I don't know why there seem to be so many complaints about dark screens, poor graphics, small screens and blurry texts. I have a 27" screen and the game took up the entire frame. The graphics were great (in fact, quite pretty and bright), and text was clear. Guess you have to test on your computer to see what you get (it's never worth changing my screen resolution for one game, so I can understand anyone not wanting to go that far. I played hard mode, which gives you more complicated mini-games than the easy mode. Hard also supposedly has a slower hint recharge, but it was still plenty fast. No voice overs, but I prefer text to badly done voices. My only complaint: awful music, so I would minimize music. Diary has a lot of information which is not from gameplay, so it's best to read it if you want the entire story, which includes clues to follow. This game is a buy for me.

Based on the DEMO: I agree with the few who gave positive reviews for this game and don't understand the multitude of complaints: this is a good little game and technically speaking, for me at least, it filled my wide screen monitor completely and the graphics were clear and realistic. The atmosphere is appropriately spooky and not overly dramatic... a nice change from the same ole same ole busily embellished graphics and scenes so common now in almost every casual game that comes along. Overall, a nice little detective mystery and pleasantly eerie diversion for a rainy afternoon or dark of night. I am bumping my star rating up a bit to balance the overly negatives so as not to deter potential fishies from trying this game and will definitely purchase this adventure(ish#-heavy game #ie. it requires you to "work" a little to figure out the game scenarios as the mystery evolves). Thanks BFG! BTW: Though no proof, I suspect a few of the 'newer' games may have copied the format of some aspects of the game and not vice-versa as some suspect. DEFINITELY CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF : )

I don't understand why some people didn't like playing this game. I liked it a lot & it didn't have any darkness in the game at all. The game was easy to play, cause if you ever got stuck you can click on the hint & it would tell you which way to go next. The story line was not that bad at all. I liked where you could go into the painting for more places to grab & add things in there. So with my opinion I think you should buy this game or if you have a coupon code to use up then get it.

I did not experience any of the problems a lot of the other reviewers seemed to have- my scenes were not dark and I had no more trouble than usual finding the objects. I did not miss the voice overs as I usually mute them anyway. I thought the graphics and the storyline were fun and I did really enjoy this demo enough to buy the full game.

Really not that bad of a game. No voiceovers but still ok game. Did not think scenes were too dark as I was able to play with glasses on. Some games must have my face right up to screen. Objects small but not that bad actually. Have played much worst games.

I just played the demo and did not have any complaints about it being hard to see. I have not yet decided if I will buy the game or not but I don't know why so people rated it so poorly. The game took up my full screen.

I am not wasting a free one. The game is not so bad. I am very hard, on games so take a chance on, this one. If you don't you are harder on games than me.

well I may have given this 3 stars, but this is only for the beginners, it is badly done game, with the graphics being so poor, the music enough to drive you mad, the sound is very poor, the HO's are badly done, sooooo boring. On the good side there is plenty to do and places to visit, but just such a shame that this game passed muster and was actually offered for sale, to unsuspecting people and gullible ( like me ) I had thought this would be ok, but it caught me at a bad time with no game to play, only once though sorry creaters but you could have done much better.

Can't understand why most everyone is complaining. Yes, it doesn't have voice over but I get tired of those and usually shut it off. I didn't find the scenes dark and being my age that can be a problem. Also, the HO's weren't hard to find the items. I sometimes use my magnifying glass and did not have to on this one. The complainers are just spoiled because it doesn't have all the fancy things in it.

The mystery I refer to is what the story is supposed to be about and who hid the dictionary and grammar book from the script writers? Snide remarks (due to wanting to enjoy the game and not doing so due to high frustration) aside, the game is not truly bad but quite confusing as two storylines seem to be trying to converge and only succeeding in confusing the player. There's the missing artist mentioned in the game description and haunting figures, many past murders and a collector who apparently is hoarding stuff from the mansion (stolen stuff?). The technical aspects though aren't as dismal as some have reported. I played 45 min. of the demo and the HO's weren't all that dark considering it's night and no lighting availaboe outside. The objects were clear but almost cartoonish and often blended into the background to the point of invisibility. But the "ghostly" scenes were very well done and some truly disturbing. Who's that frightening boy in the swing and is he following me? The grammar and spelling were, however important drawbacks as it was often hard to understand what the hint was telling me to do. I doubt the writing was edited before the game's release but it does add an unnecessary level of frustration. There are some good things here, however so I'm recommending giving it a try. You may find it worth a play.