Jacoban55's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:189
- Reviews Submitted:23
- First Review:January 16, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 1, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Your brother is kidnapped during an air show. Search for him in a beautiful world where the sky is as wide as your imagination.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Very....grounded, pardon the pun
PostedJanuary 30, 2013
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I thoroughly enjoyed this game. Certainly for all the reasons why others gave it 5 stars, but also because it was a game I could "settle in" to. I didn't feel dragged along, and it absolutely was not linear. It made sense all the way through, even the bonus content. I liked the interactive HOS scenes, especially. Many times through the game I wondered just how you think up all that goes into a game, and then get all of that to the finished product that we get to play - and it *works*! No small feat.
I read a complaint by someone about the actors lips not matching the English voice overs and that they should. We, as gamers, as people, as a culture, as humans....can be rather spoiled. Move on. Just close your eyes and listen to the marvelous voice over. Truthfully? It was a rather bold step for the developers to do that, and I have to give them kudos for stepping out and doing it.
The game was firm, solid, and lovely to look at. I didn't notice any map difficulties/bugs like I have with the past couple that had huge interactive maps and actual code appearing on the map pop ups.
All in all a really solid game, and definitely worth the CE price and tag. Again, keep it up EG - you produce quality.
I recommend this game!
Luna’s friend calls her to a remote island after unearthing ancient mystery. Now together they face the cult of the Wolf Man.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
BC ending leaves a lot to be desired
PostedDecember 28, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played the entire game and overall it's good. Yes, it's different in all the ways described in the other reviews, and those differences are good, I think.
One thing I didn't like: I will say there were quite a number of skulls/skeletons/bones and *many* occultic/satanic references in this game that varied in intensity and they were constant through the game.
The next thing I didn't like: The bonus content "ending". There are 2 things to do that are of the same type of game play as what you did in the main game. I am mixed on having to go all over the island with a fine tooth comb to find necessary items. That was a bit much, I think. However, what you were doing it for was worth it for the first quest. The next quest, you had to go all over the island yet again with that same comb to find certain items, and the reason for this? Just so that you could see the artwork, the characters, and deleted scenes. These are things that are usually seperate entities clickable in the BC. Here it was made part of the game; a result or reward for finding these items. Anticlimactic and weird. As such, the game never ended. Once you see these things, you are left to roam around the island forever (the hint says "explore the island"). There was no actual ending to the BC, no automatic back to the main menu, no credits (usually they show again at the end of the BC). Very disconcerting. I was never sure I was done even though there was nothing else to do.
The developers were obviously trying to do something here, but I don't know what it was, and perhaps they should not try and do that again. At least not in this specific way.
All that said, it was a good game, sans the quirky BC "ending".
I'll recommend the CE with slight reservation.
I recommend this game!
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Ditto, ditto, ditto
PostedDecember 27, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I can't add a thing to what's already been said, except to say definitely read the other high rating reviews. I think Seerija and I were playing in the same room. Took all my words, you did. So if you read that one twice, you've read my review too.
This was one of the clearest, sharpest, most detail oriented, utterly creative games I've seen in a long, long time. Elephant...Elegant....Excellent Games: phenomenal work that sets the standard in the stratosphere. I already play games slowly, savoring them, but this game I played even more slowly than usual.
The map was especially nice: you didn't just go to a place and then have to figure out which room in that place you needed to be, oh no. You were given a floor plan with a task list (or not, depending#. I was never lost in the vast, beautiful, multi-weathered kingdom.
Not a dark game by any stretch, and not too fairy-taley #even for being based on one). Extremely well-balanced, with each character being complete and rich in personality.
There were several of the fuzzies that got me in both the regular game and the bonus content. I kept finding myself saying "you're not going to *leave* it like that, are you?!" And, of course, the folks at EG are very much animal lovers. Speaking of the bonus content, allow me to say this: kudos on carrying over [something specific - I won't say what no spoiling] from the main game into the BC. I've always wanted that to happen - thank you!
The imagination for this game was mind boggling. More than once I kept wondering how they came up with these ... concoctions. All I can say is keep up the tremendous work, EG. Don't try and top yourselves, just keep doing what you're doing. I promise to keep playing.
For sure I recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
A classic Christmas tale tail, with a whole new twist! Help the Nutcracker rescue the princess from the evil Rat King!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Delightful, simply delightful
PostedDecember 5, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You already know the mechanics and all the ins and outs of the game from many other great reviewers, so I'll not go into it again (by the way, thanks to all who consistently review games - I value and greatly depend on your input!).
This game had me from the start. It was incredibly endearing on all fronts. Even the Gentleman at the door (who I "found" at the end of the game - what a surprise). I'm an animal lover, so needless to say I loved all the cuddlies. Top notch all the way around. If I wasn't already in the Christmas spirit, this game would have plunked me solidly in the middle of it. Excellent, excellent, excellent offering.
All of the things I value in a CE were there - and more. The graphics were so good I would go back to places just to look at them (that tree was beyond sensational). Everything was spot on and so all that's left for me to say is that THIS is the kind of game I don't mind spending my money on. It was full, rich, extremely detailed, and hit all the right emotional spots this time of year.
Elephant developers: A+++++ please keep up the good work (by the way again: I thought the hat on the elephant in the opening credits was a nice touch).
I recommend this game!
Help Angelica get her witch-stolen beauty back! Save a young woman suffering from the witch’s sorcery for over 100 years!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Yes, indeed
PostedAugust 20, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In spite of the flaws, I enjoyed this game. I finished the entire game, and I must say that the pros outweighed the cons enough for me to like this game, and even recommend it. Let me say from the outset that once I realized I got abilities from the students that I helped as I went along, I was reminded of another game in which that tactic was used. I sighed a little about that, but in the setting of this game, with this storyline, and given what the abilities were, it was ok and I could overlook the reuse of that idea.
The graphics were tremendous - which was a huge plus because you had to travel back and forth through areas more times that I wanted to count to use objects so that you could progress the game. The HO scenes were very nice, I thought, usually easy to get through (I always play on casual mode), and objects were pretty well hidden without being outrageous to find. I did use the hint a couple of times in the HO scenes.
Voice overs are a definite must. Please. As is a map (interactive or not, just have one) and also a journal of some sort. Because the guidance necessaries are missing, you MUST have a good memory to play this game or take notes. There is so much "back and forthing" to use items, and sometimes the items you get so far down the line from when you discovered you needed it, you don't remember what you needed it for. Also you get stuff and say "now what I am supposed to do with *this?!* And you find out much later in the game. Which leads me to the SG: EXCELLENT. And I was more than thankful for it. I used it excessively. And remember I was playing on casual.
Also of note: some items were mislabeled in the HO scenes. A "clothespin" is not a "safety pin" folks. Although I can see the correlation! :o)
Theme of the game/story line is pretty good. I thought it would've been much darker than it was and I'm glad that it wasn't. I attribute that to the music. This is something I liked: the music changed with each scene, and I thought it to be appropriate per scene. The HO scene music was an adventurous sort and I liked that. Made me want to look for the items, and buoyed me when I couldn't find the blasted thing.
So overall, a pretty good game. You already know you're going to triumph over evil, so the joy is in the journey and this game makes the journey worth it, despite the flaws.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your canine companion, and solve the mystery of Houndspoint!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 24 found this review helpful
Doggone that was good!
PostedJuly 4, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Sorry for the overplay on the word "dog". Just couldn't help myself.
This was a unique game and very good. Unique for:
the storyline - I, personally, haven't seen this one before.
the bonus play - prequel which I thought was an excellent choice as it helps complete the story.
Very good for:
the game play itself - lots of back and forth made endlessly easier by the transporting map - thank you!!
the game play itself - lots of back and forth made endlessly easier by the transporting map - thank you!!
the graphics - excellent, though the hotspots were rather large sometimes and I kept going back into a room or to a location when I wasn't trying to.
locations - gorgeous.
hidden object scenes - and here's my one complaint. A drill is a drill, and a drill BIT is a drill BIT - don't have me looking for a drill when a BIT is what I need!
lastly, voiceovers - well done, with no annoying voices.
I liked the non-dog animals ... the beaver was especially cute.
As mentioned by another reviewer, there was a scene with snakes, and (in the bonus section) with bats. Neither of them are overly nasty looking or acting, still if you are not fond of those, you may have a moment or two. But I'll say this: getting rid of them will be an enormous boost to your ego and a great ridder of your fear - so don't let them deter you from trying/getting the game.
Extremely well rounded game in terms of the story and the character development. Very, very smooth game play and your choices throughout the game made sense. You may hold on to some objects you find for quite a while before you get to use them. I was confused why I was carrying around... some things... (I don't want to spoil it) for so long but I did get to use them and when I did, the timing was perfect. So that was a small matter.
The ending was slightly abrupt I thought, though it was logical, but the bonus play took care of that abruptness.
So overall, I really don't have any complaints about this game. It was extremely well done, the reviews that I've read are spot on, and you should enjoy this game. I had to play it over a couple of days due to my schedule, but it is surely long enough (and good enough) to warrant purchase at any price.
I recommend this game!
Save your brother and try to solve the mystery behind the silver screen in Final Cut: Death on the Silver Screen, a thrilling game set in the 1950's!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
There was a depth of enjoyment
PostedMay 30, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
For me, this game was deeply satisfying on many levels. I won't go over what everyone else has said - it's all true - but I'll try to convey why this game was so satisfying to me. First, it was not dark and gloomy. There was such an attention to detail that it made the game feel solid & complete. I never felt like I didn't quite get all of something or didn't quite complete something. I had no questions at the end. An example of this solid and completeness was in the music - it changed with different scenes, yes, but it *matched* the scene and got you involved with what you needed to do there. Also, the game flowed so very well. You always knew where you were and what you were doing and what you had to do next. Lastly, the sounds were so crisp and clear and *real*. Those types of things really make a game along with the storyline, character development, etc., etc., which in this game were all great as well.
The acting - well - for me, it wasn't spectacular. Lips moving incorrectly to words or not moving at all when you're actually talking doesn't do it for me. Sometimes what they had to say was a wee bit hokey too, but, small matter in light of the whole game.
The bonus content was much more than I anticipated: more than just bonus play (there was that, and it was certainly on par with the main game). You got the music, the wall papers, and .... you got to see the crew working on the game. That brought a level of understanding that we often miss with these games. I was grateful they included it.
I haven't played a game in a long while that has caused me say at the end, "oh yeah. That was just...wow." I don't usually play games more than once, but this one? Yep, I'll go back and walk around in it again.
More than worth the CE price.
I recommend this game!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart Collector's Edition
Dive into an epic journey as a museum owner in pursuit of an undead pirate who has kidnapped your daughter in Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
Never seen anything like it - demo
PostedMay 18, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Ok - this game is well beyond a lot of games I've played, and I've played a lot of them. It is incredibly done: graphics, cut scenes, voice overs, attention to detail, storyline. I had immediately dismissed this game based on the title alone - don't need nightmares or curses. But then I read the 8 reviews at the time and said, "well maybe I'll check it out." When I came back 8 hours later, there were 48 reviews and a solid 5-star rating. Wow, said I. I read them, and I downloaded the demo. I've played 18 minutes of it, and I can certainly understand why everyone is so taken by this game.
The developers took a lot of time with this game in every aspect. The story flows logically, the dialog makes sense, and you want to (with all that's in you) get your daughter back. The HOS are well done, and has been stated multiple times: the mahjong feature instead of the HOS (with the option to change your mind and go back to the HOS if you want) was a stroke of genius. The atmosphere music/sounds are extremely well done. They make things that are not scary moments seem like scary moments (I hesitate to say "jump scares" because there aren't any, really, and I know some folk absolutely do *not* like them). The atmosphere it set very well though, and I'll leave it at that.
I will say if you are not a fan of skeletons and related items (especially ones that glow and talk), this game will not be for you. Having said that, It is not a dark game as I originally thought going by the title. The flow of the story and the task at hand (not to mention some funny one liners), take the "darkness" out of the game. Someone (sfcali) stated that it has more of a supernatural bent than being a horror story, and that is correct. If you don't like that kind of thing, then this game isn't for you either.
Whether you are a fan of the genre or not, at the very least, check out the demo if only to take a gander at how exquisitely made this game is. Kudos to the developers! Do keep up the phenominal work - it will never get old.
I recommend this game!
Save your sister and uncover the secrets of an ancient organization in Silent Nights: The Pianist!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Fair to middlin'
PostedMarch 17, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Just got done with the demo. I didn't wholeheartedly dislike the game. Would I buy it? In either version? No, just not for me - it didn't really grab me.
I thought it might be too dark a game (meaning atmosphere not screen brightness), and it wasn't at all. Speaking of screen brightness - it was fine for me. And the graphics were very good, I thought. It's a murky story, a dark and stormy night, and the graphics portrayed that very well. They did pull you into the story enough to make where you were believeable.
Also, there was a lag of 6 seconds on my computer (I timed it) between scenes/HOS. Sometimes not if you just left the scene and turned around and went right back, but that was spotty, not consistent.
The HO scenes were not hard to negotiate. I found items easily, and didn't have any issues with the "special items" that needed an extra action to complete. There were multitudinous bugs running around. Good golly....WHY?? Didn't they have bug spray in the '40s?! They were very distracting in the HO scenes. Just ugh! (though I do agree with another poster about cute cats, yes, saw one of those).
Mini-games were, indeed as others have reported, nothing new and fairly easy.
Jump scares were and their music were somewhat cheesy. I'm not a fan of jump scares, but these weren't overly done and they annoyed me more than anything.
Voiceovers were good. The uncle and the hooded man (men?) were well done.
Music (what there was of it) was repetitive - and blessedly short lived. The sound effects were very well done, however.
Played the whole 60 minutes, and made it through a good part of the game (based on other reviews). It does seem to be a shorter game.
Overall, a just ok game to me. Do definitely try the demo and see for yourself, though. Reviews are so subjective. :o)
I thought it might be too dark a game (meaning atmosphere not screen brightness), and it wasn't at all. Speaking of screen brightness - it was fine for me. And the graphics were very good, I thought. It's a murky story, a dark and stormy night, and the graphics portrayed that very well. They did pull you into the story enough to make where you were believeable.
Also, there was a lag of 6 seconds on my computer (I timed it) between scenes/HOS. Sometimes not if you just left the scene and turned around and went right back, but that was spotty, not consistent.
The HO scenes were not hard to negotiate. I found items easily, and didn't have any issues with the "special items" that needed an extra action to complete. There were multitudinous bugs running around. Good golly....WHY?? Didn't they have bug spray in the '40s?! They were very distracting in the HO scenes. Just ugh! (though I do agree with another poster about cute cats, yes, saw one of those).
Mini-games were, indeed as others have reported, nothing new and fairly easy.
Jump scares were and their music were somewhat cheesy. I'm not a fan of jump scares, but these weren't overly done and they annoyed me more than anything.
Voiceovers were good. The uncle and the hooded man (men?) were well done.
Music (what there was of it) was repetitive - and blessedly short lived. The sound effects were very well done, however.
Played the whole 60 minutes, and made it through a good part of the game (based on other reviews). It does seem to be a shorter game.
Overall, a just ok game to me. Do definitely try the demo and see for yourself, though. Reviews are so subjective. :o)
I recommend this game!
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Well - it WAS good!
PostedMarch 12, 2012
Jacoban55
fromDC
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
At this writing there are 58 5-star ratings. To that I say "wow!" Don't think I've ever seen that on BFG, but I'm young to the review boards. :o) I read the reviews and said, "well hey, if it's all that I'm going to the demo!" I liked the demo so much I got the CE. Here are some things I found throughout the game:
gorgeous, crisp, clear, EXTREMELY detailed graphics. A+ for me.
Voice overs were very, very well done.
Cut scenes were excellent. (even the HOG scenes seems to start off as a cut scene the way you were pulled into it - that was nice)
Story line pulled you right in, and you wanted to go through and find out what was next and finish.
Music was appropriate and set the atmosphere well.
The various sounds (clicks, turns of screws/bolts, doors, etc.) were also very good.
Going back and forth (which there was a lot of) was easy - the scene switching was very good and smooth. Never got hung up or frozen.
Comments when you tried to do something that wasn't right (open something with the wrong tool) were sometimes funny, and overall appropriate and helpful.
The ending was complete and made sense. I can't express how important that is.
Length of the game was great. Fourteen chapters & four bonus chapters too. Excellent. And the bonus chapters are not cheesy. I've played some that are and you could tell that they were just barely done to make it worth the CE rating, but really, they were just very badly put together as if an afterthought. Not the case here.
The strategy guide (SG) was very good. Very detailed and very long - I know it had to take some serious time to put together all by itself!
I also liked the attention to detail - that things moved in both the main scenes and the HOG scenes (ribbons/table cloths moved with the wind, there were running mice and sleeping kitties that peeked at you with one eye, etc.). I wasn't overly fond of the scarecrow thingy, but even so...still good.
Voice overs were very, very well done.
Cut scenes were excellent. (even the HOG scenes seems to start off as a cut scene the way you were pulled into it - that was nice)
Story line pulled you right in, and you wanted to go through and find out what was next and finish.
Music was appropriate and set the atmosphere well.
The various sounds (clicks, turns of screws/bolts, doors, etc.) were also very good.
Going back and forth (which there was a lot of) was easy - the scene switching was very good and smooth. Never got hung up or frozen.
Comments when you tried to do something that wasn't right (open something with the wrong tool) were sometimes funny, and overall appropriate and helpful.
The ending was complete and made sense. I can't express how important that is.
Length of the game was great. Fourteen chapters & four bonus chapters too. Excellent. And the bonus chapters are not cheesy. I've played some that are and you could tell that they were just barely done to make it worth the CE rating, but really, they were just very badly put together as if an afterthought. Not the case here.
The strategy guide (SG) was very good. Very detailed and very long - I know it had to take some serious time to put together all by itself!
I also liked the attention to detail - that things moved in both the main scenes and the HOG scenes (ribbons/table cloths moved with the wind, there were running mice and sleeping kitties that peeked at you with one eye, etc.). I wasn't overly fond of the scarecrow thingy, but even so...still good.
Things I did not like:
The way people aggressively popped up in your face - did not like that. Very annoying & sometimes quite unexpected. Perhaps that was intentional as mild jump-scare factor.
The way people aggressively popped up in your face - did not like that. Very annoying & sometimes quite unexpected. Perhaps that was intentional as mild jump-scare factor.
There were some inconsistencies that I noticed, but I'll only mention one. The rest followed suit: At one point when you go into Leonard's house and you look up through the skylights the comment reads something about it the moon being so bright that you don't even need a light. Well, you just came in from the pouring rainstorm and if you step back out the door, you're back in it. How is it a clear night so that the "moon is so bright"? There were small things like that throughout the game, as well as thinking that logically a screwdriver would work to pry something, and in fact, only a file would - which you had to go find. Admittedly very small things, and if they only happened once or twice, it would be ok in a game of this size. However, these types of inconsistencies proved to occur more than was acceptable. But it is a very large game and so something that, while annoying, can be forgiven.
One thing that was not so great was that the SG didn't pick back up where you left off, but you had to choose which chapter you were in - well, who knows? Honestly, you are so immersed in the game, and chapters aren't delineated, how would you know where you are when you have to go to the SG? Having it start where you left off would've been good. Although I didn't have to use it a whole lot, the times I did I had to hunt and peck through the chapters to find my place each time.
I am working my way through the bonus chapters now - have only just started and am chapter 1. It's good that it's a prequel so you can see what brought about the chain of events you just went through. I also like to find out what happened after such stories - find out how people fared after their experiences. Either choice would have been great for me, so no complaints on the bonus chaps.
I must say this is a tremendous game that obviously took quite a bit of time and care to make. Kudos to the developers! I was very pleased by the game (little piddlin' things aside) and would very much recommend it.
I recommend this game!