codester9's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:1,158
- Reviews Submitted:31
- First Review:November 14, 2011
- Most Recent Review:February 23, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A routine flight becomes a perilous adventure as you struggle to survive the dangerous way of life inside the Bermuda Triangle!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Makes being lost a joyful experience!
PostedFebruary 23, 2021
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Sure can't figure out the people who wrote the negative reviews the first day or two after this game came out. Just as some others have done, I'm writing a review only to increase the overall ratings for this beautiful game and to encourage others to give it a try. I've loved Mad Head from the beginning (except for their lead female actor -- Mad Head uses her too much and she can't seem to do certain emotions very well). I enjoy the icons indicating if there is a collectable and/or a morphing object in a scene, so we know they are there, but it's sometimes quite a challenge to find them. I like that. HOGS with a morphing object are also fun. I am having some problems with getting the inventory to move across the screen, but I'll check out the forums and see if someone has come up with a solution for this glitch. Great game. And it appears to be lengthy, always a bonus.
I recommend this game!
The latest Crystal Mosaic is here with a new set of challenging logic puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
15 of 15 found this review helpful
What's the Problem, Folks?
PostedDecember 18, 2020
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I find this game quite lovely. The music, as with others in this series, is magical-sounding. The mosaics themselves are challenging and the visuals are beautiful. The only problem, from my perspective, is that I can't play very long before my aging eyes get blurry. It's simply too pale in color and doesn't provide enough contrast. That's the only reason why I can't buy this game. But I'm still giving it a good rating because I think it's well-made, beautiful, and just enough challenge for any mosaic game.
I recommend this game!
A small-town murder case hides a revelation that will shake the agency to its core!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 11 found this review helpful
Master Detective Delivers Again
PostedAugust 22, 2020
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a fantastic entry in one of my favorite series. I have always enjoyed the MCF games, beginning with the almost frothy entries such as Huntsville and Prime Suspects. Amid the disturbing Dalimar family saga, wonderful gems such as Madame Fate will materialize. I never tire of that game, no matter how many games with more sophistication may appear. The last few games have included highly superior gems such as Moths to a Flame and Black Crown. These recent games have been better than all that came before them, and each one surprises with its stunning artwork, absorbing stories, and endlessly challenging puzzles. Whenever a game includes Rube Goldberg-type puzzles to challenge us, it rises in my estimation. After the near perfection of "Moths" and "Crown," I had been impatiently awaiting the next game. So I was very thrilled to see this one coming up. Thus far, it's everything I hoped for: an entertaining group of people (some from earlier games, which this series does so well), gorgeous graphics with a dazzling retro look, and, most importantly, unique satisfying puzzles to solve at each step of the way. May Master Detective never retire!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a dangerous foe from turning art against the realms?
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 26 found this review helpful
Refreshingly Non-Violent
PostedAugust 17, 2019
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Despite my many years of gaming experience, sometimes I simply want to relax and play games that do not stump me with huge challenges but still serve up a generous helping of HOGS and puzzles. It's always a nice bonus to have morphing and other objects to locate in all scenes: for me, there can never be too many extra gems to locate. This game also introduced some new types of puzzles, which added an extra bit of spice. When a noticed that someone gave this game a two-star review, I expected something horrible. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find I enjoyed the demo from start to finish. The game has beautiful graphics...with lovely tones, well-rendered characters, and particularly colorful overall because of the many amber-imbued people and items. I'm looking forward to buying this game when the price comes down a bit in a few weeks or more. In the meantime, check it out. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop townspeople from turning into crystal in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
26 of 41 found this review helpful
Ignore the "Experts"
PostedMay 16, 2019
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
After I played the demo, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I thought this game deserved a positive post from just a regular old gamer. Despite a decade of intense BFG gaming, sometimes I appreciate games that are simply fun (and it helps when they are this beautiful and professional). Some games become boring immediately but this wasn't one of them. Nothing about it was difficult but it had enough to keep me entertained so that the trial hour ended while I was in the midst of solving a puzzle...can't beat that! I would recommend this game for anyone who likes HOPAs and wants a break from very creepy evil stuff. It's not a highly difficult game but it's enjoyable and of course, coming from this developer, it is gorgeous. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that it didn't make me say, "Wow! I can't wait to buy that." Nevertheless, I'm buying it. Play it for your own opinion.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop an ancient legend from coming to life?
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
A Happy Instead of Gloomy HOG
PostedApril 11, 2019
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
In my opinion, it's always good to overlook bad reviews! At least give a game a chance to find out for yourself. This is not a particularly difficult game, but this developer consistently produces a beautiful product and this game is no exception. I always worry when animals are in danger, but the overall feeling of this game is that we have little need to fret. Even though the trial ends with a threat from a creepy thug, I look forward to playing the full game to see how the town deals with the evil folks who are not "good deed doers." Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Griddlers: Tropical Delight takes you to an exotic paradise with its raw, untouched beauty.
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not a Fair Challenge: No Delight
PostedMay 17, 2018
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The best Griddlers require us to think, to strategize, to use our ability to solve them with logic and experience, and that require only one tool: our brains. This game doesn't play fair. Within the first 10 games, we encounter levels that we cannot win except by making lucky guesses or using a hint, which of course takes away the third star. I don't throw dice and I don't play Griddlers for guessing games. I play them for the challenge and for the satisfaction of solving even the most difficult games with strategy. Even though this game has a nice appeal, with enjoyable music, it's nothing I would buy. It's not worth playing if I can win only by luck.
I don't recommend this game.
Help the Christmas Elf make toys for the holiday in this festive mosaics game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 9 found this review helpful
Get in the Swing with this Jazzy Soundtrack
PostedDecember 5, 2017
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
If you're not yet quite into the Christmas spirit, this game will put you right in the perfect mood. It's an enjoyable griddler, but what puts it over the top is the wonderful jazzy soundtrack! I couldn't stop playing...my trial hour ran out just because I was loving the music so much. It reminds me a bit of the wonderful Vince Guaraldi soundtracks of the early Peanuts TV shows...jazz piano, played with joy, humor, and a lot of love to accompany your holiday fun. I have a small complaint with the fact that instead of getting progressively more challenging, the puzzles slip back to simple (boring) 10 x 10 squares off and on after playing 20 x 15 squares. Not sure why it's not steadily progressive, but it's a small complaint. And the music more than makes up for it! Highly recommended.
I recommend this game!
An earthquake reveals a hidden palace full of deadly secrets!
Overall rating
5
/
5
42 of 56 found this review helpful
Another Great Hidden Expedition
PostedOctober 28, 2017
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I love this series and this entry is up there with the best ones. With generous HOGS, puzzles ranging from simple to challenging, morphing items within the HOGS, a key object to find at each site, and the added interest of cards with historical trivia relating to the era we're exploring, these games are always rich and fulfilling. It was an added pleasure this weekend to buy the game at the incredible "Pumpkin" price -- spookingly exciting! Big Fish knows how to celebrate Halloween.
I recommend this game!
Alison Ester, insurance investigator, is responsible for leading the investigation in a dilapidated asylum with a grave and mysterious past.
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Disappointing Game Despite Promising Premise
PostedOctober 22, 2015
codester9
fromEugene, OR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Unfortunately, this game is pretty bad. The premise is good, but the execution is lacking. Seemingly endless (and useless) captioned discussions take up a great deal of time to no purpose. I looked for a “skip” button on these long “dialogue” scenes, but to no avail. When I realized I had to click numerous times just to escape a scene, I began to doubt the game’s promise.
Each HO and direction to move are indicated, taking away any possible challenge that exploring might provide. The game offers no choice of difficulty level, so we’re stuck with little bubbles telling us where to go, where to look, etc. Again, a waste of time to no good end.
The visuals are simply photographs so, for me, I find no artistry to the game. Others may like this approach. I normally love HO scenes, but even these were boring and repetitive. After some of the beautiful games we’ve had in the past few years, this just feels like a very old game.
Some good points: the music is appropriately creepy and the sound effects are pretty good. Other than that, I wouldn’t even use a free coupon on this game. To give it a fair shot, I played for about 30 minutes, but saw no improvement and gave up. I cannot recommend this game to anyone.
Hope the developers will try again, taking suggestions offered by BFG reviewers.
I don't recommend this game.