HeavenBound7729's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:26,774
- Reviews Submitted:964
- First Review:June 6, 2017
- Most Recent Review:September 27, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Mystery writer Eleanor Grey moves to Silverwood Bay, seeking inspiration!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Nice Improvement
PostedMarch 26, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As always Boomzap delivers very fine graphics and beautiful color throughout. It's nice to find a second choice for the tutorial for those who don't need a lot of help. I always enjoyed Boomzap HOGs but being hit with so many, for so long, I took a break from the copy-cat games. This dev has been slammed to the floor but, imo, have never lost their status as top-notch!
Thankfully this new game isn't the usual same old type that became so boring and hopefully renews the high standard of HOGs that Boomzap is known for. I don't fret over the wallpapers and whatever else that doesn't appeal to me in the CE. It's part of the package that others may enjoy so I just wait for the SE. It's disappointing to wait but for this type of game I think the CE cost is unjustified for the few extras/levels that you get.
In this game I found each level quite the challenge. Some items were very small, many were placed on like-colored backgrounds such as brown on brown, etc. This type of challenge is unnecessary and I don't consider it fun straining my eyes so I reluctantly go for the Hint. However many of the items are very well concealed with excellent blending.
The HO scenes are full of things that are scattered about in such a way that makes your search a bit more difficult and finishing up quickly is impossible. Can be frustrating but I much prefer that over the far too easy games we get these days. If you want to speed things up a little you can select the tool that shows you multiple items at one time.
I enjoyed the variety of mini games and interactive HO lists. Not the usual boring fare and most required more time than expected and that was a big plus for me. I'm never into the stories as I don't see them adding much interest to the game and fail to understand why they are included. But I know many others really like them and here Eleanor's voice is very pleasant and dialogue is an easy read. If not a fan it's all skippable.
Overall the game was enjoyable. It was slow progress due to the challenge caused by the reasons I've mentioned. But I'll take that any day over the easy-peasy games! I noticed that Custom Mode, unlike in our HOPA games, increases the recharge times and I used Easy Mode to save time in the demo. Easy was still a slow-go, requiring more time for the games and HOs. No click, click, click and boom it's done!
That makes the game more desirable for purchase but still I am passing on the CE as the SE works better with my budget. I didn't see that much extra content was offered and I don't believe the SE will short-change me on entertainment. Thank you, Boomzap, for the fun and the challenge.
I recommend this game!
Can you wield the darkness to serve the light?
Overall rating
3
/
5
Cats And Mystical Powers, The Perfect Pairing!
PostedMarch 21, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I do believe cats have mystical qualities, one of the many reasons I love them so much and am drawn to cat games. I like this series but I'm a little cautious about this game. I completed the demo but didn't feel very productive in it.
I had to rely on hints often because what to do, what to use, and where and when were not evident. It was a guessing game trying to complete the tasks. The gameplay felt a bit disjointed and slow and then the demo ended at just the wrong place, but that shouldn't be surprising. The adventure was slow-moving but I didn't abandon the game, as I enjoy the cats with their human-like features in these stories.
The graphics were so beautiful with rich warm colors and the scenes were interesting with their cat-inspired decorations and colorful little whatnots. I thought the feline world would have fewer human related items amongst them but everything was very visually appealing and I always appreciate this quality in the series. The cat characters were artistically imagined very nicely by their creator in appearance and attire but lacking in vocal expression. The voices were different than what I would have chosen for felines and a little very faint purring would've been a nice touch at well-chosen times, imo. Still they were a treat to behold!
I was unable to find out the number of each collectible at start of game, they were locked up as Bonus Content. As I played I found Wrist Bands, Flowers of Life, Islands, Hair Decorations and Puzzle Pieces. It was frustrating not knowing how many to expect in each scene. An indicator popped out only when I discovered a collectible and it revealed the total number of that item. They were very well concealed but the puzzle pieces were easy to spot because of their color. I stopped looking to save time and then found some only by chance, it spoiled the fun of discovery!
The HOPs were enjoyable although a couple were tough due to poor color value where the picture-items needed to be placed in a book scene. Otherwise they were quite easy, the scenes were not laden with dark areas, items were recognizable unlike many HOPs in other games these days. The puzzles were a better challenge, I skipped one because it was too lengthy. Overall they were fun and some were new to me. Lately I've been more into puzzles than HOPs, a big change for me since puzzles and I usually don't get along due to my impatience. HOPS are just not as much fun anymore with either too little challenge or too much due to too-dark scenes and unrecognizable items. No creativity like in the good old days!
My enjoyment here was mild, I was expecting more. Nothing sparked my enthusiasm which was disappointing since it is Elephant Games and cats. I'm hoping the story picks up and turns into a good adventure full of character participation and few tasks as the mission continues. I'm rarely disappointed by this dev so maybe my concerns are unwarranted.
The CE seems to have a decent amount of extras and enough collectibles to keep us occupied. But is the story consistent and have more action and fewer tasks and is the CE length enough to satisfy us? Most CEs across the board have been very short for a long time now. Obviously some things just cannot be determined by the demo. So this will be a wait-and-see! Hopefully a good informative review of the finished game will be posted, covering the points I'm unsure about.
At least to me the demo was challenging, not having a clear indication of the whats, wheres and hows, etc. It allowed me to figure out what to do, sometimes it was hard, some of it made no sense. I often relied on hints, never a good thing! But without them my progress would have been snail-paced which is bad in a demo.
If you love cats this might be an irresistible purchase but I think trying the demo would be a good idea for this game. I'm a great fan of cat games but have some reservations here. My heart says yes, my logic says no. So who knows which way the wind will blow in my decision! In any case, waiting for it to qualify for a sale is what I plan if purchasing.
I recommend this game!
Solve challenging puzzles in the Kingdom of Elysia!
Overall rating
3
/
5
The Princess Is Off On A Quest
PostedMarch 20, 2024
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The graphics are beautiful, the art style and colors are really nice. This is a pretty bare-bones game, no standard tutorial, no special features, no shop, no scores, no replays, etc. I just easily felt my way around as I played, looking for anything extra that might lend more to the enjoyment of the game. Unless I'm blind, I found nothing!
If a hand leaves you with no way to finish, you'll find a Wild Card under the magnifier, always at your service because it recharges. If an obstacle and tool appear in a level, there's no explanation, you're expected to know what to do. However, some obstacle cards provide a condensed instruction if you hover over them with your mouse. I had only two of those in my demo. Could have figured out the solution on my own. The levels were very quick and easy, no points, no replays, no stats to keep you informed of your progress, etc. Cards are large, no choice of card design. With little challenge, I became bored, maybe things improve after the demo. There were no awards for "job well done" other than a big gold star but I don't know if they actually have a purpose, they weren't addressed anywhere as I played.
The story requires reading, no voice-overs, it wasn't bothersome for me but you can just click quickly through it if you choose. The characters were beautifully done, I wish they had voices. The demo was HO scenes and solitaire and I doubt there is anything else beyond that and I did become bored about halfway but finished it anyway. There were no glitches, the music was nice and soft.
I really liked the HO scenes. They were not cluttered, the artwork was clean and beautiful, the objects fit the story's time period. The HOs were surprisingly challenging due to the scenes being a bit dark and items well concealed by color or size in some instances, blending was very good. I was stumped a couple of times, absolutely not seeing the items after scouring the scene meticulously and slowly. So I waited, had a sip of coffee and returned to the task. And, tah-dah, there they were just like magic right where I had looked moments ago. After a little test I found that if you just wait a bit your "invisible" objects will pop up with no hint needed.
A shop would be unnecessary in the game because it's simplicity warrants no extra helpers. And the Wild Card I mentioned is right at hand when needed. I liked the 2018 "Awakening" Solitaire better. It had a story too, a goal, good features and a shop, making it more interesting than this edition. But both are lacking the features and challenge that make solitaire a good entertainment value for me.
So if you like bare-bones solitaire this one is okay with some HOPs and a decent story on the side, something to go to when you want a break from your "heavier" games. I think when it becomes available after the New Release restriction it would be worth picking up on sale.
The solitaires we get these days, imo, are a far cry from the ones we enjoyed back in the day. They've become watered down, lack good challenge and have stories that aren't even a part of the game, graphics are poor as well. This game offers a little more appeal with good HOPs and very nice graphics so I recommend with 3 stars and hope it's a fun time for you!
I recommend this game!
Solve paw-some needlework puzzles of fantastically furry cat friends!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A Trove Of Sweet Kitties!
PostedMarch 18, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
If you adore furry little love bugs there are enough sweet cats here to definitely warm your heart! I've never been a fan of this series for multiple reasons but I had to give in and buy this Cat Town collection. It just couldn't be avoided by this cat lover!!
I know coloring in the pics will entail MANY hours of "stitching" and a good amount of tedium because the number of cells is enormous. If not for the fantastic enlargement capabilities and the Sewing Machine it would be a grueling task for me. Also the Hint feature is excellent but I think it should be an instant recharge as in other coloring games.
The images are larger this time and the colors seem better. i tried a variety in several of the pics and in spite of the dull spool colors, they do brighten up once they are applied. I love the spools, a much better way to display the palette. No scrolling and incidentals to deal with is a good thing!
There is no way on earth to complete an image within the demo unless you are blessed with super-human powers or maybe a robot could manage! Disappointing that I can't see a finished kittie so I can "ooh and aww" over it. And be able to appreciate all the effort that went into it.
It would be nice if Graphium would include one small SAMPLE image with far less work involved that is doable within our trial time. This would give us a better idea of whether the game is a worthwhile purchase. As is, it is too "chancy" for many of us to just go for it.
However, for me, this time because it is all cats I'm willing to dive right in, knowing I'll be toiling away for hours on end. In my case the reward will justify the time and effort. I will look forward to enjoying each completed piece of kitty art. I'm hoping it won't be quickly whisked away like in other coloring games. We all want to savor our creations in a large size for as long as we want. Right? At least I do!
I'm sure this game will last me a super long time, something fun to work on in between my HOPAs and Mosaics. Bonus Monday is appreciated, so buying doesn't really affect my stash of points.
I recommend this game!
An aquatic Match-3 adventure awaits!
Overall rating
5
/
5
This Is A Happy Day!
PostedMarch 16, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I played only half of the demo and had no qualms about buying the game so quickly. I never worry about glitches in this series so my purchases are always confident. This game is so absolutely beautiful visually, as are sounds. The delicate tinkling of the icons and the soft music are so soothing to me.
There are new elements in this edition which include an octopus, a submarine and a purple crab among others that give the game a new look and challenge, yet it remains familiar so I need not spend much time learning how they work. The obstacles are always fun, especially the fog vial which is hard to avoid when trying to work around it. Getting the new purple crab to the edge of the board is also a good task for me, just like the butterflies in previous games.
I love all the power-ups, each designed to help you win if you can get them into the right place to eliminate the hard-to-reach icons. Some are hard to eliminate and strategy is definitely needed. I always play in the Move Mode for extra challenge and like that it allows me to think about how to win each level. It's fun to switch around and try the various play modes but Moves is my favorite.
These Jewel Match games haven't lost their appeal over time, I own them all. Even with few changes in each, they offer enough of the "new" to make me a devoted fan. The aquatic theme of Aquascapes 2 is gorgeous and colorful, lots of pretty fish, unique landscapes and an estate to restore.
Boy, was I super surprised to find I could purchase 2 NEW games in today's BOGO sale! That was so unexpected and certainly appreciated. The purchase restrictions that BF applied to new releases has been terribly annoying. But today no frowns, just smiles with Aquascapes 2 and LL's The Red Trace in my Game Library!
I recommend this game!
Can you save your beloved Ruby before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
I Don't Like Red, Usually A Sign Of Danger
PostedMarch 14, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Friendly Fox games are created with attention to the things that matter to me and I always look for in every HOPA game. They have a flair for beautiful graphics and color, interesting stories, art style producing great looking characters, and usually very good voice-overs. AND enough action early on to keep my mind free of that old enemy, brain fog!
In the demo the story moved along at a good pace. Dealing with tasks wasn't too bad, took little time to locate the needed items but as always the makeshift tools and solutions to a task at hand made little sense to me. I'm forever wondering why logic is never considered to get the job done! But thankfully, rather than being burdened with just find, fix, unlock, clean, chase critters away I was engaged in the adventure which held my attention.
My hopes were high for a busy game with a good mystery to delve into. I love curses and family secrets. The curse here, turning people into animals, wasn't an ugly ordeal like I've seen in other games and the transformation was easily banished with the magic amulet. The big "bad" wolf that charged into the church from nowhere was very handsome instead of menacing as he dashed away with the bride on his back.
The scenery was gorgeous, lots to stop and just enjoy looking at in each location which slows the game for me, but in a good way. The collectibles were kept track of with pop-out bars. Love that feature! I loved the little mystery of not knowing what the morphing object would be. It made the hunt much more fun. Some flowers were easy, some hard to find. There are 50 morphs and 50 flowers, one of each in the scenes and sometimes I would forget to look, so having the bars to remind me of what remained was appreciated.
I was so happy to see that the HOP scenes were not shrouded in darkness. The HOs were not tiny or hard to recognize. They were concealed by being well blended or hidden in or behind other items making the HOPs enjoyable instead of drudgery. I also love the interactivity. The puzzles were excellent and so creative that I did not want or feel a need to skip any. All-in-all the HOPs and puzzles really did shine. I believe the devs certainly put a lot of effort into making them different and entertaining.
My mind was made up to purchase the game when the demo abruptly ended. Where did the time go?! When it passes quickly it's always a good indication that a good time awaits me. I'm anxious to see if werewolves might be involved in the family mystery and what other animals the family members are turned into. And who is this unsavory Druid causing disorder to the family, with revenge in his heart? Just seems like a worthwhile adventure ahead.
I'm buying the game, sale or no sale and it's been a very long time since I've been enthused enough to overlook the CE cost and just go for it. Hopefully my decision was wise but, you know, I can't even remember a time when Friendly Fox ever disappointed me!
I recommend this game!
Take Match-3 mayhem to the next level and prove that skill is more important than luck in this cursed 13th edition!
Overall rating
5
/
5
THE Match 3 I Always Eagerly Await
PostedMarch 11, 2024
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Do I dare buy this game without trying the demo first? Yes, I do! And it's one of the very few Match 3s on BF that affords me that confidence in knowing it will be a fun, challenging game that never gets boring.
Even though there are few changes as the series grows they keep the games fresh with unique boards, new tricky layouts, fun obstacles and different ways to reach the coins. There's a small variety of mini games, usually the same, but I enjoy each one as they provide a nice little break from the coin collecting.
If you are into thinking about your moves in advance, needing strategy to reach your goal and don't mind some frustration that pops up as you go, this is a great game for all around satisfaction. The graphics are beautiful, clear and colorful, and part of the fun for me is watching the house change with each level and the spirits fleeing at the game's end.
I always come away with a hardy feeling of accomplishment which rarely happens, if at all, with other Match 3 games. I replay my old Cursed House games often so today it's a purchase, no sale required! Thank you devs for the quality fun!
I recommend this game!
A gripping tale of mystery and intrigue awaits!
Overall rating
3
/
5
I Failed To Find A Reason
PostedMarch 9, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
to invest in this game although it may improve after the demo. I hate that a demo always ends right at the most inopportune moment. Alphabetic Murders, in April 2023, preceded today's release, not City on Fire. That storyline went nowhere, imo. Hopefully it won't happen again.
I do try to like these Domini games because I enjoy solving cases, catching up to the villain and "saving the day" but I've yet to play one that delivers what is advertised and expected! If secret societies are involved, that usually adds more intrigue. The bad guy I saw in the demo didn't look very menacing and did not speak so that kind of thwarted the frightful element.
Some things in the game were easy to figure out, some were not and required hints which I absolutely do not like to use. My problem was mostly the dark scenes that obscured almost everything, it really hampers the progress a great deal. I feel the stars are unimportant to the game, imo they are just too easy to come by because the right decision is always a no-brainer.
Like the other Domini games of this type, the HOP scenes are quite dark and some are full of too much stuff. The HOs I'm seeking in the mess are hard to distinguish, some looking nothing like their descriptions. It spoils the fun factor. I was baffled by the not scary contents of a box in the first HO scene. But, no, I did not enjoy the HOPs! The puzzles were much better, easy fun but at least I could see them.
The graphics were nice other than being dark and I liked the artwork. The characters looked great and voices seemed to fit them, however Damien's face has no expression while his voice expresses urgency, especially when trying to rescue Clementine from the killer. But he has to find that dratted missing key outside first, along with other menial tasks in the way. And who would think to put out a big fire with the hardened soil from potted plants? Just one of the things not making sense, at least to me. Even in games a little logic goes a long way. The devs should try it sometime!
The collectibles were hard to spot in the dark scenes, so I wasn't surprised with that. The Domini CE format is still lacking and for me the game's length would be determined by how much time I have to spend on tasks and waste as I search for things in the dark. I'm sure this game will appeal to Domini fans, especially if you look forward to another unusual case to solve as a brilliant detective.
It may be good entertainment but I lost faith in Domini some years ago and haven't regained it with their current offerings and CEs that are too little for the price. Hopefully that changes sooner than later! For those who love Domini and these detective games 3 stars is my mild recommendation
I recommend this game!
Can you restore your world’s magic in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
At Risk Of Being Pinched, I'm Not Wearing Green
PostedMarch 7, 2024
HeavenBound7729
fromOcala, Florida
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
for this out of the ordinary St. Patrick's Day. Based on the demo this is a game I feel would be a good investment whether it be the CE or the SE. The demo was gone in a flash and that is always a good sign for me.
The graphics were really beautiful in artwork and color with interesting, unique objects in each scene. Characters were very nicely rendered in appearance but the Irish dialect was sadly missing. Especially so, since they are leprechauns! I've noticed in other games as well that attention to dialect just doesn't seem important to devs, but I think it does make a big difference.
There were many tasks again but these were kind of fun because many of the items used were visually interesting and made some sense. The collectibles and puzzle pieces were not easy to find so I decided to stop looking, to save precious demo time. There weren't a lot of dark areas like in many games so I would say they were blended quite well.
The HOPs and puzzles I played were all very enjoyable but mostly on the easy side. That was okay though because it moved the pace along nicely without having to skip any. If not playing in Custom Mode maybe that would change. I would have preferred more challenge so that the game, after the demo, requires more than a few moments of thought or quick action to solve a puzzle or complete a HOP. It does change my feeling of accomplishment, negatively, when the challenge isn't there.
There's a mission at hand that requires entering the human world through a portal once it is repaired. What is waiting beyond is the adventure we all want to experience with the brave leprechaun that took the challenge. There are evil churichauns, kidnapping, missing coins, the threat of bad luck that will plague the human world if not found and your magic at risk of fading forever.
With all that on your plate hopefully this will turn into a fun, worthwhile game that I think will appeal to many regardless of age or skill level. I didn't see that the CE offered much in the way of special content, at least for me. I want to purchase this game but intend to wait for the SE. Everything in the demo was a good time, which doesn't often happen.
I believe Elephant Games always does a fine job with their games, storylines, colorful nice graphics and characters. The theme in this one caught my eye because St. Patrick's day is usually uneventful, especially when you aren't the party hearty type or just can't get out. So a game is a good little substitute for a different kind of fun for some of us, I imagine. There seems to be enough going on in this game to perk it up and with an evil touch to banish our magic if we aren't careful!
I recommend this game!
Take off for the great outdoors on a long weekend of puzzles and inspiration!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Try The Demo For The CE
PostedMarch 3, 2024
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
The CE is available for $7.99 in the Weekend Sale. So spend the extra dollar. Certainly the better deal today with the fail of the SE. I did play that demo and felt the game was pretty good even though it is like so many others of this type. Great graphics, locations very full of everything but the kitchen sink. I imagine it's worth picking up if you love HOGs. I didn't leave a rating but I do believe 3 stars would have been sufficient.