Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises – Review

Emma Emerson got an urgent call from her detective partner to investigate a suspicious drowning case. Little did she know that this case will get her tangled up in a complex family drama. Can you help Emma solve this head-scratching case in Brave Giant Studios’ latest Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises?

With popular series like Ghost Files, Demon Hunter, and Queen’s Quest, Brave Giant Studios has become known for their imaginative games with out-of-this-world elements. It is exciting to finally see them branching out to produce games that are more grounded in reality, specifically the who-dun-it genre which is one of my personal favorites. Despite Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises not being the most original who-dun-it mystery to ever exist, there is still plenty of intrigue and suspense to enjoy. The game’s slow-building storyline is sufficient to grab hold of my attention from start to finish and the inclusion of an evidence board is a useful tool to engage the player in solving the case.

Unfortunately, Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises is way off the mark when it comes to some other aspects. Firstly, the game offers no challenge whatsoever. The gameplay is incredibly predictable, with very little to do in each scene. It is filled with cookie-cutter tasks and even the puzzles fail to entertain. The hidden object scenes in this game are the definition of junkpile scenes. While they are interactive and varied in formats, they are carelessly designed with random objects that are littered everywhere. This makes these scenes a chore to get through instead of a creativity showcase like they should be.

Moreover, the visuals in Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises feel rushed and unpolished. The comic-book visual style is flat and takes the air of mystery out of the game. This also makes animations and cutscenes look childish and unconvincing. Still, the production of the game is not without merits. The sleek location designs, along with the ominous music and the well-done voice-overs are good complements to the game, but not nearly enough to lift the game out of its self-inflicted dullness.

I completed Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises within three and a half hours that passed by slower than they should. The bonus chapter is not much more exciting, but at least it feels more concise. The Collector’s Edition might be worth getting in a sale and comes with a strategy guide, wallpapers, soundtracks, cutscenes, replayable hidden object scenes, replayable mini-games, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects.

Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises could have been a thrilling mystery, but was let down by lifeless production and uninspired gameplay.

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