Secrets of the Vatican - HdO Adventure

I downloaded this game onto my iPhone 3G and find the graphics impossibly small and can't zoom in sufficiently to make the game comfortably playable. Would be interested to know what devices the more positive reviewers are using. The game looks intriguing and the graphics do look very well done but it's just too much of a struggle to enjoy the play.

I'm not going to review this (giving it 3 stars in an attempt to be fair) since since I didn't play it for more than 2 seconds after I realized what it was, I'm just trying to save others like myself (slightly stupid people) who don't/didn't know what an "HdO" was from paying $3 thinking they were buying an "ADVENTURE" game and instead getting a "find the apple, cat and bicycle in the static picture" game. The developer doesn't lie (they embellish IMHO but that's marketing) and their 1st sentence even reads "In this hidden objects game" so they're not hiding anything (hmmmm.... a pun) but it also says things like "A thrilling adventure", "Travel to 4 different countries, decipher a secret code, and gain access to hidden places" which made me think it was like Myst or Jules Verne's Return To Mysterious Island (REAL 'Adventure Games' for iPhone). It also says "Explore a chapel in paris…." (which again sounds like a 1st-person 3D game) but I'm guessing it means "stare at static pictures of a chapel in Paris". Bottom-line, if you think you're getting a Myst-like game, you're not. However, if you know what a "HdO" game is and you like them, you might love this. I don't know. The reviews are certainly very good and, again, I can't/won't "review" this game since it's not what I thought I bought. Apologies to the developer 'cause I know this will come off as an indictment of their game and/or their description but it's not intended as such - I'm honestly just trying to save other people from inadvertently buying a game they don't want, as I did.

First, I am NOT religious, so I almost did not buy this game. I am glad that I was able to overlook my dislike of religious themes, because I love this game and the unique environments presented. It is beautiful, and the attention to detail is very commendable. Lovely, well done, good zoom, interesting and new things to look for. For those complaining that this is not an adventure game, look and you will see that virtually all Hidden Object games are listed in the adventure section. I have virtually all Hidden Object Games (except 3.0 only), and this is one of the best. I haven't finished it yet so I cannot comment on its length. Another reviewer has commented on the fact that a lot of games create an artificial sense of length by having you search for the same objects on the same screens, something I have commented about in other games. The game automatically saves itself, you cannot click on and get items not yet listed and the screen dims if you over-click...these are some of the factors that make this a well developed game. I really hope they release more games like this.

This started off being really good, but it is short and also once I finished the game it won't let me play it again nor can anyone else. Let it continue and it will get five stars

Excellent product! Most notably, the graphics in Secrets of the Vatican have the very highest resolution of all of the iPhone hidden object games I have -- and I think I have them all -- this alone earns Ludigames my applause. The game is intriguing, with beautifully rendered art and a weighty storyline. It -is- comparatively short, however: most HO games tend to regurgitate material -ad nauseam-, where Vatican does not. Kudos to them for not artificially inflating play length in this stock fashion. The ambiguous ending seemed a bit of a cop-out; more graphics here or all the more some animation would've compelled me to add another star. I also would've liked the zoom feature to have a few different options, including a closer view (and with the sharp res they can afford to do this), esp on certain screens like "Equus." A minor grouse. A lovely, unexpected touch that truly raises the bar is the usage of authentic historical fine art, such as a Gustave Dore' engraving. As is the masterful 3D look of the game's title card. Here's to hoping we see more chapters in this story, or another HO mystery/adventure effort from Ludigames* soon *Clever name, btw

Once you finish the "adventure" it is all the same if you try to play it again. The objects searches stay the same each time.

A very boring game. The only hidden object game I didn't feel interested enough to finish.

Not enough levels and poor direction on what to do good play but to short on levels