alowan's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:508
- Reviews Submitted:38
- First Review:April 16, 2015
- Most Recent Review:September 14, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Help Wolf find his children! His wife entrusted to him to look after their cubs, but Wolf fell asleep and the cubs disappeared!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Gnaw on this!
PostedFebruary 8, 2016
alowan
fromI'm becoming a werewolf! I can tell; my hair's gone gray!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game is fun and challenging. It switches between two kinds of logic. It also requires us to remember to switch between colors.
I find it a great bone to chew.
I recommend this game!
Everyone deserves a second chance – even the stingiest of them all.
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 11 found this review helpful
This game is dead: to begin with.
PostedDecember 4, 2015
alowan
from"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, Every One!"
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
It's not A Christmas Carol if it doesn't begin with, "Marley was dead: to begin with." Or, for the abridged version, "Old Marley was as dead as a doornail."
I tried. I really tried to let go of my love for the story as written by Dickens. I tried to enter The HOPA Zone (tm).
It didn't work.
I will leave out the details; if I didn't, this review of 5 minutes of play would be longer than the original story!
I hope that all the people who play this game, and haven't read the original story, will be inspired to do so. Not to trash the game, but to read the best Christmas story in the English language. (The best film version is the 1984 starring George C. Scott as Scrooge.)
But for those who love the story, learn by my example and don't waste your time.
I don't recommend this game.
After being contacted by a secret organization of elite mystery solvers, you're sent out in the field to prove your skills. This job interview may be your last!
Overall rating
5
/
5
69 of 76 found this review helpful
I'll play this one again!
PostedNovember 28, 2015
alowan
fromWaiting for Hubby to get home from Arizona
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I like the graphics very much. The characters were easy to tell apart; the scenery was fine. The scenery was realistic enough for me. I also like it that they used the full spectrum, instead of having one predominating color (Like purple, or gray, or blue…)
The music doesn’t wow me but doesn’t irritate me either. (I wish Big Fish would give us separate stars for graphics and music! Not to mention give us a nice empty star to signify “no stars.”)
I found the mechanics to be easy to use, except when I finished the main game and went for the bonus. Whatever it was that they gave us to click on didn’t work for me; I had to go back to the main menu. (And here my memory fails me – I think I had to click on start; I know I clicked on the bonus window that was chained up during the main game.)
There were a few mini-games in both the standard and the bonus that either had bad directions, or the directions bounced off of my odd brain. I prefer to think it’s their fault! (grin)
Some objects are too close to the bottom of the screen, making it hard to pick them up without exiting the HOS.
I think the story is different enough from the hordes to be good. I enjoyed it. There was enough logic to keep me from being booted out of The HOPA Zone ™ and makes it above average.
It seems to be placed in the late 1920s to early 30s, based on cars and costumes. If our characters are very slow to update their fashions in dressing and cars, then I have no problem with the 1946 TV in the case. I was a bit disconcerted by the computer, but after all, it’s a secret society, and they could have had access to these new-fangled things.
I wasn’t thrilled by the bonus game – it’s full of easy mini-games except for the ones where the directions made no sense to me - until I got to the end! It’s a surprise, so keep going.
Some language-based gripes:
In one puzzle, close to the end, the writers reversed horizontal and vertical.
A “disk” is round, not square!
In one puzzle, close to the end, the writers reversed horizontal and vertical.
A “disk” is round, not square!
HOPA Zone™ mysteries:
Once again, I have a mental snort when we walk around a room, stealing stuff, with a person right there. Couldn’t we have a dialog box where that person says “take whatever you need” every time we enter that room? Or have the graphics folks remove the person?
Once again, I have a mental snort when we walk around a room, stealing stuff, with a person right there. Couldn’t we have a dialog box where that person says “take whatever you need” every time we enter that room? Or have the graphics folks remove the person?
I wish all the devs, not just Domino, would realize that flag-arms do not open mailboxes. They just tell the mail carrier that you have outgoing mail for her/him to pick up.
While most of the anachronisms were explainable, on a projector not belonging to the Curio Society, the power switch would have been labeled On and Off, not l and O.
Lastly, a Western saddle on a camel?? I don’t think so, Tim.
Over all – this is a game I know I will play again. I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work, Domino!
I recommend this game!
Can the handsome scientist Ted and his clever robot P.E.T. uncover the mysteries of the past? Can you?
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Fine with me!
PostedNovember 22, 2015
alowan
fromToo early to tell...
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am enjoying this. I just finished the demo, and will "buy" it after the sale, with one of my many codes.
There's rarely a story with these games, and I don't miss it. It's the puzzles I like! Nonograms FTW!
The only gripe I have is that the Xs are too dark, making the images hard to see. But I only missed 2 images, and I got up to the 10 x 15 grids during the demo.
I would like to have either more time to look at the image, or a tiny version of it on the Results window.
I recommend this game!
A scream in the night... a brutal crime... a mysterious figure with eyes red as blood. Can you get to the heart of this shocking murder?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Not up to Mr. Poe's standard.
PostedNovember 18, 2015
alowan
fromMy heart is in my home town, because of 47 - 14!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on the demo, which took me 3 tries to open.
I’m sorry, ERS. This game is below average.
The map, while it does jump, is useless because it is not specific. It takes you to the area you select, not to the specific scene. It is as if it showed our house and yard – but I want to go to the kitchen. That qualifies as too much back-and-forthing.
Once again – how tired I am of this – we have a detective who is unprepared. C’mon, man! He should have, at least, a penknife. There is plenty of room in that valise for a screwdriver and a wrench.
The story seemed good, in spite of its lack of resemblance to Poe’s story.
The mini games I saw were largely too simple; the only one I saw that challenged me was the one on the gate, which is one of the kind my brain has a hard time processing. I’m sure that anyone who loves that kind of game will whiz through it in no time.
Music was decent. So were the graphics.
Since I’m on a budget, I won’t buy it. If I was still working, I probably would. So I will “recommend” it.
But I wish ERS (and many other devs) would realize that it’s a pretty bad detective that leaves his office without at least a Swiss Army knife.
I recommend this game!
Experience a new installment of colorful mosaic puzzles in Fantasy Mosaics 11: Fleeing Dinosaurs!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
They're at it again...
PostedOctober 28, 2015
alowan
fromEight from 15 is 7... click!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
...giving us a great game!
Mr. Penguin and his adventures were my introduction to the nonogram - now my favorite kind of game!
I love the angry, or cynical, or impatient, or whatever it is (depending on my mood) Mr. Penguin.
I love that a finished row/column's blank spaces automatically fill in.
I love it that they cross off all completed numbers at the top or left, instead of leaving a few for us to guess at - though there are times I like that challenge.
I love it that we've been offered two Penguinonograms so close to each other!
I am a Happy Fishie today!
I recommend this game!
Toxic flowers have been claiming victims and withering plant life in the Netherlands. Can you cultivate the answers to this mystery?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Four Asters* for the Tulips!
PostedOctober 24, 2015
alowan
fromIn the Land of Bye... still 6 & 0!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
(Based on the Demo.)
I have about an equal balance between likes and dislikes for this game. When the plot is placed on the scale, the balance tips to the Like side.**
I have about an equal balance between likes and dislikes for this game. When the plot is placed on the scale, the balance tips to the Like side.**
I found the graphics and music likable. Graphically, I really enjoyed the bits where several things were sketched out in black and white. Good job! But from the story point of view, not so much. The first sketch has a voiceover; the next few don’t, and don’t tell us much, either. I found myself impatiently waiting through them – or enjoying them, depending on whether the “plot” or the artist” side of my brain was engaged. (I have ADD.)
I really don’t care much about lip synching, except that I want some, to let me know which character is speaking. These devs don't let me down. I figure that the graphics people make it conform to their native language, so it is bound to be “off” for some of us. I’d be happy if the faces just said “Ba ba ba.”
There were, of course, some of the odd things that occur in The HOPA Zone™ such as disconnects in logic and anachronisms. I accept those happily unless I’m in a bad mood. (I'm in a good one today!) But one really rang my chimes:
A naked horse doesn't have to do anything it doesn't want to! A horse cannot pull a carriage unless it has a harness and bridle. Without a harness, the horse is not attached to the carriage. Without a bridle, the horse can go anywhere it pleases, with or without the carriage.
On the other hand,*** I really appreciate the number of places where many of the articles needed for things that must be solved are right there. Even with jump maps, I do get tired of “I must jump back five scenes to find the key... now I have to do that again!... And again!” There's still enough going back and forth to keep things interesting, without overdoing it.
The plot is just the kind I like; it has freshness compared to the same old car-crash/kidnapped loved one/paranormal/occult plots we see so much of. Sure, it's a bit fanciful, but at least its scientific bits aren't straight-up impossible!
Looking forward to buying and playing it!
*Also known as star-flowers.
**I almost said “to the Like side of the force,” but that would mix my nice metaphor!
***Horse pun intended.
**I almost said “to the Like side of the force,” but that would mix my nice metaphor!
***Horse pun intended.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious device has crashed into Kurt the Mechanic's garage. Help Kurt and his friends decipher its strange message!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Fun little game!
PostedOctober 19, 2015
alowan
fromThe land of 6 and 0
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The lack of a 5th star is purely because the voices got annoying. I turned them off; I'm glad that was an option.
Otherwise, what can I say? Nonograms plus jigsaw puzzles - My two favorite puzzles in one game! If the music is Steampunk, now I know it's fun.
And I'm glad it was today's DD, because now I can go see if there are more Gizmos.
I recommend this game!
The arts-loving town of Everton has been overrun by sentient shadows. Race to escape before you're trapped in the darkness forever!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Wait! Haven't I seen this before?
PostedOctober 7, 2015
alowan
fromLooking forward to the game on Sunday!
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on the Demo.
Overall, I’m disappointed. The game is very disorganized; it often seems that they just threw a bunch of things together that worked in other games, in no particular order. Though I am used to a certain lack of logic in the HOPA Zone™, this game threw so much of it into the demo that I can’t make up my mind about it. There’s a sale today, but I’m going to hold off on this until I’ve played the other demos that I have.
Granny Gruff and Ethan1404 said most of what I had to say. Once again, I wish Big Fish had given us an “undecided” button, because I can’t make up my mind. (There’s a good sale today, though.)
Since I love the “untangling” puzzles, I like the lantern. The special tools I have seen in other games had to be charged by finding energy things in the scene, and that has gotten old. Psilocybin, the trick to putting the stars down is that you can only click on another star, or an unoccupied glowy thing (purplish).
I also liked that new and different puzzle that sfr8rfan mentioned. (Even though he/she is a Raiders fan. This house being a Redskins/Broncos house, oooh do we have strong negative feelings about your team! – Said with a smile. Betcha I know what you’ll be doing Sunday afternoon!! Same thing as us! )
I find the story so far reminiscent of the Danse Macabre series, but that’s OK. I do wish all the devs out there would find another way to begin games than a crashed vehicle. In this game it makes no sense; she’s already on her way to Ashley’s town, not stranded in the middle of nowhere! The plot doesn’t need to start with a crash. (Not to mention, what the heck happened to all the other people on the bus?)
My biggest gripe with the game is that the puzzles where you had to put things together – similar to a jigsaw – were way too easy. Either it was 5 pieces, or all you had to do was click on them. I’ve been using a mouse since the late 80s and don’t need practice clicking. C'mon man!
A criminal organization searching for an ancient treasure shot your partner!
Overall rating
5
/
5
40 of 57 found this review helpful
King Solomon's Mines Endangered!
PostedSeptember 19, 2015
alowan
fromLooking for Allan Quatermain - we may need him!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The demo seemed to take about 5 minutes - always a good sign. I will definitely buy it!
I enjoy the cartoon-like characters, and found the rest of the graphics well up to the high standards we have been seeing recently. I found the music dull, though I very much enjoy the voice-overs.
The HOPs are pretty much standard, with the interesting 3-step ones. (Find something, use it on another thing so that you can find the third thing.) Some of those have no logic in the middle step; whether I enjoy those or not depends largely on my mood.
I did skip out of a couple of puzzles, not because they were too hard but because they were time-consuming and I didn't want to waste demo time.
Sunnyglow, I can't wait to get to the nonogram! I've gotten addicted to them recently. I play them when games are downloading - and frequently don't stop! My list of games I'be bought but haven't played yet gets longer and longer...
Well, time to go buy this game, since there's a sale on!
I recommend this game!