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:
Mystery Trackers: Four Aces Collector's Edition
Save Brightfield from a shocking plot by a dastardly organization!
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 54 found this review helpful
Chimeras run Amuck in this HO/Adventure
PostedOctober 11, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Story:
The town of Brightfield has been evacuated after a series of bizarre animal attacks. As the detective you are sent in to investigate but unusually low temperatures along with heavy snowfall have complicated the scene. Something else odd… weird animal hybrids seem to have run rampant over this town.
The town of Brightfield has been evacuated after a series of bizarre animal attacks. As the detective you are sent in to investigate but unusually low temperatures along with heavy snowfall have complicated the scene. Something else odd… weird animal hybrids seem to have run rampant over this town.
Game:
8 Chapters + Bonus Chapter, Morphing Creatures game(?) and Bonus mini-games.
Options:
Casual – relaxed, sparkles, fast hint
Advanced – longer Hint, no sparkles
Hardcore – no hint, no mini game skip, no sparkles
Detective – no hint, skips or sparkles and active areas are not indicated
8 Chapters + Bonus Chapter, Morphing Creatures game(?) and Bonus mini-games.
Options:
Casual – relaxed, sparkles, fast hint
Advanced – longer Hint, no sparkles
Hardcore – no hint, no mini game skip, no sparkles
Detective – no hint, skips or sparkles and active areas are not indicated
Hidden Object areas are crisp and clear, and have a little bit of puzzle mixed in – Fun. You get a Mr. Toad for helpful advice and he will definitely indicate what needs to happen next if needed, there is an audio diary that can be activated via the map; and the map which can be used for navigation will show the player location, objectives, blocked areas, and current tasks. You get a dog named Elf who can be a helpful buddy if you need digging in the snow, and extra bonus hints can be achieved by finding morphing chimeras throughout the game.
Mini-games I encountered are properly challenging, but not mind-numbing. First few were a Tangram type puzzle where you have to fit blocks into a square, a circular puzzle game where you have to rotate and push pieces toward the center to create a sun, and a slider puzzle where you have to use strategy to slide suitcases across a grid so that they all hit their mark correctly.
Honestly, I was not even finished evaluating the game for this review when my time was up. Yes, I’m buying it.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Sullivan River Collector's Edition
Unearth your forgotten childhood memories to reveal the secret of the ancient labyrinth.
Overall rating
4
/
5
99 of 110 found this review helpful
Good Mystery
PostedSeptember 30, 2012
0Jade
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Large File, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Game is a combination of Hidden Object and Adventure.
Storyline:
Six children at summer camp have disappeared while playing at an archological dig of a Celtic Labyrinth. As an adult, you are still traumatized by the event. Due to horrific nightmares of an attacking tree, you seek the help of a psychologist who recomends that you return to the Sullivan River Summer Camp, the scene of the crime, to help you remember what happened.
Six children at summer camp have disappeared while playing at an archological dig of a Celtic Labyrinth. As an adult, you are still traumatized by the event. Due to horrific nightmares of an attacking tree, you seek the help of a psychologist who recomends that you return to the Sullivan River Summer Camp, the scene of the crime, to help you remember what happened.
Trauma Warning:
If you are startled by ghosts popping up, then this might not be the game for you.
If you are startled by ghosts popping up, then this might not be the game for you.
Options:
3 levels of play, Options for sound, music, voiceover, custom cursor, and full screen.
3 levels of play, Options for sound, music, voiceover, custom cursor, and full screen.
Collectior's Edition Perks:
Strategy guide (demo has 2 Chapters of 15 pages), Music, Wallpaper, Bonus Game and Concept Art.
Strategy guide (demo has 2 Chapters of 15 pages), Music, Wallpaper, Bonus Game and Concept Art.
Music, Sound and Graphics:
Music is atmospheric, Sound, graphics and voiceovers are excellent - top notch quality.
Music is atmospheric, Sound, graphics and voiceovers are excellent - top notch quality.
Hidden Objects and Puzzles:
Butterflies indicate the location of hidden object scenes. They have made them interactive by having you find one item in the scene to use on another. In other words, find the key, in order to find the open padlock. Items are crisp and large for the most part. Puzzles are evenly balanced with the Hidden Object scenes. Some of them are new, and the "typical" puzzles have a nice new twist to them. Overall they are very well done.
Butterflies indicate the location of hidden object scenes. They have made them interactive by having you find one item in the scene to use on another. In other words, find the key, in order to find the open padlock. Items are crisp and large for the most part. Puzzles are evenly balanced with the Hidden Object scenes. Some of them are new, and the "typical" puzzles have a nice new twist to them. Overall they are very well done.
New Item:
They have added a new item of a locked inventory item. You might find a fishing pole, but it remains locked and inaccessible until you find the reel. Fun!
They have added a new item of a locked inventory item. You might find a fishing pole, but it remains locked and inaccessible until you find the reel. Fun!
Tape Player:
There are reels of video that you can find throughout the game that give you #in video format) the backstory of the game. No reading pages and pages of the journal.
There are reels of video that you can find throughout the game that give you #in video format) the backstory of the game. No reading pages and pages of the journal.
Navigation, Journal and Hints:
Journal is concise and helpful. There is a map that is used to navigate only, but does not show what areas have an active scene. Hint button can also be used to tell you where to go with no penalty, but if it indicates a task, will have to recharge - 30 - 60 seconds depending on level of play.
Journal is concise and helpful. There is a map that is used to navigate only, but does not show what areas have an active scene. Hint button can also be used to tell you where to go with no penalty, but if it indicates a task, will have to recharge - 30 - 60 seconds depending on level of play.
I recommend this game!
Guardians of Magic: Amanda's Awakening
Open your eyes to a wondrous world in Guardians of Magic: Amanda's Awakening, a spectacular adventure of science and spell-casting.
Overall rating
3
/
5
62 of 72 found this review helpful
Puzzles and Adventure
PostedSeptember 29, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Notice the word puzzles first - NO HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES!
Skip this paragraph if you don't want to know back story.
Girl (your character Amanda) loves Grandpa who is into magic, but not you not so much. He introduces you to a scientist friend, Dr. Magnus who like you is into physics and chemistry. All good until Scientist and Magician have a fight; they never see each other again. Grandpa dies, Magnus does not attend the funeral. Game begins with you at his house. While at his house, you discover a "Guardian" is captured and she needs your magic help (yes, what you are not good at) to escape.
Girl (your character Amanda) loves Grandpa who is into magic, but not you not so much. He introduces you to a scientist friend, Dr. Magnus who like you is into physics and chemistry. All good until Scientist and Magician have a fight; they never see each other again. Grandpa dies, Magnus does not attend the funeral. Game begins with you at his house. While at his house, you discover a "Guardian" is captured and she needs your magic help (yes, what you are not good at) to escape.
Intro graphics are comic book quality, but drawing quality improves for the game. Options are Full Screened, Windowed and Sounds. Automatic Tutorial but can be turned off in the options.
Puzzles during hour demo: Find combination and use it, block slider, Memory/Concentration, Jigsaw, Tangram, round disc slider, Find the differences, scale balance and continue the pattern. These types of puzzles repeat several times.
Collectibles so far: Find 8 pieces to assemble a bubble machine designed by Grandpa which will reveal pieces of magic to you and second collectible are 10 pieces of a blueprint which will reveal a new object to assemble.
Level travel: After finding the secret library, as you solve the puzzle boxes you find, you get maps to constellations which can be mapped out (yes another puzzle) in the telescope to unlock a secret painting in the library. You can then use magic in the form of moving your mouse in a specified motion to transport to that scene. There are many more spells to learn besides transport such as fire, etc. When you travel through the different pictures you reveal with the constellations they seem to represent different periods in time for the same location (so far).
You do have a Journal which keeps track of the Puzzles you have done (which you can replay at any time during the game), Constellations, Spells and your Journal notes.
The hint button is in the form of the captured Guardian who will say "maybe you should check somewhere else". ANY time you use the hint, it will need to be recharged - about 30 seconds.
Overall decent game, but not sure if I'm in the mood today, maybe I'll get this game when I'm wanting some more old-style puzzles.
I recommend this game!
Haunted Halls: Revenge of Doctor Blackmore Collector's Edition
Prepare for a mind-bending journey into the realm of the weird in Haunted Halls: Revenge of Dr. Blackmore! Brace yourself for the unexpected in this exciting Hidden Object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
169 of 203 found this review helpful
Great Fun!
PostedSeptember 27, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You wake up in the lab, and you have been kidnapped by the crazy cephalopod Dr. Blackmore. He plans to take revenge on all who have wronged him. Your job is to set these people free. One is in the Lab, but you can't help him until you help the ones in Chicago, Pompeii, Alaska and Chernobyl.
Display options are custom cursor, full screen, widescreen and game options are Casual, Advanced and Hard (Skip and hint slow, no sparkles, HO click penalty#.
You have notes which work as your journal, a new feature which is a portable lab. When you find items during the game, you can use the portable lab to make a new inventory item. I was having so much fun I don't remember seeing a map of any kind - didn't need it. Strategy guide in the demo has two chapters - the Lab and Chicago #23 pages).
Mini games are different and unique - good job! Hidden object areas are also different. Some are just silhouettes, some go like this - Use the silhouette to find the screwdriver, use the screwdriver to unscrew a bolt. Use the silhouette to find the 2nd half of the scissors, place the scissor parts together with the bolt and the screwdriver, and that is just the beginning.
Oh ENOUGH of this game review - I gotta get back to the game!
Dreams from the Past
As darkness falls, strange dreams from the past haunt Dianne. Help her uncover the hidden secret that lies within her dreams and unravel a love story that’s lost within time.
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 20 found this review helpful
Game from the Past
PostedSeptember 26, 2012
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You are a photographer who has a recurring nightmare about a man and a woman who are lovers and somehow he gets murdered (no gore).
It is a combination of several types of games. Sometimes you just find an object laying out, sometimes you have to play a Hidden Object game. Sometimes you are finding pieces of objects to assemble into a whole object. Example: find all the numbers of the clock in several different hidden object scenes in order assemble the clock in order to put the clock in your suitcase. Or, find the Tiger, Bear, Camel and Elephant in order to open the door. Clear graphics, but some items are hidden behind others with only a corner sticking out so they can be hard to see. There are also other types of games - find the difference game, weigh the objects on scales, and make all rows and columns add up to 15 game.
There are no game options to speak of other than sound and custom cursor, no map or journal, no cut scenes, you will go from pulling in a boat to being on the other side of a river. Storytelling is done in comic book fashion and text is just written out on the screen like you are reading a movie script. Music (which usually doesn't bother me) was a bit repetetive.
Game ends when she arrives for her first job. Personally, I was thankful it didn't go on for an hour.
I don't recommend this game.
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
Experience an incredible space adventure in E.P.I.C!
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 29 found this review helpful
Agree that it's different
PostedSeptember 25, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The best thing to suggest with this game is that you play it. Adventure switches from rural farm setting, to a floating island setting to the inside of the island's computer core and a rescue mission. There are some hidden object games, but it's more of an adventure style of play - lots of walking between scenes, etc. Players who are curious about this game should play it. It's enjoyable, but odd. I also recommend that you use the hint button liberally to get to the meat of the game as it improves exponentially with play. Go on... do it!
I recommend this game!
Amusement World!
Enjoy a thrilling and delightful romp through a world-class amusement park!
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 28 found this review helpful
HOG - Action/Arcade
PostedSeptember 24, 2012
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
In the first level, you help the Princess acquire items for the ball by playing HOG scenes, finding tickets to play action/aracde games, ocassional FROG scenes and finding gumdrops. Arcade games (pop ballons with darts, knock over items with ball) require speed and dexterity in order to obtain a small, then medium, then large gift. You must get to a large gift in order to find the item for the ball. Once that area of the amuzement park is complete, you move onto an action hero section of the park and it all starts over except you are looking for hypnotic eyes instead of gumdrops - you get the idea.
There is a click penalty that will remove 10,000 pts. There is a navigatable map.
Unless you like fast clicking and repetetive tasks, you will not appreciate this game. Not for me.
I don't recommend this game.
The Great Unknown: Houdini's Castle Collector's Edition
Your honeymoon turns sour when a madman kidnaps your husband, forcing you to expose Houdini's greatest trick.
Overall rating
4
/
5
59 of 68 found this review helpful
Adventure mixed with HOS
PostedSeptember 23, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Game starts with funeral for a friend, jumps 50 years, a strange weapon aimed at the sky, a plane out of control, and you wake up at Harry Houdini's house. Basis for story is that person who kidnapped you is testing you to see if you are that "special person". Nuff said!
Game options allow you to adjust the music, voices and sound, and there are full screen, wide screen and custom cursor options as well. No options on sparkles.
Sporadic hidden object scenes are a combination of regular HOS and an association game such as carrot goes with rabbit. Some can be quite tricky. Large crisp objects, and no click penalty.
Mini-games are typical with a skip available after a short time.
Soothing appropriate music, strategy guide has 9 chapter plus a bonus, but game moves fairly quickly. No map, no diary, no morphing objects, but you do collect film reels for the backstory and there is lots of walking around.
Not my all time favorite, but a good effort.
I recommend this game!
Tales of Terror: Crimson Dawn
Rescue your abducted brother from eternal darkness in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
69 of 86 found this review helpful
Great Hidden Object Adventure
PostedSeptember 22, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There was a ritual, your bother was kidnapped, chasing kidnapers causes a car crash (sorry folks), and you must find your brother who has been taken to a mansion.
Three levels of play:
Casual - Quick hint refill and sparklines
Expert - Twice as long hint refil and mini game skips
Professional - No Hints, skips or sparklines
Expert - Twice as long hint refil and mini game skips
Professional - No Hints, skips or sparklines
You have a diary, but no map that I found, great appropriate music, cinematic characters, excellent audio and no click penalty. The mini-games have been mixed in well with the hidden object games. Mini-games are fun but typical with a few variances mixed in. Hidden object scenes are well drawn with large objects, some items have to be combined, and there is no click penalty. Demo ends once you gain access to the mansion.
Very well done - good job game developers!
I recommend this game!
Dark Parables: The Red Riding Hood Sisters Collector's Edition
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 57 found this review helpful
Beautiful FROG
PostedSeptember 20, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As a detective you must go to the Mist Kingdom to save the sisters of the Red Riding Hood Sisterhood from the wolf queen and her ferocious wolves.
Warning to those with small children - death scene at the start of game might startle sentive people or small children.
Excellent Audio, Artwork and Storyline.
FROG (fragmented hidden objects puzzles)
Hidden object puzzles include artwork of cute animated forest creatures.
Mini game puzzles are fairly simple, but fun.
Mini Map is available, but cannot be used to travel in game.
Strategy guide not available in demo.
On casual, hint meter recharges in 15 seconds.
You are given task list of items to accomplish.
There are 20 cursed object to find.
FROG (fragmented hidden objects puzzles)
Hidden object puzzles include artwork of cute animated forest creatures.
Mini game puzzles are fairly simple, but fun.
Mini Map is available, but cannot be used to travel in game.
Strategy guide not available in demo.
On casual, hint meter recharges in 15 seconds.
You are given task list of items to accomplish.
There are 20 cursed object to find.
There are also several parables pieces to find to unlock five parable stories that give you background information on the game.
Overall - very well done.
I recommend this game!