DinerTown Detective Agency

Publisher: PlayFirst

Developer: Absolutist

User Reviews

Average User Score:

Four Stars Review This Game!

  • Posted on Aug 24, 2009, 2:50pm

    3 Stars

    User Review by Rachael

    Would have bought this game if it had not felt like it was meant for children. The scenarios were cute, and there was enough task variance to hold my attention, but overall, it was just too easy. I love Playfirst, but when are they going to start releasing games geared towards adults? Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Aug 8, 2009, 9:55am

    4 Stars

    User Review by RIColeman

    I loved this game! It was relaxing and fun. The various crimes would make me laugh, it was silly but enjoyable! Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 28, 2009, 12:43pm

    4 Stars

    User Review by jbnkids

    I really enjoyed the demo. I thought it was just a very cute game and fun to play. My first thought was to purchase this game and after some deep thinking, I plan on doing just that. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 28, 2009, 9:47am

    3 Stars

    User Review by liyhann

    I'm giving it three stars because I didn't even play all the way through the demo, so it's unfair of me to give it only two stars when so many folks here are talking about other aspects I didn't get to see. I'll probably try more of it when it comes out on Shockwave, but for now, dealing with the Hidden Object part was trying enough. Just don't like hidden object part of HOGs... I like that many HOGs are trying to be something else (adding mini-games and other puzzles) because really, clicking for hidden objects is just so darn boring. Now the really good parts to DTDA in my opinion are: Music, sounds, graphics all GREAT. Brand (Dinertown) is still OK, although the more losers they put out, the further it slips. Suggestion: The hint button on relaxed mode could have been recharged faster if you use a found badge instead of giving us more points. If you are playing relaxed, does anyone care about points? Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 27, 2009, 4:40pm

    3 Stars

    User Review by jaylee1204

    The game has a lot going for it: cute graphics, funny dialogue and a very nice length with 25 cases. However, the game is very easy and I feel lacked anything special to stand out. The HOG items are very small and the tools are just ridiculous - clicking randomly around the entire scene over and over again is not fun. The minigames are very repetitive and mostly jigsaw puzzles. The game is fun, but not much of a challenge, and could have been so much better with some tweaking. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 27, 2009, 10:36am

    3 Stars

    User Review by nevik02

    This game isn’t quite as simple as it appears on first sight – though that doesn’t mean that it ever gets hugely challenging. Two modes: timed or relaxed. Two styles of play within the game: simply hunt for items or hunt for parts of items which once complete you then use somewhere in the scene(s) to reveal either other items or clues. Some items are only revealed if you use one of three tools, but you always know which one it is, as that is he only one made available to you. Unfortunately, with two of them all you can do is click around randomly until the item you want appears. The items are often quite ingeniously hidden, but never to the point where you want to tear your hair out. Working out where to use the assembled items requires more thought, and a bit of try-it-and-see. You always have 6 culprits of whom you have to eliminate 3 with a mini-game. There are only 3 types of mini-game: jigsaw puzzle, matching fingerprints and arranging picture cards. Then, through comments made by other characters, you work out who did the crime. And that’s it. Period. Although there are 25 cases nothing changes in the game play. Identifying the culprit is very easy, no real thought, unlike Clue: Alibis and Accusations. As a result, I suspect that a lot of people might find it becomes rather boring. It might, however, appeal to you if you just want to spend an odd 15 minutes relaxing. As the list of items contains over 50% random objects, there is replay value, but you will know who the culprit is from your first time round. The game describes itself as a “lighthearted spoof on traditional Hidden Object games”. Lighthearted, yes; but spoof? Not so sure about that. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 15, 2009, 2:11pm

    5 Stars

    User Review by SkaterCody

    This is an all around great game. HOG fans will love love LOVE it, because instead of getting bored searching for objects through a whole entire game, you go through different levels and solve puzzles along with just looking for hidden objects. All the same lovable characters from all the Diner Dash games, except you see Bernie as a detective instead of a bookworm. The story line is cute and the crimes to solve are hilarious. Anyone looking for an exiting, funny game should make DinerTown Detective Agency their first choice. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 12, 2009, 1:56am

    4 Stars

    User Review by tijhea

    I liked the game.. I'm not one for HoGs.. But this one I did not seem to mind.. The graphics are nice... There are no dark scenes so the objects are real easy to find.. The mini games were ok.. The tools that you had to work with.. Is where ya loose me.. Clicking all over the place Is not my cup of tea.. Which Is why I can't give It five stars.. Alittle on the easy side... more like for kids.. But all in all It was a pretty good game. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 11, 2009, 11:37pm

    2 Stars

    User Review by PersistentCat

    This game was very disappointing. I can see how it has potential but too many things make it not enjoyable. The forensic tools is ridiculous, clicking randomly makes no sense. I hate jigsaw puzzles in a mini-game and the logic aspect is so easy, it's not even fun. I've been playing Clue: Alibis and Accusations and I love the logic aspect of that, this game is for children. Unlike what another reviewer said, I had to return to a level. I had to restart but the items I had already found were in different places (and sometimes different pictues). I don't care about replayability as I rarely replay HOGs. All in all, I played the demo and that's enough. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jul 4, 2009, 3:40am

    4 Stars

    User Review by Medbie

    As with all Play First games I have tried, the art was wonderful and the game play generally good. I am rather tired of HO games, but I did mostly enjoy this one. Still found the odd, out of place or doesn't fit the scene items to be annoying and off-putting. Also, the times when I had to find the shattered items was not nearly as fun; at times those were just down right difficult. Using the "tools" was sometimes more difficult than it should have been. Blindly clicking around to find a fingerprint, for example, is not good game play. I liked that the mini games to find the culprit were varied, this kept it from getting stale too quickly. Over all, for a HO game, it is certainly above average and definitely has the mark of quality I expect from Play First games. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 29, 2009, 6:12pm

    4 Stars

    User Review by brenissa55

    This game was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the scenes, narrowing down the suspects, and storyline. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 29, 2009, 2:38pm

    3 Stars

    User Review by muwcooks

    Pros: Great graphics, it is a fun game, nice to see all playfirst characters in one game, very high quality (no bugs, frozen screens, etc). Cons: Only one, it was way too easy. The lack of a challenge (even in timed mode) began to bore me (did finish it). Most PF's: Diner Dash, Wedding Dash,etc. get to the point where they frustrate the heck out of me, I walk away and tackle it later. I like the annoyance! Make me feel like I accomplished something when I was wasting my time at the computer avoiding chores. Challenge my brain! Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 28, 2009, 4:07am

    3 Stars

    User Review by gilowyn

    I got bored half way in. Some of the hidden scenes are cool, for example when you need to find item parts, activate something broken, therefore finding new things. The regular HOG scenes... not that good. Really useless: extra tools, like fingerprinting dust or magnbifying glass. Basically, you click on anything in the scene to find something. Interrogating the suspects? I am happy if I can solve after just 2-3 "hints". It's fun to see familiar characters in a different game, but I still wasn't impressed. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 27, 2009, 3:00pm

    5 Stars

    User Review by i24unicorn

    I loved this game!!!! They added alot of different things to make it interesting. With the ink blotch and the fingerprint dust. It was so much fun to play. I only played the demo so I really hope it comes out on BFG, Gamehouse, Shockwave or IWIN!!!! Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 27, 2009, 2:11pm

    5 Stars

    User Review by June129

    I love this game. I was lucky enough to play the beta as well. I hope big fish picks it up so I can buy it. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 27, 2009, 9:24am

    4 Stars

    User Review by Vimsen

    I am very dissapointed with the final release! I beta-tested it, they kept people waiting like forever and as far as I can tell, not a thing has been changed since the beta, which makes me wonder if they at all listen to feedback. Anyways, the good: I love how there are different styles of play and a good variation of minigames to keep you entertained. You have your standard HO, but also in some cases you have to find pieces of things and put them together, then put them to use somewhere in the scene to uncover new objects you need. Every case ends with a minigame (that be a jigsaw puzzle, fingerprint match or maybe even something else), and after that you are presented with three suspects and a list of informant who will each give you a statement of one of the suspects. You then have to mark either "yes" or "no" in one of the boxes next to the subject until you know enough to catch your culprit and solve the case. You can choose either timed or relaxed (untimed) mode. The bad: There is no penalty for too many wrong clicks. (Well ok there is in timed mode, but none in relaxed mode.) Yes, I like a penalty, that be deduction in score/time or the cursor dissapearing for a few seconds. When there is no penalty in a game it is too easy (especially for impatient people) to just click around until you find what you need. I mean, no penalty, so what's the big deal, right? So yes, I love a penalty in a game. Any penalty. It greatly increases the challenge, fun and overall gameplay. Also, when you start a new game, you get a new list of things to find, but the items do stay in the same place, which may lower replayability a little bit. Mini-games can't be skipped. Final conclusion: Had they listened to beta-testers feedback, this game would have been a real winner. Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

  • Posted on Jun 26, 2009, 4:01pm

    5 Stars

    User Review by geekygurl

    Love this game I can't wait until more like it comes out Give this Review a Kudos Report as Inappropriate

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