scarlet834's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:69
- Reviews Submitted:10
- First Review:July 16, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 29, 2021
- Featured reviews0
scarlet834's Review History
A detective meets a mysterious stranger in her first case!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
After 25 minutes of the demo...
PostedJanuary 29, 2021
scarlet834
fromPort Hueneme, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have enough of a sense of this to feel that I can write a decent "review". I played in "normal" mode, the middle of the three non-custom options.
A) Several people have complained about the bee in the lower-right corner. It does not bother me at all, but I am good at tuning out distractions after many years as a part-time sports official.
B) The opening sequence, and other cut-scenes and dialogues are typically dull, with awkward dialogue and iffy animation, but no worse than what I've seen in dozens of similar games. At least the main character does good work and her lines are not terrible.
C) Sound quality is high: easily adjustable and appropriate to the theme. The music and other ambient sounds are good. Some noises could have been better, but this is a quibble. Voice acting ranges from quite good to not very convincing, but most are pretty good.
D) One would expect that, even in the 1960s, a police force would be able to do better upkeep on its vehicles. The opening sequence at the old house is rather weak, but I've certainly seen worse.
E) The early puzzles make me think that the designers have tried hard to come up with some new things. Some of them are the "same old, same old" (which is not necessarily a bad thing), but one of them (so far) has been different enough to give me some hope.
Bottom line: I expect this to be neither a jaw-dropper nor a disaster. I'm not certain that I'll buy it, but I'm leaning in that direction; another half-hour with the demo should be enough for me to decide. If the worst thing about it is the occasional poor voice acting, and a bee that flutters its wings, this should be a game worth checking out, and giving serious consideration to buying it.
I recommend this game!
Pinecreek Hills just keeps getting better! Help the Rangers find lost objects, clean up the park and spot the wildlife.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Simply fun, not intense
PostedNovember 2, 2020
scarlet834
fromPort Hueneme, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Arcade & Action, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I bought the original 'VA: Park Ranger' on a whim. It seemed to be a game that would be good for when I did not feel up to Dark Parables and similar games. It turned out to be a little more detailed than I expected, and a lot of fun. Also frustrating at times, when I missed a piece of trash or had to use a Hint, but the ability to re-do a level made it very enjoyable. This sequel is more of the same, but with some minor changes and tweaks to keep it from being boring. My only grump is that the music, while very appropriate, does get a little repetitive.
I recommend this game!
Dive into summer with an incredible new set of Season Marbles puzzles!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Not terribly interesting, really
PostedJuly 7, 2020
scarlet834
fromPort Hueneme, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I like the idea of this series, but there's no goal, nothing to work toward other than clearing out each level. I would expect a game like this to have something that gives a player a challenge of some sort: finish a level in less than X minutes, or with fewer than Y moves. But no: no bonuses, no rewards, no "grit". Finish a level and move on to the next. Kind of boring, really. I *will* say that the explanations of special pieces are quite good. There are times when a game such as this will be worth playing, but not very often.
I don't recommend this game.
The Flying Trapeezees
Bring France out of a funk by performing amazing feats. Soar, loop and
perform daring stunts to inspire the audience!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Très intelligent!
PostedMay 4, 2014
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Time Management, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is based solely on a few rounds of the demo. This game has a clever premise: entertain people in a country which is feeling rather down-at-the-mouth. Perform acrobatic tricks, collect points, and get accolades from a grateful public.
The demo is very basic; you will learn a lot about how the game works by actually playing the game, but it shouldn't make more than a round or two to figure out what works best. If you have ever played the "Launch a Sheep" iPod Touch app, then you will have some idea of how this game works.
The game has worked quite well so far: no glitches or weird things happening for no reason. The music is jaunty, the sound effects are simple, i.e. not distracting or harsh. I think this is going to be a fine game for young and old, for different reasons. I expect to play it most when I just need to amuse myself without having to think very hard.
I recommend this game!
Destroy Set's spheres before they reach the pyramids and guide your scarab to victory in this adventure across ancient Egypt!
Overall rating
4
/
5
36 of 44 found this review helpful
Fun but very tough near the end...
PostedDecember 17, 2013
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a good marble-popper, but it starts to get very tough at Level 10, and by Level 12, it is nearly impossible. Getting six and seven in a row of the same color (in the shooter) is not good; this should *never* happen, as it makes advancing much too difficult, especially as rows of marbles are coming out at break-neck speed. I like a good challenge, but this is too much of one. Maybe teenagers can do it, but my teens are several decades behind me. I still recommend it, but not for those whose reflexes have aged.
I recommend this game!
Gather items, solve puzzles and make spine-chilling discoveries as you explore a deserted island in Twisted Lands: Shadow Town!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Bleah!
PostedNovember 14, 2012
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am usually able to tell from the descriptions and reviews whether I'll like a game, but my "radar" must have been on the fritz when I tried this game :-( I played about a half-hour of this, then gave up and deleted it from my computer. This is the first time I've ever deleted a game.
Storyline: fair, but I didn't get far enough into it, so it might have gotten better.
Voice-acting: very good, what I got.
Visuals: decent enough, but the "flash-backs" are terrible. This is my main reason for disliking this game. They happen without warning, often at times that make no sense, and of the three that I saw, two of them had no resolution that fit with the subsequent action. And the one that did was repugnant. This is the 21st century; do we *have* to use smoking as a character aspect?
Bottom line: if you are willing to put up with a lot of bouncing around with nothing to help you keep all the pieces together, then you might like this, but if you like to play games that hold together and have a logical progression, then you won't like this at all. Take a look at my Favorite Game, below, instead.
I don't recommend this game.
Find a kidnapped teenage girl and save yourself in Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek, a fun Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Well-designed and intricate
PostedNovember 14, 2012
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I don't like hyperbole, but I have to say that this is one of the best HOG-type games I've ever played. It is fairly long, which could be a problem if it wasn't designed well, but the design team obviously took a lot of time to do it right. Their attention to detail is excellent, and should serve as a model to other designers. There are a few minor issues (bad spelling in a few spots, and why doesn't the last guy in the church ever go home?), but they don't really affect game-play.
The storyline is interesting, the voice acting is very good, and the game has very good visuals. There is a nice mix of HO scenes, mini puzzles and free-standing objects to find. I played it in "Regular" mode, but am quite likely to go back a few months from now, when I've forgotten a lot of the details, and play in "Hard" mode. That's about the best compliment that I can pay any game: it is worth playing more than once :-)
If I could make one change, it would be that sparkles would stop once we are done in a certain area. I'm talking about "areas of interest", not HO scenes. OTOH, the map and evidence wall more than make up for this minor quibble.
This is now my current "Fave". At the end of it was a "To be continued..." tag. I certainly do hope that a second game is forthcoming, as I will likely buy it without a demo.
I recommend this game!
Face your fears and unravel the mystery of the abandoned asylum!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Patience is the key here...
PostedOctober 30, 2012
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Bottom Line first: this is a very good game. The storyline is interesting, and the opening scene grabs you. The story unfolds logically, you will often pick up necessary items before you know where you will need them, and the "atmosphere" is creepy, but not overly so.
As others have noted, many hidden object items are very hard to see. I think that the developers allowed for this, as there is a "screen brightness" adjustment included in the Options. And every monitor has contrast control, so there is no reason why "darkness" should be an issue.
This game is not easy, at least not on the "Hard" level. Lots of places to look, lots of things seen for which there is no obvious use or purpose, at first. If you want to be able to breeze through a game, you won't like this, but if you like a challenge, this is likely to be what you are looking for.
I recommend this game!
Ariel's twin sister, Belle, has been kidnapped and it's up to you to assist in her rescue!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
There's a great game in here, somewhere...
PostedJuly 20, 2012
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I downloaded the one-hour sample, as it gave an extra punch-card stamp if bought today. The intro is a tad long, but the voice-over is good, and it set the stage well, although the storyline is nothing that we haven't seen before in other games. After that...
Good things about this game:
1) Some of the animation is excellent; most of it is at least decent. Over-all, the artwork is very good.
2) Nice music: atmospheric. Sound effects are generally good, although in a few places they are a bit out of sync with the action.
3) mini-games and puzzles, while standard fare, are well-designed, and the idea of having a choice between two different games to get certain objects is a very nice touch.
4) The coins idea is interesting, although I've not gotten far enough into the game to be able to use them.
2) Nice music: atmospheric. Sound effects are generally good, although in a few places they are a bit out of sync with the action.
3) mini-games and puzzles, while standard fare, are well-designed, and the idea of having a choice between two different games to get certain objects is a very nice touch.
4) The coins idea is interesting, although I've not gotten far enough into the game to be able to use them.
Bad things about this game:
1) Most scene changes come with annoying little delays, where nothing happens, and you can't do anything until the game "catches up with itself."
2) The various cursors - arrow, hand, etc. - are not very precise. This is OK for most things, but some mini-games and puzzles take a lot of patience to get past. Often, this is because of a peculiar perspective chosen to present a game or puzzle.
3) There are several points in the game where you acquire an object, only to come to another point in the game where you acquire it again, even though you already have it.
4) At least one of the mini-games (so far) is pointless.
2) The various cursors - arrow, hand, etc. - are not very precise. This is OK for most things, but some mini-games and puzzles take a lot of patience to get past. Often, this is because of a peculiar perspective chosen to present a game or puzzle.
3) There are several points in the game where you acquire an object, only to come to another point in the game where you acquire it again, even though you already have it.
4) At least one of the mini-games (so far) is pointless.
The above covers the salient points. Realize that I've only played for 57 minutes, on the easy level. Things could be a lot more interesting further in. Conversely, some of the difficulties that I mention might be maddening when playing on the Hard level.
I have not decided if I will buy this, yet. What I like about the game makes me think that it *might* be worth buying it, despite the problems. The closing little "ad/teaser" has some intriguing things in it, such that I am leaning slightly toward buying it, and taking the risk.
If you like a lot of variety and have patience enough to deal with a lot of quirks, this might be worth it. But for those who like clean game engines, you might be too frustrated to enjoy it.
Bottom Line: The producers of this game did a fine job on the new things and fancy little touches that they added. But they appear to have rushed the total package, and it shows. If they can clean up some of the bugginess, this could be an excellent game. As it is, it's merely one of many average efforts, which is too bad.
Final Note: we are asked if we recommend the game when we review it. I'm going to click "Yes", but let it be known that this is with reservations, as noted above.
I recommend this game!
Help Leia keep and develop her farm by growing crops and caring for animals in this beautiful Time Management game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 25 found this review helpful
Here's the skinny on this game
PostedJuly 16, 2012
scarlet834
fromCamarillo, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is not anywhere near as challenging as the Timebuilders games, but it isn't easy, either. The second stage requires some thinking, and it gets tougher as you go along. There is a point at which the game seems to be more routine than challenge, but it never gets boring; there is always something that, if missed or forgotten, messes up everything.
The storyline is basic and not very intrusive. The music is a nice folk-pop thing that doesn't get annoying right away. The animation is decent, the board is clean and the goals are generally clearly spelled-out.
Bottom line: I am enjoying this very much. It's not a Top Ten game, but I come back to it often, which is all I really ask of a game: make me want to play it again.
Suggestion: this could be a wonderful game for kids to play with parent help. Show the youngster how to do things, then let them see what they can do. Be there to offer help or point out when things need doing. There are lots of laughs to be had, and some good lessons to be learned, while having fun together.
I recommend this game!