thistle809's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:1,210
- Reviews Submitted:30
- First Review:December 15, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 18, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Deep in the heart of an enchanted forest, a forbidden love blooms. Guide the human Eveline as she sets out to rescue her beloved from the clutches of a tyrant.
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
For romantics with active imaginations
PostedAugust 3, 2013
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a game for those of us who can let our imagination have free rein and just go along for the ride. You also need to be a romantic who enjoys a setting like you find in A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is not going to be for everyone. I played the demo and enjoyed it. The first drawback I found is that you have absolutely no access to the SG until you purchase the game. Another even more annoying little shortcoming is that not all puzzles have a reset button. There is one that consists of three figures of hunters that need to be slid into their proper places, but once you start, you either have to be able to finish or you will have to skip because there is no reset on that one. On the plus side, the music is very pleasant and the graphics are utterly gorgeous. The characters are appropriate for the storyline, which is interesting and has a deeper meaning if you care to think about it. There are two difficulty modes (I played on the easier one.# and you can adjust the volume for music, sound effects and voices. The mini-games/puzzles were interesting and challenging. I had not encountered a standard HOS, but you do have to be aware of objects you encounter and need to pick up. There is an interactive map which shows where you have a task to perform. You have an inventory and you will acquire a "potion pot" to be used along the way. I completely fell in love wth my helper - an absolutely adorable baby dragon. #I want one, for real! lol) All in all, I would give it a 3 1/2 to 4 stars out of 5.
I recommend this game!
Fairway Solitaire: Tee to Play
Fairway Solitaire: Tee To Play is an award-winning combination of solitaire and golf. Play sequential cards to create long drives. Long drives make better scores!
Overall rating
3
/
5
99 of 109 found this review helpful
I'm not sure I'll be spending time on the qualifying rounds
PostedJune 4, 2013
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have the "regular" Fairway games and enjoyed those, but I'm not sure this is really my cup of "tee". I love the gopher: he is hysterical! The play is fun, but then I only played the first six courses. By the fifth and sixth courses I was getting a very distinct feeling that for anyone who progresses further, it would be a lot less fun if you don't invest some real-world cash to buy bonuses. I simply refuse to play games that are not a one-time purchase, but rather a money drain that just keeps on going. I also did not like the fact that the options did not include full screen. I hate playing in a little window in the middle of my monitor. Someone should have evened out the sound levels - the voice in the intro is very, very soft, then as you have the volume on your speakers turned up, the music practically rattles your teeth. I tried this since it was a "Sneak Peek", but I would usually never waste my time downloading a game that is anything but "Free to Play". I really wish Big Fish was above getting into this tacky sector of the computer game business.
I don't recommend this game.
Save a loving couple from the clutches of a powerful alchemist in Break the Curse: The Crimson Gems!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 21 found this review helpful
Great fun - creative, imaginative, interesting!
PostedDecember 24, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have just finished the demo and will be purchasing. The storyline is interesting, just a bit "spooky" (If you can deal with "Hansel and Gretel", this is just fine.) There are two difficulty levels. (I played on the Casual level.) The graphics are very good, with lovely, bright colors, There are good voice overs for dialogue and a very good hint system. In places where you are "checking" to see what something might reveal to help you, there will be a written comment in a banner above your inventory. There is a really good journal that stays open to where you last read an entry. The mini-games are unusually creative, imaginative and intriguing. If you want to skip a mini-game, you can. The music is both beautiful and relaxing. I believe the length will be quite good; based on the number of entries to be made in the journal, and how many I had gotten through in the 60 minute trial. (I was just a "smidge" past one-quarter.) I did skip one mini-game and took my time admiring the beautiful scenes. If we could give half-stars, I would give this four and one-half. Lots to enjoy - have fun!
I recommend this game!
Mystic Legacy: The Great Ring
Uncover the dark legacy hidden within a Romanian castle to save your friend from an evil spirit!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
All things considered ...
PostedSeptember 2, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on playing the demo, I think this would be a good family game because there is nothing really frightening about it. It is fun with just a touch of "spooky-ness" thrown in. (Not nearly as scary as "Hansel and Gretel", actually.) There are two play modes (one without sparkles and help). The graphics are not outstanding, and in some hidden object scenes, just fuzzy enough to have you cleaning your glasses or wondering a bit about your eyesight. There are no voice-overs, but the dialogue is kept to a minimum and you can skip through it; if you wish. There is an interactive map (transport to locations by clicking the map). The map shows where you have tasks to complete. You have a notebook to keep up with the storyline and check to see how many lions you have collected. The hint system is very good - it will tell you where to go and what to find there, if you become stuck. The mini-games that I encountered were fairly interesting, if not unique. You can skip mini-games, if you prefer; and some have reset buttons. The instructions for the mini-games are clear and simple; and you find them by clicking "Instructions" at the top of the screen. There are 20 lions to collect throughout the game to access a "Bonus Puzzle". The storylne is rather cute, the music is nice and there are no morphing objects. Although the demo did not last an hour, to be fair, it does say, "Free Sample Version" and clearly is not the entire game download. (116.48 MB vs. 374.47 MB) To get an idea of how long it will take you to play the entire game, just go to the walkthrough, scroll down to where the demo ended, see how far down the page you are (1/4, 1/3, etc.) and use the number of minutes it took you to play it to figure the approximate time for the whole game. All things considered, the only real point of bother is the slightly fuzzy graphics on some HOS, so if you can live with that, it is a basically light-hearted step into the world of fantasy.
I recommend this game!
The entire world is in danger! Join Seraphine in this amazing adventure and save the world from its doom.
Overall rating
3
/
5
98 of 103 found this review helpful
"Motion sickness" kills a lot of the fun
PostedAugust 22, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
My reaction when I saw the title, was "Great! I loved the first "Lost Inca Prophecy", so this should be wonderful!" I played the demo, but probably will not purchase. The graphics are beautiful, the music is nicely melodic, the storyline is fun; but the board "floats" as you play. For those who enjoyed the first "Lost Inca Prophecy", this is in the same adventurous spirit. You receive up to three gold stars for each level, depending upon how well you did in completing it. You can choose to replay a level or continue to the next. There are nifty power-ups that will be awarded along the way in each level. There are mini-games in the same theme as the game itself. My only problem is that the board floats as you play and only part of it is visible at a time. It constantly moves as you make matches; and for me, it became very bothersome. If we could give half-stars, I would give it 2-1/2. If the board did not float, it would deserve 4 stars.
I don't recommend this game.
Become a Hunter of darkness to cope with possessed owner of theater and revived shadows. Help other people by correcting their wrong fulfilled wishes!
Overall rating
5
/
5
144 of 151 found this review helpful
Imaginative, engrossing, fun
PostedAugust 8, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Having played the demo, I immediately purchased. This is one of those exquisite little gems that Felix quietly drops into the pond on occasion. The developers put a lot of time and effort into this. The graphics are lovely and crisp, the mini-games will "agitate the little gray cells" (they can be skipped), there is an interactive map, three difficulty levels to choose from, a task list in the lower left corner, and a hint system that comes in very handy. There are no voice overs; but if we had those, it would probably have been presented as a CE. You can adjust the music (it is quite nice), the effects and environment volumes. The mini-games all have clear instructions (just click the "Help" button in the lower right corner). When you are in a regular location (not HOS), the Hint button will tell you if you have something to do; and put a circle around the spot. The dialogue is kept to the level of just enough to help you understand what is going on, but can be skipped. The hour for the demo slipped by very quickly because you will find yourself caught up as soon as you accomplish your first small task. I scrolled through the walkthrough when I finished the demo, and there will probably be about another five hours play for me. (I did not skip any mini-games.) Thanks to Vogat for developing a beautiful game, and to Felix for bringing it to us fishies.
I recommend this game!
Cargo flight 821 has crashed on an uncharted, beautiful and deadly planet. Your only companion is the trustworthy robot, Oscar and together you must escape.
Overall rating
3
/
5
37 of 43 found this review helpful
Needs better hints
PostedJuly 9, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the demo and if the hint button either gave you a direction to go in, or the map were interactive, I would give it four stars. Since neither of these will happen, a walkthrough is absolutely needed. The hints can also be quite frustrating because they will point you to an area in a scene, when you have no way of completing the task involved. This would make a good family game because I found nothing more frightening than a large, unfriendly dinosaur (at least in the demo). If you read the information in the tutorial, it helps greatly. You have a Task List, a Data file, and a Map which can be accessed by clicking "Data" on the robot in the lower right corner. Your first task is to assemble that robot! It is rather fun - you find his pieces and attach them to his body. I have no real idea how long it would take to play the entire game (since there is no walkthrough to use as a "yardstick"). Looking at the map and guessing at how much more there might be to do, it might take 2-1/2 to 3 hours if mini-games are not skipped. This could have been a really great game if just one or two minor issues had been addressed in the development. Since there are a great number of locations, an interactive map would have been fabulous. In lieu of that, a hint system that points you in the right direction would have been worth another full star. You do not have a choice of difficulty level. The custom cursor is nice; and not too large. You can adjust the music and sound volume. The items in the hidden object scenes are not miniscule, but sometimes there are a few objects that might be the one they want. ("Clamp" - a ring clamp, a pincer-type clamp, etc.) Without a walkthrough available, I would not consider it until it is offered as a Daily Deal or Catch of the Week.
I recommend this game!
Reveal the twisted plan of a deranged magician who has his own Vendetta against the world! And uncover a secretive world of magicians and discover the power they have held and passed down through the centuries!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
What a disappointment!
PostedJuly 8, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I purchased, and enjoyed playing, "Shattered Minds: Masquerade CE"; but this isn't even close to being in the same class. If we could give 1/2 stars, I would give this 2-1/2 overall. The graphics, hidden object scenes and storyline are what I would expect in a game 10 -15 years old. This is a very amateurish attempt in today's market. For someone who is a complete beginner, this would be good practice. On the positive side, it does have good voice acting, a very handy map and journal, and the mini-games are reasonably imaginative. You can select from three difficulty levels, and your system cursor or a large or small custom cursor. It does have a choice for a regular monitor or widescreen. It just lacks the sophistication, imagination and creativity of the better-quality games of today.
I don't recommend this game.
Jane unknowingly releases a time paradox and only she can stop it!
Overall rating
2
/
5
72 of 91 found this review helpful
Rather amateurish for today's players
PostedJune 29, 2012
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The graphics are very basic; more like something I would have expected to see perhaps 10 years ago. The interactive controls are a bit sluggish and clumsy. The storyline is okay; but certainly not brilliant. The hidden object scenes leave something to be desired; because many of the objects are really tiny. The mini-games are acceptable, but not imaginative. (At least the mini-games do have clear instructions.) The dialogue needs polish - it is obvious that it was not originally written in English. For a real beginner at HOGs this might do. Based on the demo, it would be appropriate for a family game; because there is nothing scary, so kids could play. At the end of the 60 minute demo, I had finished chapter 6. I did not skip mini-games, or dialogue; so I believe it would be a very short game, since it only has 11 chapters.
I don't recommend this game.
After Sara inherits a home, she discovers that a restless spirit can speak to her! Help her sooth Emily’s soul in Haunted Past: Realm of Ghosts!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
It doesn't get better than this!
PostedDecember 15, 2011
thistle809
fromMacon, GA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I played the demo - and I love it! I would like to know how much the bonus gameplay adds before I budget to buy the CE; but it is the most player-friendly, well-thought-out game I can remember seeing. The graphics are superb, the storyline is fascinating, the music is wonderful (and appropriate), the voice acting is great, the hint system is excellent, and the options for setting difficulty level are amazing. There is a Casual or Advanced difficulty setting; then there is the masterpiece: Custom. In that mode, you can combine all sorts of options for difficulty. You can choose how fast hints recharge, how fast the Skip button appears (or turn it off) for puzzles, you can select On or Off for Tutorial, Ingame Tips, Visual Help, and even set the difficulty level for Hidden Objects. Wow! They even included one of my favorite details - when you finish with an area, it says "Area Cleared" at the top of the screen. I truly appreciate not pounding my head against a brick wall looking for something where there is nothing. I do not believe there is any penalty for mis-clicks. There have been very, very few games that absolutely ingtrigued me like this from the very beginning, but this one certainly does. Gogii has outdone themselves, yet again. Thank you, Felix, for bringing this to us!
I recommend this game!