shorenuf's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:2,543
- Reviews Submitted:89
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 25, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Stop a mysterious illness that is causing an entire village to rapidly age! Find the cause and find a missing young girl!
Overall rating
4
/
5
15 of 16 found this review helpful
Deceptive cadence… *
PostedJanuary 15, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This game was way less challenging than other ERS games, but it is beautifully drawn with some lovely animations. The story is well developed, but leaves you wondering if the sequel will bring you back to the same town.
I played in expert mode, so no sparkles. I think I had 3 head scratching moments and only because I had missed a magnifier spot in my pixel hunting. Just check all areas of a location and do not play when tired!
What to do with those inventory items is just too well defined in this game for my tastes. The puzzles were easy to tedious (all that work for a key?!) -- not much logic is required.
If not particularly challenged, I was entertained -- I must try to accept that sometimes the purpose of these games is to do just that, and appreciate I had something interesting to do with some free time!
The Collectors Edition extras:
Screen saver -- installation works well. Is it essential -- no.
Wall papers -- Well, it was a dark game, so they are too. I may have picked different scenes, however. Worth the CE -- not on their own, for sure.
Strategy Guide -- never opened it until I was done. It was well done. It reopens to the page you were on. Essential -- probably not for this game.
Concept Art -- it interests me, but should you pay extra for it alone -- no.
Music -- you can save the 4 tracts. Oddly, you can see closeups of the sheet music as you click the choices, but the audio doesn't change. I can't carry a tune. Humming the notes was really not a helpful option for me. Again -- if you are into music, you may find these haunting tunes nice company while you work on your Mac / PC. It never is a reason to buy the CE for me, though.
Bonus Chapter -- as well done as the rest of the game, and long enough. I never rush through these kind of games, I spend more time than most people, perhaps. I judge more on content. Overall, it certainly wasn't short and there was quite a bit to do. And, yes, it added to the story and gave more completion to it -- but is the drama complete…?????????
Screen saver -- installation works well. Is it essential -- no.
Wall papers -- Well, it was a dark game, so they are too. I may have picked different scenes, however. Worth the CE -- not on their own, for sure.
Strategy Guide -- never opened it until I was done. It was well done. It reopens to the page you were on. Essential -- probably not for this game.
Concept Art -- it interests me, but should you pay extra for it alone -- no.
Music -- you can save the 4 tracts. Oddly, you can see closeups of the sheet music as you click the choices, but the audio doesn't change. I can't carry a tune. Humming the notes was really not a helpful option for me. Again -- if you are into music, you may find these haunting tunes nice company while you work on your Mac / PC. It never is a reason to buy the CE for me, though.
Bonus Chapter -- as well done as the rest of the game, and long enough. I never rush through these kind of games, I spend more time than most people, perhaps. I judge more on content. Overall, it certainly wasn't short and there was quite a bit to do. And, yes, it added to the story and gave more completion to it -- but is the drama complete…?????????
CE vs. SE -- Spending more for these games profits the developer and we will see more games in the good to excellent range. Very few games are Great. This one had a lot going for it. Overall, very good approaching excellent.
* A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.
I recommend this game!
Engage in the creation and exploration of an ancient and forgotten undersea civilization in Lost in Reefs!
Overall rating
4
/
5
35 of 41 found this review helpful
I got hooked on completing this game…
PostedJanuary 15, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
It's a match three with tons of mode options, power up items, colorful if unsophisticated artwork. There are 6 different play modes -- 1 each of swap, group and chain in both hexagonal and square grid forms. You can switch between modes at any time. There is both timed and relaxed options. You can't switch between those, however. The timer seemed generous enough. If you do run out of time, you play the board again -- no lives to lose, so the game can't beat you.
The game is enjoyable because there is a lot going on during the match 3 play. You are also collecting Gold, Fish and Tools that you need to buy your underwater city. This is one busy match 3. And with an untimed mode it's certainly a relaxed way to spend some spare time…
Actually, a lot of spare time -- this is a long game. It has 420 levels to complete the game -- more if you haven't also reached 300,000 points. There are a variety of power ups earned during board play. (Downside is they are awarded randomly, so you don't always have access to the best one for the board you are playing).
Complete the game and you get to open the secret door …
Hopefully getting that far will be it's own reward.
I recommend this game!
Help Anna find her way to the mystical floating cloud city, seek out the Children of Light and save them from the Evil Empress!
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 38 found this review helpful
Escape into another world, get hooked on the bonus game!
PostedJanuary 15, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I just spent several hours saving the Children in this most delightful game. No, not that challenging adventure wise, and no, the puzzles were not difficult, but still, it was just a lovely time. Much of the artwork is quite spectacular, it didn't seem terribly repetitive, the story line was charming.
Why get the CE -- well, you will collect 6 items that give you pages from the wicked sister's diary -- a little more insight into the story, but that's not the best part. You have to find them all to get access to the ZEM area. You even have to solve 4 puzzles (they are the same, so a bit of a disappointment there) to finally get to ZEM -- so more playtime. Hard to believe this beautiful game doesn't tout it's own artwork with some CE bonus wallpapers.
ZEM -- not at all your typical match 3, and I mean not at all! It's the kind of thing you can get hooked on because you want to beat your score. So, it truly is like a full fledged second game.
My opinion is yes, the CE adds quite a bit to the game.
I have to add one more thing -- it's just a plus to me for even the standard edition of this game. The hidden object scenes -- I really admire the effort taken to truly hide some objects in the old fashioned way. You don't just wade through a junk pile; the objects blend into the scenery. Well done!
I recommend this game!
Travel back in time to the late 19th century and get ready for spectacular adventures on land, sea and air.
Overall rating
4
/
5
45 of 49 found this review helpful
Take the journey!
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is an older Match 3, but it still holds its own. The graphics are quite nice, and the story of Phileas Fogg and his man servant Passepartout holds to the story well enough.
This is assuredly more a thinky than clicky Match 3. This game does not allow turns while cascading matches complete, but it is best to take the time to plan your next move anyway. There is a timer, and you will lose a life for not finishing a board, but it is very generous until you get through at least 2/3s of the game. By the time it gets really tough -- and it does -- you will have enough lives to complete the game.
Power ups do not carry over from board to board. Rather your one power up increases in strength from hammer to super bomb as you make matches. Each chapter consists of collecting 10 artifacts which are broken to pieces on the board. The pieces must be worked down and off the board as you play. After you collect all ten artifacts, there is a bonus round to collect the country's stamp.
You can continue traveling endlessly around the world. Each 80 day journey will get a bit more challenging. I haven't played it in a while, but opened it just now to see if it still played. I was on day 77, journey eight, so you mustn't let the game defeat you. There are only a few boards that will beat you on the first try. For others there is a definite strategy -- figuring that out, using your power ups, and working the matches is very much part of the enjoyment of this game.
If you are on a Mac, I would suggest not installing the screensaver -- I think the last apple animal it got along with was the tiger.
I recommend this game!
Collect the prestigious Animal World Expert Medallion by traveling around the world and solving puzzles in World Riddles: Animals!
Overall rating
3
/
5
38 of 40 found this review helpful
Riddle me this…
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This is the third game in the series. The theme for this one is wild animals around the globe. You will learn interesting facts about them. Did you know a bison can outrun a horse?
The main game mechanic is very much like the World Mosaic games. But, this game also features mini games -- riddles, matching, STD and more -- interspersed with the game boards. As you progress, you will open more bonus level games …
Put on you thinking caps! You must select boxes in a grid to match the number clues given in the rows and columns. Accuracy will earn you gold medals. At the end of each chapter you will earn a piece of the World Medallion (gold, silver, or bronze). You can replay levels until you get all the gold medals -- that's where it can get really addictive!
There are six chapters -- each chapter has several levels. The bonus chapters are speed tests. This game could occupy many hours of your time. When I demoed the first of these games I was annoyed by one part of the mechanic. Unlike World Mosaics, where once you got the number spaces marked correctly in a grid you were done, in this game you must continue to fill in all the blank squares with the paw icon. It seemed less of a chore in this game, and of course it is helpful in more complicated grids. But, as someone else suggested, if you've solved the grid, auto fill would be nice.
So I would say demo this game. It's definitely a change from macabre H0Gs.
I recommend this game!
Relive the fantasy of Beauty & the Beast in this never before told story of magic and love!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
A Beauty of a game!
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I would say this game is not very challenging even in hard mode, but I still quite enjoyed the game play. This is also a game where I bought the CE to support the developer. These games are a cut above the rest, starting with beautiful visuals presented in wide screen format. There is an engaging story as backdrop to game play with a good flow. Somewhat linear in this case, but plenty to do. Neither puzzles nor H0G's are taxing, but enjoyable just the same.
The bonus game, IMHO, is worth the price of the CE. I can't say it is long, probably around an hour if you aren't pokey like me -- but it is very well done. The puzzles are not repeats from the core game, plenty of tasks to accomplish, a whole new area of the kingdom to explore, some extraordinary graphics and animation. So, not just filler to satisfy the CE requirement -- thought went into it.
On the minus side I suppose, is the lack of Extras. The only one other than the Strategy Guide (which, BTW, moves along with the story and gives progressive help), is the original text of Beauty and the Beast -- no music, or wall papers, or concept art.
I recommend this game!
Set off on an adventure and help your professor with a mysterious discovery in Tearstone, a fun Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
118 of 122 found this review helpful
Tears of Joy for this Game!
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
The longer I played the more I liked this game…
Difficult enough to be challenging.
Challenging enough to provide hours of game play.
Game play worthy enough to be a CE.
Challenging enough to provide hours of game play.
Game play worthy enough to be a CE.
Honestly -- I can't find any fault with this game. I like the artwork. I like the expressions on the characters you meet. I like that he H0's are scattered all over -- more like finding loads of inventory items. I like how you must figure out how to use / combine every single one. I like the occasional puzzle (none too hard but different from the usual). I like the progression through the different areas you must traverse. I even like the quirky, somewhat non-story. I like that there is a helpful diary and a task list if you want to use it.
It takes a while to get into this game, but you will before the demo is over. Voice overs would have been a nice addition, but this one still gets 5 thumbs-up from me.
I had fun the whole way through. Story and game feel most rewarding upon completion. This was the most innovative, challenging, delightful, intriguing, engaging game I had played in quite a while. It was beautiful from start to finish and the ending warmed my heart.
I recommend this game!
Investigate a military hospital that hosted a variety of terrifying experiments in The Agency of Anomalies: Mystic Hospital!
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 48 found this review helpful
Expect the unexpected…
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
It's a bit ominous to begin with, but really an excellent game once you get into it. Good length, some good puzzles, H0G scenes with a twist, artwork suits the theme, some clever animations. The bonus chapter adds to the game and is very long.
I recommend this game!
Arrange rooms like a sliding puzzle - be sure to use the right object at the right time inside this mysterious Mansion with multiple rooms.
Overall rating
5
/
5
42 of 45 found this review helpful
Make room for this one in your game collection!
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This is one of the oddest and most intriguing games. The mechanic is totally different from any other game BFG sells. The developers definitely have an attitude -- the commentary in the game is edgy, tongue in cheek. The game is tough, but doable. It's been available for over 3 years, but if you haven't tried it, check it out!
I recommend this game!
Investigating her parents’ deaths, Edwina rekindles a centuries old tale of love and revenge. End the curse of the severed heart!
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 44 found this review helpful
Everything becomes more clear -- maybe. It doesn't really matter…
PostedJanuary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Good game, pleasant to play. Nothing excruciating at all about the adventure or puzzles. Somewhat linear, but not a complete walk in the park. Other than the SG, which you will not need, the only extra is the bonus chapter. The artwork is quite stunning and detailed, the music fits the story, it is wide screen and voice acted, the bonus chapter was not an after thought, It is an epilogue coming 2 years after the first story -- it does clean up loose ends a bit.
Now, as for the story, pretty much total fantasy. That's fine, I don't mind that. In this case perhaps the writers were smoking what was popular when people were driving the VW Bus that goes across the opening screen.
Far out, man.
I recommend this game!