KeysPirate's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:353
- Reviews Submitted:49
- First Review:May 8, 2012
- Most Recent Review:September 7, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Stop the evil Princess of Hearts and discover your true destiny!
Overall rating
2
/
5
19 of 23 found this review helpful
A terrible disappointment
PostedSeptember 7, 2016
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Based on all the gushingly positive reviews of the CE, and being a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, I didn't hesitate to buy this game. What a terrible disappointment!
While some of the graphics were quite nice, most of it was just bling. Alice was one of those blobby avatars that I dislike so much, and the other characters were unrealistic and poorly rendered. Why use comic-book style "humans" instead of the wonderful creatures in the original Wonderland? Puzzles were not very good, and the HOs boring. The story was confusing and disjointed. Lewis Carroll would have hated this.
Before I got this game, I had been playing several old Dark Tales: EAP games which were SO much better -- the artwork, the storylines, the original puzzles, the music. I truly cannot understand the great reviews given to Alice. But perhaps my taste in games is different from most other BigFish gamers. If anyone else out there is looking for a good long game that makes sense and has beautiful, realistic scenery, try Gold Bug. That's one I plan to play again. It was fun!
I don't recommend this game.
Visit a boarding school abandoned after a terrible accident. Unravel the mystery of the loss of its former students.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Just what I've been looking for!
PostedJuly 16, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Wow, was I lucky to find this Daily Deal bargain! I would have paid $10 for it. No need to describe all of the extremely well-done features in detail, as other reviewers have done so, but I will join in complimenting the wonderful realistic artwork and animations, the journal with clock (an unexpected little extra), and the flashlight, which is quite helpful in illuminating dark areas. It is rainy and dark outside, and buildings are generally abandoned and unlighted. I love pretty, colorful scenery and objects, but I am weary of the fantasy scenes in so many games these days. I prefer realism, especially "old-time" settings. Yes, there is backtracking, but I loved it. Didn't use the map since I enjoyed going back through the scenes. From the pictures of the game, I was worried that it would be full of unrealistic-looking animated characters, but thankfully not, other than the glimpses of a cloaked figure. No distracting characters to converse with, or a partner. Just me trying to solve a mystery. At least so far... I have only been playing for a few hours and it would seem I have a long way to go. Great mystery, lots of beautifully rendered locations. I can't wait to get on the boat and (I hope!) out on the lake. The music is repetitious, but makes for a suspenseful atmosphere at low volume. Sound effects are natural. Jump in this lake and enjoy a great swim, fellow Fishies!
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: Lightning Strikes Collector's Edition
The women of Paris are being turned into puppets! Can you find out who's pulling the strings?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
An exceptional game! Perfect Halloween entertainment for all.
PostedOctober 16, 2015
KeysPirate
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Christmas Eve: Midnight's Call Collector's Edition
(67)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I almost passed on this one due to the low overall rating and negative comments, especially from those who liked the other Puppet Show games, and did not like this one.
But I decided to try the SE demo, and after several minutes of wonderful gameplay, bought the CE.
In my opinion, this is absolutely the best of all the Puppet Show games, and ranks up there in my Top Ten of all time.
The developers put so much into this... fantastic artwork, fun and challenging puzzles, big and colorful interactive HOs, and seemingly endless new locations. Seriously, my jaw dropped when I opened doors to unexpected and beautifully rendered scenes.
The story was well thought out, and was supported by the excellent journal, which is definitely worth consulting.
Normally, I care nothing for Extras, and rarely consult a Strategy Guide, but in this game I enjoyed finding the piggy banks and restoring the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty. The Bonus Chapter was excellent and plenty long to justify the CE price. I even downloaded a screen saver, which delights me every time I see it... a scary, funky tree that waves its limbs around. Great for Halloween!
I loved the Steampunk machines. Some folks complained about the characters (all of whom were nicely rendered and thankfully NOT those bloated, swaying avatars) not moving their lips. That was a bit strange, especially considering the otherwise outstanding animation, but it didn't really bother me.
Try it... you may love it, too.
I recommend this game!
Without warning, a group of mysterious figures arrives and reduces your village to flames and rubble. What do they want... and who is controlling them?
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 8 found this review helpful
Child's play?
PostedSeptember 24, 2015
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I suppose young children would be awed by the pretty stuff and the scary monsters, but this senior citizen found the game to be extremely boring and silly.
GRAPHICS: Some were really nice, but others, especially some of the characters (those bloated, swaying avatars that spoil otherwise good games) were so bad I cringed. Scenery in the distance was furry and dull; up close stuff was crisp and realistic. The airship pilot was well done, and rather funny. The fairy was also artistically well-rendered. Unfortunately, those few positives did not make up for all of the poorly done stuff.
PUZZLES / MINI-GAMES: Many were actually fun and marginally challenging, others just plain silly. Enjoyed the ones that made me think a bit, like getting the man and his kids off a burning roof by moving in the right direction and adjusting his shield to avoid flaming arrows. Clever. But I hated the ones where I had to trace a pattern with my mouse -- manual dexterity challenges are not what I want in an adventure game.
CUT SCENES: I don't like these, because they take control of the game and leave me feeling like an observer rather than the character in control. Too much talk. There are also times when you are given choices of what to do. I don't like this, either. I am not going to replay an entire game to see what would happen if I make a different choice.
It is hard for me to understand how so many people rated this game so highly. Were they all children, or grandparents playing the game with children? I wish BigFish would indicate what audience games are likely to appeal to.
I will definitely pass on Prisoner of Ice -- sounds like much of the same.
I don't recommend this game.
You’re the only one who can save Taleworld from an evil queen.
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Major disappointment
PostedSeptember 9, 2015
KeysPirate
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Current Favorite:
Christmas Eve: Midnight's Call Collector's Edition
(67)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was sure I would like this game, since it had the funny mechanical owl helper and diorama puzzles, but almost immediately I disliked it. Main reasons:
1. Way too simple and linear -- you look at something and it tells you that you need, for example, a knife. The next place you look, there's a knife. This is probably nice for very young children, but for anyone else there is no challenge, no suspense, and no thinking required.
2. Artwork was not very good. Some objects and scenes were quite nice, but others just terrible. The "Real World" looked like something out of a 1960's comic book. Ugly.
3. Puzzles and HO scenes were pretty boring. What I thought were going to be clever dioramas were instead just pages in a book where you had to find tiny symbols.
4. I apparently missed seeing a lot of morphs and cards, because when I finally finished the game and bonus chapter I found that I had not achieved enough accomplishments to access the extras.
5. The owl helper was rarely used, and it was always something inanely simple -- fly up to get something out of my reach. But not always! Some things he should have been able to help with required other objects.
When I started this game, I had just finished a really great game, "Christmas Eve: Midnight's Call." It was challenging, beautiful, logical, and very long. The snowman helper was so cute and funny! Great animation! In comparison, "Smoke & Mirrors" was sadly lacking. I guess I must have bought it without doing the demo. Big mistake, big waste of money.
P.S. Do not be fooled by the first reviews you see. Wait a few days for more unbiased reviews to come in, and sort by something other than Highest Rating First. Newest First will generally give you a good mix of ratings, and for older games it is especially useful.
I don't recommend this game.
All the adults have vanished. Is this a child's dream, or nightmare?
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 41 found this review helpful
Had potential but fell short of expectations
PostedJuly 3, 2015
KeysPirate
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I just finished the CE, but am assuming that the SE release is the same without the Bonus Chapter and the bling.
At first I was impressed with the graphics, but overall I can't rate them very high. Closeups were nice and crisp and detailed, and most of the animation was not bad, but the distant views were muddy and the goofy-looking characters were so unrealistic that it really spoiled the game atmosphere for me. The Wishmaster was ugly and stupid. I am getting weary of these games that feature powerful, evil characters who take the time to talk to me and give me chances to thwart them. That seems silly.
HO scenes were okay but not fun. Some of the mini games were okay. Most were pretty simple. Definitely not "delightful" or memorable.
The music and sound effects were pretty good, but not good enough to make up for the bad visuals.
Bonus chapter was fairly long but not very exciting. I would definitely not recommend buying the CE.
I wish I had paid more attention to the negative reviews. Beware the 5 star reviews. The same people (professional reviewers?) keep giving 5 stars to every new game. Trust me and the other HONEST reviewers -- this game does not improve after the demo ends.
I don't recommend this game.
Violett is reluctant to move to the dreary countryside. But when a strange light lures her to into a world of magic, she may never find herself bored again!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Finally got the hang of it, now can't finish. HELP!
PostedJune 7, 2015
KeysPirate
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I don't understand why this, of all games, has no Forum and no Walkthrough. Generally I don't even need hints or SG, but Violett had me completely baffled many times. I did find a walkthrough elsewhere, but would have much preferred a forum where one can get small hints on specific tasks.
Now I am (I think) at the end and am stuck on an arcade-type puzzle. I can't seem to act/react quickly enough, and keep losing the battle over and over again. The walkthrough had some suggestions, but I fear I am just too slow.
To anyone out there who has finished the game, is there any hope for me? Violett is a delightful game, and I love the scenes and animations and clever puzzles, but am so frustrated at not being able to finish.
I recommend this game!
After a suspicious accident, you find yourself stranded at a run-down motel. But you soon realize the area hides a terrifying secret...
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
At last! A realistic blast from the past!
PostedJune 6, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have only played the demo - just purchased the full game and am waiting for download. Usually I wait until I complete a game to review, but this is just SO good I had to put in my two cents worth right away.
After reading about several other hit games, and putting them aside because they were all "blue" and somewhat grainy or hazy-looking, I found this one. I've been looking for a realistic game, set in our world with true colors and real characters, for a long time. This game has already exceeded my hopes and expectations.
Oh, how much better it is to see and hear real-life PEOPLE rather than bloated, swaying avatars, and to feast the eyes on clear, accurately rendered objects and scenery. We are treated to music and effects that match the story -- critters crawling, cornstalks swaying, clouds moving... And surprises -- some a bit startling -- as you enter scenes or take actions. Truly immersive!
As one reviewer noted, most of the time the screen view is completely uncluttered, making the game even more engrossing.
I love the 50-60's setting -- takes me back to my youth. It is delightful to use an old rotary dial phone that actually sounds like they did in the old days, and to see the old cars and clothes and furnishings.
The little puzzles and interactive HO scenes are clever, fun and not too hard. I like puzzles that require logical thinking as opposed to trying to remember a random sequence in which to press buttons or pull levers. So far, I've enjoyed admiring the artwork almost as much as solving or collecting.
Collecting the dollar bills is fun. They aren't generally hard to find, but you do need to look around each scene. I visited the store and it looks like fun, too.
One final small but important item (at least to me): situations requiring your help are appropriately "urgent" but you aren't made to feel stressed out in a rush to complete a task.
Back to the game now! I hope it will continue to live up to my initial PERFECT evaluation.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the true murderer as you investigate a haunted house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Love the graphics! Big & bright. I'm buying CE.
PostedNovember 23, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Just completed the SE demo and was having so much fun that I'm going to buy the CE. My vision is not great so it is very important to me for a game to have large, clear graphics and text. The "black box tips" are witty and don't give away too much. I like the animations, including the funny little guy who appears sometimes when you enter a new scene. You have to pay attention or you might miss something. It is okay with me that the characters and scenery are cartoonish. FUN!
I recommend this game!
Set out with Bella in search of her brother through the pages of well-known novels and true stories.
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Liked the graphics, big & detailed, but characters & story CHEESY!
PostedNovember 16, 2014
KeysPirate
fromFlorida
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
How could anyone rate this 5 stars? The puzzles were easy but generally pretty good and I was pleased that they made the graphics and text large and clear, but the game was truly dumb and boring. The worst thing was that when you arrive on a new scene, you talk to some character who doesn't look realistic in the first place, and then the character just stands there while you pick up items. Why would a police chief let me take things off his desk or look in his files? I went through the motions to finish the game but did not get "into" it or enjoy it.
I don't recommend this game.