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:
After Alice's car careens into a river, she wakes to find herself in a strange world. To escape, Alice will have to overcome her fears.
Overall rating
3
/
5
27 of 28 found this review helpful
Disappointing
PostedMarch 12, 2014
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Like some other reviewers I thought this was a really good game, based on playing the demo, so I bought it. I would have given it probably 5 stars at that point. Sadly, once I was through the first scenario I found that the game quality deteriorated fast. A small thing: I never could complete a HOS without using at least one clue and then invariably said to myself, "Well I wouldn't have found that otherwise." One of the worst examples was when they asked for a "handbasin" - the object was a wash- or rub-board! I found a rope - I needed a rope - but the caption said it was a needle and thread (it still worked as a rope though). The challenges just got sillier and more pointless, and at one point I was so fed up that I just stopped playing the game. I went back and finished it as I'd bought and started it, but not for any particular enjoyment factor.
In my opinion the part that you start playing during the demo could be from another, far superior game. Once you've been lured in, you get fobbed off with something else altogether.
In my opinion the part that you start playing during the demo could be from another, far superior game. Once you've been lured in, you get fobbed off with something else altogether.
I don't recommend this game.
The mystical Silver Arrow has been stolen from you on the eve of your wedding. Without it, you can’t marry your beloved Prince Philip! Can you track down the arrow in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
22 of 24 found this review helpful
Fun
PostedJanuary 13, 2014
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've enjoyed some of the other games in this series. I trialled the CE, so knew I would probably buy it once the SE came out. I started the SE trial then bought it part way along. So yes, I enjoyed this, the art work is brilliant, I liked the music - unusual for me, the English was good too. Others have mentioned the variety of accents, and I do hate "cutesy" animal voices. All very bearable though. the hidden object scenes made sense. The games varied from having to skip because I couldn't get the mouse to do what they wanted, through entertaining, to just keep placing things one by one.
My main difficulty with the game: how can I respect and admire a prince who can't pronounce "Basil"? (The other characters could.)
My main difficulty with the game: how can I respect and admire a prince who can't pronounce "Basil"? (The other characters could.)
I recommend this game!
Jane Austen's: Estate of Affairs
Search for Jane Austen's missing novel and help save the Austen estate from greedy villains!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 27 found this review helpful
Nice game, awful characters
PostedSeptember 10, 2013
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Based on one hour trial. The art work and scenes are excellent. There is a variety of hidden object scenes, both list and silhouette. I found the music annoying and turned it off, but that is personal taste. Some interesting puzzles. It started with voice-overs but the sound for these disappeared and I was left reading interminable dialogues which I couldn't seem to speed up, only skip the lot.
So far, so good. Unfortunately the storyline and characters completely let the game down. I don't think what I'm going to say constitutes a "spoiler" for the game itself.
First, I cannot understand the basic premise: there is a rival claim to the estate - a matter of law, surely - but this can be dismissed by finding and selling a manuscript.
Next, the characters, oh dear! The protagonist, Jane Austen's niece Christiana and therefore a lady, arrives at her uncle's home, by coach, obviously. However there is no coachman, no groom and no maid with her. Fortunately she is an athletic young lady for her era, able to mend and climb ladders and shin down knotted bedsheets. She spends the night in the stables, where there are no stablehands to disturb or even assist her. This because the "new" housekeeper refuses her entry. I don't think so, even had she been an unknown traveller in distress. The housekeeper is, apparently, the only indoor servant. The fact is, that if a housekeeper had spoken to or treated any young lady, let alone the niece of her employer, in the manner that she does, she would have been turned out of the house immediately. (And why does Christiana never remove her bonnet and outdoor clothes?)
All this completely ruins any interest that the game otherwise offers and makes it a "no buy" for me, even though I enjoyed the gameplay itself.
So far, so good. Unfortunately the storyline and characters completely let the game down. I don't think what I'm going to say constitutes a "spoiler" for the game itself.
First, I cannot understand the basic premise: there is a rival claim to the estate - a matter of law, surely - but this can be dismissed by finding and selling a manuscript.
Next, the characters, oh dear! The protagonist, Jane Austen's niece Christiana and therefore a lady, arrives at her uncle's home, by coach, obviously. However there is no coachman, no groom and no maid with her. Fortunately she is an athletic young lady for her era, able to mend and climb ladders and shin down knotted bedsheets. She spends the night in the stables, where there are no stablehands to disturb or even assist her. This because the "new" housekeeper refuses her entry. I don't think so, even had she been an unknown traveller in distress. The housekeeper is, apparently, the only indoor servant. The fact is, that if a housekeeper had spoken to or treated any young lady, let alone the niece of her employer, in the manner that she does, she would have been turned out of the house immediately. (And why does Christiana never remove her bonnet and outdoor clothes?)
All this completely ruins any interest that the game otherwise offers and makes it a "no buy" for me, even though I enjoyed the gameplay itself.
I don't recommend this game.
Guide William on the adventure of a lifetime and discover Captain Kidd's lost pirate treasure in this riveting Hidden Object game.
Overall rating
1
/
5
69 of 78 found this review helpful
Tiresome and oldfashioned
PostedSeptember 3, 2013
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You start off with an enormous amount of hand-holding, whether you want it or not. Despite this, it's quite difficult to find objects in the scenes: they are often minuscule, unrecognisable or wrongly labelled. For example, when "tidying the cabin", there were at least two brushes clearly on display but neither of these is is the brush you have to find; instead there's a tiny pale shape half hidden by a ladder. (Sorry, this may be a spoiler!) Then you have to find a casserole: seeing no casseroles and as a French speaker, I fairly quickly tried one of the saucepans - that was what was wanted.
There was a bizarre game identifying various sorts of beetles. The definitions seemed rather random, however if your assessment didn't agree with theirs, you had to start again. I couldn't find a Skip button.
The story progresses with dialogue from characters that slide in and out from the sides, which I think is pretty outdated but I could live with it if I was enjoying the game otherwise. The main character is pictured, the only other one I encountered before I gave up was only a silhouette - why?
Of course, try it for yourself, but I only lasted 20 minutes.
There was a bizarre game identifying various sorts of beetles. The definitions seemed rather random, however if your assessment didn't agree with theirs, you had to start again. I couldn't find a Skip button.
The story progresses with dialogue from characters that slide in and out from the sides, which I think is pretty outdated but I could live with it if I was enjoying the game otherwise. The main character is pictured, the only other one I encountered before I gave up was only a silhouette - why?
Of course, try it for yourself, but I only lasted 20 minutes.
I don't recommend this game.
Residents of Happy Orchard Farm are disappearing at night. Is there an innocent explanation, or could the farm be at the mercy of supernatural forces?
Overall rating
1
/
5
0 of 4 found this review helpful
same old, same old
PostedJuly 8, 2013
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I seem to have played this story a hundred times - only it was better done. I managed to stick it out for 28 minutes of the trial. Other reviewers have said what needs to be said.
By the way: "Talkie Walkie"? "sand leeks"?
By the way: "Talkie Walkie"? "sand leeks"?
The gates to another world will open soon! You can stop the impending disaster - if you track down the stolen runes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
Let down at the end - disappointed
PostedJune 11, 2013
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I enjoyed playing the demo and bought the SE. I continued to enjoy playing it. It's not over-challenging, so some people might not find it as good. Other reviewers have described the scenario: what I have to say needs a SPOILER ALERT.
You could say that the protagonist has three objectives; the game ends suddenly and without further explanation as soon as she achieves one of them, the others are unresolved and unexplained.
I'm very disappointed by the ending. However as long as it lasted it was a pretty good game, so I will recommend it with reservations.
You could say that the protagonist has three objectives; the game ends suddenly and without further explanation as soon as she achieves one of them, the others are unresolved and unexplained.
I'm very disappointed by the ending. However as long as it lasted it was a pretty good game, so I will recommend it with reservations.
I recommend this game!
Find the festivalgoer abducted by the gargoyles of Notre Dame and uncover the cathedral’s dark past in this reimagining of the Victor Hugo’s classic tale.
Overall rating
2
/
5
15 of 23 found this review helpful
Potentially good game spoiled by rubbish storyline and setting
PostedMarch 13, 2013
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I tried both the CE and SE. When I tried the SE I remembered...
I know there is a certain suspension of disbelief required to play a fantasy game, but I found this just impossible. Supposedly it takes place in Paris: cue cod-French accents. The style of dress of the missing girl and the car suggest it is some time in the 1960s; Esme seems to be kitted out in an Edwardian number, while the police officers have some sort of 19th century Ruritanian uniforms. That is, if they are police and not gendarmes (or "gandarmes", as it says on one sign.) All this is supposed to be happening at a festival which was never a public one and which was suppressed in the 15th century. In the first two scenes you examine there are so many errors, it really grates. It's all too plain, as you attempt to play through, that the developers have no command of either English or French, nor any understanding of history or legend.
I just found it impossible to ignore so much rubbish in order to actually play the game, which possibly would be quite entertaining.
I can't recommend it; no doubt there are people that aren't annoyed by such sloppy production who will enjoy it.
I know there is a certain suspension of disbelief required to play a fantasy game, but I found this just impossible. Supposedly it takes place in Paris: cue cod-French accents. The style of dress of the missing girl and the car suggest it is some time in the 1960s; Esme seems to be kitted out in an Edwardian number, while the police officers have some sort of 19th century Ruritanian uniforms. That is, if they are police and not gendarmes (or "gandarmes", as it says on one sign.) All this is supposed to be happening at a festival which was never a public one and which was suppressed in the 15th century. In the first two scenes you examine there are so many errors, it really grates. It's all too plain, as you attempt to play through, that the developers have no command of either English or French, nor any understanding of history or legend.
I just found it impossible to ignore so much rubbish in order to actually play the game, which possibly would be quite entertaining.
I can't recommend it; no doubt there are people that aren't annoyed by such sloppy production who will enjoy it.
I don't recommend this game.
Mystery P.I.: The Curious Case of Counterfeit Cove
Travel to New England to investigate a counterfeiting ring in Mystery P.I.: The Curious Case of Counterfeit Cove!
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Mind-numbingly boring!
PostedNovember 11, 2012
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I have trialled some pretty dire games down the years. For some reason I own this one - must have been some special offer. After you have played the first few scenes and found all the lobsters, keys and cameras, you find you are not even half-way through; you have to continue going round and round the same old scenes again and again. Every so often this gives you the opportunity to obtain a "clue" by playing an incredibly simple mini-game. Dire as these are, they become a welcome relief.
I'm determined to finish the game, so force myself to play one or two scenes whenever I open the Games Manager before playing something worthwhile.
There is no plot or story whatsoever, though presumably if I ever complete level 25 the accumulated "clues" will produce some resolution.
The best I could say is that it might have been acceptable in the very early days of this type of game.
I'm determined to finish the game, so force myself to play one or two scenes whenever I open the Games Manager before playing something worthwhile.
There is no plot or story whatsoever, though presumably if I ever complete level 25 the accumulated "clues" will produce some resolution.
The best I could say is that it might have been acceptable in the very early days of this type of game.
I don't recommend this game.
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 6 found this review helpful
fun but slightly annoying
PostedOctober 28, 2012
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the CE trial when it came out and liked it enough to try the SE and buy it (especially on the Halloween offer).
I got quite engrossed in it and enjoyed the game play. The different slant on HOS was more fun than I expected. It was often not clear what to do and where to go next once you'd acquired your object. Repeated clicking on the hint button helped, but I'd rather be able to work things out for myself.
Having said that, the game devs almost lost me right at the start. Do they really think the Vosges mountains are that wild and undeveloped? Really, in 21st century Western Europe on the border of France and Germany? Do they really think people still travel by horse and cart there? And if they are going to run with that scenario, they should at least find out how to pronounce "Vosges" before doing the voice-over! It may sound picky but it was almost enough to make me think such a sloppily conceived game wasn't going to be worth playing. That and the ridiculous outfits the so-called warrior maidens had trussed themselves up in - no wonder they needed outside help to do their job!
Anyway I realise it's meant to be fantasy and, as stated, I did enjoy playing.
I recommend this game!
Coronation Street: Mystery of the Missing Hotpot Recipe
Help Betty track down the missing pieces of her famous hotpot recipe before they fall into the wrong hands! Visit iconic Coronation Street locations and met up well-known characters from the TV Show.
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Dreadful
PostedJune 4, 2012
catmartie
fromManchester, UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This was already getting bad reviews but I gave it a chance and persevered right to the end of the demo. It really is bad. First, it's old-fashioned slide-on, slide off photos. There's no spoken dialogue just written exchanges which stay on the screen forever. You can't advance, only skip the whole thing; I kept thinking there just might be some plot advancement I would miss if I did that - but don't worry, folks, there isn't! Total junk pile hidden object scenes and even when I'd learnt that many items were actually just a slight anomaly in the background I didn't get on much better - and some are giant, not in proportion; I stopped playing those games years ago. I thought I'd at least be able to say it was good to play in English rather than American for once. While it was good to have a scene that knew the difference between a spanner and a wrench, I still had to find a flashlight rather than a torch in the next scene, so, no, not even that slight redeeming feature. An insult to Corrie fans (I'm not one by the way) and suited only to masochistic gamers.
I don't recommend this game.