syndney1099's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.5
- Helpful Votes:747
- Reviews Submitted:71
- First Review:November 12, 2011
- Most Recent Review:May 10, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
After inheriting a manor in England, you begin to explore the Kangale Estate and discover its history!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Really fun.
PostedApril 1, 2012
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really enjoyed this game. Not too hard. What to do next was logical but not always obvious. The kind of thing that made one go , urgh!!! I should have known that. Not spooky despite the poltergeist theme. Several locations to go to but not too hard to find. Big help was to know that the strategy guide has a scroll bar which I didn't catch at first (thank you forum fishies!) and thought I was losing my mind when it felt like there were gaps. Great graphics. HOGs weren't too messy. I do enjoy puzzles and this game has very few other than the game itself and some simple HOG within HOG items. So if that's what you really like you may want to wait until the SE version or skip this one. The music is very non-intrusive, mostly quiet piano. Even though you don't meet the main character, they do a nice job of making you feel like you know him and want him to succeed. Overall I would recommend this game, enjoyed it immensely and will probably play it again as there were nuances I'm sure I missed.
I recommend this game!
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles
Charles Baskerville is the latest victim of a centuries-old curse! Help Holmes break the curse before the next murder occurs!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
An easy game to overlook
PostedMarch 18, 2012
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was rather surprised this game had so few reviews although I know it often depends on what else is introduced at the same time. I was "going back" through previously introduced games to find a good "slow Sunday" relax day game. This game is a jewel I missed before. Deceptively easy at first. I enjoy games that have a nice mix of puzzles and HOG scenes and this game does a nice job of that. Plus I like games that have a personal element. Even if the interaction is by printed version with voiceovers. The HOG scenes are very easy and the puzzles start out very easy. At first I almost bailed due to the easiness and thought about going back and playing "expert" (there is no intermediate level) but glad I didn't by the end. The map is really good and they let you know if a location is completed which was helpful so there's not a lot of going back and forth from locations without an obvious reason. Great storyline that kept me going and didn't require CE to know what to do although the puzzles towards the end were pretty tough. Also had the addition of earning achievements which always adds an element of fun. I don't really like "timed" games but this was fun to get "awards" for accomplishing things in a short amount of time. Will probably replay this game on hard level. Definitely worth the money. Just plain fun!
I recommend this game!
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Right mix for me
PostedMarch 10, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the funnest game I've played in awhile and will probably play again. As I have played I keep asking myself why is this so fun? It has a great storyline. It's very much like reading a good mystery and you want to play to the end to find out "who did it or what happened." You have your suspicions and theories but need to keep going to find out if they are right. The hidden object scenes are at a nice level of difficulty. Not too hard but not "overly cluttered" although I did have to laugh as did one earlier reviewer about the universal need for a crowbar!
I really liked that I could "figure out things on my own" and that even going to different sites wasn't too big a leap. I bought the CE but was pleased that I probably could have been ok with the SE although this game is so fun that I really was glad to have the chance to play it on a weekend. It's appropriately long if you don't "cheat" . There is a logic to what you find which I appreciated and enjoyed.
Great game. The music does not intrude, there are few triggers for those looking for "escape" and the graphics are so well done that at times I paused just to admire the artistry of them.Nice job! The HOG scenes are sublime.
My only criticism is that the main character's comments especially at the beginning seemed anachronistic for his role especially given the foible of his wife. Otherwise, great game and a good one for anyone's collection. You got the "chemistry right" which is tough to do. Thanks for a weekend of fun.
My only criticism is that the main character's comments especially at the beginning seemed anachronistic for his role especially given the foible of his wife. Otherwise, great game and a good one for anyone's collection. You got the "chemistry right" which is tough to do. Thanks for a weekend of fun.
Use your powers of observation to save your friends from the genetic aberrations that populate a forgotten island in Natural Threat: Ominous Shores!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Hoping for better.
PostedMarch 4, 2012
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Was at the end of vacation and looking for something engrossing but not too hard. Not sure about this game.
Interesting story line although having a character to put the "thoughts" too would be helpful. I got stuck and downloaded the walkthrough and found I was missing a big "chunk" of the beginning of the story. The whole first chapter was not there. Not sure what to make of that. Played for about an hour but not sure yet what "friends" I am helping. The music is not obtrusive but again, kept struggling with no direction.
Given it's uniqueness, want to buy but at this stage it's too disjointed. Won't buy.
Interesting story line although having a character to put the "thoughts" too would be helpful. I got stuck and downloaded the walkthrough and found I was missing a big "chunk" of the beginning of the story. The whole first chapter was not there. Not sure what to make of that. Played for about an hour but not sure yet what "friends" I am helping. The music is not obtrusive but again, kept struggling with no direction.
Given it's uniqueness, want to buy but at this stage it's too disjointed. Won't buy.
I don't recommend this game.
Save the souls of prodigy children and their caretaker who disappeared during the fire in The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Lots of fun
PostedFebruary 26, 2012
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm on vacation and was looking for something entertaining as well as able to come back to on and off without having to restart at the beginning should need arise. I always like games that have a human element with reason to carry on through all the obstacles and some degree of logic, which this game provides. This was fun. HOG's were reasonable and I liked the mix of the usual find it, versus match the object to where it goes. Liked the paranormal line without "overwhelming evil". Music was good. Not great, but not annoying. A few times I got lost especially late in the game about where a particular puzzle was. Most of the puzzles were decent especially as the game progressed. I always like the "bonus" stuff, like trying to find all X number objects along the way as a distractor. Adds a bit of challenge and reason to replay if I don't hit them all the first time. Overall, a fun game. Better than a movie and as I will probably play it again, worth the price. Buy the CE unless you are quite good or the "going back and forth to walkthroughs, even for a hint" will drive you bats.
I recommend this game!
After crash-landing on a frozen mountain Raj makes an incredible discovery in Jewel Quest 6: The Sapphire Dragon!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Worth your money
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I have played all the Jewel Quest games. Some better than others. This one ranks as one of the best. While it has a distinct offshoot, the character of Natalie is very much present to provide the continuity. The game is fun as it has a story line with a specific "driven goal" (rescue the brother) but the characters are all distinct, each have their flaws and strengths and are very human as you have young assertive characters and more mellow but "life experienced" characters. Plus there is the "hint" that someone among them is not who they seem, but it's very subtle. And you as the gamer gets to choose which one approaches which task. Each "earns" extra abilities but they are not overwhelming, especially as the boards are familiar to ones in the past. The boards are not easy especially as one goes along and there's no need for strategy guides or hopping from site to site to follow the story line. Although I enjoy HOG games that does get a bit tiresome.
There are plenty of different boards, each of which require a different strategy which is much more fun than some of the predicatability lately of the puzzles in the HOG games.(Are we playing too many of these games? )
This game was a welcome relief, especially with the dimension of "real character" each contributing to the story. The journal entries were a great way to add additional fullness to the characters. Lots of fun and definitely worth the money.
There are plenty of different boards, each of which require a different strategy which is much more fun than some of the predicatability lately of the puzzles in the HOG games.(Are we playing too many of these games? )
This game was a welcome relief, especially with the dimension of "real character" each contributing to the story. The journal entries were a great way to add additional fullness to the characters. Lots of fun and definitely worth the money.
The music is quiet and appropriate. Doesn't add or take away but doesn't distract. Biggest flaw was that "increased abilities of players" was not clearly defined. Had to make mistakes to find out how they worked but didn't detract from the game , just required playing a board over to learn to be more efficient. Still lots of fun and relaxing
Otherwise great game and worth the money.
Also has good length. One can replay board to achieve higher scores or continue on to advance the story or a mixture of both. One could play this game in many ways given the number of characters and his/her relative strengths so I would rank this a great game for the money.
Plus it's an easy one to come back to with breaks of time which is sometimes hard with some of the CE games which require you to remember past findings. Not so with this one.
Thumbs up for those who like combos of match 3 and storyline.
Otherwise great game and worth the money.
Also has good length. One can replay board to achieve higher scores or continue on to advance the story or a mixture of both. One could play this game in many ways given the number of characters and his/her relative strengths so I would rank this a great game for the money.
Plus it's an easy one to come back to with breaks of time which is sometimes hard with some of the CE games which require you to remember past findings. Not so with this one.
Thumbs up for those who like combos of match 3 and storyline.
I recommend this game!
After crashing your car in the middle of nowhere, you stumble upon a mysterious town with a shady background. Solve a dark mystery!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 11 found this review helpful
An easy game to overlook
PostedDecember 9, 2011
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
If you're looking for a fun game to play between waiting for collector editions to come out as SE's or something just fun and not frustrating, or one to "learn with" this is a good one. I overlooked this game as I think it came out at the same time as other excellent games. The story line is fun. You don't have to have the strategy guide to figure out what to do next. It's not one of those where you have to do everything "just right" to succeed. There is some but not too much "jumping between scenes" and trying to remember where everything is to succeed. A good game for beginning gamers because of that. Puzzles are not super hard, pretty straight forward logic. The storyline invites one to want to know what happened and just enough connection with a character to want to know what happened which is what I think makes a game fun. The "human connection" is there. . Also one has the option of playing hidden object scenes which were not too difficult or match three. They presented three characters so you were a least minimally guessing "who was the bad guy" and there was some interaction which I always enjoy. Graphics were not super but good enough. Musical score was similiar to watching an old movie, and was not distracting. Fun game to play and easy to play and leave but jump back in when one could. I enjoyed it and especially enjoyed the ending. An easy game to overlook. Worth what has now become the cost of a cup of coffee!
I recommend this game!
Journey into the mythical Snowfall Kingdom and investigate the disappearance of children in Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Good game but meant to played like reading a book over a weekend.
PostedDecember 4, 2011
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I agree with previous reviewers. Blue Tea is highly reputable and when I saw they were the makers, was encouraged.
I would recommend this game as a CE as one really needs the strategy guide especially at the onset. Otherwise you will be frustrated "and HATE this game.". Also realized after restarting as s different character 3 times that there is a "flow to this game." The HO scenes at first seem overwhelming, but again if the game is played over a period of sustained time, one's eye learns what to look for and the HO scenes become easy although one has to learn to look for subtle changes in the "list box" between the lighting saying that segment was complete versus there was still something to find.. Also, didn't know until later that the "morphing objects" were to speed up the hint speed and if one wasn't using "hint" that much was no longer an issue, while the parable pieces were important. I'd say my one drawback about the game was that it often required one to put in some object into a door and open it but not go through it immediately which didn't make sense which is why the SG is helpful. Once I knew the game's "logic" found it much less frustrating and fun. The graphics are beautiful and the music is a nice contribution. Overall liked it, but not a game to be played on a "home from work can play for a few minutes" kind of game.
I recommend this game!
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Venture into this game with caution!
PostedNovember 28, 2011
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I have played and enjoyed the Ravenhearst games since the beginning and was thrilled to see a new installment on a long weekend where I could "get into it." The quality of the game is excellent and like many, I was caught up in the anticipation and "teasers".
My biggest concern is with the disclaimer. We as a society are "desensitized" and I don't think the disclaimer, especially with all the suggestion of a really great game, adequately warned gamers with histories of trauma in their lives. While I understand that there is concern about "spoiling" I think there could have been a two level disclaimer, one initially alerting those to read on if they had any concerns about possible storylines that could be triggering and then a second disclaimer stating it would be triggering for those with histories of childhood abuse issues. Even the sound track (which I had to shut off) , let alone the storyline would be quite disturbing for sensitive people caught up in wanting to just play a game others were raving about. So while I liked the game, I did feel it edged on the " over the top" in terms of psychological "creepiness" and didn't really give appropriate warning.
I recommend this game!
Help Matthew Hunter break a curse in Relics: Dark Hours! The terrifying curse has already taken his family. Will he be next?
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Not for people "visually spatially challenged."
PostedNovember 14, 2011
syndney1099
fromPortland, OR
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Loved the concept. Hated that I felt like I was going around in circles constantly. Not logical. "Map" which was unmarked was not helpful. I'm sure others will find it a great game but I found it too frustrating. Got tired of the voice over telling me the same thing. For those not good at "panoramic exploring" this is not a fun game.
I don't recommend this game.