mrm2006's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:10,688
- Reviews Submitted:813
- First Review:April 8, 2013
- Most Recent Review:August 22, 2023
- Featured reviews0
Status:
You stop a crazy fan, but when he dies, who’s responsible?
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
An Ultra-Modern Whodunnit.
PostedJuly 19, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on the beta, CE and SE demos
An ice scuplture, no matter how stunningly beautiful and admired, can also be ...... destroyed. The star of the ice rink show is in danger. She is being stalked but, realistically, what can you do???
The graphics are .... ok. I HAVE seen other games where the graphics were so realistic ..... it could almost be "real life". Yes .... THAT lifelike. The music was ok, not annoying. I didn't have to turn it down. Sound fx were very well-done too. The voice overs were, for the most part, very believable. There was ONE character that really could have been tweaked a bit to sound appropriately realistic and not so .... squeaky (?).
There are 4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Challenging, Expert and Custom. The tutorial offered you choices of NO tutorial, Special Features only or Full tutorial.
The HOGs (hidden object games) varied from VERY interactive lists to silhouettes and word games and more . Never anything dull and boring .... because then I wouldn't have played them and opted for the Alternate Match 3 game. lol A lot of the M/Gs I came across required patience (yes, yes, we all know .... I have none - big grin ) and took a bit of time to complete.
Besides a map (shows where you are and where available objectives are - I like that it shows MORE than 1 available objective area at a time), there is an Evidence Board. The Board holds pictures of the key characters in the game, with a mini-bio and "Objectives" and "Messages" tabs. The "Messages" were NOT really messages but pieces of paper, notes, etc. you find during the game play.
Also, the Evidence Board was almost on top of the Map and clicking the wrong one was a problem throughout the game play.
CE Bling:
LOTS of the usual stuff. In fact, I don't think there was anything these DEVS missed ... if you had a check list of what you wanted in a CE game. Replayable Match 3 games, music, videos of the Devs (love this), music, and lots more. PLUS:
* 42 collectible snow globes. Really, you can't miss them as some were ginormous!
* 14 Morphing Objects - found in the HOGs only.
* Souvenirs. There is an Achievement for 'finding all the souvenirs' but I never found out what, exactly, the souvenirs were. Did I have to find them? Were they the Morphing Objects? I wish this had been explained.
I think the story line was .... ok ..... not brilliant. This modern "whodunnit" sends obvious signals that the "obvious" does NOT lead you to the obvious culprit. silly HAH! laughing1 I would recommend it to all levels of expertise.
Unfortunately, this is NOT a purchase for me. I got bored very easily. The 'ultra-modern' scenes hurt my eyes a bit - ouch! scared1 I never felt 'connected' to the game play. Nor did I get my personal 'wow' factor at the end of the demo.
Still and all, let's drop into this winter wonderland and see if you can find ...... whodunnit!
Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Experience far eastern Mahjong fun and help the temple principal's daughter in a colorful adventure to retrieve her runaway rabbit.
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
Definitely NOT Your Usual Mahjong Game!
PostedJuly 13, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
There IS a storyline .... of sorts.
Graphics were ok. Music was nice. There were NO voice overs. So, I ultimately turned everything down.
There are 2 modes of play: Relaxed (which is NOT timed) and Story (which is timed).
There are NO bonuses or aides to help you along the way. There are also NO hindrances. Run into a wall? Game Over! Can't make a move? Game Over! Take too long to make a move? Game Over! I was having 'GAME OVER' slammed (metaphorically) in my face before I even KNEW I had a game over! Look at the game board wrong? Game Over! Ok. There is NO such thing as 'game over' for looking at the game board wrong .... but .... you get my drift. Game Over!!!!
The tiles are none that I've ever seen before. Certainly NOT the customary tiles. Nor can you change them. There is NO tutorial so I wouldn't recommend this for people who have never played this genre of game before.
I did play all the way through the demo .... as painful as that was .... and the game play never got any better. It is definitely NOT a purchase for me, but for those who are looking for something a LOT different than the usual ..................
GAME OVER!
Just kidding ................
Enjoy!
I don't recommend this game.
All the adults have vanished. Is this a child's dream, or nightmare?
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
NOT for an avid 'Surface" follower
PostedJuly 11, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When I started playing the demo I thought, "what a creepy game!" After THAT I thought ... well .... what can I say? By the end of the demo I thought "was this done by a different DEV?" It is SO off the mark of what I expect in a "Surface" game. What happened to the "Soaring City" and "The Noise" type of games?????? EVERYTHING about this game was just off the mark. I don't even know how to do a proper review so I'll just do it like this:
What I Disliked:
* The storyline was too ordinary to be a 'Surface' game.
* Some of the clues were so small I couldn't read them. There was no 'zooming' in when the little sheet of paper was put above ..... something you had to do.
* The storyline was too ordinary to be a 'Surface' game.
* Some of the clues were so small I couldn't read them. There was no 'zooming' in when the little sheet of paper was put above ..... something you had to do.
What I Liked:
* The music was creepy.
* The music was creepy.
I'm glad I read the reviews AFTER playing the demo. I can certainly see why avid 'Surface' game players disliked this game.
It's NOT a purchase for me in either the CE or SE. I can't even honestly recommend it for anyone. It's just such a disappointment.
I don't recommend this game.
All the adults have vanished. Is this a child's dream, or nightmare?
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
What Happened to the "Surface" Series?????
PostedJuly 11, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When I started playing the demo I thought, "what a creepy game!" After THAT thought ... well .... what can I say? By the end of the demo I thought "was this done by a different DEV?" It is SO off the mark of what I expect in a "Surface" game. What happened to the "Soaring City" and "The Noise" type of games?????? EVERYTHING about this game was just off the mark. I don't even know how to do a proper review so I'll just do it like this:
What I Disliked:
* The storyline was too ordinary to be a 'Surface' game.
* Some of the clues were so small I couldn't read them. There was no 'zooming' in when the little sheet of paper was put above ..... something you had to do.
* Even the usual flowers were impossible to find.
* Can't we get SOMETHING besides flowers to fix/do up/something with?
* The storyline was too ordinary to be a 'Surface' game.
* Some of the clues were so small I couldn't read them. There was no 'zooming' in when the little sheet of paper was put above ..... something you had to do.
* Even the usual flowers were impossible to find.
* Can't we get SOMETHING besides flowers to fix/do up/something with?
What I Liked:
* The music was creepy.
* The music was creepy.
I'm glad I read the reviews AFTER playing the demo. I can certainly see why avid 'Surface' game players disliked this game.
It's NOT a purchase for me in either the CE or SE. I can't even honestly recommend it for anyone. It's just such a disappointment.
I don't recommend this game.
A series of shocking – and otherworldly – murders has struck New York City, and you're the only one who can solve them!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
The Mystery is in the HOGs.
PostedJuly 11, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on the CE, SE and Beta demos.
A prisoner is being walked to his final destination ....... the electric chair. He's strapped in ...... the lever is pulled ....... lightning strikes ................ a flash of light! The prisoner is gone ..... NOT just dead gone ....... but GONE gone! Nothing left but his clothes.
Graphics - a bit heavy with the gold/orange crayon - sigh. Voice overs were done very well as were the sound fx.
Difficulties: Easy, Medium, Hard - NO 'custom'.
HOGs - I had an extremely difficult time playing them. They were interactive silhouettes, however, the silhouette was black against black so I couldn't even SEE what I was looking for! NO alternative game to play. Mini Games were fun yet very easy. 21 Mini Games to 7 HOGs.
Diary: Has lots of info so please read often. A transportable map which, if you should choose in the 'Difficulties', can show where the 'beyond objects' and ' collectibles' are located. This feature is ONLY in the CE version.
Your character (a female) has only recently begun working for a 'secret society' that assists police with not so ordinary cases.
If not for the problem with the HOGs, I would have given this game a SOLID 5 STARS. Unfortunately, I had to take a star away for that reason. How am I supposed to find something ..... I ..... can't ..... see? It really took away from the game play for me. I have really been on the fence about whether to purchase it or not (CE OR SE). If that problem didn't exist, this would definitely be a CE purchase for me.
There's something afoot here. Is it paranormal ...... or the work of mirrors, magic or some other sleight of hand???? There's only 1 way to find out ......................so, maybe I'll see you on the flip side!
ENJOY!
I recommend this game!
Follow the penguin through the portal in this colorful mosaics adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 27 found this review helpful
Another Chapter for the Penguin Family
PostedJuly 8, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
We are off on yet another adventure with the Penguin Family!
I didn't even have to play the demo before I purchased this game. Why???? (1) It is a series that NEVER loses it's entertainment value because it's an ongoing story! A series I know I will ALWAYS enjoy! and (2) (blush) I had the opportunity to play the demo at another gaming site quite a while ago and was hooked immediately!
Graphics are amazing! Each game in the series seems to increase the level of graphics they use. Sound okay. Music --- some may find it annoying but I did not. You choose.
The game play is the same as always. 3 colors. Using the numbers on the sides and top/bottom of the graph either fill in a block with a color or an 'x' . After you are finished using all the numbers ..... a picture emerges! You can also earn bronze, silver or gold .... depending on how well you do. I always go for the gold!
I think this game is great for every level of experience as the tutorial is well-done for beginners. It is for of challenge, fun and entertainment! Thank you DEVS for another great FM game!!!!!!
ENJOY!
I recommend this game!
Only the wearer of the ruby ring can claim the crown as king.
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 21 found this review helpful
A Nice Story but very boring game play.
PostedJune 20, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The Kingdom of Minah was attacked and the King and Queen ..... disappeared. But, Naya, a young girl herself, grabbed the baby, Prince Tristan, and ran to the forest to hide him. Its now his 18th birthday and time for Prince Tristan to make his rightful place in the Kingdom. Unfortunately, .... it doesn't come easily.
Difficulties: Citizen, Royalty, Legend and Custom.
Graphics: A little 'old school'. Music: So beautiful. I don't know how to best describe it. It elicited the feeling of "I want to continue", "It's time to move on". Voice Overs: Very disappointing as there was NO lip syncing. What?!?! With all the amazing things games can do these days, there is NO voice over?!?!?!
During the game play you have a transportable map, a journal, a tutorial and the Ruby Ring (which causes the crystals all over the kingdom to disappear). Using the Ruby Ring is a mini game in and of itself.
HOGs (hidden object games) - I came across silhouettes (find "x" number of "z") and list type (not interactive) and NO alternative game to play.
Mini Games: I found these extraordinarily difficult. The instructions were hard to understand and, as a result, I think I skipped ALL the mini games I came across ----- after spending quite a bit of time trying to solve them. I NEVER skip games so this really upset/annoyed me.
CE Bling: Besides the wallpaper, music, etc., you ...........
.
* Collect 60 crowns. Please note there are MORE than 1 crown per scene. There is an icon on the map that shows a picture of a crown until all have been discovered.
* 20 journal clues (have NO idea what this is)
.
* Collect 60 crowns. Please note there are MORE than 1 crown per scene. There is an icon on the map that shows a picture of a crown until all have been discovered.
* 20 journal clues (have NO idea what this is)
I played the game using the "hint" button as opposed to the transportable map which didn't always work. The Strategy Guide did NOT show where the collectibles were located during the demo. Sigh. I was soooo bored. There just wasn't ANYTHING to keep me intrigued with the story OR the game. I quit the demo with 24 minutes left to play. I can't EVER recall quitting a demo before it was finished. It isn't a game for me and is definitely not a purchase.
Tristan, on his 18th birthday, received the Ruby Ring which designates him as the rightful leader of Kingdom Minah. Help him defeat the imposter, find his rightful place on the throne and, hopefully, locate his parents.
ENJOY!
I recommend this game!
Team up with the Red Riding Hood Sisters to defeat the nightmares!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 38 found this review helpful
The "Fairytale Detective" is back on the job!
PostedJune 19, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Strategy, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Dark Parables: Queen of Sands
Based on both the CE and SE demos.
A young girl walks across the town square, stopping at a market stall where a young man hands her an apple. Their fingers brush as she takes the apple ..... and then she ............ collapses! YOUR character (affectionately known as "the Fairytale Detective" love ) is sent to Montafleur, France to investigate, and put a stop to (of course) the "beasts" from the forest terrorizing the townsfolk and the "shadowy creatures" in the forest.
Difficulty: Casual, Hard, Insane and Custom
Graphics - starts out grainy but improves immensely when the actual game play starts. Voice overs were very well done. Sound fx were great. I love it when you can hear the littlest sounds. I didn't feel the need to turn down/off the music so, while it doesn't stick out in my mind (now several hours after having played the game), I take that as a sign that it wasn't annoying.
There is a tab for "Objectives" near the hint button that sparkles when a new task is available. Not terribly crazy about the transportable map. Love that it shows where you are, actions need to be taken and final objective for that area ... but dislike that you click on your "x" or "!" or whatever icon to get to your next location but ... you AREN'T! After you click on the little icon, you have to click again in the upper right side of the map where a pic of your location is in order to actually GET there. Double-clicking. Seems superfluous.
HOGs (FRAGS - fragmented pieces to find that builds into 3 bigger pieces that, when found, build into a single item for you to use). I DISLIKE FRAGS. Really, really, really dislike them. Unfortunately, FRAGS are the only HOGs that Dark Parables games have. Mini Games - fun, some innovative and new. Easy to extremely difficult (for me anyway).
In both the CE and SE: Find 2 Parables (Sandman and Seven Ravens). You need to locate the pages, in groups of 3 each, to complete each book/parable. I'm going out on a limb and say there are 5 groups of 3 pages to make 15 pages for each Parable. Now, you don't get ANY indication that you've found anything. Nor where a page might be. Nor what the significance is of locating the entire book/parable. sNor if we NEED to finalize the book/parable in the Bonus Game, which would suck if you bought the SE. A whole lot of "nors" for my taste. Hmmmmm?!?!?!
I really like the Dark Parables series. I believe I own every one, even though most are in my "dungeon of unplayed games" - poor things. I'm STILL so on the fence which to get - SE or CE ---- HELP!!!!
Once again, this is a standalone game. No need to have played previous games in this series. IMO every level of experience will enjoy Queen of Sands. Join me in this beastly investigation in Montafleur, France.
ENJOY!
I recommend this game!
Death has trained a massive army of zombie minions! Do you have what it takes to navigate through Death's maze and complete Project Deadlings?
Overall rating
4
/
5
43 of 51 found this review helpful
I wish I could ..... I wish I might ..........................
PostedJune 15, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
be able to play this game tonight.
This looks like a really fun game to play. Love the quirky story line .... very humorous. Love the characters. Don't love that you need to use keyboard keys to play. My hands lost THAT flexibility and agility many years ago.
For that ONE reason, this will not be a purchase for me.
For those with a great (or sick) sense of humor and who have wanted a 'different' type of game ...................
ENJOY!
I recommend this game!
Haunted Legends: The Dark Wishes Collector's Edition
Restore the threads of Fate, before they cause a disaster!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Foil the Dwarf and Save the Prince and his lovely intended.
PostedJune 10, 2015
mrm2006
fromSomewhere Over the Rainbow
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Large File, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on both the CE and SE demos.
Roberto and Lucia are to be married in Florence. But, they are in danger and have, therefore, called upon their friend, your character, a Professor and Mage, to help them.
The graphics were amazing --- even with the over-use of golds and browns. Voice overs were down very well except for Lucia's voice. It reminded me of what a doll sounds like when you pull the string. Hello, my name is Lucia and I love you. NO! She doesn't REALLY say that - lmao! Sound FX were....OMGosh! Crickets, a cat meowing and a dark barking off screen ..... just amazing. Music were very unobtrusive. DEFINITELY play with the sound on.
4 modes of difficulty, including 'custom'.
You are armed with the customary transportable map .... took me a bit to figure it out .... doh! A task lit, a Magic Orb which absorbs energy threads and a Magic Shield which protects precious gems.
HOGs (hidden object games) -- You have to find items to put into the 'inventory list' of the HOG but the area where you put them is so black on black (shadowed) and I had a LOT of difficulty even seeing them. I initially thought - WHAT! There's nothing there!! There's also NO instruction explaining that to you. Once you place these items, the actual 'item list' shows up. Not very interactive.
Mini Games: So much fun!!!! Some new. Some a bit difficult. You had a choice of playing them on 'casual' or 'hard'.
CE Bling:
Besides the customary wallpapers, music, replayable games, etc., there are ........................
* 14 collectible bird statues
Besides the customary wallpapers, music, replayable games, etc., there are ........................
* 14 collectible bird statues
That's it.
The EVIL DWARF is b-a-c-k and wreaking more havoc!
I LOVE the Magic Boar! FIND HIM to experience a great smile! You have to touch ...... nah ..... it's more fun when you figure it out!
I fell in love with this demo. I loved it even more when I played the 2nd demo. The storyline is amazing and all the characters really draw you in. I highly recommend it for all expertise levels. This is a DEFINITE purchase for me. Although I don't think it's very CE-worthy.
Join me in interfering with the Dwarf's havoc and rescuing Roberto and Lucia and, as always ....
ENJOY!
I recommend this game!