sjrkeskusay's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:55
- Reviews Submitted:5
- First Review:July 30, 2015
- Most Recent Review:March 16, 2018
- Featured reviews0
sjrkeskusay's Review History
Help the Elves overcome tragedy and awake their ancient ancestors in this Mahjong Adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Excellent Mahjong Game
PostedMarch 16, 2018
sjrkeskusay
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Mahjong is not a game I normally even look at, but this one caught my eye (or ear) as my inner geek stood up and shouted, "I get to be an elf!!" And not just any elf. You play as the last Ancient Elf, awoken from a millenia-long slumber to, as legend foretold, save his people during a time of desperate need. The elves have been forced from their homeland by a dark evil, and then are shipwrecked. Your job is to help them settle and thrive on their new island. To do this, you collect items by playing mahjong and a variety of minigames. You'll find a large variety of items: tools, weapons, building materials, food, etc. You'll interact with a variety of characters including elves, humans, ogres, and halflings, as well as a nice selection of unfriendly beasties. You are a warrior, a wiseman, a trader, a diplomat working to establish peaceful relations between the island inhabitants.
The thing I really liked about this game is it's authenticity. The quests seem like real tasks, no nonsensical dealings like "I'll be delighted to help you find your widget, Ancient Elf, just as soon as you get my ancestral kumquat back from the travelling contortionist who took it." The settlement has elements that look and act like the real thing: farms, forges, quarries. Places you might find in a Norse or Old English village. Sure, it's fantastical. When's the last time you met an elf. But it's believable. And the landscapes are gorgeous.
As to the games, they are challenging but not unsolvable. There are times I have to replay, but with the help of boosters this is unusual.
This is not a game you're going to finish in one sitting. At the time of this review I am on level 11 after many hours of play and there are still many unexplored areas, collections, and achievements to gain.
There was one aspect that I disliked a lot. Every time a mahjong match is made you hear something that sounds like a cough combined with a rusty child's swing. I tend to "put words to the music" and the lyrics were something like " Bawk bawk screech hack." Over and over. Not a choice I would have made. That said, I found the rest of the game to be so much fun that the sound effects were tolerable, and I look forward to many more hours of gameplay.
The thing I really liked about this game is it's authenticity. The quests seem like real tasks, no nonsensical dealings like "I'll be delighted to help you find your widget, Ancient Elf, just as soon as you get my ancestral kumquat back from the travelling contortionist who took it." The settlement has elements that look and act like the real thing: farms, forges, quarries. Places you might find in a Norse or Old English village. Sure, it's fantastical. When's the last time you met an elf. But it's believable. And the landscapes are gorgeous.
As to the games, they are challenging but not unsolvable. There are times I have to replay, but with the help of boosters this is unusual.
This is not a game you're going to finish in one sitting. At the time of this review I am on level 11 after many hours of play and there are still many unexplored areas, collections, and achievements to gain.
There was one aspect that I disliked a lot. Every time a mahjong match is made you hear something that sounds like a cough combined with a rusty child's swing. I tend to "put words to the music" and the lyrics were something like " Bawk bawk screech hack." Over and over. Not a choice I would have made. That said, I found the rest of the game to be so much fun that the sound effects were tolerable, and I look forward to many more hours of gameplay.
I recommend this game!
Enjoy this cosmic griddler adventure while getting to know more about 12 zodiac signs.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
gorgeous graphics, less than perfect game play
PostedDecember 18, 2017
sjrkeskusay
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The developers let the art department out to play here. This game might be in my top 5 for the attractiveness of the story artwork. The narrative is also very nice, if typical for an astrologically themed game, as is the new-age music. The game grid continues the design beauty, with an animated interface, wider grid lines, and a wide range of colors. Unfortunately this is also somewhat problematic. Lovely to look at, but not as clear as most of this genre for those with less than perfect vision.
Also, a pet peeve here, there were several instances where guessing was necessary even in the early game levels. Although it could be viewed as an additional kind of game to try to determine where to place a tile based on the picture, I think griddlers should always be solvable through logic alone.
Also, a pet peeve here, there were several instances where guessing was necessary even in the early game levels. Although it could be viewed as an additional kind of game to try to determine where to place a tile based on the picture, I think griddlers should always be solvable through logic alone.
This review is based on working through 3+ of the 12 astrological signs during the 1 hr trial period.
Solve mosaic nonogram puzzles to complete the Stone Queen's chamber
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 28 found this review helpful
pretty but flawed
PostedMarch 13, 2017
sjrkeskusay
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The storyline and graphics of this nonogram game are very attractive, making it worth using the entire trial period. However, I firmly believe that, with this type of logic puzzle, the clues should be sufficient to completely solve the puzzles. It should never be necessary to guess as was true of a significant number of the puzzles.
I don't recommend this game.
Why would anyone want to stop Christmas from coming?
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 18 found this review helpful
Saccharine at best
PostedDecember 5, 2015
sjrkeskusay
fromCalifornia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
It's rare that I don't like something with a Christmas theme. But this game hit all my Scrooge buttons. The games were suitable for ages 4-10 at most. Visually beautiful, but the voice-overs were fake and generally high-pitched, spoiling the experience. Based on the demo the storyline was disappointing. I was expecting something a bit more classic like in The Tin Soldier, a lovely game in this series. The CatTown idea could have fun, but was instead just annoying. The game was definitely geared toward very young players, but I believe it is possible to be sweet and innocent without being cloying and saccharine. This didn't do it. If you prefer the American Ballet Theater version of the Nutcracker over the Strawberry Shortcake version, or the Mormon Tabernacle choir's take on Christmas songs over Barney's, don't buy this game.
Beyond the sky lies a thrilling adventure... and a deadly threat!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
Living a '50's B-Movie
PostedJuly 30, 2015
sjrkeskusay
fromCalifornia
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Boffo! This totally immersive unique game has a '50's B-movie style. You are living an alien invasion and have to save earth. Alien imaginary friends, portals to other planets, Visitors who have seeded civilizations, World-eaters, and a wonderfully obtuse, driven, yet ultimately convincible army general... just to name a few. This game has it all! There are so many factors that make this game awesome. Characters, story line, gorgeous graphics, innovative interactive HOs. As an example, the healing episode in the bonus game is (excuse the pun) out of this world! Even the extras are unusual and superb, definitely make the CE worth it. Bottom line, every single aspect of this game is highest quality, and put them all together - mind-blowing! If you buy one game this year, make it this one.
I recommend this game!