Dark Arcana: The Carnival

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. PlayStation Country
    Jun 29, 2017
    70
    Dark Arcana: Carnival is another solid hidden object game. Whilst there is a lack of puzzle variety here the story is interesting and kept me engaged throughout. I don’t think this is going to do anything to draw new players in, but if you’re already a fan then you will likely enjoy this.
  2. TheSixthAxis
    Aug 3, 2017
    50
    It seems overly simplistic to conclude by saying that Dark Arcana: The Carnival is a hidden object game that will appeal to fans of the genre. There is nothing here to really draw in new players and I remain perplexed at its conversion to consoles. Given the regular releases of Artifex Mundi titles, there must be an audience for them and this title will presumably be well received by these players. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no hidden depth here and its predictable nature left me underwhelmed.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. samos2-3
    Apr 6, 2021
    7
    Not a bad little game. Had fun puzzles and an decent story. Voice acting is mixed, music does have a spooky dark carnival vibe, and graphicsNot a bad little game. Had fun puzzles and an decent story. Voice acting is mixed, music does have a spooky dark carnival vibe, and graphics are about what you'd expect for a game like this. It is about as hokey as some of the other hidden object/puzzle games, but if you've played any of the other Artifex Mundi games and enjoyed them, you'll certainly enjoy this one as well.… Full Review »
  2. NalyoGaming
    Jan 5, 2018
    8
    Dark Arcana: The Carnival is the 8th Game Artifex Mundi launches on the of the PlayStation 4. Dark Arcana: The Carnival originally released inDark Arcana: The Carnival is the 8th Game Artifex Mundi launches on the of the PlayStation 4. Dark Arcana: The Carnival originally released in 2012 for a different platform. I know from having conversations with my colleague Rise that we both agree this is yet another fun and very enjoyable Point n Click Adventure Puzzle Game by Artifex Mundi.
    In Dark Arcana You play as a Female Detective who shows up at the crime scene where Mother named Susan mysteriously disappeared while at the Carnival with her young daughter. The Game starts with a cinematic cutscene which shows the Mother and Daughter enjoying themselves at the Carnival taking in all the different Carnival Acts, Games and Rides being showcased including the House of Horrors where the Mom and little Girl enter together and after seeing the Ghosts and whatever else they both seemed to enjoy they begin to exit through the door where the little girl runs ahead toward a mysterious man with Balloons in which he is holding one out in front of him for the little girl to take. The Girl Take the Baloon and as the Mom gets to the door to exit it slams shut and that is the last we see of her and basically the end of the cutscene.
    When arriving at the Carnival which is now a Crime Scene you are greeted by a fellow law enforcement officer and the little girl who begins begging you to help find her Mom. After a quick introduction to the controls and mechanics, this Point n Click Adventure Puzzle Game begins. Early on you see what seems to be the same man who was giving out balloons in the cutscene locking a Trailer Door and throwing a Key up on the roof before escaping. This like some of the other shortcut scenes are a bit corny but in a likable and enjoyable way in my opinion. Through puzzle solving you figure out how to release a nearby Carnival Monkey that was chained up who becomes an added on Game Mechanic which he is able to climb and reach places, you the Detective are not like climbing on the Trailer Roof to get the Key that was thrown. I won't describe every puzzle but let's just say that Dark Arcana: The Carnival is just like many of the other Artifex Mundi Point n Click Adventure Puzzle Games that came before it to the PS4 and this is a good thing.
    After a while, you begin to uncover story bits about this Carnival and the Secrets that have been well hidden behind it for many years. Jim the Carnival Knife Thrower was doing a blindfolded knife throw and killed his wife Alice many years earlier and because of this event, he vowed to never do that act again. Like other Artifex Games, there are supernatural elements involved with the Dark Arcana Story. Without spoiling too much of the plot and ending, I will say that Jim the Knife Thrower is manipulated into thinking his wife who he misses very much can be brought back from the dead and you will learn by progressing through the story just how Susan the little Girls Mother fits into all of this and why she was kidnapped.
    I did feel that compared to other Artifex Mundi Game's that have released recently that Dark Arcana overall is a bit easier than some of their other Games that have released lately on the PlayStation 4 especially the mmini-gamepuzzles. I do also think the Story also seemed a bit shorter too. With all that being said, I truly enjoyed the game. I was happy to see that like other Artifex Mundi PS4 titles this one also had a Platinum trophy that is realistic for any PlayStation Gamer to achieve. I was able to earn the Platinum Trophy I think roughly in under Three hours. I strongly recommend this and other Artifex Games to PlayStation Trophy Hunters.
    To all of the Trophy Hunters out there, please allow me to suggest that for your First Playthrough, enjoy the game, watch all the cutscenes and cinematics, and play it how it is meant to be played and enjoyed. Next, go back for a second playthrough, skip all the cutscenes, and clean up any of the remaining trophies you have left.
    I enjoyed this Artifex Mundi title just like I have with their other PS4 titles. I give Dark Arcana: The Carnival an 8/10 review score.    … Full Review »
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