# Grim Facade: The Artist and The Pretender HD - A Mystery Hidden Object Game (Full) — user reviews > 29 indexed App Store user reviews of Grim Facade by Big Fish Games, Inc, rated 4.51/5 from 122 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grim-facade-the-artist-and-the-pretender-hd-a-mystery-hidden-object-game-full/id1026269157/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grim-facade-the-artist-and-the-pretender-hd-a-mystery-hidden-object-game-full/id1026269157.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 83 · 4★ 26 · 3★ 8 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 3 ## Newest reviews (9 of 29) ### 4/5 — Good one *2016-01-04, version 1.0.0* This is worth a play. Plenty of puzzles,good graphics and storyline. The length is very impressive,also. ### 4/5 — Sometimes great, sometimes not *2016-01-03, version 1.0.0* Doesn't always work and sometimes confusing. I will play again to see if it still has kinks. ### 4/5 — No glitches, unhelpful map *2015-12-22, version 1.0.0* Finding the little invention pieces is fun. The map is not at all directive, just done, not done. Very limited hints but mainly did not need them. Found a few of the puzzles challenging. Worth the lower up front price. ### 4/5 — Grim Facade:The Artist and the Pretender *2015-12-20, version 1.0.0* I liked the game play; it was lengthy and challenging in parts. The map was somewhat misleading, in that it didn't necessarily tell you which areas needed immediate action, and the hint took you in a sometimes never-ending loop. But the main reason I didn't give this a 5 was because of the ungrammatical, often puzzling language in the instructions. If you're going to use English in the game, have a native speaker review it before you publish. ### 5/5 — Lots of fun! *2015-12-19, version 1.0.0* I love it when there is a coherent story line and the puzzles actually fit with the story. This game is engaging and well designed. There are stories within the main plot and some factual, historical information. Well done! ### 4/5 — Good Game *2015-12-19, version 1.0.0* I'd give this 5 stars but I had trouble with the hint system during part of the game. Also, I found the map pretty useless for most of the game, it would tell you that you had something to do but not in any order. ### 5/5 — Great game *2015-12-19, version 1.0.0* Beautiful and very interesting. Love the art and science history and graphics are first rate. Only complaint is sometimes items are difficult to pick up or place. Overall a wonderful game.. ### 5/5 — No Pretending Here: This One's a "Work of Art!" *2015-12-18, version 1.0.0* A real winner! The story takes place in Florence, Italy, during the lifetime of Leonardo da Vinci with focus on the arts and sciences of the Italian Renaissance. An evil Mage wants to destroy all pieces of art and works of science, and he uses his magic on the townspeople to make terrible prophecies happen. You are a detective who is asked by da Vinci to help defeat the Mage, along with his "hunchback of notre dame" sidekick, and to save the town from his evil grip. Also, what secrets has da Vinci's secret chamber hidden in store? The graphics are stunning with crisp, clear, almost realistic, and beautifully drawn scenes using a palette of soft, rich colors. You can choose from four modes of difficulty, including the beloved option to customize your settings. The inventory is labeled but does not seem to be interactive; items have not required assembly. The map, which is put together in puzzle form, will quickly transport you to desired location; and in custom mode, it will note that a scene has not been completed. So far I have followed along and had no trouble finding things to do. Transition between scenes has been smooth and quick. This game is very busy and has a lot going on. You won't be short on inventory items; there's a multitude of items to collect in each scene. At times in the game, you have an option to choose between two actions that can affect certain outcomes. Throughout your journey, you obtain information regarding the achievements of da Vinci. You obtain a scroll, which holds facts on da Vinci's accomplishments; notes on the different characters you interact with; and replay of cut-scenes labeled as Memories. This was a great addition to the game and is reminiscent of Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian where you learn about some history. You have some mechanical helpers, such as a bird to reach higher ground objects. The HOS are varied and fun, ranging from lists with interaction to progressive silhouette (find and use) and to collecting parts of an object to complete a whole, etc. You can play an alternative bubble shooter game in place of an HOS. The puzzles are varied as well - mostly on the simple side although you can choose a difficulty option for some. They are nicely interwoven into the story's theme; for example, one was to line up nuts of a telescope to reveal da Vinci's flying machine. You collect fans here and there to accumulate hints, but the only collectible items I came across were coins to purchase items to help you progress in the game. The mechanics have been smooth with no glitches thus far. The extras remain locked until completion of the main game; but there is something called a "Sheep's Room", whatever that is. I really don't have anything negative to report other than lack of a back button and that some of the black bar tip grammar was off. An example was, "I wonder where the leader of the Resistance now?", which apparently left out the "is." Even so, this game is one of the better ones compared to some of the recent ones; and I highly recommend it. ### 5/5 — Grim Facade - Artist and Pretender - artfully done! *2015-12-16, version 1.0.0* ERS has once again raised the bar. This delightful little masterpiece focuses on Leonardo Da Vinci. A pretender to the throne has taken over Venice and is using Leonardo's own inventions against him to destroy him and everything related to science and art! Discover Da Vinci masterpieces and inventions all through the game as well as facts and stories about the great man. Delightful blend of game, art and history! Labeled inventory, interactive transporting map, custom difficulty, great mini games, custom dialogue that changes the game. The only thing I wish it had was the ability to make or change a profile. I don't like being called player lol. Other than that one minor quirk - fabulous game! Buy and enjoy! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not worth time or $ *2015-12-25, version 1.0.0* This game is probably one of the worst games I gave ever played even on sale. Glitchy, no story line it seemed like the further I got into the game. I kept hitting hint because I felt like I was just moving around without any purpose and I just wanted to get the game over and done with. This game should of been FREE. Sorry big fish games, this is not one of the good ones. ### 1/5 — Wish the old Big Fish would come back.... *2015-12-20, version 1.0.0* Have been a BF member for years but am getting a little irritated. Free trials are now gone so forced to buy a game. Really like this series so bought because of the discounted price. Played for an hour or so but game froze. Had to uninstall and reinstall. Not sure if this will fix or not but, quite frankly, not wanting to start over to find out. I'm done and asking for a refund. Was at a point in this game where if there'd been a trial I might've had the game crash and never bought in the first place. So sad because I've been a BF fan for years but feel like if they're not confident enough to give a trial I'm done taking the chance. ### 1/5 — Not confident *2015-12-20, version 1.0.0* I haven't started playing yet. I can't even put my name in. Only says player. Not confident the game itself will even work. Right now wish I hadn't paid for it. ### 2/5 — A waste of money *2015-12-24, version 1.0.0* I wish there had been a free trial, I wouldn't have bought this game. The map is useless, the hint function doesn't work very well. I don't like the HO games. I quit after 30 min. I know other people really liked it. It's just not to my taste. ### 3/5 — Not as good as previous games by developer *2016-01-29, version 1.0.0* The mini games were good but the flow of the story line did not make sense most of the time. I had to use a lot of hints, which I usually don't do, but the next step was not always clear or have a purpose to the storyline. I'm glad it was on sale- not much thought went into the story. ### 3/5 — Ticking me off *2016-01-27, version 1.0.0* Loved this game until it let me do a task out of order, now it's not recognizing that I have the object I need to continue, nor can I get the item to do the task. I don't like paying for games I'm not going to be able to complete, unless i start over. On the up side, it is a long game, but there's a lot of back and forth. Excellent morphing map, but if you can't finish the game...there's really no point now is there? ### 3/5 — Grim facade *2016-01-08, version 1.0.0* Just okay.Sofar no glitches but kind of boring. Hoping for better. Little or no instructions on puzzles and/ or games. Glad it has a map. Lots of jumping around. often wondered why creators of games give you a scissors, for example, you use it and a couple scenes later, you need to look for something else that cuts. These detectives sure are stupid. Would I throw away a scissors or matches or anything that I might need later on...I don't think so. Just venting. ### 3/5 — Just okay... *2015-12-25, version 1.0.0* but ofttimes frustrating. The most irritating thing is that sometimes it's almost impossible getting a particular object to become selected and move where it's supposed to go. For instance, getting the coins to "behave" so you can pay the shopkeeper. The map is almost useless. And there are too many cut-scenes. I wish this game wasn't typical of the quality that BF has lately, but it is. That's why I gave it a 3-star rating - it seems this is all we can expect from BF lately. Only get this game if it's on sale for $2.99 ### 3/5 — Meh... *2015-12-23, version 1.0.0* I was not too impressed with this one for several reasons...it had potential but fell flat. It wasn't all bad, and some parts were interesting but I felt that the game was poorly done and the storyline did not flow well.. Apart from not being able to place objects easily several times.. Some of the puzzles were a strain to maneuver ... Some things just did not even make any sense.. Like feeding the pigeons? Then a bunch of items appear like magic? And the characters seemed off and did not mesh well.. ### 3/5 — Great puzzles and variety but lacks finish *2015-12-22, version 1.0.0* This so easily could have been another 5 star game. But there are some pretty big problems with Pretender that a good run through QA would have resolved. The good: Great variety of puzzles and minigames. Fun storyline with choices to make and consequences based on them. History of Leonardo and his inventions is interesting, too. 4.5 stars for puzzles and innovative ideas. The bad: exact tapping points in many places ...arrrrgh, hugely annoying. Had to use hints to find out where to tap even though I knew what to do. The map is teleporting, but almost worthless, as it just lets you know if the scene is completed but not if there is something you can do at present. Use of English is awful. Hints are not that helpful, but do work when you know what to do, but you need to know exactly where to tap. 1.25 stars for map and really sloppy quality control. I am frustrated with this because it could have been so good. So, I Can't recommend it, even though it has so much going for it. 3'ish stars. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Enjoyable *2017-09-05, version 1.0.0* Really enjoyed the game, lots of good puzzles and decent story line. Great graphics. History was good reading. ### 5/5 — Another great game *2016-04-25, version 1.0.0* I call the Producer the "Big Bunny", and nearly every game they produce is polished and well made. Sure, no game is perfect, but I had no glitches on my iPad Air, with the most recent iOS downloaded. Good graphics, a more than usual plot, with a little history thrown in. Didn't have to worry about mice, the hint button and map could both be used to solve your troubles. I never had to use the "walk through", although I do not like the "New" Big Fish's policy of having this "off Game", (and I very much dislike the "New" Big Fish policy of forcing a purchase before you get to try it first!!). I don't know what happened when Big Fish was bought out, but I miss the "old" Big Fish! I have always relied on the reviews, but now I Never buy a game any more unless the DT rate it highly. Nevertheless, this game was very good in all aspects, and I highly recommend it. The HO's are mixed, including shadows, words, and place the objects, so you never get bored. I liked that. I agree with another reviewer in another game, I wish Big Fish would let us know Up-Front, who the game producer really is (and I done mean BF). Other new producers deserve a chance, but the older tried-and-true companies have done a good job of keeping their games clean and new, and now that many of the new BF games have no free trial, it means you have to "Buy-and-hope". Well, enjoy, this is a very good game. ### 5/5 — Excellent Game! *2016-03-31, version 1.0.0* Very enjoyable ### 5/5 — Grim Facade *2016-02-03, version 1.0.0* Wonderful game - lots of puzzles! ### 5/5 — Truly enjoyable and worthwhile.... *2015-12-24, version 1.0.0* Every once in a while I get a game that warrants the time for me to write a review, and this is such a game. Very good story, teleport map, and functionality. The only negative aspect I can think of is the thing that pisses me off on most games, and that is the buttons and/or icons are too close together and I end up pushing the wrong one. But believe when I say that if you enjoy puzzle / H.O. type games, this baby is certainly one that you should consider getting. ### 5/5 — Grim facade - the artist and the pretender *2015-12-24, version 1.0.0* I started with casual, but I'm ready now for the usual?? I like this game. ### 5/5 — GREAT GAME *2015-12-22, version 1.0.0* Big Fish really did it with this game. Lots of hidden object games with a twist on several. Loads of mini games. Interesting plot. Great game guide if needed. ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2015-12-20, version 1.0.0* Great game. Only negative was that l had to try a few times to get an item to work or respond to my finger touch. Bought it without trying for free which I almost never do. ERS makes great games. ### 5/5 — Wonderful!! *2015-12-20, version 1.0.0* So loved this "lesson in history" game!!! Easy to use directions and customized setting is my favorite part. Can't wait to play again and anxiously waiting for next game!! ### 5/5 — Grim Facade *2015-12-19, version 1.0.0* Always a fan of the Grim Facade games, nice and long, challenging puzzles, fun! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*