0Jade's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:4,292
- Reviews Submitted:110
- First Review:February 9, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 13, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Royal Detective: Queen of Shadows
After searching for five years, Princess found her mother – only to have her kidnapped right before her eyes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 27 found this review helpful
Pure Elvish Majik
PostedMay 30, 2014
0Jade
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Cadenza: Music, Betrayal and Death Collector's Edition
(237)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A story with disembodies skulls, sorcery, magic, witchcraft, elves, rebellion and death. If this subjects intrigue you, then this is the game for you.
Fabulous audio, voiceovers, artwork and visuals.
Navigatable Map - in fact, the game may help you a bit too much... guess that's up to the individual, and there are multiple levels of difficulty to reduce some of the hand-holding.
I came across a few, maybe 5 straight hogs, and three mini games. The first was like a paint by number, the second was an order of operation game, and the third was manipulating a ball to put pieces into order. All three games ever fairly easy, but enjoyable.
Strategy guide appears to be a separate purchase, but I'm not sure about that - there are 6 chapters.
I did not see any collectibles at all.
Overall good effort, and they obviously worked very hard on it, but I'm still on the fence about whether it's CE qualified.
I recommend this game!
Fear for Sale: Phantom Tide Collector's Edition
Ghostly warnings in the water are terrifying a grieving family. What's causing them, and what really happened to Julia White?
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 51 found this review helpful
Very well done!
PostedApril 3, 2014
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Someone has figured out how to manipulate water in graphics beautifully. WOW It's worth playing the demo just to see that.
This one has all you are looking for in the way of a Collector's Edition game, the guide, lots of collectibles, bonus game and all the whoopdedoo freebies.
The game itself has an interesting storyline, hidden objects, but not too many of them, jigsaw puzzle for those more inclined away from HOGS - leans more toward the adventure side, a navigatable map, customizable difficulty settings and an new feature to manipulate water.
As much as you will be disappointed that I didn't find out any more about this game, to be honest, I was too busy playing it. This is one game that was over before I was ready for it to be. I was minding my own business playing the game when WHAM - it was over. I hate it when that happens... but that usually means I've got to get this game.
Enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Rush for Gold: California
Make your American Dream come true in California, where the only thing hotter than the sun is the gold fever!
Overall rating
5
/
5
58 of 68 found this review helpful
Don't SHOOT the Dogs!
PostedMarch 18, 2014
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was not expecting such a cute game.
First and foremost, there is the ability to play in RELAXED MODE. The graphics were sharply drawn and the music was upbeat, went along with the storyline and it wasn't overly repetitive or irritating. The story was decent - thar's GOLD in them thar woods, so a town needs to be built up and you just join in the fun of helping do that. The game is a combination of Roads of Rome type play in order to gain enough stars to create buildings for your town. In every level they introduce something new to achieve such as level one is wood and food, then wood, food and gold, then wood, food, gold and coal. Eventually you get to build lumber mills and such to provide you with automatic necessities. You even get to trade with Indians. Okay now about those coyotes (dogs)... when there was a coyote blocking your path and your character came out with a gun, I almost shut down the game! I'll let you see what happens.
I recommend this game!
Adelantado Trilogy: Book Three
The epic conclusion of an amazing trilogy in Adelantado Trilogy: Book Three, a thrilling Time Management game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 33 found this review helpful
FINALLY - Book THREE!
PostedDecember 23, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have patiently waited and waited for the third installment of this game, and here it is right in time for Christmas.
Let me start by saying, YES, there is a RELAXED mode but you can make it as challenging (time-wise) as you'd like.
Overall, the same as the previous two, build huts, uncover secrets and treasures, get food, collect orator stones and help the natives. They have improved on some of the gameplay and the hidden items are many and extra hidden. :-# Yes, there are dangers in the way of cavemen and maybe even those big behemoths? Time will tell.
As far as the buildings are concerned, they can still be built, upgraded and demolished. And... there are new ones!
My hour trial was over before I was ready, and I was able to make it through two large levels #taking my time to find all the secrets). This game will keep me entertained for hours and hours. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The Fog
Don't be afraid of The Fog. Fear what lies within it!
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 25 found this review helpful
Old Style Adventure with a smattering of HOGs
PostedDecember 9, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Remember the days of Kings Quest, Grim Fandango and Myst? Well it's reminiscent of the oldest of these graphic adventures with an upgrade. It does have some Hidden object games that reward you with several inventory items, but I came across maybe only about 5 or so in the hour demo, and it does have a map, but it's not for navigation, only for you to know about an area that needs more exploring and the all forgiving hint button is available. Oh, and the HOG "butterflies" are able to be disabled in the game.
It's all about the story, the vast inventory of items, and finding ways to progress in the game. If you are not used to the games of old, this may not be your cup of tea.
No HOGs every 5 minutes
No morphing objects
No hyperlinking map
No cute animals
and LOTS and LOTS of back and forth
No morphing objects
No hyperlinking map
No cute animals
and LOTS and LOTS of back and forth
I gave it 5 stars #was leaning toward 4# to counteract some of the negative press, but in all fairness, I did love it, and it's not a collector's item. Fairly dry adventure for those of us who enjoy that type of thing like a bit more of a challenge.
I recommend this game!
Death at Cape Porto: A Dana Knightstone Novel Collector’s Edition
An imprisoned soul will never be free until you clear his name!
Overall rating
4
/
5
35 of 40 found this review helpful
Another Good One
PostedNovember 30, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is just a review of the demo. I was able to explore 9 areas in my hour.
The game begins with a nightmare, and then you are invited to a grand opening of a hotel own by an extremely conceited man. As usual with Dana stories, you start to see ghosts. Your job is to unravel the mystery of what went on.
Difficulty: 4 Levels – even on casual, not too much prodding.
Story: Exceptional as with all Dana Knightstone novels.
Puzzles: That’s what this game is about. Find something that you can use somewhere else, with several mini-games included. No hardcore puzzling that I could see, it was more in line with an adventure game with a HOG thrown in here or there.
HOG: I know I encountered one HOG within 9 areas, it was a tiny bit interactive with clear crisp graphics.
Options: Sound, Volume, Notifications on/off, Full Screen and Cursor.
Map: Navigational map shows you what area has a task to do.
Strategy Guide: Can be access within the game – keeps up with where you are in the game.
Length: Strategy Guide shows 6 Chapters + One Bonus Epilogue.
Collectibles: Playing Cards
Achievements: There is a list of Achievements such as complete a chapter in less than 30 minutes, Find all collectibles, etc.
Music: Mellow and Pleasant
Graphics: Beautifully Drawn.
One minor issue with the game freezing once due to driver issues, and when the demo was over it complained of memory issues, but I do have Windows 8.1, so you have to expect that with new operating systems.
I have all the Dana Knightstone games - yup, I'll probably get this one too.
I recommend this game!
Nevertales: The Beauty Within Collector's Edition
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 28 found this review helpful
Puzzle Players - Just get it!
PostedOctober 24, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is probably only one of two or three 5 star reviews I have ever written in over 4 years (at least?) as a member. I'll let the others give away the storyline - that's part of the appeal to me, so I won't do it.
Everything puzzlers want:
Morphing objects
Collectibles
EVERYTHING is a puzzle
Navigational Map with objective indicators
Custom Difficulty Levels
HOG scenes cleverly drawn and not junk piles and are also sneaky little puzzles - well done.
Integrated strategy guide
Morphing objects
Collectibles
EVERYTHING is a puzzle
Navigational Map with objective indicators
Custom Difficulty Levels
HOG scenes cleverly drawn and not junk piles and are also sneaky little puzzles - well done.
Integrated strategy guide
As far as the quality of the game - GREAT graphics that work on large wide screens, calm atmospheric music, and refreshingly new or modern objectives such as (NEXT SENTENCE SLIGHT SPOILER) finding the battery for a cell phone or remembering to buckle up the baby in the reverse facing car seat.
Overall it looks to be a long game because the storyline has realistically not progressed very far yet and the Strategy Guide in the demo had two chapters but room for many more.
I'm sorry, but writing this review is taking away from my buying and playing the game. Enjoy guys.
I recommend this game!
Haunted Hotel: Eclipse Collector's Edition
Should anyone ever check in to a place called the Final Journey Hotel?
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 12 found this review helpful
Puzzles, Dialog and some HOS
PostedOctober 10, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a review based on the 1 hour demo.
This was a good demo - it's an adventure game with little travel so far, and movement can be done via the interactive map. I only came across two hidden object scenes, but quite a few puzzles and some dialog. For those not interested in a story, this is not the game for you.
I don't like to give away the storyline, so I'll just give you the overall feel of the game. Well drawn images with clear, but sometimes tricky objects to find. Puzzles I have come across are refreshing and entertaining. For those new to adventure games, this is more intermediate, challenging, but not mind bending. Interactive map is very simple and straightforward and there are 15 morphing paintings to find.
Options are available for music, effects, environment, voice and gamma - and you are also given choices for full screen, custom cursor, wide screen and special effects.
Strategy guide has 6 chapters plus the bonus and collectibles. There are bonus features of gameplay, wallpaper, concept art, music, achievements, collectibles and one secret room that show 6 paintings - hmmm a mystery here.
This just might be a keeper for me. I typically enjoy the developers that look like grey circus animals. :-)
I recommend this game!
Dark Cases: The Blood Ruby Collector's Edition
Your father was murdered while he was investigating a crime. Travel back through time to save him!
Overall rating
5
/
5
78 of 86 found this review helpful
Atmosphere Review
PostedSeptember 14, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I figure everyone else was going to give you the mechanics of the game, I'd give you the "feel".
The story throws you into a mystery revolving a red ruby, and you get thrown back a month in time to prevent the death of your father. I liked the storyline very much. The voiceovers were well done, there were lots and lots of puzzles, which I prefer, and when you did come across a HOG, it was occasionally and the drawings were so well done it didn't aggravate me at all. I found myself actually trying to find the objects rather than trying to get the HOG over with - adventure gamers will understand. No, nothing was hard, I never had need of the hints or strategy guide so hardcore gamers may take issue with that. The music was delightful, atmospheric, and actually relaxing. The map was interactive so you always knew when an area was needing attention or totally complete. For those who have large screens, I had no issues with it filling the screen completely and maybe one or two items total were in a darkened area. When my hour was up, I felt relaxed and longing for just a few more minutes to finish the puzzle I was on. I do believe I will take advantage of the sale today and get this game.
I recommend this game!
Treasure Island: The Golden Bug
Guide William on the adventure of a lifetime and discover Captain Kidd's lost pirate treasure in this riveting Hidden Object game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 17 found this review helpful
Oh Dear!
PostedSeptember 3, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Old timey adventure turned hidden object game. Find 15 pieces of firewood, put the firewood in the fire, blow on the fire - boring. Lots of hidden items to find, but typically all of the same type, find all the animals, find all the cannonballs. I came across a few puzzles; the first couple were a slider puzzle and a bug match 3 for hints that lasted about a minute. There is one scene where your job is to find 14 yellow bugs, then 22 spotted ones, then 14 long ones - bugs just show back up if you make an error or when you start looking for something new - you get the idea.
Navigation is done by clicking on an arrow with a circle around it when it is time to go somewhere and the screen automatically switches - there was no map during my play.
Graphics are old and grainy, but you do get a one-time option for parallax (scrolling) view or not.
Music - for the first time in a game for me, somewhat irritating.
Language is obviously an issue, I laughed at having to find 2x Lea-f(-ves) and Butterfl-y(-ies), but I couldn't have done a better job in their language.
Hints are yellow stars that randomly show up on the screen. It may have just been me, but it didn't seem like they were equal, sometimes there was 1 or more, and sometimes you would receive more than 1 hint for them.
Options: Sound, Music, Brightness and Windowed.
Storyline of oh boy I found a unique bug didn't snare me to continue and I gave up after about 30 minutes. Not a buy for me.
I don't recommend this game.