Tufty57's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:5,072
- Reviews Submitted:119
- First Review:March 14, 2013
- Most Recent Review:April 9, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Your father was murdered while he was investigating a crime. Travel back through time to save him!
Overall rating
3
/
5
50 of 79 found this review helpful
Lacks challenge and CE 'bling'
PostedSeptember 14, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on demo played in Casual Mode
The story opens with a long series of cut scenes. Your father, a policeman, tracks down his quarry but is no match and is subsequently murdered. On receiving his personal effects, you are transported back in time to prevent his murder. You arrive in a strange house where you are discovered, accused of being a thief and locked into the room. As the owner is calling the police, she is murdered. Fortunately, when you encounter the murderer, he only knocks you out. On coming to, you discover it is your father who has responded. He goes off to get back up and leaves you alone. Early on you begin to discover the back story of a ruby with powers to make your dreams come true. And so your quest begins: find the ruby and save your father.
CE features:
* Bonus Game
* Concept Art/Eallpapers/Music/Mini Games/Video
* Strategy Guide shows first 3 chapters so no idea how long the game is
* Jumpable map with location and objectives
* 3 levels of challenge (Casual/Normal/Expert)
* Bonus Game
* Concept Art/Eallpapers/Music/Mini Games/Video
* Strategy Guide shows first 3 chapters so no idea how long the game is
* Jumpable map with location and objectives
* 3 levels of challenge (Casual/Normal/Expert)
Inventory items (from HOSs or easily found) are used very quickly. Some are able to be combined.
HOSs (I found 4 in demo) are all the same - lists plus silhouettes to use to find highlighted objects. Very easy.
Puzzles are very straightforward.
Graphics are good with clear HOSs, music is appropriate, characterisation is quite good, but they speak SO slowly!
All in all, I found the pedestrian and lengthy cut scenes tedious. With the easy gameplay and lack of challenge in puzzles or HOSs, it was more frustrating than relaxing.
With neither collectibles nor achievements, this is not a CE I would recommend. Hopefully those of you who do not rate these features will be able to confirm that the main game comes to a satisfactory conclusion and I can wait for the SE, though even then the lack of challenge is likely to be a deal breaker.
I don't recommend this game.
Someone has stolen two powerful magic doves from your kingdom, and the consequences could be disastrous. Embark on an extraordinary journey to stop the thief.
Overall rating
5
/
5
88 of 100 found this review helpful
ERS come up trumps again!
PostedSeptember 12, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on the 1 hour demo.
Everything you could wish a CE to be, especially if you are into fairies, elves and fantasy.
Returning from a party, you find your castle ransacked and a magical dove stolen. With the help of your coachman sidekick (who sounds just like Sean Bean!) you begin your quest to find the stolen dove and retrieve a second one before that gets taken too.
Soon after starting your quest you acquire a fairy helper, but she needs you to find magic in order to be able to help. You have to choose a name for her. You also have to think up an appropriate name for your elf helper who becomes your hint.
CE elements are extensive:
* Achievements to earn
* Enchanted inhabitants to find and keep safe until you can restore them
* Fairy magic to help defeat/enliven magical creatures
* Three levels of challenge all of which are customisable plus custom mode as well
* An interactive map which shows objectives and location (which is good as there is a fair bit of backwards and forwards)
* Bonus chapter
* Strategy guide (though no idea how useful as I never use it when the map is so good)
* Movies/Wallpapers/Concept Art/Screen saver/Music for those who like these
* Replay of minigames and HOSs
* Achievements to earn
* Enchanted inhabitants to find and keep safe until you can restore them
* Fairy magic to help defeat/enliven magical creatures
* Three levels of challenge all of which are customisable plus custom mode as well
* An interactive map which shows objectives and location (which is good as there is a fair bit of backwards and forwards)
* Bonus chapter
* Strategy guide (though no idea how useful as I never use it when the map is so good)
* Movies/Wallpapers/Concept Art/Screen saver/Music for those who like these
* Replay of minigames and HOSs
Puzzles are not difficult but require thought/logic
HOSs (just 3 so far in demo so not overloaded) are silhouette find ->use type x 2 and one find 15x object.
Graphics are delightful, music is pleasant and appropriate. Some of the character voices are a bit odd especially one elf who looks like Legolas but sounds like Boromir (sorry if the Lord of the Rings references are getting tedious :-( but with elves and goblins running around...)
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable game so far. My fingers and toes are crossed for a good sale this weekend.
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 45 found this review helpful
An intriguing tale of pirates, jealousy and treasure
PostedAugust 31, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on the demo.
As a pirate is hanged, he throws his medallion to the crowd challenging them to find his treasure. But there is more to this pirate than meets the eye and soon an intriguing tale develops. You are forced by the baron to find the treasure or "the boy gets it".
As a CE, this has all you could want:
* achievements (though one is "complete the tutorial" which is unfair if you are an experienced player)
* collectibles
* bonus chapter
* jumpable map
* regular CE features eg replays of puzzles and HOSs, pictures, movies, music and 'making of'
* achievements (though one is "complete the tutorial" which is unfair if you are an experienced player)
* collectibles
* bonus chapter
* jumpable map
* regular CE features eg replays of puzzles and HOSs, pictures, movies, music and 'making of'
3 modes of play: regular/experienced/insane
Music is good, if a bit 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and so loud it had to be turned down to hear the voices.
Graphics well drawn with real actors for VOs, but I did struggle with the brightness/contrast and had to keep tilting my screen :-(
Graphics well drawn with real actors for VOs, but I did struggle with the brightness/contrast and had to keep tilting my screen :-(
HOSs are very interactive with a silhouette game inside each as the third level of interaction. All the same though :-( You can play match 3 instead.
There are inventory objects to be combined and, on finding elements of the medallion, a part of "12 Labours of Hercules" is revealed. (Not sure why yet).
A great game to have on a holiday sale weekend. Try it. You will love it.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves Collector's Edition
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
Overall rating
4
/
5
37 of 44 found this review helpful
Good, but not WOW for me.
PostedAugust 29, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo played in casual
Story begins in the past with the professor and his students discovering a labyrinth beneath the university. We jump forwards in time to discover that four current students have disappeared. The professor's daughter tells us that her father may be with the missing students despite the fact he has been fired by the university. Our task is to find her father and the students and discover the mystery of the labyrinth and why it was created by the founders of the college.
Game features:
* 3 levels of play (Casual/Advanced/Hard)
* Various collectibles to complete pages in the collections book
* Achievements:
- 5 with multi levels
- some only for certain modes of play
* Bonus Chapter
* Puzzles:
- Some very straightforward. If you have found a clue it will appear automatically alongside, no searching through a journal
- Some more challenging, I found, due to a lack of clear instructions
- Achievement for solving before skip is available
* HOSs so far are all the same style and are revisited. Find an item, use it to find another, use that to find another etc. I quite enjoy these
* Jump map shows current available tasks
* 3 levels of play (Casual/Advanced/Hard)
* Various collectibles to complete pages in the collections book
* Achievements:
- 5 with multi levels
- some only for certain modes of play
* Bonus Chapter
* Puzzles:
- Some very straightforward. If you have found a clue it will appear automatically alongside, no searching through a journal
- Some more challenging, I found, due to a lack of clear instructions
- Achievement for solving before skip is available
* HOSs so far are all the same style and are revisited. Find an item, use it to find another, use that to find another etc. I quite enjoy these
* Jump map shows current available tasks
Graphics good and sound OK. Sound mostly ambient, didn't really notice any music.
All in all, I enjoyed playing and was quite intrigued by the story line. It just felt so slow! There was no atmosphere of threat or danger. The professor is clearly up to no good but is not menacing when he requests you 'stay out of his way'. Although you are aware the 'water is rising' there is nothing that makes you want to hurry up.
A good sale at the weekend would encourage me to buy, but otherwise I may not bother. This is definitely one to try before you buy. Maybe I am missing something.
I recommend this game!
Discover what connects the ship’s disappearance with Devil’s Island and a family’s unsolved murder!
Overall rating
4
/
5
70 of 77 found this review helpful
A cracking little game!
PostedAugust 28, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on the demo
The crew and cargo of a ship have disappeared and our detective heroine (with a very irritating voice) has been asked to investigate. With a ghost and a shadowy,evil (?) person popping up every now and then, there is clearly more to this than meets the eye.
* 3 levels of play
* Jumpable map
* HOSs and puzzles straightforward
* Hint and skip recharge quickly in casual
* Jumpable map
* HOSs and puzzles straightforward
* Hint and skip recharge quickly in casual
Graphics and music are pleasing to the eye and ear. Character voices could be more convincing - the sailor's accent had me in stitches!
This game has no whistles and bells. It is a straightforward game with an intriguing storyline, ideal for relaxing game play.
Worth a try. I have bought with a voucher and might have waited for a sale if I hadn't had one.
I recommend this game!
Who is responsible for your children’s disappearance? Follow the trail!
Overall rating
3
/
5
37 of 73 found this review helpful
Cannot work out who this is aimed at.
PostedAugust 24, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When I saw the title and description on the download page, I was delighted. I love fantasy and fairy tales and, although Hansel and Gretel is not the sweetest tale, I was prepared for something along the lines of "The Dark Parables".
As the game downloaded, I checked out the 3 images provided, and was immediately disappointed. Comic book-like scenes and a 'hint' Gingerbreadman that I could have drawn myself.
Quick resume of gameplay elements:
* 16 achievements
* 40 'hidden' cup cakes to collect
* Bonus chapter
* Art Gallery/Mini Games and HOS replay/Music/Movies/Making of
* Casual/challenge/insane modes of play which you can change
* No map. Your little hint friend, Chip, will show you where to go and you can jump there if stuck
* Puzzles - very easy
* HOS - 4 in demo, all lists with some interaction on 2 or 3 items. Number 4 was a little more challenging.
* 16 achievements
* 40 'hidden' cup cakes to collect
* Bonus chapter
* Art Gallery/Mini Games and HOS replay/Music/Movies/Making of
* Casual/challenge/insane modes of play which you can change
* No map. Your little hint friend, Chip, will show you where to go and you can jump there if stuck
* Puzzles - very easy
* HOS - 4 in demo, all lists with some interaction on 2 or 3 items. Number 4 was a little more challenging.
If it were not for the grotesque 'Gingerbread Minions (not scary, just plain ugly) ', I would say this is a children's game. In fact all the characters are ugly. There is nothing attractive in this game. Compared to some of the beautiful graphics we have had in some recent CEs, this just doesn't cut it.
Play the demo - you might like it - but I don't and I can't recommend it to anyone but a new gamer or a game for your kids.
I don't recommend this game.
Scale the heights of Sunhook Spire, rescue the Enchantress and uncover the tower's mysteries as Queen Sophia's journey continues!
Overall rating
5
/
5
48 of 53 found this review helpful
Continuing the delightful tale of Queen Sophia
PostedAugust 17, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
(114)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on the demo
As our delightful heroine and her two sidekicks, Owl and Baby Dragon, continue their quest, they encounter yet another problem to overcome. A nasty little creature (reminded me of a Jawa from Star Wars) is up to no good at the Sunhook Spire. Although the 3rd (?) in the series, only the underlying quest links the games and this will be playable without having played the others.
With a full complement of CE features:
* Cut scenes/Concept Art/Wallpapers/SG/Soundtrack
* Glassworks (you need to have the full game to see what this is)
* 15 achievements
* Morphing objects (journal keeps track of those you have found and how many to go in each chapter)
* Journal with notes and objectives
* A jumpable map which, though lovely, does not show active areas. Your owl friend gives hints and then you can use it to jump to the required location.
* Cut scenes/Concept Art/Wallpapers/SG/Soundtrack
* Glassworks (you need to have the full game to see what this is)
* 15 achievements
* Morphing objects (journal keeps track of those you have found and how many to go in each chapter)
* Journal with notes and objectives
* A jumpable map which, though lovely, does not show active areas. Your owl friend gives hints and then you can use it to jump to the required location.
With 3 levels of difficulty (Relaxed/Normal/Dreadmyre!) there should be challenge for all but no custom mode :-((
There are many puzzles, some needing patience rather than skill, and 2 HOSs so far, one where colour is important. Took me a while to cotton on to this (Doh!)
There are many puzzles, some needing patience rather than skill, and 2 HOSs so far, one where colour is important. Took me a while to cotton on to this (Doh!)
Graphics are lovely, colourful and clear. Music is familiar, if you have played the others, and appropriate.
Some might find the whole series a bit twee, but I like fantasy, fairies, dryads and the like so will be taking advantage of the sale this weekend.
Definitely recommended!
I recommend this game!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call
Face off against Davy Jones and his nightmares from the deep!
Overall rating
5
/
5
82 of 90 found this review helpful
Absolutely the BEST game I have played
PostedAugust 16, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
(114)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
When the CE came out I bought it immediately and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Playing the demo of the SE just now brought it all back.
The storyline is fantastic - OK, you have to rescue the 'goodie' from the 'baddie', but this is done in a different way and, for once, I really found myself caring about the 'person' I was rescuing. I have her friend to help me.
The SE retains all the possible great features of the CE:
* Sound/music is excellent
* Graphics are very good - I am stunned by the way the characters move especially when the praetorian fights the kraken
* A jump map shows active areas (in casual)
* HOSs and puzzles are varied and challenging enough without becoming frustratingly hard
* Sound/music is excellent
* Graphics are very good - I am stunned by the way the characters move especially when the praetorian fights the kraken
* A jump map shows active areas (in casual)
* HOSs and puzzles are varied and challenging enough without becoming frustratingly hard
I missed searching for the collectibles as this makes you really focus on all the fantastic visual detail. But you do have coins to find to open Davy Jones' chest. (If you have played The Cursed Heart you will know all about that). If you go for the SE, take time to fully savour this detail. The action/atmosphere is so good that you get completely caught up and go hurtling on if not careful. You will also miss that vital area where a necessary item is hidden.
The story ends satisfactorily and the CE bonus chapter is a further chapter added on.
I cannot recommend it enough. If you can afford it, like collectibles and other bonus features, then get the CE. If they don't rock your boat then the SE is the ideal purchase.
I recommend this game!
Release the characters from the witch's curse and find the portal home!
Overall rating
4
/
5
100 of 108 found this review helpful
Enjoyable with good level of challenge
PostedAugust 15, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Having played the demo (full hour by the way :-)), I am struggling to work out why I am not completely wowed by this game as I thoroughly enjoyed it and it has pretty much everything I require from a CE these days.
* 3 levels of challenge (Regular/Advanced/Expert)
* A jumpable and customisable map
* Achievements to earn
* 15 potions to find
* A variety of HOSs some easy and some quite tricky
* Lots of puzzles with some new ideas and all make you rattle the grey cells
* Pretty good graphics
* Good music and sound
* A jumpable and customisable map
* Achievements to earn
* 15 potions to find
* A variety of HOSs some easy and some quite tricky
* Lots of puzzles with some new ideas and all make you rattle the grey cells
* Pretty good graphics
* Good music and sound
I took a while to get used to the inventory at the top of the screen.
Story was familiar but with a bit of a twist. You are 'kidnapped' by the witch and have to find 5 amulets to get back. Each is held by a character whose problem you have to solve to make them give you the amulet. (This is my assumption based on meeting the first of these.)
At first, once you have bribed the skeleton to open the bridge, there seems to be one thing after another, without any means to solve the problem/puzzle. Once you start to collect things, it does begin to fall into place.
I think this is why it lost the wow factor for me, but if you can get through that, it does then begin to move on.
Not sure that just collecting 15 potions will make me get the CE. Hopefully someone out there will love it, buy it, and give me an idea if I really want it.
Have played all the others in the bundle sale so no attraction there. Might wait for the SE or a good sale at the weekend.
Do try it and I hope you love it.
I recommend this game!
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 22 found this review helpful
Yes! Yes! Yes!
PostedAugust 10, 2013
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
(114)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A true CE with all the features you could wish for.
* Great graphics and music
* Good VOs with great lip-synch
* Concept art, posters and music
* Replayable mini games and HOSs
* Bonus (prequel) chapter
* 3 levels of challenge (Casual/Advanced/Expert)
* Jumpable map showing available actions
* Journal containing objectives and map
* Collectibles (which are not all easy to find)
* Achievements
* SG with text and pictures describing 9 chapters + bonus
* Matthew, your little helper
* Good VOs with great lip-synch
* Concept art, posters and music
* Replayable mini games and HOSs
* Bonus (prequel) chapter
* 3 levels of challenge (Casual/Advanced/Expert)
* Jumpable map showing available actions
* Journal containing objectives and map
* Collectibles (which are not all easy to find)
* Achievements
* SG with text and pictures describing 9 chapters + bonus
* Matthew, your little helper
HOSs are clear and so far only 3 - 1 x find parts and 2 visits to a find and use. Also a doll's house puzzle which involves finding objects to use.
Puzzles are fairly straightforward but different.
Already bought, downloaded and ready to play. Who wouldn't with the sale on?
Try it - you will love it!
I recommend this game!