simonthedog's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:140
- Reviews Submitted:20
- First Review:November 15, 2011
- Most Recent Review:December 8, 2021
- Featured reviews0
The popular series Northern Tales continues! Ragnar returns to Earth from Valhalla to protect his people again!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
So disappointed
PostedDecember 8, 2021
simonthedog
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I miss the previous Northern Tale games--they are my all time favorite by far. This edition is nothing like the old ones. The movement isn't as fluid, the graphics not as fun, and the scenes are very repetitious. Also, the hidden rainbows are a chore to find--not fun at all. Why did Realtor quit making them?? Such a bummer.
Face your fears and unravel the mystery of the abandoned asylum!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Kudos on a challenging game!
PostedFebruary 22, 2015
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just want to quickly thank the developers for creating a nicely challenging game. I prefer a higher difficulty level. My only suggestion would be to have a map indicating where actions are possible. Often, that is the only clue I need. As long as I know there is something to be done, I will eventually figure what for myself. The guide was helpful, too, but gave too much information at times. More puzzles would be great, as well!
I recommend this game!
The Rat King's wand has fallen into the hands of a vengeful baron. Team up with your new friend, the Tin Soldier, to stop him!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
A perfect Christmas surprise!
PostedJanuary 3, 2015
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
After enjoying the Nutcracker, I was disappointed in last year's Christmas Carol game, so I was reluctant to buy this one. So glad I did! It is definitely the best of the three, and a superb game! (Appreciated the little references to the previous games within this game!) The graphics are marvelous--loaded with details and color, and plenty of bells to ring and packages to rustle. The story line is logical and whimsical and there are several humorous and clever moments with Charlie, the tin soldier. If you are a seasoned HOG player, the puzzles will only be moderately challenging, but with all the other great qualities (beautiful Christmas music playing throughout), I did not mind, plus the game must appeal to all level of players. Maybe that is one area where they could improve--have more difficult puzzles for those who choose the "expert" option. I really loved the game, and hope the developers can match it for next year!
I recommend this game!
Defuse a toxic plot and reveal the truth behind Kate Drew's death!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Challenging game!
PostedJanuary 3, 2015
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is an adventure game, and it is a challenging one! The other reviews cover the details of the game more specifically, so I won't repeat that--sufficient to say the game had no hitches and the graphics are crisp and clear. As to the difficulty, while I personally love a challenging game, the format of this game could easily become frustrating to others. I wish the developers would put more effort into guided hints. I did not have difficulty solving the puzzles, but often I was unsure what to do next. Some of the steps were not necessarily logical or in the order I would have completed them. A map indicating where there are possible actions might be helpful as well. I did feel like this was one of the better games though. Less needless running around and sifting through a ton of extraneous reading materials. I recommend some of the older Nancy Drew games if you liked this, including Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon.
Lift an evil curse that has been cast on the kingdom by a witch looking for revenge in Love Chronicles: The Sword and the Rose!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Finally a challenging, creative game!!
PostedOctober 7, 2014
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
It has been a while since I have encountered anything that really challenged me, and this game was it!! I even skipped a puzzle, which I never do!! There is one glitch in the good/bad card game in the SE version (do not know if the CE has the same problem), but I liked the game so much, I still gave it 5 stars. The HO scenes were varied and contextual, and the items you needed made sense! I also liked the added games of putting something together. Just the right amount of back and forth; at certain points you progress forward past a point of no return. I also liked having to turn cranks and move things myself. Not a lot of slow videos or boring dialog either. A very nice game!!
I recommend this game!
A mysterious man in red summons you, sending you to a flying ship where a little girl needs your help!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Finally!! Something for those who want a good challenge!!
PostedApril 1, 2014
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I loved this game!! It is a good, solid, HO game. Nice graphics, Ok story line, lots of playing time, a variety of rooms/places to explore, a variety in the HO scenes--what set it apart for me was the difficulty. I played at expert level, and I found several puzzles to be quite challenging, as well as the game itself. I solved everything...eventually, but connecting the dots was not as obvious in this game. There is no map, which I usually like, especially if it indicates active zones where something can be done. But not having it, forced me to take more time in figuring things out for myself, and I found that refreshingly enjoyable. My favorite game of all time is MYST. This is definitely not Myst, but if you are getting a little bored of the ho hum HO game, with the same old puzzles, definitely give this a try!
Your grandfather disappeared while searching for Inuits' legendary treasure. Travel to the Arctic to find your missing grandfather and solve the Inuit mystery.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
So good, but just not enough of a great thing
PostedMarch 22, 2014
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is an excellent game with all the right stuff. The realism of it really appealed to me. Great cut scenes, realistic graphics, good puzzles, HO scenes with objects that make sense... very solid story, simple but very believable, and moves logically. The only supernatural stuff comes at the very end. I can only give it four stars, rather than 5 however, because it seemed a bit short. Just not quite enough of a really great game. Sure hope they do more like this!!
I recommend this game!
A UFO is rumored to have landed in the small town of Tundel and the mayor is trying to conceal it. Run your own journalistic investigation and learn the truth behind the event!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
More! More!!
PostedFebruary 16, 2013
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Just plain fun!! Pleeeeeeeeease make more like this!! Maybe add a puzzle or two?
I recommend this game!
Search for a town consumed by fog! Unlock forbidden doors and uncover mysterious items!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent game!
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
simonthedog
fromMichigan
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
5
/
5
The only reason I did not give this game 5 stars is because it did not contain anything really unique. That being said, it is a very good, very solid game: diverse scenes (although on the macabre side), great story, great graphics, diverse puzzles, good length. There is not a hard core option, which I prefer, but the game is good enough that I did not mind the sparkles, and I did end up using the Hint button a few times. I prefer a map that indicates an action can be taken, so I can figure it out what it is on my own, but I would highly recommend this game to any level of player.
I recommend this game!
Rescue a young girl from the Penumbra Motel. Solve puzzles, unravel a long standing mystery of death and disappearances in this heart-pounding adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Loved this!
PostedJanuary 4, 2013
simonthedog
fromMichigan
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
SE version, hard mode
I loved it! I found it quite challenging, and a nice long game. I prefer brighter graphics, but the muted tones went with the spooky story. Cut scenes were well done. Lots of different rooms and scenes for variety. Not a real creative plot, and I don't like children being kidnapped, but it was adequate and it did not take away from my enjoyment of the game. It squeaked out 5 stars because the puzzles and adventure style were very appealing to me, and it took over 4 hours to complete.
I recommend this game!