ruadhan's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:164
- Reviews Submitted:26
- First Review:November 14, 2011
- Most Recent Review:December 22, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Investigate bizarre mysteries by finding clues and solving puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Very pleasant surprise
PostedDecember 22, 2024
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am enjoying this game a lot more than I expected. I thought it would be simple point-and-click and it is, but there is a lot more to the story than on the surface.
The visuals are not the greatest, they're simple and the cut-scenes are a little clumsy. There isn't a consistent style, the costumes range from "mediaeval peasant" to "1930s Gatsby" with the majority being somewhere in the 19th century, while the technology of the world lurches from horse and carriage to diesel-driven machinery. But the story flows well and there's enough going on to be engaging.
Is it genuine supernatural goings-on, or is there a rational explanation behind it all? I haven't found out yet, but I'm looking forward to doing just that!
I recommend this game!
Grab yer boots and save the city! Yee-haw!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Same problem on bonus level 9
PostedAugust 17, 2024
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Decent game, good level of challenge but not too hard.
Graphics are a bit too kid's cartoon but it's not really an issue.
The main problem is that, like others, Bonus Level 9 can't be completed as the option to build the Doctor's Office isn't available.
I recommend this game!
Immerse yourself in a tale of horror and suspense!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Enjoying it up to the glitch
PostedJune 4, 2024
ruadhan
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I see a few others have the same problem - I can't advance the game because I can't pick up the paperweight.
This is a shame, as I was enjoying the game up till now and was happy with the quality. Please fix this so I can finish!
I only gave a three star rating because of this problem, without it, the rating would have been higher.
Small-town living can drive you crazy.
Overall rating
1
/
5
Looks good but looks can be deceiving
PostedFebruary 16, 2024
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I couldn't even make it through to the end of the trial playthrough, because the voice-over was so annoying.
This game may have got a fresh coat of paint slapped on, but the underlying mechanics are sluggish, outdated, and that horrible voice acting needs to go.
Definitely don't buy this as a collector's edition, it's a waste of money. Shiny new graphics don't make up for the deficiencies in plot, playability, and delivery,
A simple museum heist becomes a desperate rescue from the forces of darkness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Not bad but not the greatest
PostedNovember 23, 2023
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
That sounds lukewarm, and I did enjoy this game - except for one caveat; the attempts at Scottish accents are truly dire. I honestly thought the guy was meant to be Eastern European, not Scots!
As a hidden object/puzzle game, it's quite good. Indeed, it's better than some of the late entries in the Mystery Case Files series. But it's not up to the heights of the Ravenhearst games.
Now, they flogged that horse to death and I hope they won't try introducing "grandchild of child of sibling of cousin of Ravenhearst" in any more instalments, but this is a standard HOP and not what you'd expect in a MCF game.
I hope this is an indication of better things to come, and I'm willing to give them a chance. But the Master Detective isn't really at the top of their game in this one.
I recommend this game!
An investigation that will open up a new world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Wanted to like this
PostedNovember 21, 2023
ruadhan
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I was pleased to see a new entry in this series since the previous games have been fun and enjoyable.
Unfortunately I can't say the same for this one. The first thing is that the art quality has gone downhill fast. They're using poor quality 3D modeling and it shows - the graphics are grubby and dark.
The plot, as much as I played of it, seemed interesting but I couldn't finish the game as it was just too slow and ugly looking. As well, a personal nit-pick: the viewpoint character investigating building sites and tunnels in high heels made me both wince and roll my eyes. Seems the White Stone Order haven't been able to pay the bills to keep their secret train system running, so poor Laura has to walk and drive everywhere!
So, to sum up: glad this series isn't dead yet, but a poor entry and not worth it. I hope there will be a next instalment and that it will improve!
Embark on a haunting hidden-object trip through time!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Bug at end makes this disappointing
PostedNovember 12, 2023
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The latest in the Grim Tales series suffers from some really poor graphics at the start, where characters' faces have their features sliding off. Very unsettling!
In the main, it's an average instalment of the series and does show how the concept is getting tired. It's not bad, and the main plot is interesting, but it's treated in a very cursory fashion.
However, the main problem is that at the very end, there is a bug preventing completing of a task. Without that task, you can't reach the conclusion of the game, and there seems to be no attempt as yet to mend it.
To sum up: a game that seems tired, rushed out and incomplete. A pity that the series seems to be ending on this note.
I don't recommend this game.
The Kidnapper of Happiness has escaped, and it’s up to you to save the citizens of Abonda! Adventure awaits!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Interesting time management game
PostedMay 20, 2023
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
At first glance, it looks like a kids' game - cartoon characters, bright colours, fairies and witches.
But underneath all that it's complex enough to keep you busy - you have to think about what you're doing and work out what needs doing next.
That makes it more fun than it appears because you really do feel a sense of achievement. Well done!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a cosmic catastrophe from destroying your world?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
Average instalment in series
PostedMay 13, 2023
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
It's not bad, but there's nothing to advance the series here. Except some bad decisions - I wish they'd change the voice actress for Anna Gray, she sounds constantly on the verge of bursting into tears because oh no now she has to *do* something.
They seem to have retconned and simplified a lot, so Anna's husband and daughter are non-existent here. The other agents' backgrounds are equally shallow, and worst of all they're dumping James to replace him with a new kid whose abilities are: being an idiot and not helping at all.
The art style is not up to the usual standards and the plot is rushed and resolved too quickly: the Big Threat gets dealt with in much too easy a manner.
I think they're looking to shake things up but this is not how to do it. Gameplay is simple enough, it won't take long to play through even for the collectors' edition, and really there's not much plot or action happening here. Usual hidden object searches, swapping from character to character.
It's okay to pass the time, but if you skipped this you wouldn't really be missing out.
I don't recommend this game.
Try your hand at saving Little Red Riding Hood!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 24 found this review helpful
Sometimes all you want is something simple
PostedJanuary 12, 2023
ruadhan
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
All the criticisms of the other reviews are correct: this is the same basic game just with different art work.
Yes, it's repetitive. Yes, it's familiar. Yes, they don't even try to change things up.
But sometimes all I want is to play a few rounds of a game that I can pick up and put down at any time. Just enough to involve my brain, but not so challenging as to require that I pay attention or have to think.
Sometimes the same old thing isn't a bad thing. If you're looking for anything exciting, this isn't it. If you want a simple Solitaire game to pass the time and help you wind down, this will do that. Don't expect a lot, this isn't that kind of game. But as a basic, simple game - this is fine.
I recommend this game!