Nilosh's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:33,798
- Reviews Submitted:395
- First Review:November 20, 2011
- Most Recent Review:May 3, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A peaceful island town erupts into a violent witch hunt and your friend’s daughter is the target! Can you protect her from the townspeople?
Overall rating
2
/
5
121 of 141 found this review helpful
It's a Pass For Me
PostedSeptember 30, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Your journey begins with a letter from an old friend from the remote island of Cold Peak, where the villagers observe a forgotten way of life and are ruled by fear of old and forgotten traditions. Your friend Bloom has been found guilty of witchcraft and is executed. Now you need to save her daughter from a similar fate. A story of the occult, black magic and a mysterious evil force that has the entire village out for blood. your mission is to gain their trust and try to find Lily before they do.
Actually the storyline is the only feature that got my attention and if like me, you enjoy tales of the occult and witchcraft, then you would probably not hesitate to try the demo. However I just could not get passed the poor graphics, the hand drawn artwork and the lack of any special effects as well as the gameplay.
A very standard HOPA that offers two modes of difficulty to choose from, alot of hand holding from the black bar tips, a journal, a map that will allow for travel and a hint system that does offer your next move. Despite all this, game play is clunky and slow. There are two types of HO scenes, fragmented or a list. There is no interaction and some items were almost impossible to find. I had to resort to using the hint button only because I lost my patience. Mini-games were too easy and the only challenge to the game is figuring out where to go and what to do. Again, the hint button will offer that information.
The game reminds me of the earlier HOPA games and I have enough in my collection if I am in the mood for nostalgy. I really cannot recommend this game, even with a sale going on. My sincere advice is to play the demo and just pass on this one.
I don't recommend this game.
Enter Ravenwood Park and discover the secrets hidden in the mists...
Overall rating
5
/
5
144 of 162 found this review helpful
Excellent Game!
PostedSeptember 26, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Its rare I give five gold stars for all the criteria listed but I really do think this game has earned them. Our story is a sequel however can be played on its own. In my opinion it is a lot better than the first installment and the developers have really upped their game.
The Mists of Ravenhood begins with our heroine running into an abandoned trailer along the side of the road. Inside she discovers a young child whose Mother has disappeared and talks about a monster. Suddenly a very large Raven attacks them and both the child and the trailer are gone. Soon we find ourselves at the entrance of the Ravenwood park where our adventure begins. Is the preacher we have been following behind this? Who is the mysterious man locked up below the park and where did the yong girl disappear to? I cant wait to find out!
Visually the game is absolutely stunning and sound quality is totally enthralling, allowing you to be fully immersed into the game. Brilliant use of colors and great artwork that really comes to life with special effects. I love all the movements and details that the developers have included;birds in flight, butterflies all over the place and animals that move when we click on them. Voice-overs are well done and acting is not over the top. I loved the sound effects and the music is just subtle enough as not to jar yur nerves.
A brilliant HOPA with three modes of gameplay, no sparkle or black bar tip if so desired, a journal that outlines objectives, clues and a list of collectables and an interactive map that allows you to travel and indicates areas of interest. You have a variety of Hidden object scenes, all of them interactive. There are three types of HO scenes that I have come across, using objects on others, locating fragmented objects and also a list of objects to find. Kudos to the developers for being inovative when it comes to Hidden objects which make the game even more fun.
Mini-games are plenty and from the few that I played in the demo, they were both interesting and somewhat challenging. In addition to puzzles, games and HO scenes, you also have dialogues that are somewhat interactive with certain characters along the way. Finally as for the cherry on top of the whipped cream, you have your collectables, ethereal butterflies, morphing objects that are not so easy to locate and a list of achievements that make this game worthy.
It has been a while since I have come across a game that completely enthralled me and made me want to buy it only after 20 minutes of gameplay. The visuals alone had me from the very beginning as did the adventure. A great game that I am sure will thrill all players. In my opinion, a standing ovation!
I recommend this game!
With a perfectly chilling atmosphere and beautifully crafted scenes, Into the Haze will provide a fantastic, horror-filled experience that you'll never forget!
Overall rating
3
/
5
38 of 43 found this review helpful
Great for Beginners
PostedSeptember 25, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Flashback to a few years back and remember the HOPA games that first came out and how exciting they were to play. I remember the beautiful hand drawn graphics, voice-overs, hidden object scenes that were not interactive, a variety of mini-games that required some patience and since SG were relatively sold seperately, you always had your black bar tips that held your hand all through the game. Storylines were always creepy and along with the haunting music, these games were always fun to play. Well that was then and today, most of us have now developed a taste for more complexed games and also got use to the extras that come along.
Into the Haze is extremely nostalgic what with the familiar storyline of a malevolent fog that disrupts a community, a missing niece and an evil sister-in-law that is responsible through black magic. The graphics and art work are all hand drawn and very well done. There are two play modes that are offered and even with no sparkles, you still get the black bar tips that unfortunately makes gameplay less challenging.
Hiddden Object scenes are crowded and NOT interactive. Very standard and very old. Puzzles are familiar but I still enjoyed them. That really is about it! You have the creep factor, the familiar cisuals and sounds and standard gameplay with no bells or whitles.
If you are a beginner to this genre, then by all means join the club and start off with this very standard HOPA. However is like me you now are an expert at these game, you may find this a bit too rudimentary for your taste. I personally would rather not spend money on this as I can always go into my own archive and dig up my old favorites. However if you are into nostalgia and this is by no means is a bad game, then also take advantage of a sale or use those club credits that seem to pile up.
Not an outstanding game but definitely would have been considered a very good game back in the day. This really comes down to personal preference or degree of skills. I will recommend it to beginners who enjoy a good scary tale and are new to HOPA games.
I recommend this game!
While visiting your uncle, you stumble upon a curious case. Men are vanishing, reappearing dead days later. Who killed them?
Overall rating
4
/
5
120 of 134 found this review helpful
Insy Weensy Spider......
PostedSeptember 21, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Today our week-end begins with the return of the Black Widow Morgana. If you recall, we met her once before with her army of mechanical spiders and it looks like she has returned with a vengence, this time terrorising the town of Transvaal. Our Uncle is missing and as his dutiful nephew, we must find him and defeat Morgana and her deadly venom.
Arachnophobias bewarned, an excellent HOPA with just enough thrills to excite the avid player. The challenge begins with play options, you have three and unless you play casual mode, there are no sparkles and no black bar tips. Your map will allow you to travel and indicate areas of interest if you choose so. There is a journal that will hold clues and have video playbacks as well.
With sharp and colorful graphics, we also have live actors playing their roles. Albeit the acting is a bit over the top but at least mouths are in syn with dialogues. Music is quite good and not obtrusive. I liked the artwork and overall atmosphere of the game.
Adventure gameplay has you picking up clues and inventory items and HO scenes are a bit junk-piled, standard list of items with some minor interaction. Puzzles are somewhat challenging to solve and mini-games are quick and easy to solve. A bit more challenge or vatiation would have been better. I do think its time for all game developers to get on board with adding a variety in HO scenes and coming up with more clever mini-games to solve. THere is a slight case of "Seen that and Done that".
Still the story has merit and once you get into the gameplay, you are drawn into a cat and mouse chase which becomes interesting. I played the demo at hard-core level and was pleasantly surprised as to how many times I got stuck and had to resort to the SG. This is definitely a good sign and has warrented me to continue. Ofcourse there are the extras that needs mentionning, collectables (30 posters scattered throughout each scene and easy to find) along with a list of achievments.
A well rounded game that does have some bells and whistles but also could have been alot more interesting. Like I said, a bit of a deja vue feeling while playing, familiar scenes and familiar gameplay. Nevertheless, a sequel to an interesting story that does have me scratching while playing as I do have a slight adversion to spiders. Have a nice week-end.
I
I recommend this game!
It should have been a tremendous achievement, but the tunnel through the Ridge of Leviathan became the site of a great disaster. What really happened that day?
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 114 found this review helpful
Another Good sequel!
PostedSeptember 19, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Surface Series has always been a favorite of mine and I am happy to see that our Pachiderm Developers have not lost their touch. Once again we have an interesting storyline, beautiful artwork, great sounds and visuals and entertaining gameplay.
Our story begins with us taking on the role of Gina, our distraught heroine who lost her husband and daughter under very mysterious circumstances. One year earlier, they both disappeared on board the Capital Express train that goes into a tunnel but does not emerge on the other end. Now, exactly one year later, Gina returns to the scene and meets up with a mysterious stranger that convinces her to get onboard the train and go after her loved ones. Again we find ourselves in the strange land of Surface and our adventure begins.
I loved the graphics, using live actors in some of the scenes and stunning artwork that looks like painted canvases does certainly make the game look interesting. The red filter lighting adds an eerieness to the overall atmosphere of the game and ambient sounds, haunting music all give it an extra quality, which actually enhances the overall gaming experience.
Game features include three game modes, a journal and a map that will allow you to travel. HO scenes are standard, too junk-piled for my taste and there is a slight challenge to them as some items are difficult to spot. They are somewhat interactive as you need to use some of your inventory items in each HO scene. Puzzles are easy and mini-games are uniquely designed, and vary in difficulty.
My one major disappointment was the black bar tips that made it easy to solve puzzles throughout the game. A little too much hand-holding was an annoyance for me and disabeling them would have been ideal.
You have the usual collectables that were in the previous games, red and gold flowers that will unlock extra HO scenes and mini-games in the bonus section. You also have a list of achievments to earn.
Although gameplay is pretty much standard, picking up objects, solving puzzles, unlocking mini-games and playing standard HO scenes, the storyline along with the the high visual and sound quality make this chapter of the Surface series equally exciting to play. Although there are things that could have been done better such as adding variation to the HO style and less hand-holding, this game is a definite buy for me. Could it have been better? Definitely, there is always room for improvement and lately some game developers are adding very exciting elements to games. Surface really has not changed in style or form but I do think that it still has enough WOW factor to make it interesting. Not overly complicated but I am eager to pursue this adventure.
I recommend this game!
Your father was murdered while he was investigating a crime. Travel back through time to save him!
Overall rating
4
/
5
124 of 137 found this review helpful
Great Game
PostedSeptember 14, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
A grim story that begins with the murder of your Father who during his investigation is fatally shot by an unknown culprit. From his remains, a heirloom with mystical powers is returned to you and immediately you are transported through time to the day of his murder. It is now up to you to prevent his death and solve the mystery behind the Blood Ruby.
Excellent sharp graphics, good voice-overs and good storyline has all the attributes of a film noire feel to it which transports you to another time and place. Main menu offers three game modes to choose from and game features a map that allows for travel and a journal.
Unfortunately our game offers no extras like morphing objects, collectables or achievements are involved which is rather disappointing. However the one thing this game does have is a certain level of challenge that will make it interesting for hard-core players. If you can resist using the SG, you will find that you need to use your little grey cells to go through the game, a good memory for back-tracking and some patience during the mini-games. HO scenes are standard with some interaction just but easy enough to solve.
I liked the story, a mystery artifact that has immense power, time travel, an naturally a villain. Be warned, it may prove to be a bit violent for some ( too many senseless shootings at the beginning of the story). I would have liked some extras that CE games do offer but nevertheless, I really did enjoy the gameplay. As there is a sale today on CE games, I will definitely be adding this to my collection.
Kinda reminds me of the earlier Nancy Drew Games what with the 2D graphics, music and puzzles. Perfect game for a rainy week-end at home.
I recommend this game!
Jane Austen's: Estate of Affairs
Search for Jane Austen's missing novel and help save the Austen estate from greedy villains!
Overall rating
3
/
5
60 of 63 found this review helpful
EASY PEASY
PostedSeptember 10, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Your Aunt Jane Austen's estate is in trouble and as her niece, Christiana, your only chance of preventing the Bingham family from taking it is to find Jane's lost manuscript. Your adventure begins by exploring the Chawton House and one of your adversary is the handsome Edward, a friend or foe will be up to you to find out.
At first glance the game looks like something from the vault, out dated graphics but very sharp and clear. Artwork depicts the era of that time however the use of cartoon characters ruined it for me. Voice-overs are well acted but the music unfortunately is on a loop causing slight annoyance after a while.
Although there are three modes of difficulty to choose from, you will still encounter sparkles and black bar tips that give away too much information. A very standard HOPA that includes only a journal which is unfortunate because there is alot of backtracking to do. Gameplay is basic and offers three types of HO scenes; find item on the list, a very basic frog and finding silohettes of items. Puzzles are easy but I did notice that the mini-games were rather unique but nevertheless lacks challenge.
This game is ideal for HOG fans and beginners to the HOPA genre. Also if you are a fan of Austen, you may enjoy the romantic element thrown into the storyline reminiscent to Pride and Prejudice. It is playable and has some element of fun but lacks challenge. Too easy for me and just too much like the first HOPA games that first came out years back. As I said, it is difficult for me to recommend this game to fishies who enjoy the more sophisticated games that we have come accostomed to however, I am sure that those who enjoy nostalgic gameplay, beginners and romantic overtones may enjoy spending a credit on this game. It really comes down to personal preference.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you defeat the Four Horsemen and save the city?
Overall rating
3
/
5
69 of 104 found this review helpful
Missed the Mark!
PostedSeptember 5, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Riddles of Fate starts off with a bang and slowly pans out to be a somewhat tedious and unchallenging to play. Although it does come with all the extras of a CE game, they seem to me to be afterthoughts, applied to the game to somehow make it more appealing and interesting, but sadly for me it failed to do so.
Lets begin with the graphics, although sharp with options to adjust the effects in the main-menu, I found visuals and sounds of the game to be rather dark and not as appealing as some of the graphics we have been seeing with other games. Although I am a great fan of these developers, I just feel that this game needed a bit more than just some collectables and a list of achievements. I wasn't paticularily a fan of the artwork and that everthing was just too dark and a bit askewed.
Our story begins with a small town being terrorized by an evil that has sent down the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in search of a young girl who seems to hold special powers that are required. All the homes are being terrorised by ghosts and young girls are going missing. There is however a prisoner that seems to have all the answers and as detective, you must save this town and solve the mystery at hand.
There are three modes of difficulty to choose from yet still the black-bar tips offer too much information, taking away the challenge of playing the game. Game features a hint system that will tell you exactly what to do. Suprisingly there is no journal and no map, be prepared for alot of backtracking. There a pages floating around that give you a brief account of the story but no journal does make you stray from what is actually happening.
A HOPA game with puzzles to solve and HO scenes that are somewhat standard, slightly interactive and over-cowded. Graphics and poor lighting just made them rather tedious to play. As for mini-games, sadly I only came across one during the demo and it was rather a feeble attemp at being interesting. There are collectables, you find a series of ghosts/horsement that are very easy to spot and a list of achievements only pertaining to hidden objects scenes.
I am slightly disappointed, I do like these developers but it just seems to me that they rushed through this game or just decided to cut corners. The WOW facto was amiss and I myself will wait for the SE of this game but will recommend it to beginners and hardcore fans of these developers. Riddles of Fate just seems to miss the mark but does get high points for the effort that they did put into the overall game.
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 104 found this review helpful
A Game to Treasure!
PostedAugust 31, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves Collector's Edition
(58)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
These all seeing developers have done it again, a game that is thrilling and entertaining at the same time. A Pirate adventure that takes you out to sea in search of a lost pirate treasure in exchange for the life of a boy held hostage by a wicked baron.
As always the visuals and sounds are first rate with outstanding graphics, clear cut animation scenes and well acted voice-overs. The music could have been less intrusive but again it does set the mood during gameplay. With three options of difficulty, you begin your adventure equiped with a map that will allow you to travel and indicate progress and a journal that will outline your tasks and hold your clues.
This game is filled with puzzles to solve and inovative Hidden Object Scenes that are not only interactive, but also have silohette puzzles to solve within each scene making it difficult to meet some of the achievements that are listed. You also have to option to switch over to Match 3 game which really earned extra brownie points from me.
Puzzles are relatively easy to solve and some of the mini-games required a bit more patience which is far better than just whizzing through them. There are collectables, pages with symbols strewn in every scene that unlock a coded diary located in your achievement room.
Kudos to the developers for a game that not only is visually brilliant but a gameplay that is fun. I could have used a bit more challenge but then I will play hard-core mode for that. Unfortunately I cannot tell you how long it is, the SG only offers two chapters. I definitely recommend this game and look forward to set sail on the high seas in search of pirate treasure. There is more than meets the eye and that Baron seems to know more than he is letting on.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves Collector's Edition
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
Overall rating
4
/
5
164 of 173 found this review helpful
An A-Mazing Game
PostedAugust 29, 2013
Nilosh
fromIstanbul, Turkey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I could not resist not writing a review for this game mainly because I found it intriguing and entertaining while playing the demo. There are some minor annoyances that I came across but I have to say that it does have its merits.
Our story begins with the disappearance of a group of your students during an expedition of caverns found underneath the University. Your urgent help is required and your adventure begins. However, a former professor who seems to be the villain here is hiding a dark secret and it is up to you to uncover the mystery and save your students.
The graphics are execellant, sharp and thankfully done with great attention to lighting and use of colors. Voice-overs are well done and in sync with movement of mouths which is rarely seen in games. Sounds and music enhance gameplay and are not overly distracting. You have three modes of difficulty to choose from and I started with hard-mode which sadly still offers too much hand-holding as well as sparkles within one of the mini-games wich I found surprising. I wish developers would take heed of these small quirks and also add the option to remove black bar tips.
A very good HOPA with HO scenes that stray away from the standard list of items to find; instead you need to solve puzzles to retrieve your item of interest. Mini-games were different but as I mentionned earlier, there seems to be some hand-holding here. They could have been more challenging but alas that is what seems to be lacking in this game which prevented me from giving it five stars.
What I did enjoy were the extras like collectables that go into your book, small momentos relating to life at the university. A map that will allow you to travel and also a list of trophies that you need to earn. These elements add to the game and definitely made it more interesting.
Overall, an interesting story line, excellent graphics and animation work, interesting HO scenes and a variety of puzzles to solve. I have no idea on the length of the game as only two chapters are shown in the SG which is also very disapointing and misleading.
As for purchasing it, I would recommend you take advantage of any sale that may be comming our way, there seems to be many at our disposal at the moment. I personally will use my two game credits that I have on hand but I do definitely recommend this game as it does have interesting elements. Not your average HOPA with basic HO scenes and KUDOS for the graphics.
I recommend this game!