catmartie's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.9
- Helpful Votes:585
- Reviews Submitted:43
- First Review:January 20, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 13, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Take flight with Santa for Springfield's most spectacular Christmas yet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Particularly interesting story line
PostedJanuary 13, 2025
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Like many others in the Pond, I always enjoy these games, as also the Park Rangers games. The gameplay is enjoyable as usual.
I liked the added hidden snowmen this time around, and I also liked that the children didn't actually go to the North Pole this time, which has always seemed rather silly and unrealistic.
What I've never liked so much is the total overconsumption depicted. It seems the developers aren't totally unaware of this themselves. This time we move straight from the homeless people in the local park, many of whom don't even have overcoats, being handed "comfort packs", to the spoiled brats being taken to by chauffeured car to a luxury hotel for a "kids' banquet". Despite all the treats and gifts they're showered with, the boy still says at the end of the game that he didn't get everything he wanted.
I liked the added hidden snowmen this time around, and I also liked that the children didn't actually go to the North Pole this time, which has always seemed rather silly and unrealistic.
What I've never liked so much is the total overconsumption depicted. It seems the developers aren't totally unaware of this themselves. This time we move straight from the homeless people in the local park, many of whom don't even have overcoats, being handed "comfort packs", to the spoiled brats being taken to by chauffeured car to a luxury hotel for a "kids' banquet". Despite all the treats and gifts they're showered with, the boy still says at the end of the game that he didn't get everything he wanted.
I recommend this game!
One way or another, the past always comes back.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Too much disbelief to suspend
PostedOctober 25, 2024
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
I downloaded the trial with great hopes: good games are increasingly rare. In the opening introduction we are informed that this is England 2017. The main character is returning to the mansion where he grew up. Strangely, however, he is an American and drives an American car. Ah well, I tried to ignore this jarring circumstance and play the actual game.
Inside the house, unfortunately, things only got worse. This is England in 2017, remember. The house has no mains electricity, but is partially powered by a generator, supported by oil lamps. The only telephone would have been an interesting antique when I was growing up in the 1950s. Presumably this means that there is no internet access either! There is no way that the local authority would have licensed these premises to operate as a hotel for the previous ten years. Where are our characters' mobile phones?
Then the investigator rolls up in an American yellow taxi...
I tried to persevere, but there were just too many plot holes to ignore. I couldn't complete the demo.
Inside the house, unfortunately, things only got worse. This is England in 2017, remember. The house has no mains electricity, but is partially powered by a generator, supported by oil lamps. The only telephone would have been an interesting antique when I was growing up in the 1950s. Presumably this means that there is no internet access either! There is no way that the local authority would have licensed these premises to operate as a hotel for the previous ten years. Where are our characters' mobile phones?
Then the investigator rolls up in an American yellow taxi...
I tried to persevere, but there were just too many plot holes to ignore. I couldn't complete the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
There’s something behind the snowy hill! Or maybe it’s just my imagination...
Overall rating
4
/
5
Better than most
PostedJune 7, 2024
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
In these times of game poverty I enjoyed the trial enough to use up some of my accumulated points to buy it. It has been quite entertaining. I have no idea what earning the stars is about - you get them for clicking on the obvious answer to advance the game - and I don't know what purpose they then serve.
As is common in these games, there are anomalies that you have to let slip. As a linguist I would love the ability to learn a completely alien language in a couple of hours or less, but two characters in this story can do it. Oh, and are we to trust a character who claims to be "the Sherriff" in Canada? Why does no-one wear a hat in freezing conditions?
I have made far too much use of the hint button to work out what to do next and have worn out at least two pairs of snowshoes running backwards a forwards.
All this is why it's less than 5 stars; it's quite entertaining nonetheless, as I've said, and worth using some points on.
As is common in these games, there are anomalies that you have to let slip. As a linguist I would love the ability to learn a completely alien language in a couple of hours or less, but two characters in this story can do it. Oh, and are we to trust a character who claims to be "the Sherriff" in Canada? Why does no-one wear a hat in freezing conditions?
I have made far too much use of the hint button to work out what to do next and have worn out at least two pairs of snowshoes running backwards a forwards.
All this is why it's less than 5 stars; it's quite entertaining nonetheless, as I've said, and worth using some points on.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a forgotten god before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Enjoying the game, but...
PostedJuly 21, 2023
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is based on the demo; I am enjoying the game so far and will probably use some of my accumulated credits to buy it. It's so rare to find a game these days that is worth buying. The cat theme is an added bonus, though I don't like them being portrayed as malign.
However, I ended up playing it on silent because of the peculiar, ultimately grating, accents used by the the voice actors. They sound, if anything, as though they're on the way to Australia but haven't got there yet. My husband even came into the room and asked what they were.. So only 4 stars for an otherwise good game.
However, I ended up playing it on silent because of the peculiar, ultimately grating, accents used by the the voice actors. They sound, if anything, as though they're on the way to Australia but haven't got there yet. My husband even came into the room and asked what they were.. So only 4 stars for an otherwise good game.
I recommend this game!
Gather your courage for this mystical journey to a distant world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
15 of 15 found this review helpful
The end of an era?
PostedAugust 8, 2022
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is an excellent game, far better than most recent offerings from Big Fish.
I would have loved to buy it but like so many of us, the site won't let me.
Big Fish has nose-dived from being the best site I knew of on the internet in terms of ease of use and friendly efficient customer support to a complete disaster. ~And they're touting this as a wonderful new improvement!
I recommend this game, but that's pointless as you won't be able to play it.
I would have loved to buy it but like so many of us, the site won't let me.
Big Fish has nose-dived from being the best site I knew of on the internet in terms of ease of use and friendly efficient customer support to a complete disaster. ~And they're touting this as a wonderful new improvement!
I recommend this game, but that's pointless as you won't be able to play it.
I recommend this game!
Can a legendary treasure save your family from ruin?
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Best game in a VERY long time.
PostedMarch 26, 2022
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As the title says, this is the best game Big Fish have brought out for far too long. I played the Collectors' edition trial when it came out (and reviewed it). I waited for the SE because of my one objection: 19th century Irish people all speaking with American accents! When the SE appeared my wish to buy and play this otherwise excellent game outweighed the serious annoyance of the voices, and I played the game with the voices turned off, just reading the captions. That worked.
There is an interesting and intriguing story line, new variants on the in-game puzzles, some positive outcomes to accomplish along the way, and a novel twist near the end.
I've quoted this as my current favourite game , as it's otherwise been a barren wasteland for so long.
There is an interesting and intriguing story line, new variants on the in-game puzzles, some positive outcomes to accomplish along the way, and a novel twist near the end.
I've quoted this as my current favourite game , as it's otherwise been a barren wasteland for so long.
I recommend this game!
Amateur blogger Kate goes on a life-changing adventure through Paris!
Overall rating
1
/
5
11 of 19 found this review helpful
Just no!
PostedMarch 12, 2022
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I tried it: I couldn't face continuing for long. I've looked back: the games I was buying in 2007/8 were more advanced and entertaining than this.
There are "paper cut out" slide in and out characters; I encountered three before I gave up. These were the two main characters, apparently mother and daughter, though it's hard to tell which is which - I think the slightly less stupid one is the daughter.
They are wandering randomly around Paris in party clothes and with no luggage looking for their hotel. (Believe me, any number of "helpful" men would have accosted them by this time.)
By sheer chance they encounter a woman who is not only prepared to speak English to them, but turns out to be the hotel owner.
It seems she has sent for them to come all the way from the USA to "save" her hotel, what with the French, and Parisians in particular, knowing nothing about tourism.
I gve up there and I'm giving up now. Still searching and hoping daily for a game I can give a positive review to and might want to use a game credit on.
There are "paper cut out" slide in and out characters; I encountered three before I gave up. These were the two main characters, apparently mother and daughter, though it's hard to tell which is which - I think the slightly less stupid one is the daughter.
They are wandering randomly around Paris in party clothes and with no luggage looking for their hotel. (Believe me, any number of "helpful" men would have accosted them by this time.)
By sheer chance they encounter a woman who is not only prepared to speak English to them, but turns out to be the hotel owner.
It seems she has sent for them to come all the way from the USA to "save" her hotel, what with the French, and Parisians in particular, knowing nothing about tourism.
I gve up there and I'm giving up now. Still searching and hoping daily for a game I can give a positive review to and might want to use a game credit on.
Can you uncover who's trying to destroy the Osmont family in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 18 found this review helpful
Disappointment
PostedMarch 4, 2022
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I downloaded the trial full of optimism as I have all the previous Whispered Secrets games and thought "At last, a decent new game!" I was wrong.
Before you even get into the game play it's annoying and sloppy. First you have the man with the very peculiar and creepy voice speaking to our main character; he seems to suggest we are in the London suburbs. If this is the case, the whole of the next part of the plot falls apart. We have a "Count", so not British, attempting to get married in a garden, with no witnesses, so doubly illegal. No wonder someone wants to stop the ceremony! For some reason he is getting married in his shirt sleeves, however as soon as we zoom in on him and his unconscious bride we find that he has quickly found and put on a coat. Then, as others have mentioned, he simply delegates everything to the stranger who has suddenly appeared and does nothing himself, not checking the bride's breath or pulse, not caring for his brother, not handing over useful items in his pocket, taking no action about the fire raging in the house.
Before you even get into the game play it's annoying and sloppy. First you have the man with the very peculiar and creepy voice speaking to our main character; he seems to suggest we are in the London suburbs. If this is the case, the whole of the next part of the plot falls apart. We have a "Count", so not British, attempting to get married in a garden, with no witnesses, so doubly illegal. No wonder someone wants to stop the ceremony! For some reason he is getting married in his shirt sleeves, however as soon as we zoom in on him and his unconscious bride we find that he has quickly found and put on a coat. Then, as others have mentioned, he simply delegates everything to the stranger who has suddenly appeared and does nothing himself, not checking the bride's breath or pulse, not caring for his brother, not handing over useful items in his pocket, taking no action about the fire raging in the house.
Fantasy and supernatural I can deal with, this sort of stupid nonsense I can't. Come on Grandma Studios, you're having a laugh!
I don't recommend this game.
Can a legendary treasure save your family from ruin?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 8 found this review helpful
Ireland? Shamrocks?
PostedFebruary 11, 2022
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is quite an enjoyable game with a novel storyline and interesting puzzle variants. Sadly, like other reviewers, I have difficulty getting over the voices. Why are they all American when it is is supposedly taking place in Ireland? No, sorry, a couple of them have rather strange (strained?) English accents. Why ruin an otherwise rather good game so pointlessly? Also the only time one of the promised shamrocks appeared it was called a clover.
Very sad. I'll have to decide whether I can overcome the annoyance sufficiently when the SE appears,
Very sad. I'll have to decide whether I can overcome the annoyance sufficiently when the SE appears,
I recommend this game!
The secret of the fairies lies deep in the English countryside.
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 29 found this review helpful
Impossible suspension of disbelief
PostedOctober 1, 2021
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I can believe there are fairies. What I can't believe is that there is an impenetrable forest somewhere in Gloucestershire, and that somewhere within this previously unheard of area, which does not appear on any Ordnance Survey maps, there exists a village inhabited entirely by Americans and complete with "mailbox", "tavern" serving "ale" from a keg on a customer table, etc, etc. The whole show overseen by a "village leader". Since he's also an American, it's probably no surprise that he holds no actual local government post.
I just can't continue to play a game with this ridiculous set up; it's irritating and annoying and certainly not fun.
Why do this?.
I just can't continue to play a game with this ridiculous set up; it's irritating and annoying and certainly not fun.
Why do this?.
I don't recommend this game.