gingergal's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:15,535
- Reviews Submitted:193
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 23, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Discover the fate of your exiled kingdom, save your people and end the ancient evil that started it all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
217 of 236 found this review helpful
Excellent puzzle adventure game (bonus review at bottom)
PostedAugust 24, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Excellent game from boomzap, the best in the series. If you are really into plot it’s best to play the series as this isn’t a stand alone game. It does give you some recaps so you aren’t lost re plot if you haven’t played the others.
For those that love a lot of straight HOS this is not your game. I’d class this as a puzzle with adventure with a few varied type of HOS game. There are not a lot of HOS even the varied type, so this will either please you like me, or you will be disappointed.
There are 3 choice of play settings and you can’t change them once you start (until bonus) and the hardest is hard – no transporter map tips, no instructions to puzzles and no skip on puzzle but you do get a hint button. I rate this a 5/5 hardness if you play on the hardest setting.
What I love about this game is that the transporter map is completely new each chapter. You don’t go back into old areas – each chapter is completely different setting. Also you don’t repeat any HOS. Thank you for both these things, it’s rare and it takes a lot more effort on the part of the DEV to do this.
HIDDEN OBJECTS SCENES (HOS) – 20 in main game.
8 list, 7 find ‘x’ amount of same item, 3 find ‘pic’ (ie runes) in the scene, 1 find pairs, 1 find silhouette,
There is a random click penalty, they are all (bar one) very highly interactive on all the different types. There are no junk piles, no repeating of HOS. But even though there aren’t many most of them took a long time to do as there were very interactive. They are not sharp due to the type of graphics and some were hard to find due to blendness and a couple of tiny items.
PUZZLES – (numbers are roughly as I didn’t have a skip button, it was hard to judge what was a puzzle) – 67 in main game!!
Puzzle lovers you will adore this game. Others don’t be put off as a lot of these are done in way under a minute and a fair few are super easy. What is ingenious as those of us who love a bit more of a challenge gets it by trying to work out what the puzzle is (if play on hardest setting). Some puzzles were easy but I thought they were a different type, so that was good. They were some original, a few were repeated.
CHAPTER BREAKDOWN OF PUZZLES AND HOS
Chapter 1 - HOS 6, puzzles 12
Chapter 2 – HOS 7, puzzles 23
Chapter 3 – HOS 5, puzzles 20
Chapter 4 – HOS 2, puzzles 12
Chapter 2 – HOS 7, puzzles 23
Chapter 3 – HOS 5, puzzles 20
Chapter 4 – HOS 2, puzzles 12
CONS –
Journal sparkles, SG had to go to menu to get it, also too many steps to close it.
I did not like the ending in either the main game or the bonus. The main game was left like the others in the series it did not feel like a tied up conclusion to it. Either this is the end to the series or it’s not! The bonus didn’t address any of the story a SE player may think as it’s a bonus plot but had the most abrupt completely unfinished plot that I remember in any game.
BONUS EXTRAS–
SG
Achievements
All cutscenes in game (15? + 2 in bonus)
7 wallpaper
6 music (soundtrack to game)
6 concept art
19 nonogram – once you do one the next is unlocked
Achievements
All cutscenes in game (15? + 2 in bonus)
7 wallpaper
6 music (soundtrack to game)
6 concept art
19 nonogram – once you do one the next is unlocked
BONUS PLAY– (numbers are in addition to above)
You meet up with one of the characters in the series. It’s all different setting again with new transporter map.
11 Puzzles. Couple of arcade type games but good variety of hardness and type.
2 HOS - 1 list and 1 find shape/pic in scene.
Plot was a sideline, nothing to do with main plot but the ending was the worst most abrupt ending.
Bonus took me 1hr 20 min. Main game took me 7hrs 20 mins (official time)
While I recommend the CE version it is with reservation as I feel the plot ending in the main game was better (and the bonus didn't resolve it). And even though it was a good length bonus it was shorter than the other chapters.
I recommend this game!
When a young woman is found comatose by the side of the road with a bloody knife beside her, it's up to you to unravel her story!
Overall rating
5
/
5
223 of 259 found this review helpful
Truly 5 star, quality game.
PostedAugust 24, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
(I played the CE. The main plot is 100% tied up here in the SE. Full CE vs SE differences at bottom if interested, but worth noting there is nothing to collect (flowers) or any extras in this SE version.)
An exceptional game from elephant, a worthy successor to the first in the series (surface: mystery of another world). I'd say game of the year but they would be competing with their first surface game! This is a stand alone game, completely different characters to the first surface game, it’s not a sequel.
Here it’s a psychic who goes into a girl’s mind to try and save her, and the ending I loved. This gives the opportunity to create fantasy places for gameplay and it was so fun and beautiful. There weren’t many HOS (my kind of game!) and it’s mostly adventure with some pure gems of puzzles, a lot original. They brought back the live actors and the problem of lip synch has been solved. The hint button is the usual spoiler/mini guide so no need for the SG.
There is the usual 3 choice of hardness setting but all can be changed mid game. Hardest no skipping, no hints.
The main thing I love about surface series is that every chapter is a brand new environment, new transporter maps and you don’t go back into old areas (apart from throne room & outside of it but it has been changed).
With live actors being integrated really well into a scene, along with other type cutscenes, propel the story along there is no diary but if needed you can refresh your memory and replay cutscenes. The music in one part with the musicians was just so. You can swap between 3 levels of hardness during play, so no need to worry if you choose hardcore.
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES-
All were non active, list type, mostly junk pile but no tiny items, no random click penalty, non repeating, very clear. If you are looking for the innovative, inventory style HOS of the first game you will be disappointed as these are straight HOS.
PUZZLES -
A lot original, and I'd say nearly all were between medium and hard for a HOPA! (yeah) Quite a few took me a while. Even the non original ones like the jigsaw - the graphics on that were stunning! I LOVED the puzzles in this game.
(The 4/5 for hardness rating is for adventure side combined as adventure wasn't hard.) But everything together was the perfect hardness for me, for a relaxing game.
Amount of HOS and puzzles (main game/SE)
HOS – 12
Puzzles – 14 (including repeating of magnet puzzle twice)
Breakdown of it -
Chapter 1 –4 HOS, 4 puzzles. Chapter 2 – 3 HOS, 4 puzzles. Chapter 3 – 2 HOS, 3 puzzles. Chapter 4 – 3 HOS, 3 puzzles.
HOS – 12
Puzzles – 14 (including repeating of magnet puzzle twice)
Breakdown of it -
Chapter 1 –4 HOS, 4 puzzles. Chapter 2 – 3 HOS, 4 puzzles. Chapter 3 – 2 HOS, 3 puzzles. Chapter 4 – 3 HOS, 3 puzzles.
Constructive criticism part –
-Hardcore has black bar tips, coloured icons on map no choice but to see them. If they could do what they do with puzzles and hide the objective/tip but you bring it up manually by pressing the “i” key that would be great!
-Hardcore has black bar tips, coloured icons on map no choice but to see them. If they could do what they do with puzzles and hide the objective/tip but you bring it up manually by pressing the “i” key that would be great!
The following is in CE that IS NOT in this SE, so don’t read if you don’t want to know!
-Achievements
-Collect flowers including the bonus! These you can spend in the shop (your office) for furnishings for your office
-1 screensaver
-9 wallpaper
-12 concept art
-4 music
-3 cutscenes that weren’t in the game
-3 minigames
-Collect flowers including the bonus! These you can spend in the shop (your office) for furnishings for your office
-1 screensaver
-9 wallpaper
-12 concept art
-4 music
-3 cutscenes that weren’t in the game
-3 minigames
Time - Main game - 5hr 30 mins (hardest setting, no skips)
Elephant always brings us the sharp, best graphics, non repeating HOS (here not many) no random click penalty, and here new maps for each chapter - never revisiting old areas. The work that takes I appreciate as it keeps me engaged as a player.
I highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Experience the birth of the terror that gripped the island of Tormente! Every story has a beginning, but few are as horrifying as this!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 12 found this review helpful
Good prequel - at last a backstory of the series!
PostedAugust 20, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I loved the plot in twisted lands:shadow town the first in the series. Very complex plot, very different, twisted land:insomniac had a very good plot as well. I wanted to know about the plot and the background to the story so this prequel does deliver that.
It’s a very enjoyable HOPA, and those who have played the others will see certain things in this game that were in the other two and an explanation of how it came about. That was well done and clever and I loved that side of things.
What I did miss was as clever and as interesting plot as the others, but that’s a tall order to live up to! Here it’s more of a straightforward plot, playing as a detective looking for a woman and is stranded on the island but it’s interesting enough and well done. I just wanted a plot I could get my teeth into. While this can be played without having played the others, as it’s a complete spoiler – I would recommend playing the games in order of release and not even demo this game until you played the others!
I really appreciate that this was a straight release game and not a CE first. TIME - This took me 4hrs on hardest setting (no skipping, no hints) and I was reading everything.
HOS –
22 scenes you have to play (9 were original scenes), all list type only some were mildy interactive. Most weren’t junk pile but cluttered. They weren’t sharp being a certain type of graphic but were defined enough. Some were hard to find and small but not tiny. No random click penalty on hardest setting.
PUZZLES
15 puzzles of which you play one 4 times. They were all easy, some super easy and only two (IMO) I would class as medium. Spoiler as to types ** gear, match pattern, pipe type then navigate the angel on path, click on right symbol, put coloured gems in correct area, click on one to open all others, coloured fuses to meet up (love this old school one). The one that was repeated was a click on right order (pictures on knobs)**
None were original but I found them enjoyable although wished they were harder.
Gameplay
- Option of lockable inventory bar.
- Compass that shows you all exits in a scene
- Non transporter map which told you what scenes there was something to in
- 2 choice of play – hardest does give you hints, skip option and sparkles on HOS
- Throughout the game you pick items up that you put onto another map (I didn’t see the point of that)
- Collect coins which you use in game to buy things you need
- Voiceovers with bubble text boxes
- Compass that shows you all exits in a scene
- Non transporter map which told you what scenes there was something to in
- 2 choice of play – hardest does give you hints, skip option and sparkles on HOS
- Throughout the game you pick items up that you put onto another map (I didn’t see the point of that)
- Collect coins which you use in game to buy things you need
- Voiceovers with bubble text boxes
I really enjoyed this game, appreciated the backstory of plot as I loved the other games because of the plot. Normally a HOPA I find plots not complicated, not as well thought out but thankfully these DEVs cared enough with this series to really think about it and not ‘dumb’ down the intricate plot.
So I really recommend this series and while this isn’t the best of the plots it’s still an enjoyable game even if you haven’t played the others. I do recommend shadow town CE (first in the series) purely because of plot.
I recommend this game!
Find the ancient book of legend, Pahelika! Prove your mind, body, and soul worthy by advancing through unique tests.
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 36 found this review helpful
This is mainly a puzzle game
PostedAugust 18, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I would not class this as an adventure game at all but more of an point and click, interactive puzzle game. So for puzzle lovers, who are tired of hogs give it a try. If you don't like adventure games because you don't know where to go next this is for you.
It starts out very easy but then slowly gets progressively harder, but the hardest bit was trying to find the items and go through all the combinations of combining!**
There are 6 different self contained chapters or small areas. In each area there are a series of things to find, combine or use in solving or finding a way out of an area. And most were sort of a step by step puzzle. In amongst these chapters there were mini games. Jigsaw, slider and guess the next sequence, you had to play each of them 6 times. There was also a match pairs which you played twice (I think).
This took me as long as a good length HOPA, so don't go expecting a long adventure game but it is a good length game.
I am a puzzle lover, but sadly everything in the garden isn't rosy -
Sadly it doesn't give you an option to play without sparkles and they are everywhere! Once you drag your mouse through part of a scene that will be interactive it will keep sparkling. But for those of you who love sparkles don't think great, as weirdly enough there aren't sparkles on most things you have to pick up and the sparkles actually distract your eye making it harder to find some items. Also some items are really hard to find and tiny.
The curser doesn't change to let you know if you need to pick up an item or place it somewhere. Sometimes I had the right idea but just was an inch to far, so some hot spots are hard to find. But thankfully there is no random click penalty.
You combine certain things in the inventory but you have to try dragging "B" onto "A" as well as "A" into "B" or it won't combine, this was a bit frustrating.**
The plot was weakest part, it was told through cartoon cutscene with a voiceover so if plot is vital for you, you will be disappointed.
Throughout the game there were a mixture of 'riddles' but mostly these were illogical.
I love the concept of the game, but all those negatives REALLY distracted from my enjoyment and so I was frustrated at times. Those sparkles gave me a headache!
But if you don't mind the above and are a puzzle lover then I do recommend it for you.
I don't recommend this game.
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
3
/
5
102 of 153 found this review helpful
For puzzle lovers only
PostedAugust 17, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
** I finished the CE version. The plot is NOT 100% tied up in this SE version and told you what you would be doing in the bonus so I can’t even recommend the SE version either! See end to see other CE vs SE differences etc**
If you are not a puzzle lover I don’t recommend this game to you at all. I am and even I found some areas between puzzles boring.
I really enjoyed all the other games in this series but thought the last game would be the last in the series as it was really pushing the plot of the same witch which you defeat in every game and keeps coming back. This is the weakest of the series by far. Instead of calling this game something else, as it doesn’t have the same feel, look to it as the other games, they have ended up watering down the series instead of finishing strong.
I really enjoyed all the other games in this series but thought the last game would be the last in the series as it was really pushing the plot of the same witch which you defeat in every game and keeps coming back. This is the weakest of the series by far. Instead of calling this game something else, as it doesn’t have the same feel, look to it as the other games, they have ended up watering down the series instead of finishing strong.
This game is the perfect example of formulaic plot, sometimes you can get away with it if everything else is strong or excellent or at least different. Frankly the story, plot etc was really bad IMO. The only thing very good about the game was the puzzles, the graphics were washed out and seemed worse than the other games, adventure side boring at times. Both puzzles and hidden object scenes were repeated.
PUZZLES (spoilers as to kind, numbers in this review are roughly!)
There is a variety of type – arcade, logic but nothing timed. I found them all to be easy-medium apart from the arcade/non logic type. I loved the amount, variety of them as I’m a puzzle lover! (for a HOPA though, I think some are hard - hence the 4 out of 5 hardness.)
The first puzzle you encounter the light up the lines one, if you don’t like it then you will be frustrated as that puzzle is repeated 10 times, (different patterns)
The first puzzle you encounter the light up the lines one, if you don’t like it then you will be frustrated as that puzzle is repeated 10 times, (different patterns)
22 different puzzles in SE
Repeating puzzles and number of times you play them in total
– light the lines puzzle 10
– aquarium puzzle 2,
-domino 2,
- peg solitaire 3,
- click on pattern tiles to rotate them 2 plus another variation of it
– light the lines puzzle 10
– aquarium puzzle 2,
-domino 2,
- peg solitaire 3,
- click on pattern tiles to rotate them 2 plus another variation of it
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES
What was good was that there were three different kinds of HOS –
4 different traditional scenes – all of them you had to play 3 times.
2 different reverse scenes (put item back)– both of them you had to play 3 times
5 find the same items – one was repeated
Mostly static scenes (not much movement), some tiny and hard to see objects, defined enough but not sharp. Mildly interactive.
4 different traditional scenes – all of them you had to play 3 times.
2 different reverse scenes (put item back)– both of them you had to play 3 times
5 find the same items – one was repeated
Mostly static scenes (not much movement), some tiny and hard to see objects, defined enough but not sharp. Mildly interactive.
There were 3 levels of hardness and you couldn’t switch mid game. The hardest had no sparkles, no info on puzzles, no skips or no hints including HOS. But they did have black bar tips and with reversed hidden object scene told you the objective.
I didn’t feel the puzzles, HOS and adventure were well spaced out. It was a good length SE and probably super long if you are slower with puzzles. It's so frustrating this game as I love the puzzles. I just wish the HOS weren't repeated (which I hate) as well as the puzzles, and started a new series with a different better plot. I do think it's an objective 3/5 stars.
CE differences –
I bought the CE as it promised unlocking of puzzles and “game designer – create your own game levels and play them” But it was a very limited ‘design’ of one puzzle that was in the game, so misleading, and there was only unlocking of 8 puzzles. You don’t get any of that here. The bonus was a good length but there was a lot of repeating of one puzzle. Even though it told you what you would be doing in the bonus there was no plot IMO in the bonus.
A billionaire has been murdered on a tropical island, and it`s up to Detective Jack Norm to crack the case! Can you solve the mystery?
Overall rating
3
/
5
34 of 35 found this review helpful
3.5 - only for a certain type of player - patient and methodical
PostedAugust 14, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I wouldn't call this an adventure game by Benoit Sokal & White Birds but an interactive mystery novel. Most of this game is dialogue - questioning suspects and the rest is running back and forth between them. There is only 1 maybe 2 puzzles in the whole game. So it depends on your taste. I happen to love murder mystery so really enjoyed the change of pace of this game, although I do think the other games by this DEV are better.
This game is set on a small island and most of your time you are in the tower building owned by the deceased whom you, as the inspector, are charged with discovering 'whodunit.'
In the upper right corner you have a zipped purse which is your inventory and a PPA which you use to gather clues and sort out statements. There are 13 questions/mandates for you to answer and each question you have to assemble the clues and you need to prove each answer by evidence. You can work on multiple questions at once and will finish some questions out of sequence.
At the beginning there is a lot of dialogue but as the game progresses it gets interesting as clues are uncovered and you are really immersed in the plot. I would say the plot is not for children, and the bad language I think is only about 5 words.
cons (or things to note)
-Great voiceovers but their is no lip movement at all
- I would have loved a transporter map as there is a LOT of running around.
- couple of illogical moments but I think is usual for games
- I would have loved the game/plot to be moved forward by telling the story in some cutscenes rather than all dialogue, although the dialogue was very good.
- I didn't like the characters
- sometimes an answer would be given but the game didn't register and you would have to ask everybody about an item that you knew the answer to.
-Best or more interesting part of the game was about 3/4 of the way through it and then to the end.
- I would have loved a transporter map as there is a LOT of running around.
- couple of illogical moments but I think is usual for games
- I would have loved the game/plot to be moved forward by telling the story in some cutscenes rather than all dialogue, although the dialogue was very good.
- I didn't like the characters
- sometimes an answer would be given but the game didn't register and you would have to ask everybody about an item that you knew the answer to.
-Best or more interesting part of the game was about 3/4 of the way through it and then to the end.
For $6.99 I do recommend it, and it's a bargain. As you get a well thought out plot and long game. So if you always wanted to investigate a crime and love mystery novels then I think you will enjoy it.
The learning curve of this takes a while, as you need to get to know your PPA but once you do, it's not that hard compared to other games. So I would recommend this game to beginners or new to LF games. As long as you keep going back to talk to suspects when each thing is revealed, and slowly go over every area to see if there is something to do you should be OK. The hardness is sorting through the clues and sifting them but you get there by trial and error. The second question, I found the hardest but once you get past that you should be OK.
I enjoyed it, but I do try and be objective (if that's possible!) with the actual ratings and give you the facts so you can see if it's for you or not.
I recommend this game!
Be careful what you wish for... A deadly bargain has been made, and it's up to you to set things right before your nephew pays the terrible price!
Overall rating
5
/
5
447 of 470 found this review helpful
SE gets 5 stars (4.5 rounding up) for a very long, quality game.
PostedAugust 9, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
*I finished the CE version but IMO this SE version is the better choice. The plot is 100% tied up in main game (this version) and there were no collectables etc so you aren’t missing out on anything *
This is the third game in the grim tales series, made by elephant games, and I think is the best. Like most games from elephant it’s long (the main game took me nearer to 7hrs!). It is longer than the recent elephant games (surface, royal detective) but as it’s a chapter less than the last grim tales ( the legacy) it’s shorter than the legacy.
I also think it’s easier as here they gave you the tips in the transporter map in hardcore, which I played. The transporter map becomes available a short while into the game. This has a dark story line, so for those of you who don’t like demon, child in peril storyline you may want to give this a miss or at least try demo. But because of the mostly daytime graphics (thank you!) it doesn’t feel like a dark game. I love elephant graphics, as they are vibrant, sharp* and colourful.
There are three different play settings which all can be changed mid game so no need to panic if you choose hardcore.
The plot takes place a few years after our last encounter with Brendan, here you find him growing older and you soon find out why. In your journey you will find a magic quill which you can then go into his memory and change the past (or you relive what you did in the first place, I wasn’t that clear with that side of the plot.) But I enjoyed the plot way better than the last grim tales.
HINTS
The hint button is the usual mini SG which is great for you as you won’t miss the SG. As well as the hint button there are icons and tips within the transporter map letting you know if there were places that things could be done in.
Hardcore players note that there are black bar tips for you and you can’t bring up the hints in the map like you do in the puzzles.
Hardcore players note that there are black bar tips for you and you can’t bring up the hints in the map like you do in the puzzles.
Hidden object scenes –
* Initially the graphics were gorgeous and sharp like usual for the DEV, but quickly I found out that a few HO scenes were frankly not great quality compared to other really well done HOS (like the first one) Some were a bit blurry while others lovely and sharp.
21 HOS (in SE), quite a few were junk pile, all list type but interactive. They were well spaced out and I didn’t feel like I was playing one every 5 mins. There was the odd tiny item and some scenes had a lamp/light shining on parts which I know some don't like.
Puzzles –
At the beginning there weren’t that many and they were easy but overall there was a good mixture of hardness, mostly medium hardness. There seemed to be more puzzles in the middle to the end. They tried to bring us a couple of new ones for a HOPA and I loved the flowers and some others but the execution on a couple were bad. Any fun I had in playing foosball was taken away by how to play it, and the planets one I know they were trying to put a spin on it as we’ve seen it before but putting those items on the puzzle was annoying. You did have to play match 3 game 3 times.
You click on the info button to bring up the objective of the puzzle was good and if you didn’t play hardcore you can skip them.
The interactive, adventure was side really good and I thought was well done although there were the usual completely illogical interactions for HOPAs - boats and ice axe!
I can get bored quickly in HOPAs (hidden object puzzle adventures) but not in this game, I was engaged the whole time.
Length main game – 6-7hrs - nearer 7hrs on hardcore (obviously no skipping puzzle or hint button,)
On my personal rating I’d give this game 4.5, half a point taken away because of plot. Although it was very well done, it wasn’t unique. I did love this game.
I recommend this game!
When a young woman is found comatose by the side of the road with a bloody knife beside her, it’s up to you to unravel her story!
Overall rating
5
/
5
201 of 223 found this review helpful
Truly a 5 star game, quality bonus play, good length, lots of extras - CE breakdown at bottom
PostedJuly 26, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
An exceptional game from elephant, a worthy successor to the first in the series (surface: mystery of another world). I'd say game of the year but they would be competing with their first surface game!
Here it’s a psychic who goes into a girl’s mind to try and save her, and the ending I loved. This gives the opportunity to create fantasy places for gameplay and it was so fun and beautiful. There weren’t many HOS (my kind of game!) and it’s mostly adventure with some pure gems of puzzles, a lot original. They brought back the live actors and the problem of lip synch has been solved.
The main thing I love about surface series is that every chapter is a brand new environment, new transporter maps and you don’t go back into old areas (apart from throne room & outside of it but it has been changed).
With live actors being integrated really well into a scene, along with other type cutscenes, propel the story along there is no diary but if needed you can refresh your memory and replay cutscenes. The music in one part with the musicians was just so beautiful (but I don’t think that is one of the music that you can save.)
You can swap between 3 levels of hardness during play, so no need to worry if you choose hardcore.
The main story is 100% tied up in main game.
The main story is 100% tied up in main game.
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES-
All were non active, list type, mostly junk pile but no tiny items, no random click penalty, non repeating, very clear.
All were non active, list type, mostly junk pile but no tiny items, no random click penalty, non repeating, very clear.
PUZZLES -
A lot original, and I'd say nearly all were between medium and hard for a HOPA! (yeah) Quite a few took me a while. Even the non original ones like the jigsaw - the graphics on that were stunning! I LOVED the puzzles in this game.
A lot original, and I'd say nearly all were between medium and hard for a HOPA! (yeah) Quite a few took me a while. Even the non original ones like the jigsaw - the graphics on that were stunning! I LOVED the puzzles in this game.
(The 4/5 for hardenss rating is for adventure side combined as adventure wasn't hard.) But everything together was the perfect hardness for me, for a relaxing game.
Amount of HOS and puzzles (main game)
HOS – 12
Puzzles – 14 (including repeating of magnet puzzle twice)
HOS – 12
Puzzles – 14 (including repeating of magnet puzzle twice)
Breakdown of it -
Chapter 1 –4 HOS, 4 puzzles. Chapter 2 – 3 HOS, 4 puzzles. Chapter 3 – 2 HOS, 3 puzzles. Chapter 4 – 3 HOS, 3 puzzles.
Constructive criticism part –
-Flowers that you collect throughout the game which can be used to furnish your office as you use them to buy furnishings, although I LOVED that whole concept – but the flowers had sparkles on them! They were so obvious without sparkles so not needed.
-Hardcore has black bar tips, coloured icons on map no choice but to see them. If they could do what they do with puzzles and hide the objective/tip but you bring it up manually by pressing the “i” key that would be great!
CE GOODIEs (extras)
-Achievements
-Collect flowers including in the bonus! These you can spend in the shop (your office) for furnishings for your office (don't forget to go to office after game!)
-1 screensaver
-9 wallpaper
-12 concept art
-4 music
-3 cutscenes that weren’t in the game
-3 minigames – 2 were in the main game –( jigsaw and timers on ball path, bonus – rotate the rings type)
-Collect flowers including in the bonus! These you can spend in the shop (your office) for furnishings for your office (don't forget to go to office after game!)
-1 screensaver
-9 wallpaper
-12 concept art
-4 music
-3 cutscenes that weren’t in the game
-3 minigames – 2 were in the main game –( jigsaw and timers on ball path, bonus – rotate the rings type)
BONUS GAME
4 HOS
5 puzzle
5 puzzle
Most importantly the quality of the bonus was excellent, graphics were stunning, puzzles and adventure excellent. All new area.
Bonus Time – 1 hr 20 mins (hardcore, no skipping throughout whole game. This may help you to gauge how long it might take you?)
Main game - 5hr 30 mins
I recommend this game!
When a casual fling turns steamy for a brilliant wedding photographer, Mackensie decides to try to capture the romance!
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 21 found this review helpful
2.5 - Straight HOG with a couple of puzzles - pros and cons list
PostedJuly 25, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As I am such a fan of dream day series I decided to buy this game as I love weddings and am a romantic. It has voiceovers and a story, the length of the game was OK (standard SE) but it fell so short of the dream day series for me.
Pros –
-Romantic plot
-Choice of playing game timed or untimed. You have a set amount of time for the whole chapter.
-Mostly non junk piles/very cluttered scenes
-Finding letters – v.o.w.s in each scene which earns you a hint
-Choice of playing game timed or untimed. You have a set amount of time for the whole chapter.
-Mostly non junk piles/very cluttered scenes
-Finding letters – v.o.w.s in each scene which earns you a hint
Cons –
-Most items to find were tiny, I didn’t mind a couple in each scene but there were loads.
-Also items were really well blended, a lot of white on white
-Repeating of HO scenes
-Puzzles weren’t good and they kept repeating the few they had (take photo, make cake and flower arrangements and avoid people to get to an exit)
-limited amount of hints if you run out, you are stuck!
-Also items were really well blended, a lot of white on white
-Repeating of HO scenes
-Puzzles weren’t good and they kept repeating the few they had (take photo, make cake and flower arrangements and avoid people to get to an exit)
-limited amount of hints if you run out, you are stuck!
If you are an avid HO fan, and romantic with good eyesight then I recommend it to you. But no walkthrough if you are stuck with finding items and no way to get more hints is annoying.
I don't recommend this game.
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
3
/
5
104 of 134 found this review helpful
For puzzle lovers only, info on puzzles, bonus play and extras. glitch in bonus so wait until update
PostedJuly 21, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
If you are not a puzzle lover I don’t recommend this game to you at all. I am and even I found some areas between puzzles boring.
I really enjoyed all the other games in this series but thought the last game would be the last in the series as it was really pushing the plot of the same witch which you defeat in every game and keeps coming back. This is the weakest of the series by far. Instead of calling this game something else, as it doesn’t have the same feel, look to it as the other games, they have ended up watering down the series instead of finishing strong.
I really enjoyed all the other games in this series but thought the last game would be the last in the series as it was really pushing the plot of the same witch which you defeat in every game and keeps coming back. This is the weakest of the series by far. Instead of calling this game something else, as it doesn’t have the same feel, look to it as the other games, they have ended up watering down the series instead of finishing strong.
This game is the perfect example of formulaic plot, sometimes you can get away with it if everything else is strong or excellent or at least different. Frankly the story, plot etc was really bad IMO. The only thing very good about the game was the puzzles, the graphics were washed out and seemed worse than the other games, adventure side boring at times. Both puzzles and hidden object scenes were repeated.
I bought the CE as it promised unlocking of puzzles and “game designer – create your own game levels and play them” Both of which are locked until you complete the whole game including bonus.
The game designer is 4 different layouts of one puzzle (move tiles from bottom to corresponding picture in upper tier, they are joined together with tiles beside them and you have to move them around to unjoin them.) but all you can do is choose what picture goes where! While this is far better than concept art I was disappointed as I felt it was misleading.
There is only unlocking of 8 puzzles -
-Peg solitarie (white knight jumping over black pieces)
-Move numbered round tiles around (9 of them)
-Red and blue ball in bowl to go into separate coloured bottles
-Solitaire but it’s only one set which you if replay if repeated
-Simple flower rotating rings (one in greenhouse)
-Harder aquarium
2 bonus puzzles– medusa head simple lock puzzle
-Move one tile, move the others simultaneously
-Move numbered round tiles around (9 of them)
-Red and blue ball in bowl to go into separate coloured bottles
-Solitaire but it’s only one set which you if replay if repeated
-Simple flower rotating rings (one in greenhouse)
-Harder aquarium
2 bonus puzzles– medusa head simple lock puzzle
-Move one tile, move the others simultaneously
As the main positive thing about this game is the puzzles, they could have easily unlocked all of them.
PUZZLES (spoilers as to kind, numbers in this review are roughly!)
There is a variety of type – arcade, logic but nothing timed. I found them all to be easy-medium apart from the arcade/non logic type. I loved the amount, variety of them as I’m a puzzle lover! (for a HOPA though, I think some are hard - hence the 4 out of 5 hardness.)
The first puzzle you encounter the light up the lines one, if you don’t like it then you will be frustrated as that puzzle is repeated 10 times, (different patterns) I didn’t mind them as I could do them very quickly.
The first puzzle you encounter the light up the lines one, if you don’t like it then you will be frustrated as that puzzle is repeated 10 times, (different patterns) I didn’t mind them as I could do them very quickly.
22 different puzzles in main game.
Repeating puzzles and number of times you play them in total
– light the lines puzzle 10
– aquarium puzzle 2,
-domino 2,
- peg solitaire 3,
- click on pattern tiles to rotate them 2 plus another variation of it
- bonus puzzle - fit items into area, 6 (they all are marbles of different shapes)
Repeating puzzles and number of times you play them in total
– light the lines puzzle 10
– aquarium puzzle 2,
-domino 2,
- peg solitaire 3,
- click on pattern tiles to rotate them 2 plus another variation of it
- bonus puzzle - fit items into area, 6 (they all are marbles of different shapes)
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES (numbers are roughly, I did try and count!)
What was good was that there were three different kinds of HOS –
4 different traditional scenes – all of them you had to play 3 times.
2 different reverse scenes (put item back)– both of them you had to play 3 times
5 find the same items – one was repeated
4 different traditional scenes – all of them you had to play 3 times.
2 different reverse scenes (put item back)– both of them you had to play 3 times
5 find the same items – one was repeated
Mostly static scenes (not much movement), some tiny and hard to see objects, defined enough but not sharp. Mildly interactive.
There were 3 levels of hardness and you couldn’t switch mid game. The hardest had no sparkles, no info on puzzles, no skips or no hints including HOS. But they did have black bar tips and with reversed hidden object scene told you the objective.
I didn’t feel the puzzles, HOS and adventure were well spaced out. It was a good length SE and probably super long if you are slower with puzzles. But the SE wasn’t 100% tied up and told you what you would be doing in bonus. But there really wasn’t any plot in bonus.
BONUS PLAY (see earlier about other extras)
I found the quality of graphics better in the bonus. It took me 1hr 20 mins (advanced, no hints, no skipping etc) but I think I’m quite fast in some puzzles so think it would take most people at least that long? It was all set in new area.
HOS – Three different traditional scenes which you play all of them 3 times.
Puzzles – Fit marbles in an area – play that 6 times, there are four other different puzzles.
Puzzles – Fit marbles in an area – play that 6 times, there are four other different puzzles.
I had to repeat the whole game as I got a glitch in bonus HOS (few others have reported similiar in forums) so I'd wait until it's fixed before buying.
It's so frustrating this game as I love the puzzles, love that they tried to do something different with extras and it was far better than concept art and wallpaper! I just wish the HOS weren't repeated (which I hate) and started a new series with a different better plot. I do think it's an objective 3/5 stars.