FishyFemale's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:1,171
- Reviews Submitted:113
- First Review:September 23, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 1, 2023
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Save Oz from the evil Victor Vile! Team up with the Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Lion and use their powers to overcome obstacles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Beginners and Wizard of Oz fans will probably enjoy this the most
PostedApril 4, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Don't expect to see the MGM film version of the story here as this game is based on the original novel so you won't see the pretty Munchkinland either. Although the artwork is very well drawn, the colors are drab and dreary before you get to the Emerald City. There are many hidden object scenes but they're very easy and are not junkpiles. During subsequent visits to previous HO scenes, you'll find all the items in the same locations so finding new ones are very easy and fun. You also get to find pieces of objects strewn about several locations that combine to make an object you'll need later. Puzzles are of the type of sliders, turning on lights, conneting circuits and are nothing we haven't seen before but they are fun and easy to do. They're also all skippable for those who don't like them. Your map is not transportive but it tells you which areas still have things to do and which are complete. A nice aspect of the game is that you'll also be told when a certain scene is complete so backtracking is minimal. The hint button is helpful and fills quickly.
The only complaint I have is that I think the voice actors were poorly matched for their characters. To me, they sounded terrible and not endearing at all like those from the movie. I just think better sounding voices could have been chosen to make them seem more believable. The Vile shadowman had probably the most appropriate voice.
Being as the game is very easy, this is best reserved for beginners or fans of the Wizard of Oz like myself. The game is pretty short overall, having completed it in 3 hours and 18 minutes, but for the Wizard of Oz fan, I think it makes for an enjoyable excursion.
I recommend this game!
Hamlet
Guide the Hero as he embarks on a mind-bending mission to save Hamlet's girlfriend from the clutches of the evil Claudius!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Mix of the logical and illogical makes for poor gameplay
PostedApril 4, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Like the first reviewer stated quite truthfully, Hamlet doesn't seem to follow the rules of puzzle design that you would expect in this kind of game, which is unfortunate because Hamlet could have been lots better had the developer only made it that way. And like another reviewer already said here, you really have to use the illogical part of your brain to get through some parts of this game. That's pretty sad because Hamlet had so much potential to be better than it is but it still holds some appeal for those who like to be challenged in this way. I took one star away because of its very short length. I finished the game in an hour and 15 minutes. Now that's not because of savvy gameplaying, as I actually couldn't get through this game without using the walkthrough. I had so much trouble with some of the strategy during the demo hour that I pulled up the walkthrough to get me as far as I could go within that hour. I liked the cartoonish graphics enough to want this game but I knew from reading the reviews both on the main page and in the forums that this game wasn't worth getting unless I bought it on a severely reduced sale as in a DD or COW, or by using a free game coupon. I used my coupon and I'm glad I did as I wouldn't have wanted to pay more than $2.99 for it otherwise.
I took a second star away for the illogical thinking that's required for other parts of Hamlet. There's a section where you're in a maze and the directions you have to move the hero to are so irrational that you can't possibly get to where you need to go without looking at the walkthrough. There's only a few steps to take but choosing which room you'd go to if you were actually there is not what you have to do to get the hero out of it. Other areas involving an octopus and an hourglass were equally challenging just because it took SO long to get through them because you had to use perfect timing to click on just the right spots. And one other place has you clicking on musical notes that you need to do in rapid succession. You have to do this five times or the entire sequence starts over from the beginning. From the forums, I learned how to slow down this section by using a hint and I was able to get through it, but the other areas don't work that way and nothing can be skipped over in this game. A couple people in the forums said their elementary age children were able to play Hamlet within an hour after watching their parents play it through first. Personally, I find that hard to believe but then I'm no genius and I am humble enough to concur that some children may even be able to play this game better than some adults. Maybe that's why the one reviewer said you have to use the illogical part of your brain because we're thinking about it too hard. Children think on a more basic level and maybe Hamlet was designed that way. When I played it through the second time, I enjoyed it more since I knew what I had to do but I still needed the walkthrough to get through the maze and it still took me a long time to pass the octopus and hourglass sections. This is a game where you definitely have to think outside of the box but just be forewarned that it's a very large box. Maybe a better analogy is to think outside of the solar system as there are huge lapses in logic that you'll come across. Not in everything though but you'll see what I mean should you choose to try it. Do keep the walkthrough open during your demo hour as I think most players will need it. And I advise you to read through the reviews both on the main page and in the forums so that you can decide if it's worth your time.
I have to admit that I do appreciate the colorful, cartoonish graphics and the animations in Hamlet and that's what holds its attraction for me. It's in a different genre than the hidden object adventure games I normally play and I was looking for something different. This is more of a puzzle game and Hamlet is definitely something different! However, it could have been a great classic had the story been longer and the gameplay more logical. The game is supposed to be a fractured, humorous retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet but the title character has no prescense in the entire game other than a mention in the very beginning and ending. The main character is the "hero" who rescues Ophelia and even though I've never read the original story of Hamlet, I know that so much more of this game could have been fleshed out from the details of Shakespeare's story. I heard that there are three witches in the story but they are nowhere in this game. That's just one example of how they could have made the game longer and they didn't.
I'm on the fence on whether or not to recommend Hamlet. It's worth trying the demo because you'll know for sure during that time whether it's something you'd want to play again and subsequently own. Like I said, I'm glad I used a coupon for it but don't know how many more times I'll actually play it again. Some sections are quite fun but my good time always gets ruined by the prolonged clicking that's necessary in the other areas. I still can't decide if the genius of Hamlet is in the logical vs. illogical design of the game or that you have to be a genius to play it without using the walkthrough. If I want to be honest, which I do, and still be objective on whether to vote "yay" or "nay" on Hamlet for the average casual gamer like myself, then I think I'll have to bow my head to the NAY side. There's just too much wrong with it, unfortunately.
I don't recommend this game.
Save your sister from the grave! After receiving a troubling phone call from your brother-in-law, you’re off on an adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Intriguing storyline and graphics pull you right in
PostedApril 2, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'd never heard of this game until it was offered as the COW for $2.99. It sounded just like the kind of creepy games I prefer, so I couldn't pass it by for the excellent low price. I would have paid more for it because it's really that good. I loved the demo and enjoyed it even more as the game progressed. It has beautiful graphics and well-hidden items in the HO scenes, but they're not so tiny as to cause frustration. The interactive inventory items are always an added bonus, and found items were used nearby so backtracking was limited to only a few scenes. The hint button quickly refilled and was helpful enough to keep me from consulting the walkthrough. Puzzles were not hard but required some intuitive thinking to figure them out. Music and ambient sounds provided the appropriate moody atmosphere. This was a very enjoyable game overall with a very interesting storyline and smooth gameplay that flowed very naturally. Well worth the money but like I always say, try before you buy so that you feel the same way about it.
I recommend this game!
Help the secret organization of Mystery Trackers find 3 missing celebrities in the mysterious Void family mansion!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A haunted house with humorous touches
PostedApril 2, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Hamlet
(12)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Yes, this is another haunted house game but it's so much fun to play! The artwork is gorgeous and the HO scenes are not junkpiles, and the items within are not small but are cleverly hidden to make it more challenging. The interesting story involves three missing characters and you get to explore each one separately. The hint button is helpful enough so that you won't need a walkthrough, and the game progresses in a smooth logical way. There are lots of puzzles for the puzzle lover and they are diverse enough so that there's enough of a mix of the old and new variety. All are skipable and there are clear instructions for how to solve them. You can also earn achievements so the gameplay can be quite long for those who forego using hints and skips. There's a lot to like here so try it out for yourself!
I recommend this game!
Guide Kate Reed as she solves four mind-bending mysteries that take her to worlds she's never imagined!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Four subplots make it feel like four different games
PostedMarch 30, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was surprised with how much fun I had playing this game! There are four subplots so it's like playing four different games and yes, you do get to go through many different doors in each of them. The beautiful artwork just adds to the atmosphere and you get a transportive map for those who dislike the adventuring aspects of the game. The hint and skip buttons fill quickly too. Morphing items as well as interactive hidden object scenes add to the fun you'll have playing this game, and each person has his own interesting storyline to tell. I really think you'll enjoy this one!
I recommend this game!
Help Kiera Vale discover her ancestor’s history as she explores Blackwater Asylum in Nightmare Adventures: The Witch’s Prison!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Spooky in a fun way
PostedMarch 30, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Mystic Legacy: The Great Ring
(81)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game was great fun for me all around. There were a lot of minigames and puzzles throughout and all were challenging without being too difficult. I really enjoyed coming across the puzzles while exploring the graveyard and mausoleum because the setting was so beautiful, and it built up the suspense for when you finally get into the asylum. This is more of an adventure game, which I prefer anyway, and the hidden object scenes were not as plentiful but were balanced well with the fun minigames that were prevalent throughout. The mystery surrounding what A.R.C.A.N.E is added to the intrigue and the story is very well-written and spooky but in a fun way. It is a smart game with gorgeous graphics and comments that are frequently very funny. And there's no penalty for misclicking either! I found there was a lot to do and I had a lot of fun doing it.
I recommend this game!
Enter a criminal’s mind, decipher cryptic messages and reveal his identity before it’s too late! Stop a killer in his tracks!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 16 found this review helpful
A solid investigative murder mystery
PostedMarch 30, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the first game from the Women's Murder Club series that I played and I loved how different it is from the usual creepy themed games I normally play. I really liked the investigative nature of the game as a whole, and how you get to play each of the four principal characters in solving the murder. I especially enjoyed the laboratory scenes, as that's what I do in real life, but it's different in that I'm studying evidence for a murder case. The story is very well-developed, as are the characters, and I enjoyed almost everything except for the limited hint system and frequently very small items in the hidden object scenes. This is an older game and reminiscent of the earlier ones in the Mystery Case Files series when unlimited and refillable hints were not yet the norm in casual games. I think the game would have been better had it been an adventure game instead of straight hidden objects. It would have made the gameplay more realistic and fun because you're collecting evidence and the wandering around would have made more sense. But at least there are no penalties for misclicks and the hidden objects were scattered in the scenes and not in junkpiles. The minigames were challenging at times but all are skippable. My favorite is the map game where you narrow down the street locations through the process of elimination. All in all, I had a good time playing my first computer game where it actually felt like I was investigating something for real.
I recommend this game!
Help Sara find her missing husband and stop an evil pirate's ancient curse in Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Another winner from the MCF series
PostedMarch 4, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Wow, I hadn't expected to enjoy this game as much as I did. Although I favor games with dark, spooky themes and really like the MCF games I already own, I avoided this one for a long time because the description of a pirate ghost just didn't appeal to me. But it kept coming back to haunt me because recent sales seemed to showcase the MCF line a lot and the 13th Skull was always staring back at me. I'm glad I decided to try the demo because I really enjoyed the live actors and the story seemed promising. What I liked most was the music and the very realistic sound effects of the outdoors, particularly in the swamp areas. The frequent strumming of the guitar evoked a real cajun feeling of being in the Louisiana bayou (along with the gumbo) and the humor in the sound effects of the patrons in the tavern was a real hoot. The twist in the story really knocked me for a loop and it was a very nice surprise to see my state featured in one scene. After the twist was revealed, the story seemed to take a different turn and I was reeled right in along with it. I loved it. There seemed to be minimal HO scenes and a lot of adventuring, which is what I prefer, so the gameplay for me was very fun for the most part.
It was a long game for me, taking me almost eight hours to complete. What I didn't like was being given an objective but finding that I hadn't completed enough of the tasks to get there yet, so I had to consult the walkthrough to see what I still needed to do, which I don't like doing. This seemed to happen only after the twist was revealed, as objectives before the big reveal occurred in a natural order and was the very next thing that you would do. After the reveal, objectives were given that couldn't be accomplished until you performed several other things in several other locations first, thereby throwing you off a bit. Another thing I disliked was not knowing when you were done looking at something because the magnifying glass would let you zoom back in on an object you had previously inspected. And there were many places where you'd get a description of what you're looking at, along with the magnifying glass, but it wouldn't let you look closely at it. It was just there, again I suppose to just throw you off.
The journal was very informative in providing the back story of the pirates and the hint button was very helpful in pointing out where you needed to go next. In addition, three descriptive hints were provided for each minigame along with a skip button if you wanted to skip out at any time. I thought that was a very good feature and there is no waiting to use the skip button. Minigames were fun and varied, and for those that seemed impossible, the walkthrough provided helpful vidoes along with the written text to demonstrate some of them. Figuring out the cannons and the map pieces was an altogether different experience but again, the walkthrough spelled everything out very clearly and is a "must have" for this game.
I wished that there were more locations to explore, as it seemed that the game time was padded by having you do tasks for people before they were willing to help you. So the adventuring was a lot of meeting up with people somewhere, only to have them give you their instructions so you can run around and go back to them later. I'd have preferred to just explore more areas by myself and not do so much running around for others but then I suppose if this was a real story, I'd be acting just as I did in this game so I shouldn't complain too much. I was a little disappointed that one character who seemed very prominent to the story's setting had very little to do. I would have liked more interaction with this person.
Overall, this was an enjoyable game and very different from the other ones from the MCF series.
I recommend this game!
Through the creaking gates, you’d best beware. A spooky mansion awaits, enter if you dare! Explore the inside of a scary house.
Overall rating
5
/
5
40 of 44 found this review helpful
For an old childhood game, it still holds up very well
PostedMarch 1, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a very cute game and definitely made for kids but the kid in me sure enjoyed playing it too. I loved everything about it, especially watching the animations in the ghost machine as they were being made. Although it's an older game, the graphics are quite good for when it was made and for the targeted audience. The accompanying music is very much in the style of the old television series "The Munsters" and "The Addams Family", so don't expect too much in this game to actually frighten the little ones. I wish computer games like this were available when I was a child as I'd have a blast playing them all the time and learning something too along the way. Don't get to thinking that it's all easy though! I'm an experienced HOG player and am slightly embarrassed to admit that I had to use the hint button on more than one occasion as there are quite a few items that are very well hidden. There are a couple other places where you have to do a matching / association game and it offers a nice diversion from all the HO scenes. You can continue to play these minigames even after you collect the needed items, so that's a fun added bonus for kids who enjoy playing those kinds of games too. Many people think the game is over when you leave the house the first time but there's much more to do and the game actually gives you several hours worth of fun altogether. The last part deals with making the ghosts and after you've seen them disappear, you then have to follow the riddles to find them again. I just wish there were more areas to explore in the house but considering it's made for kids, I know their little attention spans would run out long before the game is over so overall, it's a great game for kids of all ages to enjoy. Just that the bigger kids need to be more flexible with their criticisms of this game and just tap into that place inside where their inner child still resides.
One last thing. Some posters in the forums said this game doesn't run well on newer computers. Mine is eight years old and ran with no problems so make sure you try the free trial before buying. Since it's an older game, this most likely will run better on older computers.
I recommend this game!
Travel across beautiful forests filled with mythical creatures! Find Ragnar's daughters and defeat the evil witch and her cruel servants!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Finally, a TM game that I can relax to
PostedMarch 1, 2013
FishyFemale
fromDetroit, MI
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
4
/
5
I've never been a fan of TM games because I always run out of time before completing the tasks, but tried this one the day it came out and immediatelly fell in love with it. Northern Tale offers this great untimed option that gives me the chance to play in a relaxed setting. This also allows me the chance to just stop and take in all the beauty that's happening onscreen. The animations in this game are outstanding and the sounds are incredible. Sometimes I just keep clicking on the farmhouse repeatedly to hear the sheep baa'ing, and it's so funny when the Viking says "I know, I know". There's just so much to see and do that I'm unable to follow the story exactly and really don't quite know in what order I'm supposed to do things but I'm having a blast trying! I know I can repeat a level when I'm stuck and I'm stuck now but will have fun trying something different next time. And with absolutely no pressure from the clock whatsoever! Ya gotta love it.
I recommend this game!