethically price gouged or scammed. Nobody should be expected to pay for a free mobile app that's been copy-pasted onto Steam with no additional effort. That's an insult to PC gamers. An insult that has a price tag we're expected to pay. Because this can be played free on mobile phones, and because of the other defects, it's impossible to recommend. [i]$15 USD for a FREE mobile app!!![/i] Just who do they think we are?

Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt offers a decent storyline that keeps you intrigued throughout the main game. However, the bonus content was a major letdown and felt like an afterthought, adding little value to the overall experience. The soundtrack is a highlight, creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the game's eerie tone. Unfortunately, the puzzles were often too easy, making parts of the gameplay feel uninspired and lacking challenge. While the main game is enjoyable, the disappointing bonus chapter and simplistic puzzles prevent it from being a standout title in the genre.

全篇算是好玩。基本没有重复内容。 开始给了一系列探案工具，我还以为是要高密度使用这些工具找线索呢。结果验血、验指纹、验蛋壳全程都只有一次。而检测工具从头到尾都在工具栏里占地方，没有有效的利用新功能，反而感觉多此一举了。。。

This was a disappointing one. I wanted to like it, really I did. But the story is so flipping ridiculous it just makes me go "UGH." :( There's really no redeeming qualities either. Nothing makes up for the poor dialogue, very poor storytelling that makes NO sense, nor the poor minigames and HOPs to play. I do appreciate the length of the game - and the bonus story was a good length unlike so many that can be barely 5 minutes of playtime. If I were you, I'd only buy this game if it was.... $2. :(

Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt is a hidden-object detective adventure that blends crime-scene investigation with supernatural intrigue, creating an experience that is equal parts forensic mystery and eerie ghost story. Developed by Brave Giant LTD and published by Artifex Mundi, the game follows Detective Emily Meyer of the Boston Police Department as she pursues a serial killer known only as “The Guilty Man.” What begins as a grounded thriller rooted in standard investigative procedures gradually transforms into something far stranger as Emily is forced to confront not only a cunning murderer, but also the creeping influence of the spirit world. The first stretch of the game leans heavily into procedural detective work. Emily moves from one crime scene to another, collecting clues, inspecting evidence, and using a forensic kit to analyze fingerprints, blood samples, and other materials. These early tasks establish a pleasant investigative rhythm, combining environmental exploration with a succession of minigames and hidden-object puzzles. Each scene offers a blend of interactive hotspots and items that must be combined, decoded, or carefully searched for, providing a satisfying sense of methodical progress. The structure recalls classic point-and-click mysteries, but with a more polished visual style and user-friendly interface. As the case deepens, however, the game’s tone shifts sharply. A major turning point plunges Emily into a liminal, ghost-infested space following an attack that leaves her soul partially dislodged from the physical world. Suddenly, her investigation is no longer limited to tangible evidence or earthly logic—she must communicate with spirits, use paranormal tools, and traverse spectral versions of familiar environments. These sequences dramatically change the game’s atmosphere. Crime scenes that once felt grounded now appear twisted or haunted, and the puzzles take on a more mystical quality. While this supernatural twist might surprise players expecting a purely realistic mystery, it infuses the story with personality and gives the game a more distinct identity among Artifex Mundi’s catalog. Visually, the game maintains a polished, moody aesthetic throughout its dual worlds. The realistic Boston settings—police stations, alleyways, grim apartments—are rendered with enough clarity to make hidden-object scenes readable without sacrificing atmosphere. When the story transitions into its paranormal dimension, the art becomes more stylized and surreal, with glowing effects, distorted imagery, and ghostly overlays that emphasize the unsettling nature of Emily’s predicament. This shift enhances the narrative tension while providing visual variety that keeps later chapters feeling fresh. The gameplay continues to revolve around a mix of hidden-object scenes, logic puzzles, and inventory-based interactions. For fans of the genre, these components are familiar but competently executed. Hidden-object scenes are clear and well-constructed, offering a balance of item searches, silhouette lists, and interactive elements. Minigames range from straightforward pattern matching to multi-step forensic puzzles, and although they rarely break new ground, they contribute to a satisfying rhythm of progress. The inclusion of forensic tools early on is a nice thematic touch, though these mechanics become less prominent as the supernatural elements take over, which may disappoint players who preferred the more grounded investigative segments. Narratively, the game struggles at times with pacing and tonal cohesion. The shift from a traditional detective story to a paranormal thriller is dramatic, and while some players may enjoy the twist, others may feel it disrupts the grounded intrigue built early on. Characters sometimes veer into melodrama, and the late-game revelations—including a face-swap twist and identity misdirections—can feel contrived. The story remains engaging enough to motivate progress, but it occasionally sacrifices coherence for spectacle. Those expecting a tightly plotted police procedural may find the supernatural turn and the final act’s twists less satisfying. Despite these narrative bumps, Ghost Files is still driven by a sense of momentum and discovery that makes it enjoyable to play. The puzzles are varied, the hidden-object segments are polished, and the shifting atmosphere creates a dynamic interplay between detective realism and eerie fantasy. The game is also approachable in difficulty, making it a good entry point for newcomers to hidden-object adventures while still offering enough content to entertain more experienced players. With a main story of roughly five to six hours, plus a bonus chapter that extends the mystery, the game provides a solid session-based experience without overstaying its welcome. Ultimately, Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt is a compelling fusion of investigative gameplay and supernatural storytelling. It may not always balance its tones perfectly, and its narrative twists may divide players, but the combination of polished puzzle design, atmospheric visuals, and a protagonist caught between the living and the dead gives it a unique charm. Fans of Artifex Mundi titles, hidden-object detectives, or mystery games with a paranormal edge will find plenty to enjoy, while those seeking gritty realism or intricate writing may come away wanting more. Rating: 6/10

Very smooth gameplay and no gamebreaker riddles. A relaxing experience for a rainy day. Only thing I did not like was the mix of reality and fantasy as the story is a murder case investigation and I found the fantasy episodes out of place. But still a solid title from the publisher.