SEASON OF MYSTERY: The Cherry Blossom Murders

SEASON OF MYSTERY: The Cherry Blossom Murders
N/A
Metacritic
79
Steam
67.296
xDR
Our rating is calculated based on the reviews and popularity of the game.
Price
$2.49
Release date
3 February 2010
Developers
Publishers
Steam reviews score
Total
79 (244 votes)

Your husband Richard lies dead beneath the cherry blossoms of Old Japan, and the police are of no help. Step into history and uncover the truth when no one else will. Find devilishly hidden clues, explore exotic locales, and bring the killer to justice!

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SEASON OF MYSTERY: The Cherry Blossom Murders system requirements

  • OS: Windows Vista/XP/7
  • Processor: 800 Mhz
  • Memory: 512 MB
  • Graphics: On-Board
  • DirectX®: 8.1
  • Hard Drive: 186 MB
  • Sound: DirectX 8.1 Compatible

Recommended:

Recommended requirements are not yet specified.
Updated
App type
Steam APP ID
39110
Platforms
Windows PC
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m3lonlord
m3lonlord

If you like to :
- find hidden things
- solving puzzles
- enjoy some pretty neat artworks
- feel like a detective with sharp eyes

then, you might like playing this game.

dep
dep

Got it in the sale, fun to play now and again but too repetitive to play for long periods - many scenes are repeated 5 or more times. There are some puzzles to mix it up and I found the story quite charming, if a bit wishy-washy in the middle. The scenes are very nicely drawn and the objects varied in their difficulty to find.

Worth a go.

TinyAngelSelphie
TinyAngelSelphie

When it comes to hidden objects, this game has a lot of them. Unfortunately, it's random each time as to what objects you're looking for. And after two playthoughs (just to get all the achievements), there were still tons of hidden objects that I had seen that the game had not picked out for me to find. So this is my biggest complaint about this game. If you want to replay it at all, you have to create a new profile, which is also a negative.

This game would have been better if after your first completion, there was a sort of unlimited hunting mode where you could just go through the locations and find objects from a larger list.

There was only one puzzle that I found to be any kind of real challenge near the end, so if you don't like doing a lot of puzzles or tough puzzles, I recommend.

When it comes to the objects you're looking for, I found this game to be a nice mix of hard and easy. Some items blend in so well, you don't notice them for several minutes sometimes. (Which this could be a positive or negative.)

Overall, I do recommend this game if you like hidden objects games, despite the complaints I have about it. I did enjoy it, but the biggest thing with me is I wish it had a slightly higher replayability.

SugaNee
SugaNee

I really love these kinds of games and this one combines so many that I love. You look for objects that are hidden in a range of difficulty at every location. There's also a variety of puzzle mini games that are also very clever. It's story isn't bad either, it makes for a great mystery. I suggest also trying to play it with friends, it can become a fun bonding activity/race to see who can find what. It's also an awsome feeling while refusing to use the hint button to finally find that object that you could swaer didn't load in. Plus then you can blame then for taking so long to find it! ;3

DocCovington
DocCovington

It won't run on Windows 7 64-bit. I tried everything (Compatibility Mode etc.), but it always crashes upon clicking "Play".

It's a C++ related assertion error (.\config\DDSManager.cpp; Line 91) and there seems to be no fix for it, no Steam update either. Verifying the Game Cache didn't help.

There is no dev assistance on this issue on the game's forum, while quite a few people seem to have encountered C++ related error trying to play it.

Very disappointing, the game looked very compelling... I'm requesting a refund.

DFRookeee
DFRookeee

Great game, generally. Played the game with my Mom (80 years old) while visiting for a week at Christmas time. Hooked a HDMI cable from the laptop to the big TV so she could see well. She looked forward to playing it every night. We finished the game at 2:30 am the last night I was there. Wouldn't take anything for the great time we spent together.
I play it sometimes just to relax.

dementedpenguinproductions
dementedpengui…

As point and click games go, this one wasn't terrible. Some of the puzzle screens offer a decent enough challenge. The story, however, is entirely predictable. Still, I enjoyed playing it and hunting the achievements. If you can catch it on sale for super cheap it's certainly worth it.

lorinater
lorinater

Is sadly nothing special compared to other HO games. That said, It's ok if you can get it cheap and you have nothing else to do.

gaymerbear84
gaymerbear84

Very nice relaxing hidden object game. I love the mystery ones and this one is good!

Only nitpick would be better fullscreen support (it's stil hard to see some objects at fullscreen cuz it's pixelated) and no 1440p monitor support but then again, this is not a triple A action game so I don't mind.

Overall, highly recommended though, great game to play at night when unwinding with a nice drink.

Pollyanna
Pollyanna

Solve the same puzzles OVER AND OVER again in attempts to progress the plot!!
Seriously, there are only a few locations and you have to solve the same puzzles each time you revisit a location.
After going to a location for the 4th time and finding the same objects, I realized that I really didn't give a shlt about my murdered husband and stopped playing because I was sick of finding the same stupid things and solving the same puzzle over and over again.

Buy this game for your grandma with alzheimers. She'll appreciate it.

I was hoping for better from SQUARE ENIX.
I have played much better hidden object games. I bought it on sale and still feel ripped off.

Lydea Mey
Lydea Mey

Being the first HOG I've played on steam, it took me back to the days of Hidden Picture magazines you'd get in the mail as a child. I thoroughly enjoyed this game and even if it did have repeated scenes to visit (for storyline purpose), the additional items to find when you did return, made it enjoyable enough.

I give this game a 9/10 for the overall storyline and game play. The mini games were fun and not too difficult, the images beautifully crafted, the objects were well hidden and the music was very pleasant.

I hope Square Enix has other games in this category as I'll be looking to purchase more. ^^

sadney
sadney

This is a good hidden object game. Probably the best one I have ever played, but solely because of the storyline. However, the gameplay is monotonous and in some levels you have to find the same things over again. I'd recommend it if you were looking to play a hidden object game, but would not readily recommend it if you weren't.

k C *
k C *

For a 'Hidden Item' game, this is quite fun. Art is great and the story is good (not exceptionally good, but good nonetheless). I recommend this for family/friend reunions and such. Hook it to a big screen and search for the items together with them.

Jenna Gets Spooky!
Jenna Gets Spooky!

I love hidden object games in general, and have lost count of how many I've played. This one just doesn't cut it. For me it comes down to this - the hidden objects are ridiculously hard to see; harder than any HOGs I've played before. So if you're after achievements, forget this one. Finish a scene in under 2 minutes? HA! I started micro-clicking all over the screen, at random, then in patterns, and still couldn't finish one in 2 minutes. You can literally click on the right object, and it won't go away because you didn't click in JUST THE RIGHT SPOT of that object. The story is weak too, and although the story presumably takes place over the course of several days, the woman never changes her clothes. Being picky? Maybe, but a game becomes dull IMO when you keep seeing the same graphics and scenes over and over.

There are SO many better HOGs out there. Save your money for one of them.

Grinsekatze
Grinsekatze

This game is freaking adorable and I really enjoyed it. The scenes are stunningly beautiful and the music is amazing. The main character Irene is a badass lady who takes no shit from nobody and I love it. The game is a great mixture of object searches, mini games and dialogues. I will definitely play it again to earn all the achievements!

dougtulane
dougtulane

low res pictures that will straing your eyes, staid design. Also sometimes refuses to quit out. Not worth your time.

Baggy
Baggy

Hidden object game based on compulsive hoarding. Great practice for later in life. Now where did I put them car keys??

Jill of Trades
Jill of Trades

Please read this review as to why I don't recommend this game. Honestly, I loved it but the cons outweigh the pros here.

SEASON OF MYSTERY: The Cherry Blossom Murders is a hidden-object game in a mystery genre that takes place in the 1890s of Japan.

First...I'll start with the good: The story.

Story: The story follows Irene, an american woman who came to Japan with her husband. Irene's husband was murdered and deemed to be suicide from the police. However, Irene believed that it wasn't suicide. This opens up to something bigger: kidnapping, staged suicides, and blackmail.

Now for the story, I don't wish to reveal more about it, as there will be spoilers. I can say what kept me playing the game was the constant contradicitons and strange evidence come across.

Graphics: I admit the graphics are beautiful and capture the feel of traditional Japan. There are zen gardens and traditional japanese buildings and services.

Now...here comes the bad below.

Graphics of hidden objects: Now I'm not sure if this would count as a pro or con...but I guess a pro for those who are beginners and a con for those who like challenge. Thing is, there are A LOT of hidden objects that look the same in many stages, that it isn't much of a challenge to look for them. For example, one stage you have to look for a cracker (edible form but the game doesn't mention what kind). You find it in one stage...a stage or so later, it asks you to find it again and guess what? It looks exactly the same! I know there are some hidden objects that look different such as birds, fishes, cats, and fans but it becomes tiring.

Stages: The stages are repetitive. You basically keep retracing your steps back and forth. So much that it becomes easy to find the items.

Music: I wish they had more variety of music playing. I mean the music sounds beautiful, but having the same few tracks of music looping over and over gets boring.

Gameplay: The game has some minigames other than just the hidden object. They have matching puzzles, a "spot the difference," and puzzles to unlock stuff. While it does add variety, again, there are two or more instances of the same game that it gets boring.

Overall: This game should have been a bit more polished before it was released. It could have shine a bit more if they improved on the problems I've listed. While I've enjoyed the story a lot, the cons seem to outweigh the pros here. If you don't mind the bad things above and enjoy a good story with some good graphics, then get it. Otherwise, to the majority of the crowd, this can be a pass (unless you want easy achievements).

Pros:
-Great story.
-Beautiful graphics.

???:
Most hidden objects look the same, which can make it easier.

Cons:
-Repetitive Music, although it sounds beautiful.
-Repetitive Stages.
-Some repetitive mini-games.

markerOne
markerOne

A short puzzle game with the usual mystery trope. Achievements - check. Handpainted backgrounds - check. Intriguing story - not so much. In game minigames - yes, but thankfully not repeated often.
Good to relax for a short while. Give it a shot, but don't keep your expectations high.

If you're looking for excellent storyline with nerve wracking puzzles, this may not be for you. Otherwise, I'd recommend it if you're looking for a break from serious games.

Snarey Snoo
Snarey Snoo

I enjoyed this game. I like that it isn't a commitment and doesn't require too much time or thought but it helps me concentrate better. :D

SericaRose
SericaRose

The biggest problem with this game is that it takes a bit getting into.

The way it is set up is that every location, except for the rickshaw - which has a mini-game to choose where you are going, is a list of hidden objects. After the first four stright, with just a bit of dialoge between, I it felt boring so I left it for a while.

Coming back to the game, the pace picks up and there are several very different, clever and pleasent mini-games, between a lot more list screens. And then it got much more interesting. You do come back to the same HOG screen - but have to find different things, and there are enough so replay is probably good. Just a lot of the things.

The story is quite good with an unexpected plot twist that were very enjoyable. The graphics are good. The feel of Japan is very nice. The music wasn't bad, but not great.

All in all a very good game.

Wizzardtyrd
Wizzardtyrd

Challenging! This is refreshing.

Repetitive! Yes HOG's can be repetitive, but this one is especially painfully repetitive.
I have played the same hidden object scenes more than 3 times..way too many repeats for a game this length. There is a below average amount of scenes.
The music was good! but again repetitive was becoming annoying....

Otherwise the ambiance and story are enjoyable. The game is fun, but its fleeting fun. It really feels like something went wrong or they ran out of cash... its like they made the best they could with half the assets they needed to make the game feel like a true adventure.

I reccomend it because of the price. Its fun for a bit too.
I wish I could give it a half way thumb.

margaret_bamberger
margaret_bamberger

I purchased the Cherry Blossom Murders an the first puzzel was to find a Pocket Watch. There isn't a Pocket Watch in the puzzel. I surched for over a hour for it and clicked on everything! What a waste of money!!!

Angahareth
Angahareth

Boring - there's no challenge to it at all. It's also not voice acted, and the dialogue scenes are annoying, since they refresh the screen with every sentence, and characters blink in and out of existence.

Ariadne
Ariadne

I actually enjoyed this game. Well worth the price even though I got this on sale. It's a pretty simple and standard hidden object game so it's good for casual gamers or hardcore gamers who want to relax. Recommended.

Pros:
+Stunning soundtrack
+Interesting storyline
+Set in old Japan
+Beautiful artwork
+Fun yet relaxing mystery game

Cons:
-I couldn't play on full screen for some reason because the game screen glitches out. I played it on windowed mode which made it a bit of challenge to find smaller objects because of a smaller screen resolution. Still playable, however.
-Music is repetetive and sometimes doesn't fit the theme of the area/puzzle
-No voice acting
-Replayability value is meh
-Can be too easy for those looking for a challenge
-Hidden object placement and choices are a bit silly
-Trading cards are not available for this game

I know the cons outweigh the pros but they are (personally) not deal breakers. The cons are too minor for me that I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the game until the very end.

Laburnum
Laburnum

Exceedingly poor graphics. Boring. yada yada yada save your few ££ and buy chocolate.. you'll enjoy that a hell of a lot more than this steaming pile of dog doo

lionhart
lionhart

This game is very simple; it's just one hidden object scene after another, with a minimal story and a few easy puzzles to solve along the way. If you like the artwork in the screenshots, then you'll probably like the game (I did).

raven_guest13
raven_guest13

First off, there is no 'L' in Japanese, so to have a Japanese character with an L name wouldn't happen. This game is repetitive and dull. The idea is nice, but everything else is just a bit of a let down. There are much better HOG out there, give this one a miss.

anonymous_cat
anonymous_cat

I was a bit intrigued when I saw that Square Enix had made a hidden object game, and since it goes on sale for pretty cheap I decided to try it. To my surprise, it was good! Or at least decent; I could have used with a few less repeated scenes. The gameplay is pretty much classic HOG with some mini-games thrown in for variety; the scenes are pretty nice but some of them get repeated a lot. Story is a pretty fun murder mystery. It's nothing groundbreaking but it's still better than some I've seen in this genre. Overall, I'd say it's not quite worth full price, but if you like traditional HOGs it's worth getting on sale.

ArcaneM37
ArcaneM37

Not done yet, but figured I'd give my impressions now. This game has excellent hidden objet scenes. I loved how challenging they were. The story was very linear, and there wasn't much for you to do except the hidden object scenes, but as long as you know that that is what you are getting, that is fine by me. The music is nice, and the hidden object scenes don't allow for pizel hunting, which I appreciate. The story so far is good, but slow moving with so many HO scenes, but I'm ok with that.

9/10

hojo
hojo

Repetative and monotonous doesn't even begin to describe this game.
If you want to do nothing but bland hidden object searches back to back to back, this is the game for you. If you're looking for a hidden object game with a little variety, this is not for you. I'm not sure if I'll ever even finish this game because it's just. that. tedious. There are SO many better HOG's out there than this that you shouldn't even bother with this one.

issssk
issssk

In general it's nice. A bit too hard though, I could only finish 2-3 screens without help. Some puzzles are badly explained
(took me quite a while to figure out that "4 elements, one way" is essentially some kind of Sudoku). Some german translations are wrong too.

kstormgemini
kstormgemini

It was an okay game. Very quick and fairly simple. Especially for an old hand at hidden object games.
The graphics were pleasant if as simplistic as the game itself. The minigames weren't too bad. A bit easy but again, this isn't really a game for somebody needing a challenge.
I would recommend this game for when you wanted something mindless, pleasant and quiet... Like when you just needed not to think or had a head ache.
All in all, in less than the two and half hour achievement, I finished this just short of the last two achievements. It was a pleasant couple of hours spent... Not thrilling but definitely pleasant.

Meow Kitty
Meow Kitty

this game was supa fun, i rlly enjoyed how every level was the same ahhahah, i also rlly liked how in every room there was kittens sleeping or hiding this was defo a gd game would bash it again xx

csthrockmorton66
csthrockmorton66

If you play HOGs for the HO puzzles, then this is the game for you. The story is minimal, and thankfully not cringe-inducing. The main character is a woman trying to solve her husband's murder which is a nice departure from the typical demon-hunting storyline. However, the main focus of the game is the HOPs. Everywhere you go, every action you take, you'll encounter another HOP. An interesting aspect of the HOPs is that they are unlike the typical HOPs in which a scene is drawn and you are looking for ordinary objects in that (crowded) scene. Instead, the HOPs are much closer to the old Highlights For Children puzzles where an ice cream cone might be hidden in the spokes of bicycle wheel, i.e. there is no attempt at realism - the objects could be any size and anywhere. This made for a fun change.

They do re-use HO scenes with a random set of objects to find. The downside is that the set of objects is completely random each time you enter the HOP, so the odds are that you are going to be searching for some of the same objects you searched for previously. I didn't find this to be too much of a problem since the vast quantity of HOPs meant that I could rarely remember where the objects were even though I knew I had searched for them before.

Overall, you can't beat this game for providing pure HOP enjoyment.

Kaydra
Kaydra

It's a short, simple but fun little game but only worth it if you like hidden object scenes and you can get it cheap.

The game consists of nothing but hidden object scenes with a few mini games in between but it doesn't require you to actually move between rooms and search for anything yourself, like a key to then take from your inventory to use on a locked door. If you find an object in a puzzle that goes to your inventory, you immediatly have to use it afterwards so even tho they ask you how to find or do something there is absolutely no challenge there as you'll know what to use.

it's a bit off-throwing at first that objects aren't in proportion (like a chocolate bar that's as big as a closet) and they are hidden absolutely everywhere which sometimes makes things more difficult (hidden items will overlap other items in the same color or shape)
What I find they could have done better tho is that items don't always fit the scene (like finding an artichoke or broccoli at the embassy gates).
There aren't a lot of stages either so u'll go through the same several times and in my game I even got the same objects several times.

Graphics are simple, there's a normal pose, a shocked pose, a happy pose and characters just switch between those, but overal nice.
Music is nice but repetitive.

Bookish
Bookish

Pros:
+ It's a hidden object game that actually has significantly more hidden object scenes than mini-games. It wasn't until I started buying more hidden object games that I realized how unusual this is.
+ The artwork is usually easy to decipher.
+ Nice in-game hint system. You have the option of either clicking on a hidden object in order to see what its silhouette looks like (very helpful during instances where you don't know what the object is or are thinking of something completely different - the game's idea of what a walnut is looks more like a peanut to me), or you can flat-out have the game show you where the item is. The game then takes a while to reload its ability to show you where items are.
+ The mystery story isn't too bad and is certainly less cheesy than the stories of a lot of hidden object games I've played.
+ Decent replay value - there are lots possible hidden objects, and you're asked to find different ones each time you play. I had almost as hard a time finding objects the second time around as I did the first.
+ The part where you had to find a specific pendant across several locations was pretty clever.

Cons:
- The mini-games aren't all that great. A few "put these things back together" puzzles (the bottle one was the best of the bunch), a few memory matching games, a couple box unlocking puzzles, and a sort of slider puzzle.
- Repetative. Although again, if all you're really interested in is finding hidden objects, you get that in spades here.
- The character artwork was a bit disappointing, although I eventually got used to it.
- Very short. My first playthrough, paying full attention to the story and not using any hints beyond the silhouette feature, took maybe 2.5 hours.
- Although the game has a large variety of objects it can ask you to find, the number of scenes you get to visit is pretty small. Be prepared to go to the same locations over and over again.

I got this on sale and was satisfied with it. It's too bad it isn't part of a mystery-solving series or something, either starring the American heroine or Japanese detective (or both).

SamO
SamO

In "Season of Mystery" you are a widow attempting to find justice for the murder of your husband. The story in this isn't bad but the game is way too repetitive. You end-up revisiting the same hidden object scenes multiple times, often looking for some of the same items you previously had to find. This tied with the extremely simple mini-games makes "Season of Mystery" pretty tedious to get through.

Zorinda
Zorinda

This game is a story that takes you from one hidden object puzzle scene to another. The HOPs are around medium difficulty. There are also a few other types of puzzles. The story's mystery kept me guessing until close to the end. Expect 3 1/2 to 4 hours of gameplay.

Works fine on Linux with Steam Play / Proton.

Rin
Rin

Worth getting on sale if you are a fan of hidden object kind of games or even a short mystery , good for a break from intense games.

Impracticalmagic
Impracticalmagic

The story ended up surprising me twice, once for the ending, once for the overall feel.
My first impression was of a middling, old-style hidden object game - and there are a LOT of HO scenes.
If you want to do scene after scene of "find these objects", then this game is definitely for you.
Also, they aren't easy scenes, since lighting varies (day, evening, night), objects are sometimes far out of proportion (big), and very occasionally completely out of place.
BUT
I give this game a thumbs up for feel (both location and era); characters (yes, some stereotypes, but well done and with some twists here and there); and story - mostly because the ending is, despite all success, bittersweet.

Note: It took me quite a while to get used to the style; this game is **not** for the faint of eyesight. Expect to find pink on pink, and grey on grey, etc. Mostly, I was annoyed at myself for not seeing things, but sometimes I cursed the game design. Do not play this game when your eyes are tired - I tried and I regretted it... a lot.

The music is appropriate, but not quite varied enough.
The art is good to okay - the sprites for the characters are very nice, the art for the background scenes is very nice, the objects in the HO scenes vary as to art style a little too much for my taste.

Overall 7/10, except that I would buy it again, now that I've finished it. So maybe 8/10? I mean, if you *love* old-style HO scenes, this game has it all - I mean, 10/10 no problem! (But gee it's hard on the eyes...)

lddake
lddake

Good HOG. A bit short, 6 hours for 2 playthroughs to 100 percent completion, but I did enjoy it. Nothing disappointing about it but the story was good, with a few twists that I didn't see coming.

Kamadeva
Kamadeva

This game has been one of the most interesting hidden object games I've played. There is definitely a level of quality you get with this one that you don't get with the other hidden object games on steam. that being said the game plays almost exactly like the rest. so if you love hidden object games like myself, you'll like this one.

HIPPYCHICKLOVINLADY
HIPPYCHICKLOVINLADY

truly a beautiful game as in the screens was beautiful that is lol. i did have trouble finding what to do in the shop, no way to know to break the vase for the key. An English version of the walk thru would be so helpful. I liked it and will play it again thank you so much

ridon428
ridon428

Set in pre-modern Japan, The Cherry Blossom Murders has a thrilling story but is pretty much as predictable as murder-case detective movies: the victim dies, a detective is called, they connect pieces of the puzzle, and find the culprit.

valencemonkey
valencemonkey

Diverse Locations
Decent Story
Items mostly easy to identify - "trunk" is also known as a briefcase
Hint Button - recharges slowly (but you rarely, if ever, need it)

I found this game to be pretty middle of the road for hidden object games. Decent for a once-around when I'm bored kinda game.

huggleston
huggleston

It's a beautiful game with a captivating story. It took me 2 hours to complete with some hints (I promised myself to try without any). This is a solid hidden object game and totally worth getting.

CEO of being bad at everything
CEO of being b…

There's something fun and almost psychedelic in realizing the table you've been looking at for two minutes has a pipe, corn, a hammer and a pepper pot for legs. Then look away from it and see that this is not a case of "hidden object", the entire room is a puzzle made of mismatched objects and you have to figure out which ones you are looking for.
It stops being fun once you find yourself in front of the same table for the third time, look away to the same picture collage of a room for the third time though.
PROTIP : It is not possible to "100%" this game as one of the achievements requires at least a few playthrough to click on 1000 objects. Consider yourself warned.

Papallion
Papallion

This is a 'meh' game. It's not bad, but not great, either. The story's pretty good and I like the two main characters, but some of the others are Asian stereotypes, so watch out for that. Sound was good, graphics nice enough, but the mini-games get a little tedious and and the repeated locations get a little dull. If you find it on sale, scoop it up. Six out of ten stolen cheese wheels.

DragonsDusk
DragonsDusk

I really like this game. I enjoyed the story and this game has a VERY helpful mechanic where if you click on the word for one of the objects, it gives you a silhouette of what you are looking. This is very nice as there are many items that can look like so many very different things such as a fan. I've played many hidden object games looking for a hand fan but it wants me to find an electric, things like that. I felt the length was fine and the non-hidden object puzzles pretty fun.

kloraff
kloraff

A very good hidden object game that is free of the micro transactions that plague other similar games.

VenusDoom
VenusDoom

Overall, this isn't a terrible game. It had nice music and graphics. I personally found it lacking in a creative story. In terms of the puzzle elements, you replay the same levels which makes it pretty easy to find things. Additionally, I am not a fan of hiding the objects in places that don't make sense IE the pencil in the door. This game may be great for some, but not something I would personally play again.

MacTheOx
MacTheOx

SEASON OF MYSTERY is a hidden object game where you must find a handful of items hidden away in a scene. This may be a bird in a tree, a number or symbol painted on a wall, or a pair of scissors impossibly attached to a gate. Find all the objects, and solve the murder mystery (even though 90% of the objects have no direct bearing on the crime).

GAMEPLAY:
Objects in the dozen-ish scenes are well-hidden, and I found myself having to focus at a few points to find the last objects. There's a hint button I refused to employ, but I imagine it would have saved me from staring at the same screen for fifteen minutes looking for an orange slice (in a place that orange slices normally don't go). You have a couple of times where you need to present evidence or use items, but most of the game is basic concentration/logic games and loads of clicking.

That technically isn't a bad thing, because you likely came across this page looking for just that. The main complaint here would be that you repeat scenes a few times, so the challenge diminishes as the game wears on when it should be increasing. You're likely to have to do a repeat playthrough to 100% it, and this game feels like it has very little replay value for anyone who is picky about their clickies.

STORY:
This narrative is just a salve to help move you along, really. I never really felt like a detective, and while I liked Irene enough to follow along on the journey to solve her husband's murder, I never really got drawn into the world of turn-of-the-century Japan. Perhaps I'm asking too much of a small-time developer like *checks notes* ...Square-Enix.

MUSIC:
...There's, like, two songs that loop after one minute. The Japanese-themed one was kinda nice, but the main one grated a bit. Don't play this for the tunes, folks.

GRAPHICS:
The scenes all look nice, and items are contrasted enough where it's a challenge but never TOO hard to find things. That's a delicate balance, and it's the one that the games work well on. Character sprites are hand-painted, but facial expressions are way off and the whole cast has an uncanny feel about them. It's a shame, too, because everything else is pretty nice.

OVERALL:
I wouldn't pay a dime more than what they're asking, and I would heavily encourage you to wait for a sale. It's a fun game, but I give it a very tepid "yes" and would ask that you give other hidden object games a try before making a judgment on the genre.

andywalmsley
andywalmsley

Simple find the hidden object game, with two or three other puzzle types thrown in for a change of pace. Hint button means you never get stuck if you want to use it.
Made a nice change from my usual games. You will complete it in a few hours (much less than 4), but at the discount price (GBP 1.50) well worth it.

Gabatron
Gabatron

Awesome passive hidden object game, with a gripping story, relaxing soundtrack and stunning visuals. The mini puzzles break up the monotony of having to just find hidden objects in the list, and some levels are quite tricky in places. A great game for those who enjoy games like the Broken Sword series.

mrs.kilroy
mrs.kilroy

Im not usually fond of games that are hidden object only games, but this one is so beautiful I want to keep playing. The music and the scenes are really peaceful and I really enjoy the interaction between the heroine and the detective. I usually play a handful of scenes at a time but it always relaxes me when I do. There are a couple of other mini game type puzzles, but the large part of the game is hidden object which I find just challenging enough for me but not overly frustrating.

VK_Lethal
VK_Lethal

Detailed review of the game means basically unfolding most of the plot ruining the experience. The crux of the gameplay is to find the deeply hidden objects in a scenery, and solving mini puzzles in between like matching the pairs, form a sudoku, finding the key combination. You will have to find the hidden objects in the same scenery multiple times, intermingling the objects and randomly spewing them everytime you launch the game.

I can't say for sure, if the hidden-object is my kind, but what sticks me throughout the game is the suspense revolving around the suspicious suicide of Irene's husband in Japan. The gameplay had made more sense if it would be more like selecting the correct dialogue, but there isn't much in it rather than eyeballing carefully on a static messed up image looking for those antique objects the game asking for. Well, but that's not too much to blame. You should still buy it for the plot. It is followed by happy ending that made my heart-wrenched handkerchiefing my puffy nose....That's it. Find out yourself and you will be thankful for me to suggest this.

Feena
Feena

I thought we'd always be happy together

Season of Mystery: The Cherry Blossom Murders is the first hidden objects game made by Square Enix, a very famous developer who brought us many amazing RPG titles. The story sat in the 18th century, a woman named Irene lives with her husband in Japan as he works in the U.S. embassy, one day she discovered his dead body in his office. To her horror, the case was closed as a suicide, but knowing her husband wouldn't commit such an act, Irene determined to reveal the killer.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2347989110

This game is 'hidden objects' heavy, each scene is recycled, you'll visit them multiple times, and sadly all the items which you picked up before will still be there. The puzzles are nice and quite unique, especially the riddle ones.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2347983064

I liked the soundtracks a lot, also, on the title page you'll find information about the characters you've met, unfortunately, there is no journal or objectives list as the game will just take you through the story and scenes, you can choose where to go in the man, however, you'll have to visit all the places eventually.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2347985019

Pros:
+OK story.
+Beautiful soundtracks.
+Variety of unique puzzles.
+Multiple hidden objects scene.

Cons
-Recycled hidden objects scenes (you visit the same place multiple times and the items you picked before still there)
-No journal.

It's not the best game from Square Enix, I prefer them in the RPG department. If you like games with OK story and multiple random HO scenes to casually play, pick up this one on a discount.

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑐𝘩𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑎'𝑠 𝐶𝘩𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒

=^w^=
=^w^=

Such a beautiful game!

kelly01010
kelly01010

Nice story with lots of hidden object scenes (and they recycle some). Pretty backgrounds. A little difficulty finding some items, but enjoyable.

cjnew
cjnew

I paid under $5 for this game, which is about right. This game is a relaxing easy game. It took 4 1/2 hrs to play. It is mostly HOG, which are sometime difficult to find as the graphics are not the best. Overall, I did enjoy the game for the low price. Also, this game as no voice over it is all written conversation, it does have soft music in the background.

Eshcadaba
Eshcadaba

Exquisite detail within the hidden object scenes and such relaxing music. A simple yet engaging HOG. I would play again.

Emily Gilbert 25
Emily Gilbert 25

I like hidden object games very much. This one is simply a long succession of hidden object scenes (delightful to look at) linked together, somewhat tenuously, by a simple plot. For the most part, I found all the objects without using the "hint" button. There is an option to see an outline of the object sought; that came in handy from time to time. There are some fairly easy puzzles; had they not been there, I would not have missed them. I found the game relaxing, great fun, and it took me over six hours to reach the end: excellent value for the price.

craig971
craig971

I never used to be hidden object fan but playing this, I am converted. A great casual play game that saves whenever you need a break. Nice story line as well. Gotta to see what else this developer has to offer.

S-Jupiter
S-Jupiter

It's not made well... probably because it is a low cost made game. Definitely my least favorite game. The hidden objects in this game offer no fun or stimulation. Very blan but some of the scenery is the only thing that makes this game look descent. I didn't spend much on this game but I don't think its even worth the discounted price.

cybergardna
cybergardna

looking for some down time to unwind this is no pressure and the puzzles are fun for the time that it was released

Mich1 ♡ 猫
Mich1 ♡ 猫

Short but really enterteining, good story line.

vccpres
vccpres

If you like HOG's you will like this one. Scene after scene, with cleverly hidden objects, tied together with an okay story. The mini games/puzzles aren't difficult and the whole package will keep you entertained for hours. I love "old style" artwork and that's what you get here. I recommend this for sure!

Kyrrelin
Kyrrelin

HOG from SquareEnix! O.O

Japan during the 18th century. One night Irene finds her husband Richard dead. Local police chief evaluates it as a suicide, thanks to the note close to his body. There her husband, an employee of an US Embassy, admits his participation in smuggling precious and valued pieces of Japanese history and that the shame is too much for him to bear any longer. But Irene is convinced that her beloved husband would never do such a thing, so she decides to uncover the culprit of such hideous crime. In her search for truth she visits many different locations - Embassy, police station, docks, Geisha house etc. As she follows little crumbs left by her husband she can rely on help from Kenzo, Richard's friend, and young detective Fujikawa. With them she will try to clear her husband's name and punish the murderer.

Nice relaxing hidden object game with few short puzzles. There are a lot of hidden object scenes, usually one for each location you visit and they get recycled. There is a huge amount of items in the screens and some of them are really well hidden. You have two forms of hints - first will show you the shape of the item, second will show you the exact location. Only used the shapes, but finding some of the items was pretty hard. Graphic is older with soft colors, hidden object scenes seemed a little bit blurry though. There is no voice acting, but the characters are changing their stands and expressions so it's nicely lively. Music is relaxing. To get all the achievements you have to play it twice, but it was enjoyable even for the second run. It's perfect for slow casual playing.

Princess Tiffany
Princess Tiffany

It's very short, but it's good. The art is great and well detailed, but it's too old to have that HD touch unfortunately. Music is good too, I love the traditional vibe to it. The puzzles are extremely easy, but it's still an interesting experience.

Metsushiro
Metsushiro

The Cherry Blossom Murders has really good art and simple story. The outdoor sceneries were my favourites!

lvleeladee
lvleeladee

Interesting plot, nice graphics, challenging.

Wyspr
Wyspr

Old type programming. I didn't even play halfway through. Too many cut scenes and too much dialogue.

Nkuri37
Nkuri37

As a fan of hidden objects games, this is a pretty run of the mill option. I like the setting of late 1800s Japan when it was opening up to the world and the story is a nice little mystery. The hidden object segments and minigames are okay too, nothing extremely difficult but maybe time consuming. overall a decent game, though there are better ones out there arguably.

Jowy
Jowy

A lot of fun for a little puzzle game, story is alright. Has a lot of charm and a good soundtrack.