The Room 4: Old Sins
" Ingenious adventure with immersive puzzles and atmosphere but somewhat short length "
The Room 4: Old Sins Review
The Room 4: Old Sins is widely regarded as the magnum opus of the series, successfully blending the best elements from its predecessors while refining gameplay mechanics. Unlike its predecessors, it features a single-room setting centered around a complex dollhouse, which acts as a hub for interconnected puzzles. This design eliminates the frustrating backtracking seen in The Room 3, offering smooth navigation and a more focused experience. The puzzles are ingenious yet accessible, providing a satisfying challenge without overwhelming players. Visually, the game boasts stunning graphics with detailed textures and excellent lighting, enhancing immersion without the shadowy issues of earlier entries. The storyline, while not essential, adds an intriguing layer of mystery and is praised for its atmosphere and thematic depth. Although some players found the game a bit short and occasionally repetitive with its animations, the overall reception is overwhelmingly positive, marking it as a standout puzzle adventure that appeals to both newcomers and series veterans alike.
Highlights
Players highly praise the game’s clever and interconnected puzzle design, which encourages exploration within the dollhouse hub. The graphics receive consistent acclaim for their beauty, detail, and atmospheric lighting. The storyline, though subtle, is appreciated for its eerie and immersive narrative that complements the gameplay. Smooth and responsive animations contribute to a polished experience. The game’s difficulty strikes a perfect balance, challenging players without causing frustration, and the hint system is welcomed for accessibility. Overall, the game is celebrated as the best installment in the franchise, perfect for both longtime fans and new players.
Criticisms
Some players found the game’s length to be shorter than expected, wishing for a longer experience. A few noted that the backtracking and travel animations, although improved, can still feel repetitive and slow down pacing. Certain puzzles were criticized for being too easy or occasionally relying on overly specific or unintuitive mechanics, leading to minor frustration. A small number of users experienced soft-lock bugs requiring restarts. Additionally, some felt the static single-room environment lacked the atmospheric variety of previous titles. The soundtrack was noted as somewhat underwhelming, though sound effects were praised.
Pros
- • Ingenious and well-integrated puzzles within a single, detailed dollhouse hub.
- • Stunning graphics with excellent texture detail and atmospheric lighting.
- • Balanced difficulty that challenges without overwhelming players.
- • Smooth, fluid animations enhance immersion and puzzle interaction.
- • Intriguing and spooky storyline that complements the gameplay.
- • Accessible hint system helps prevent frustration and dead-ends.
- • Standalone experience suitable for newcomers to the series.
Cons
- • Game length considered short by some players seeking more content.
- • Occasional repetitive travel animations slow down pacing.
- • Some puzzles rely on overly specific or unintuitive mechanics.
- • Minor bugs reported, including rare soft-locks requiring restarts.
- • Static single-room setting lacks environmental variety of earlier games.
- • Soundtrack perceived as underwhelming or lacking musical presence.
- • Backtracking, while reduced, can still feel tedious at times.
Rating Criteria
The disappearance of an ambitious engineer and his high-society wife provokes a hunt for a precious artefact. The trail leads you to the attic of their home, and the discovery of an old, peculiar dollhouse. What secrets lie within these walls?