LizzieK's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:724
- Reviews Submitted:20
- First Review:November 11, 2011
- Most Recent Review:August 29, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Help detective Ashley Clark uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious kidnappings, and reveal the secrets of the ruby pendant!
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 59 found this review helpful
Great value
PostedAugust 29, 2013
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a very good value for a standard edition game.
Story – Interesting with a variety of characters. There is a good bit of dialogue, some of it humorous, but it is needed for the story. There is voice over for some of the dialogue.
Game play – Flows along with a good mixture of adventure, hidden object scenes and puzzle mini-games. There are 4 difficulty levels to choose when you set up your profile. Easy, Normal, Hard and Nightmare.
Puzzles – Good puzzles if you like a challenge. They can be skipped. They can be replayed in a bonus section.
Great interactive map – The interactive map is shown with thumbnails of each available location so you can see where you might want to go. Just click on the scene and you are taken there.
Hints - You are given some hints and can find others by collecting rubies in the scenes. If you use all the ruby hints your normal hint will recharge, so you are never out of hints. The hints you are given and the recharge time depends on the difficulty level you choose. Recharge time is 30 seconds in Easy Mode and 2 minutes in Nightmare mode.
I had a great time playing this game and I loved the challenging puzzles for a change.
I recommend this game!
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Enjoyable game but short
PostedAugust 15, 2013
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on playing the full game and the bonus chapter.
Overall I enjoyed the game but it is short. I played the main game in 3 ½ hours. I did not skip any dialogue or any mini-games. I played the bonus game in 45 minutes.
The game play was enjoyable with not too many hidden object scenes. The mini-games or puzzles were about the right difficulty so they were not frustrating. The story was interesting and I really enjoyed the mechanical theme to the art work.
I’m glad I got this game but and I am also glad it was on sale because of the short length. As a CE it is not worth full price.
The gates to another world will open soon! You can stop the impending disaster - if you track down the stolen runes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 13 found this review helpful
Great mix of adventure, puzzles & HOGs
PostedJune 8, 2013
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on playing the 1 hour demo.
I completed chapter 1 of 8 chapters in the demo. So far I am interested in the story and I am looking forward to visiting different portals in the realm of the game. I like the good blend of adventure, puzzles and HOGs. The adventure is interesting and not frustrating. The HOGs are a blend of interactive and replacing the items. I like this as it gives the game variety. The puzzles are medium difficulty so far. They hold my interest and give me some sense of accomplishment.
The voiceovers are very good and the art work and cut scenes are well executed.
With 8 chapters, this game should be a very good length. I plan to buy it and enjoy the adventure.
I recommend this game!
A medallion banishes Jessica to a strange world where she must defeat the witch who stole her husband's soul!
Overall rating
2
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
Poor visual quality and very short
PostedJuly 24, 2012
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This seems to be a short game. It has 21 parts to various locations. There are not 21 separate locations but 21 places you can go. For example, the main floor, the basement, the top of the stairs, the room off the stairs, etc. Some of the rooms were also visited twice and the developers counted that as another location. I completed 12 of the 21 in the one hour demo, so it would be awfully short. It doesn’t seem to be worth the full price of $6.99.
Some of the items were hard to find and I found myself using the hint button a lot. That makes the game play frustrating and not much fun. The images in the scenes were too small overall. Even the scenery and other things in each scene were too hard to see. I had to turn up my gamma quite a bit to make the scenes brighter.
The mechanics of the game play are not bad but because of the poor visual quality it was just not a fun or interesting game to play. This will not be a purchase for me. There are too many better games for the same price.
The game title of Wonder World did not seem to fit the game. Unless you say, “ I WONDER what in the WORLD I am doing playing this game.”
I don't recommend this game.
Follow a mad killer in Night In The Opera, a thrilling Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game. An envious alchemist devises a mystical musical instrument capable of drawing the last breath of his victims.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Innovative
PostedJuly 23, 2012
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really like a good match-3 game. The untimed ones are relaxing and can be played a few levels at a time to unwind and let go of the stress of the day.
This is a good match-3 game but on its own as a match-3, I would not have considered it great. I was very pleased to see that in addition to the match-3 game play there is a mystery story, hidden object scenes, a few puzzles and some adventure aspects to the game. I applaud the game developer for their imagination and innovation.
The artwork in the HOG scenes and in the cut scenes is excellent. The story has a good amount of twists and turns for a mystery although I found the ending a bit weak. It looked like we were set up for some sort of puzzle at the end and nothing materialized.
I enjoyed my time playing this game and I liked being pulled along by the story. As you play the HOG scenes and the match-3 levels at various times you are given objects. Some of the objects are inventory items to be used in the game to help solve the mystery. Some of the objects are music records that you can listen to in the music room. Some of the items are power ups that help you along in the match-3 games.
Overall I enjoyed the game.
I recommend this game!
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
Bonus features not that good, wait for the SE
PostedJuly 23, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game needs a MAP. There are multiple locations and multiple rooms or doorways in each location and lots of to and fro between the locations, so bring an extra pair of sneakers. One of the visual effects in the game should have been the appearance of well worn paths on several of the hallways, courtyards and roads.
This game also puts your memory to the test by showing you a need for an item and then not giving you the item until much later in the game. I thought this was a bit too extreme and cut down on the fun factor in the game. These were not unique or key items in the game but everyday things we use in all HOG adventure games, like a screwdriver, shovel, wrench, or crowbar. After an hour or two of knowing that I need a screwdriver, when it finally does show up, how in the heck can I remember where that little long lost screw is that needs turning. If you don’t take notes it can be frustrating, as this happens quite a bit in this game.
The HOG scenes are good and have several interactive items in each list. There are sort of junk pile, but not too bad. Sometimes the items are not in the correct proportion to other items. I remember looking for 3 marbles in one scene and they turned out to be as big as bowling balls. Also some of the items don’t register when you click on them unless you click on the “right spot”. HOGs are hard enough without the click recognition being incorrect.
The puzzles and mini-games are good overall. I love puzzles so I am biased. The more the better for me and there are lots of them in this game. There is a skip available for puzzles in regular and advanced modes but not in expert mode.
The artwork and atmosphere is very good. It’s mostly dark and gloomy but well done.
If you are being lured into buying the CE just to see the Game Designer, don’t bother. The Game Designer feature was a big let down. It is where you can create one type of puzzle that is found early on in the game. In the game the puzzle is found on the Door to the Town Hall.
The Game Designer feature gives you four puzzle layouts of the same game with various arrangements of the empty spaces and various images on the pieces. You create the puzzle then you can play it. It’s kind of fun but it’s no big deal. There are other games that have way better game editors where you can create your own puzzles.
The length of the game is very good. I did not time myself but I played it over a period of two days. The bonus game took one and one half hours. I did not like that you had to wait until you finished both the regular game play and the bonus game play before the mini-games and game designer bonus items were unlocked. I think when you buy a game you as a player should get to decide when you have access to the bonus features.
The bonus feature Mini-Games is another disappointment. It is only one version of 8 of the mini-games. For example, there is a mini-game where the white wizard token has to jump over and eliminate all of the black evil tokens. You are only given one configuration of the game, so once you solve it there is no point in playing it again.
In other games that have allowed players access to mini-games they give you all of the configurations of the mini-game that were available in the game (for example the classic Azada). In other games you might get 5 or 10 different configurations to play of each mini-game, but not in this game.
I feel like this developer has short changed the players and included just enough to make people think they are actually getting what we normally get when mini-games are a part of the bonus content. I am disappointed in the bonus content of this game and I don’t recommend the Collector’s Edition. The main game is very good and very long but the bonus content is lacking.
Wait for the Standard Edition.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel from the deepest trenches of the Atlantic Ocean to the awe-inspiring wonders of Mars as you solve the greatest archeological puzzle known to man: the origin of Atlantis.
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
Welcome change
PostedJuly 23, 2012
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I purchased this game for the story. It is such a welcome change to play a game that does not have witches, demons, evil doctors, blood, guts and cruelty at every turn. It was nice to be in another realm and another time. The story line is a combination of discovery and mystery and a tiny bit of romance. It was very interesting and kept me wanting to see what would happen next.
The game play is pretty much adventure with a few interactive HOG scenes to help you along the way. There are also some mini-games and puzzles but they are all very simple. It was a disappointment that the puzzles were all so easy.
The artwork and scenes were well done and imaginative. The cut scenes were a bit blurry and could have been better. The music was somewhat repetitive and I kept it very low.
The main game play took me four and one half hours and if I had lingered over the journal a bit more it would have taken longer. The bonus game play took one and one half hours.
I don’t get a thrill out of wallpapers and concept art so the only bonus value for me was the bonus game play and story. Overall I enjoyed it and I am glad I was able to get it with some of the half price game credits I bought on sale.
I recommend this game!
Search for thousands of cleverly hidden items around the historic sites of jolly old London in Big City Adventure: London Classic!
Overall rating
1
/
5
45 of 67 found this review helpful
Way too boring, laughably easy puzzles
PostedFebruary 14, 2012
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played the original version of this game and enjoyed it very much. I would have given the original version of this game a 4 star rating. Then Jolly Bear games changed the puzzles to a ridiculously easy level and took all of the fun out of the game for me. So sad.
I will not be buying any more of the Big City Adventure Games.
I don't recommend this game.
Experience a deeper magic in this sparkling sequel, brimming with more than 20 puzzle books of classic tales.
Overall rating
3
/
5
27 of 34 found this review helpful
Good puzzles
PostedDecember 11, 2011
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I have played through the full game several times and replayed some of the mini-games even more. I’m glad I bought the game and it is worth playing. But overall it doesn’t seem to impress me as favorably as the original Azada.
I didn’t have a problem with the timer at all. Mainly because if you time out on a segment of the game that has, for example, five books you don’t have to repeat all five books. You start over in the book where you left off. But I’m glad that everyone has a choice now.
I thought the character’s dialogue type size was too small. The dialogue appears to be white and grey shaded print in a dark brown box. I found it to be fuzzy and difficult to read. I am one of the many intelligent and active older gamers whose eyesight is no longer perfect. I truly wish the game developers would let their parents and grandparents test their games. I wonder if you had testers that were in their fifties, sixties and seventies. Many of the things that I did not like about this game have to do with things being too small on the screen.
In a few books you have to do something in one room like put water in the cooking pot, ring a door bell or knock on a door, then quickly go back to another room and do a task. This would be ok on a limited basis. But I think it happens too often and seems like a time filler to make the game seem longer.
In general the logic of moving and solving the book puzzles is pretty easy. I enjoyed that aspect of the game but felt that some of the books were too short.
Scanning the suspect cards every few books was a bit tedious. The puzzle was ok but the light blue and light purple symbols on the grey background was difficult to see. More color variance and larger symbols would have been nice. There was plenty of blank grey space on these puzzle pages so the symbols could have easily been made bigger. And we had to go to this game fairly often so I feel it would have been a more pleasant experience if there had been something there other than a blank grey grainy background.
I liked the variety of the mini-games and I will enjoy replaying some of them. But some of the mini-games were in a small area of the screen rather that being made full screen as they were in the original Azada. I loved playing the Robots in Azada, but in this game the Tin Man game has very small objects and is in a small space. The glass tubes are hard to see in the Alchemy game where you blend the red, yellow and blue into the bottle. This is a pipes type game and I love pipes games but this one was a strain on my eyes. Also the Chicken Chase and the round Maze with the ball were very small on the screen.
I didn’t enjoy tracing the signature of Dr. Jekyll. It’s just wasn’t fun and had no thinking or mental challenge.
One can’t help compare this game to the original Azada. I had a happier and more fun filled experience in the original Azada. The mini-games were fun, they got progressively harder and they were full screen and easy to see. Also the visual mix of colors in the art and special effects throughout the original Azada was more pleasing. Azada Ancient Magic game gives me the impression that there are too may dark scenes with too much grey, dark brown and other dark colors.
Overall I will say again that I am glad I bought the game.
I recommend this game!
L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Join Dorothy, the Tinman, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and even Toto as you travel through the wonders of the Land of Oz!
Overall rating
1
/
5
44 of 53 found this review helpful
Awful
PostedNovember 22, 2011
LizzieK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
This game deserves zero stars. The objects in this game are not tiny, they are minuscule. In addition to that, they are faded into the background. The find the differences scenes are just as obscure and tedious. One of the FTD scenes was in a forest filled with tree branches. Some of the differences were twigs or tiny lines that had been added to the branches. It was ridiculous.
There are several distracting and annoying visual effects that occur as you play. If you find and click on objects quickly you get a speed bonus, then a HUGE message jumps on the screen and flashes a few times before it fades away. Another frustrating aspect of this game is that the list of items to find only has part of the items to find. When one is found another item is added to the list. In a game where the items are so difficult to see, this rolling list is just another frustration that is not needed. When the list of items to find is represented by silhouettes, the silhouettes are not orientated in the same position as the hidden object in the scene. So the silhouette may look totally different than the minuscule item in the scene.
Thank goodness I played in Easy Mode so the hints would charge faster. I got through a few scenes without using any hints but most of the time I used 1 to 3 hints. There are also arcade type tasks in the game that require fast clicking.
After playing the one hour demo, I came away from this game with a headache and an answer. I was able to go back to bed and sleep off the headache. Now when anyone asks, “What is the worst HOG ever?” I will have a definitive answer.
I don't recommend this game.