Homicide Squad: Hidden Objects

Hidden object type games are my favorite games to play. I play another G5 game Crime Mysteries. Both that one and this one have phenomenal graphics especially the overhead shot of the cityscape. The scenes are perfect. It’s different almost every time you play with the same object looking different and in a different location in the scene. Objects can be under other objects. In other games I’ve played after a while the scene just comes down to memorizing where objects are and not much of a challenge except trying to get better scores. The only reason I didn’t give this game 5 stars is because there is a Match-3 aspect in the game play. G5 has enough Match-3 type games in their catalog that they didn’t need to put it in this game. Normally that would have knocked the rating down to 3 stars but in the time I’ve played this game I haven't had my game play interrupted by an ad for a G5 game. I probably jinxed myself for putting that in this review. One other thing that is annoying is the mini-game for gems is the same water slide where you avoid a spider first then the sludge and a shark. That mini game is also in Crime Mysteries. Would be nice if we got to try and escape a room that I’ve seen in ads for this very game.

My father used to play the mainstream games like this when I was growing up. Once he passed away when I was 12 I stopped playing them. Here I am about 5 years later, I’ve decided to proceed to play these games in his memory and for my enjoyment. The game isn’t as easy as can be, but in the same breath the game isn’t so complex you end up deleting it. I haven’t gotten any ads that I can recall and I’ve been playing it for about 4 hours straight. I also enjoy the opportunities it countlessly gives to earn gems, hints, and other “power up” or “helpful” specials it gives without having to pay a dollar. Speaking of dollar, they also offer a bundle for $1.00 that I haven’t purchased, but it is obvious something other games would charge a minimum of $5.

I played this game when it was called S.E.D. (Special Enquiry Detective). I had leveled up in the game and had quite a few flashlights and other boosts. Then one day the game just wouldn't open. I enjoyed playing it but noticed the name changed to Homicide Detective. So silly me, I download the Homicide Detective thinking it will "update" my app and will sync my progress. Nope! It is a whole "new app" with the same characters and same stories, and my progress and power ups lost! I am forced to start over! Grrrrr! It has changed in its format somewhat. It now integrates the collections as you work the scene. Before those were basically left unfounded unless you wanted to play endlessly on a solved case and level up your "rank" in order to find the collection items, which I never did. Another change is they have "dumbed it down a bit" by keeping the hidden items in the same place, so it's easier to find them. Before, it was more of a challenge because they moved them around each time you played the scene. So here I am starting over from case 1 and without all my power ups, that I had accrued. The graphics and storyline still seem the same which were good, but the stories take forever to progress, which may make or break me. We will see if I stay interested. And if they try to force purchases in order to progress well then this game will be deleted.