megwoman25's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:1,465
- Reviews Submitted:285
- First Review:December 20, 2011
- Most Recent Review:December 7, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A dark prophecy threatens to destroy the city of Munich!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Review Of Completed Game
PostedAugust 1, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Oh My What A Surprise This Game Was!!! I absolutely loved the first one in this series but sequels never seem to live up to the first however this game just knocked my socks off!
First of all, the graphics/soundtrack in this game are superb. I have always loved Elephant games but their soundtracks really are amazing. The dramatic music while exploring something sinister and when you meet different characters it changes to something more suited. The music in this game really helps enhance the graphics and overall theme/setting of this game.
The voiceovers are really well done! It didn't sound like people were just reading from a piece of paper all monotone like in some other games. The hidden object scenes were mildly interactive like moving items to locate other items or matching a certain number of objects. However the scenes were so beautiful that I wasn't bored by the lack of innovative scenes. They worked for the game. There were a good variety of puzzles in this game. Most were easy to complete, a few made me have to use my brain which I love. I wish more games made me use my thinker.
There are also lots of extras in this game! Morphing objects, Chimeras and tarot cards to collect. They are all pretty easy to spot although a few morphs did get away from me. Bonus chapter added about 45 minutes. The entire game took me 4-5 hours I think? I became so into this game I seemed to lose track of time which is a great thing! I can't remember the last time I started a game and finished it within a day or so. Usually I am so bored, I put them on my desktop to finish later and never get there!
The plot line was familiar yet I really liked the cast of characters. The Wanderer kind of made me laugh with his dorky voice and weird mannerisms. The bonus chapter is not needed in order to finish the story. In fact it really has no relation at all except that it has another supernatural being trying to take over and you need to do the deputy a favor and help solve a murder.
I would usually say to buy the SE but the extras in this game were really good. Also, I usually hate secret rooms and see no added value to the game but this one was a bit different. You had achievements within it to do it in 6 minutes, use no hints, etc etc. You are finding X amount of morphs in rooms. I found it quite hard to be honest. It was hard to see certain items and I didn't do it in 6 minutes and its the only part of the game I needed hints LOL But I found it somewhat interesting and fun. Thing is, if you don't get the achievements, you can't go back and try to improve your score. Its like a one time deal so you'd need to play the game again to do any better. I also didn't see a way to go back and find any collectibles you missed. BUT I got them all so maybe I didn't see a way because I didn't need to. Morphs/Cards go into the bonus chapter as well.
I rarely give games 5 stars and I really didn't expect to like this game as much as I did. Games lately have been soooo boring and lackluster and I am so glad to know that there are still some games that are mind blowing. Elephant has always been a great developer albeit some of their games probably need to end...(I am looking at you Grim Tales & Mystery Trackers...) However this is a great newish series and hopefully they do the series justice and keep bringing out new good games.
I definitely recommend!!
I recommend this game!
Join Esther as she attempts to influence the past in order to change the future and learn the secrets of the Ambrose family!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Review Of Almost Completed Game...
PostedJuly 23, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Current Favorite:
Sunken Secrets
(59)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I was about to be done with the game but decided to put it to rest early due to extreme boredom. When this game came out years ago, it was advanced compared to other games however nowadays its too outdated for me. Usually I keep that in mind while playing a game but the plotline is what ultimately did me in not the lack of extras or challenge for that matter.
The outdated factors are:
-No map but one is really not needed as your map is the time travel device and takes you to and from everywhere and even highlights where you need to go.
-No collectibles and/or achievements
-locked extras until you complete the entire game
-2 modes of difficulty both showing sparkles on hidden object scenes.
-Inventory bar doesn't have the choice to lock (big pet peeve of mine)
-No map but one is really not needed as your map is the time travel device and takes you to and from everywhere and even highlights where you need to go.
-No collectibles and/or achievements
-locked extras until you complete the entire game
-2 modes of difficulty both showing sparkles on hidden object scenes.
-Inventory bar doesn't have the choice to lock (big pet peeve of mine)
However, I got over these factors because the developer is one of my all time favorites but this plot was just so boring. You go back into time to change the past so the future doesn't bring mayhem and death. You have a time device your uncle made you. I did like the time device. I just didn't care for the fact it was like a map and there was no way to turn off where to go next. A helpful green arrow lets you know what area needs your attention.
The hidden object scenes are run of the mill being mildly interactive but they were fun enough. You can change them to a mini game if you get bored of them however I never checked to see what said mini game was. There are very few puzzles in this game and most are really easy. There are also a lot of inserts that bas reliefs, keys or other objects go into to open other places or boxes.
Had I played this game when it came out I might have enjoyed it more but the plot line was just so boring with all the different big bads and the lack of direction. It was just transporting back and forth without much story to save the world again just like you did in the past 2 games. I would have to recommend the 2nd game in this series because it is the superior one to all 3. I remember liking it a lot! It may be a little outdated to some now but a good game is a good game regardless of year made. This game lacks a good story and too much back and forth to keep my attention so I recommend you demo this game to see if you can stand the outdated features and blah story line!
I don't recommend this game.
Who broke the agreement between good and evil?
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 17 found this review helpful
Terrible Terrible Plot & Characters
PostedJune 30, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
UGH! I was so excited to see a new series from Eipix but man am I disappointed. Its like all the developers sat in a room pitched ideas and someone said "Hey you know what would be cool? IF we could use all those ideas and throw them in the same game!!!" And it makes no sense and drags the game into one of the worst story lines ever and I am a gamer who likes a good story. I can deal with developers that do the same plot over again as long as its done well but this one is a mish mosh of every game theme thrown into one and its not pretty.
I started out liking this game and a puzzle actually stumped me or maybe I overthought it, either way I was hooked. Too bad that kind of challenge didn't last though because all the rest of the puzzles were sooo easy which is okay sometimes if they are fun but these not so much! Too many puzzles missing items to even do the puzzles. Too many hidden object scenes that kept going and going and had nothing to do with the game or the time period!
The game lets you decide which areas you do first. You get a choice of going to 3 locations and you can do them in any order. I decided to go to the prison first and I actually liked that area but its when I was done there and chose the hat shop that the game made my head spin. Why on earth would a game about Jekyll and Hyde have the MAD HATTER from Alice In Wonderland in it?? Why would the Cheshire cat be present or the caterpillar?? No Alice in sight though but you do have "Drink me" and "eat me" that send you into these weird trances yet have nothing redeeming about them except the game spins around. I was dumbfounded by the presence of these characters. And it doesn't stop there folks...Alice in Wonderland, Jekyll and Hyde, Huge Ogres, Phineas Fogg and a Vermilion Watch Group etc etc etc....Then I get to the emporium and Jekyll appears as a ghost and decides to help me even though at that point I had no idea what he was even helping me with...Waiters that had guns and dead people in a closet? I was done...ENOUGH!!!
I was almost done with the game but I couldn't take a second longer. What a mess. There are collectibles which are super easy to spot and morphing objects in the hidden object scenes. There are the usual modes plus a custom mode. It angers me that I have the choice to turn off the plus sign yet it appears in red instead of it just looking like any other item. What is the point then of even having that option? I like to make my games as hard as possible and it just made no sense to have it there at all.
And lastly, one of the best parts of Eipix games (at least back in the day when I really liked their games & they were original) was the "making of" in the extras. The developers made me laugh with their weirdness and it was exciting to have a look into their life. That extra was missing much to my dismay.
Overall, a poor attempt at a new series. Way too many characters that do not go together in a time period that makes no sense. I miss games that are challenging at least using the brain cells a little bit. I liked having LOTS of items in my inventory so I had to choose different options to figure out what I needed instead of picking up an object and using it two seconds later. Hidden Object scenes actually hid the objects. I can't be the only one so disappointed by the standard of hidden object games nowadays. I long for the days when I used to get excited for an MCF game or Hidden Expedition. Hidden Expedition Devil's Triangle is one of the hardest games I owned a long time ago. I remember needing so much help and even now as an experienced gamer, when I replay it, it still stumps me and I need to look at a walk through. Now the hidden expedition games are a joke as are MCF.
Rant over. This game is not for me. Probably not for any experienced gamers and definitely not for anyone who likes a plot line that makes sense. It takes more than beautiful graphics to make a great game.
I don't recommend this game.
The legendary hero Hercules and his wife Megara are back, ready to embark on their next adventure! Restore the world's beauty and save Mother Nature from destruction!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Review Of Completed Game
PostedMarch 18, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I am a really big fan of this series. That being said, this game plays like all the others in the series except you are saving mother nature from fires and floods. You restore hydrants & some crystals to put out fires and restore the green that is the earth. You also plug up areas that have been washed away by floods. But to be honest, other than those two aspects, this really had nothing to do with mother nature LOL
The Collector's edition includes a strategy guide that wasn't helpful except it showed you where the placement of Hercules tiles and other hidden objects scattered around the scenes. There are sign posts in most levels and usually they tell you how much wood/gold/food you can have at a time like 20 or 30 etc but sometimes the signs will say to find 5 umbrellas or find 4 mushrooms and you get points for doing that. Other than it being a bit of an extra, the hidden objects made little sense. I did like finding the Hercules tablets though just because they are always so blended in that I usually have a tough time spotting a few of them. The strategy guide does tell you steps but if you are really stuck, its not going to help you. You are better off going to youtube and watching the solution or playing the game on relaxed or casual. There are 3 modes, untimed, casual (normal) and expert. In order to beat a developer's time you must put the game in expert because in casual you have a 3000 point handicap that you automatically receive when playing expert. It took me a long time to figure this out! I had no idea how to get developers time in any game in this series but finally someone mentioned something in the forums! KUDOS TO YOU!
The Collector's Edition features 10 additional levels and 1 bonus scene per chapter. Also at the end of the game after you beat the bonus scenes, you can play a super bonus level. Honestly I found the bonus levels to be quite easy on casual but they were impossible on expert so I opted to have fun playing this game rather than failing every level on expert. I did get all the golds and achievements except for beating a developers record 10 times. I was able to do it 5 times but after that the levels got way too hard for me to complete in gold time and thats the only way you can beat their time by playing expert and getting gold.
As much as I liked this game, I would have to say that the collector's edition is not worth the extra money. Now that I think about it, the 10 levels I thought were extra might have just been part of the main game as it had an ending to it that the bonus levels did not have. IF you have played this series before then you'll know that all the achievements remain the same game to game so if you have achieved them in past games, save yourself the money and get the standard edition.
I recommend this game! Please make more and more devs! Cheers!
Experience an authentic Slavic legend! Save the creatures from destruction!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
One of my fav developers!
PostedFebruary 24, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I swear that Artifex Mundi never disappoint. No matter what game they offer, I always find myself over the moon with delight and Slavic Fable is no different. It surprised me how much I liked this in fact because I have kind of been over the whole fantasy forest game but this one was too good to pass on by.
In the main game, there are 2 types of collectibles. Cards & flowers. I missed ONE flower and TWO cards. Darn! I even went back to check and yet no I could not find them so even though I thought they weren't very well hidden, obviously they were! There are a lot of achievements mostly the usual fare of hidden object scenes with no hints, puzzles with no hints etc and the kind that everyone will get because its game play related! I really don't understand game play achievements but whatever floats your boat.
The modes of game are kind of weird however. There is no customizing the modes so in order to not have sparkles, you need to pick expert mode. However most times when you put a game in expert mode, it takes out all hints & skips and that is not so with this game. You can still get hints, inside/outside of hidden object scenes and skip puzzles. Frankly I don't know why any puzzle would need to be skipped as I found them wayyyy easy. On a few puzzles I made them harder then they needed to be and realizing that thankfully I could reset them and try again and then got them on the first try.
Although this story line is about saving your grandma, I thought the whole fable was so interesting that I didn't mind the game. In the main game, there were tons of things to do, a helpful map (although I never used it as I played expert) and the items you picked up, you did not use right away! However the bonus game is a whole other story. I played about 20 minutes of the bonus game and found it extremely boring! Every item you find in the bonus, you use right away and its predictable not to mention you are going through some of the same places, the light is just a different color.
Because the bonus chapter did not meet my expectations, I give the game 4 stars. It was fun, kept my interest throughout the whole main game, had some originality, had a variety of different hogs which I loved and even though the puzzles were extremely easy, there were a lot of them and I love puzzles. The graphics were beautifully detailed and the music was quite nice.
All in all a very enjoyable game. I recommend as a standard edition as the bonus has no bearing on the main game and as a standard edition I would have given this game 5 stars.
I recommend this game!
Rescue the captured lords of the Elven Kingdom in an exciting time management strategy game set in a fantasy world.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Too Hard For Me!
PostedFebruary 5, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am not an expert at TMs like I am at HOGs but usually with a little bit of strategy I can get the 3 stars on most levels or at least the 2nd or 3rd time. However past the first 6 levels on normal, I found it impossible to get more than 1-2 stars and trust me I tried. I did start over the game at one point and put it on relaxed but I just find these games so boring without a timer challenging me. However close to the end of the game, the levels started getting easier but then the final level I could not do in the allotted time and once time runs out, you have to start all over. And what really irked me was when the timer ran out there was still blue in the timer so I always thought I had more time then I did...
However I am not sure its the levels that are challenging but the pace of the game. I found the cursor to not be as fluid as it should be. It felt sticky even though it wasn't. The cursor is way too big but even changing its settings doesn't help. There is strategy needed because if you go down a certain path you can get stuck and need to start over. Some levels I played 3-5 times and still could not get a better score even when trying other roads. It seemed like there was just one correct road but even that one didn't make a lot of sense.
The bonus buttons don't seem to help all that much. Make sure you mouse over the bonus buttons before starting the level because you won't know what they are for once in the game which I found really annoying! In some TM builder games, the main house gets more workers as time goes on like you start with 2 instead of 1. This is not the case in this game as you always start with ONE and you always have to add another which I think is a waste of time and materials.
This game was too frustrating for me, not a lot of fun and the mechanics made it even worse. It isn't the worst TM I have played but its definitely not the best either. Even when a TM game is too hard for me, half the time I keep playing it not even caring if I get the 3 stars if the game is fun and has merit. This game was a chore to finish and the last level is impossible so I gave up. I see there is a now a sequel to this game. I can only hope that the developers read some of these reviews and tweaked the game a bit.
I recommend this game to expert TM players or people who just really love these games. Since TM games seem to be few and far between, this game will fill the time but don't be surprised if you don't finish it or fall asleep. A good cure for my insomnia!
I don't recommend this game.
After a suspicious accident, you find yourself stranded at a run-down motel. But you soon realize the area hides a terrifying secret...
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Weird but fun
PostedJanuary 15, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: Davy Jones Collector's Edition
(78)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Its been a really long time since I have started a game and it has intrigued me so much by game play & story line that I have played the entire thing in one sitting. It took me about 3.5 hours as its now 2am and I started this about 10:30pm. And even though this game kept my interest the entire time and I had fun playing it, I am not sure how to rate it due to some technical errors throughout the game that kind of ruined the experience.
When the game first starts, there are lots of sound effects, voice overs etc but as the game goes on, at least on my computer (running windows 8.1) the sound went out. So the people would talk and they are real life actors unlike drawn ones we have seen of late and without hearing them, it makes the game weird. I guess this could be my system but its only a few games that do this. It usually happens with ERS games but this is by Lesta. Speaking of which, does Lesta still make games? I would definitely like to see more of their games. I do have the Nightmare Realm series but some new offerings would be awesome too! So voiceovers went out halfway through and so did sound effects so by the end of the main game, there was no excitement and the ending was very climatic but I had no volume so it just seemed outdated even though it wasn't.
The other issue I had was that I couldn't play the bonus game. When I went into it, it starts with a hidden object scene but I had to ctrl/alt/del out of it because there was no "menu" button or "guide" button which is weird and I couldn't advance in the scene. So not sure what that was all about. I can say that I did not get the game through big fish, I just do all my reviews here as this is the community I belong to. So maybe I just got a lemon of a game. who knows.
There are collectibles to find which are one dollar bills which you can use to buy "making of" movies, or post cards that are actually jigsaw puzzles. There are not many extras but this is an older game so I didn't mind. I couldn't find an achievements section but I kept getting them as the game went on and when it ended so either I am blind or there just isn't a screen to see what you get. Maybe they are all game related. I wasn't really paying attention to them so I don't know.
Even though I liked this game and played it all the way through, I am only giving it 3 stars due to the glitches I experienced. I actually would give this a 3.5 due to the originality of the graphics & atmosphere. It was children of the corn meets psycho & the bates motel. It also had the feel of the movie "identity" with John Cusack but its not a huge hit so I am sure most have not watched it. I just happen to love psychological thrillers and Mr. Cusack. A guilty pleasure from the 80s haha IF the bonus had played properly, I would have had at least a 5 hour game.
The map is very helpful but I was not a fan of the strategy guide. I do not usually use the guides but there were a few puzzles that you need codes for and so I would look to the guide to remember the code. Well it has a weird layout. You get a camera in the beginning because this is how you get hidden object scenes by going into the past when you find pictures but you never take your own by yourself. The game does it for you and then they appear in the guide but you get no useful information from them. Then its hard to navigate in the guide where those codes would be but its even harder to find them by chapter so I had to go back and forth to rooms to get codes. Annoying.
You can customize the game although there are not a lot of choices just sparkles or no, hints/skips quick, normal or slow and if you want a penalty in the hidden object scenes. Even though you can't turn off black bar hints, I didn't find them intrusive. You can click through dialogue if you don't want to hear them talk but the voiceovers I did have were good.
The puzzles & hidden object scenes were nicely done. All the hidden object scenes are interactive. In fact I kind of wished for some original ones because it was all finding one object to open another to move something that becomes a square that you put into a box that opens a door etc Had there been some variety, I would have liked them more. Puzzles were an average difficulty level. Most were doable and easy but some did require some thinking. Also some were very original and I liked those.
All in all a good game that I recommend. Wish I could have enjoyed the entire game and not just the main game. Wish I also had voice overs the entire game. Due to these few issues, I rate the game lower but it is a good buy. It wraps up in the main game so thats always a plus and I'd love to see Lesta come up with some more ideas and release some new games! Kudos!
I recommend this game!
Will you heed the director’s final casting call?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Review Of Completed Game...
PostedJanuary 14, 2016
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I was surprised by how much I liked this game considering I hated the second one. It has lots of extras, achievements and collectibles but also has a solid story line. Of course the story isn't anything new or original but its well done and kept my interest. I even finished the bonus chapter which is a rare thing for me. Usually I am so bored by that point that I uninstall the game but this one I kept returning to.
There are clapper boards to find and morphs in the hidden object scenes. There are a lot of achievements but they are the usual fare of completing scenes without hints, getting 5 objects in 5 seconds and playing at least 5 match 3 games instead of hidden object scenes etc. I got most but I am really bad at time related ones especially in Eipix games. They are extensive searches throughout many locations in a single hidden object scene. Therefore unless you find them all first and then try for 10 in a row in 10 seconds OR play a scene enough times that you can do it in 30 seconds, you are really out of luck. Its very rare that I like to go back and replay hidden object scenes so I didn't get any of those timed achievements.
The extras in this game are interesting. I realized that I had never finished a bonus game of Eipix's with this "new" souvenir room as an extra. So what that is, is a room of items and you click on one and it sends you throughout the game you just played, to every location so you can locate ONE item that is shown to you. Some are easy to spot while others are behind other items. I didn't really see the point to this extra but I did do it. I also love Eipix's making of extra as its fun to see behind the scenes this one is interactive and you get to actually build a scene! Then there is the option to play match 3, hidden object scenes again, see artwork etc. The pictures were more fun than normal because it showed the crazy pics they take that are then put into the game and thats what you do in the making of. So make sure you do the making of first because it really puts it in perspective. I liked the extras more than usual. Also you can go back and get any clappers you missed. I only missed one and it was a duh moment.
The main plot is somewhat good. It reminded me of the Dorian Gray game from long ago. It has that same madman mentality to it but Dorian Gray is far superior and out of the box.
I really did enjoy this game and liked the plot twist although some characters look alike so I got confused but I think thats just me. I recommend this game as a CE although it does wrap up in the main chapter so if extras aren't your thing, you will do just fine with the standard. Kudos!
I recommend this game!
Subliminal Realms: The Masterpiece Collector's Edition
Albert's worst nightmare becomes reality when a creature from his grim paintings kidnaps his family. What does she want?
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Spectacular Game!
PostedDecember 1, 2015
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I haven't given a 5 star rating in ages to a hidden object game but this one deserves like 10 stars. I have decided that anytime I see the usual people who give 5 star reviews to everything rate a game low, I am always going to love that game! This game is out of the box, original, interactive as can be, great graphics, soundtrack, the whole works. The collectibles open up an artwork lair that you can color and I loved such an interactive change. Instead of just collecting junk to collect it, everytime you get 5 slides you get to go to a gallery and complete a picture. I love art & coloring so I became instantly glued to this game.
Yes you are saving your family so its not a new theme but the gameplay is new. I never had to find a paperclip to open a zipper or find 10 butterflies etc etc ALL the hidden object scenes are interactive like mini puzzles but not in an annoying way. There are lists, matching, put objects back, put objects in the center, unlock locks that give more objects and on and on. Usually I get kind of tired of hidden object scenes but every time I hit one, I was ecstatic! They were the best part of this game! Something I haven't said for a very long time!
I gotta say this developer has got me hooked. They are not very well known but they always keep me guessing and they keep getting better and better with each release. I am so happy a developer is actually doing something original instead of just copying other people!
The voiceovers in this game are stellar! There is a helper that you paint that comes to life. I usually hate helpers but this one has the best accent/voice over ever! Because I enjoyed his voice so much, I didn't mind him at all and he really isn't very intrusive. The graphics & music are perfect for the game.
The challenge on puzzles could be a bit better as I found most of the puzzles way easy BUT this game was so fun because of the hidden object scenes that I didn't mind having easy puzzles. The hidden object scenes give the challenge because most are HARD to spot items because they blend in! I was thrilled by this as I hate a click fest junk pile and this game does what I always want these games to do, give you something to actually search for! Thank you devs!
The game wraps up nicely in the main game but the bonus game is an origins of sorts. You don't need it to understand the game but its fun and the hidden object scenes are still interactive and unique. This is a pretty long bonus chapter & not just thrown together hastily. You can tell the developers put their all into this game and I LOVED something out of the box & original. I know we have had painting stories before but this one is different in a sense and the hidden object scenes are the best I have seen in ages. This game actually gives me hope that there are still developers out there that are pushing the envelope & not getting stuck in a rut with quantity over quality. This developer does not have a lot of games under its belt but the games they put out are worthwhile!! That to me is worth sooo much more than the series' that have been around forever and have just gotten worse & worse as time has gone by & don't even really follow what the series was even about to begin with!
I totally recommend this game. It gets better as it goes on and I am not even a big fan of fantasy but this game drew me in from the get go and since it was rated low by the "I give everything a 5 star review" people, I knew I would probably love it because most things they rate 5 stars, I think are the worst games ever!!
LOVE the work devs I look forward to more games and more creativity!! KUDOS for out of the box thinking!!! MWAH~!
I recommend this game!
A stay at a peaceful hotel turns into a nightmare when a witch from the Twilight World takes your daughter!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Hidden Object Scenes Saved It...
PostedNovember 21, 2015
megwoman25
fromNorthern California
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am getting rather sick of this fantasy genre. All the games are the same plot, same game play like find a paper clip to open a bag the zipper fell off of. Let me tell you I own a lot of things with zippers and they only fall off once in blue moon. Easier than easy puzzles and pink/purple graphics and a helper or some cutesy aspect.
But let me say I liked this game a whole lot more than I thought I would when I started playing it. When I started, I thought why did I buy this? Everything was how I described above but this game had amazing hidden object scenes. They were so interactive and none of them were the same kind of list so I liked all that variety. I liked them enough to keep playing to the end of this game which has an ending anyone can guess and then goes into a bonus chapter that is a better ending to the story than the actual main game ending is. But I couldn't get through all of the bonus chapter and the reason for this is the easiness of the puzzles.
I am a puzzle LOVER! I love all kinds of puzzles. I do crosswords everyday, sudoku, variety word puzzles, board games, card games etc. I love solving things. There are A LOT of puzzles in this game and initially I was thrilled by this. IF you don't like puzzles you will be bombarded in this game and hate them. At first I loved hitting the puzzles but as I got farther into the game I started skipping them. I NEVER skip puzzles because no matter the difficulty level I just like to do them BUT these were sooooo easy that they became boring. Ones that looked a bit complex I'd move one piece and it would complete itself. That shouldn't happen and I became so bored of them that I didn't want to play them anymore. A lot of them repeat too. There are a bunch of move the items into their proper places which can be really tricky but not these ones. There are a bunch of matching tasks but these are super duper easy. There are also the same old puzzles we always get like the connecting the pipe to get water, doing the same thing with electricity cables, doing the same thing with other magic things. I couldn't keep playing these easy peasy puzzles for another minute so I quit the bonus chapter which wasn't all that riveting anyway.
As a CE you have a lot of bling. You have achievements although I didn't see them in the extras or on the main screen but they pop up during the game so maybe its just an in game thing..who knows. You have a lot of collectibles such as rabbits, cats & baseball card things. I was really unimpressed by the extras. Besides achievements & collectibles there is wallpaper, extra art work and a soundtrack. To be honest though, even if this game had more extras, I wouldn't have played them because everything was so easy. I usually go back and try the puzzles if I can't do them...but then again its been a long time since that has happened.
My wish for hidden object games are ORIGINAL STORY LINES. I feel like the casual game genre has gotten stale. I love a good mystery/crime show and even though there's lots of those on tv, they find a way to make each one original or at least try. Even hollywood is out of ideas but they are at least trying with sequels and books to movies. Casual game developers just keep churning out the same old junk. I want something fresh, new and fun! I want to be wowed. I want my jaw to drop and to get so immersed in a game that I literally can't tear myself away from the computer. Its been way too long since that has happened. I don't need a game everyday if its going to be junk. I am happy waiting for a great game to be made! I can't be the only one over these tired story lines, puzzles that are beyond easy and the fantasy genre over and over again. At least have some variety!! And some originality! I am to the point where I don't even buy games anymore because whats the point of buying another game that is the same plot, same story, same game mechanics, same hidden object scenes, same puzzles as every other game. What a waste of money buying the same game over and over again. But I digress.
IF you like a lot of collectibles, easy peasy puzzles and a story line that has been done a million times then this game is for you! Although I enjoyed this game a lot more than I thought I would, its still NOT a great game and not worth anything better than average rating.