Happy_Gardener's Profile
 
 
 
Stat Summary
 
  • Average Rating:
    3.4
  • Helpful Votes:
    155
 
  • Reviews Submitted:
    9
  • First Review:
    April 16, 2012
  • Most Recent Review:
    November 25, 2020
  • Featured reviews
    0
 
 
Happy_Gardener's Review History
 
Master Detective must face the greatest challenge – time itself!
 
Overall rating 
Hated it.
1 / 5
76 of 89 found this review helpful
MCF has 'Jumped the Shark'
PostedNovember 25, 2020
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor 
Awful
1 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Awful
1 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Awful
1 / 5
Storyline 
Awful
1 / 5
The earlier MCF games were visually attractive, challenging and had intriguing multi-step puzzles. The last 3 or 4 have been so poorly done that it has made me reconsider whether I want to keep my BFG membership!! It appears that the Hidden Object games are becoming the 'same old, same old' and I have purchased so many that continuing a membership for this quality of production is a waste of money!!!
I don't recommend this game.
+63points
76of 89voted this as helpful.
 
Can you uncover the truth behind a string of strange thefts?
 
Overall rating 
Hated it.
1 / 5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
POOR INSTRUCTIONS/ABSENT DIRECTION/TOTALLY NOT INTUITIVE
PostedSeptember 18, 2017
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor 
Poor
2 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Awful
1 / 5
I am unable to finish the game despite repeatedly returning to the Walkthrough (which I NEVER need). In fact the Walkthrough is even POORLY illustrated and directed. While the graphics are beautiful, THIS GAME IS A WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME.
I don't recommend this game.
+1point
4of 7voted this as helpful.
 
How do you solve a true detective's case? It's elementary!
 
Overall rating 
Disliked it.
2 / 5
36 of 47 found this review helpful
Flawed Cursor
PostedApril 29, 2015
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor 
Poor
2 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
This is a typical solitaire game with just a different background and a different looping soundtrack than all of the others. This game is particularly irritating in that the cursor 'skips' over several PLAYABLE cards in the deck which MAY only be revisited by the use of mulligans which are limited or expensive to buy. As a result of this continual problem, I only played for about 20 minutes of the trial.
I don't recommend this game.
+25points
36of 47voted this as helpful.
 
 Haunted Manor: Painted Beauties Collector's Edition
Haunted Manor: Painted Beauties Collector's Edition
A peaceful day at the park becomes a journey into the surreal when you become the latest victim of a troubled artist's deal with Death!
 
Overall rating 
It was OK.
3 / 5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
So Much Potential - One HUGE Problem
PostedJune 14, 2014
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
OK
3 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Awful
1 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
I would have easily given this 5 stars with the exception of what I consider to be one HUGE problem - the poor quality map!! I prefer games of this complexity to have a map with more details than merely showing locations. Because there were so many things to find (a good thing) and multiple locations in play at any one time, it would have been "nice" if there were available 'triggers' so one could easily go to the a particular location. In the absence of a more detailed map, then the hint button should have been made more 'direct' in getting to you to a possible location with activity. Having to go scene by scene when using the hint button was tedious, at best, and frankly made me leave this game more than once!! In fact, despite owning the Collector's Edition of this game, I have debated whether or not I want to waste my time and encourage even more frustration by pursuing the bonus chapter!! The visual quality and the length of the game are outstanding, but the hint button and the lousy map warrant a very 'generous' 3 stars for this game!!
I don't recommend this game.
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Another Great Mariaglorum Game
PostedFebruary 5, 2014
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
This game has it all! Great graphics, a variety of HOS (with puzzles using found objects), good puzzles and a simple storyline. This game is of a great length so the purchaser feels as though they are getting their money's worth. I purchased the CE, but frankly, the SE would have been 'enough' to feel as though I was getting 'value'. The bonus game had a few more locations, however, it doesn't enhance or better explain a storyline, so I'm not sure if the purchaser gets any additional 'value' from the CE. I never use the wallpapers, listen to a repeat of the soundtracks or re-watch clips/cut scenes. The ONLY drawback #and this is not necessarily related to this game# is that this is another fantasy-based game. I will the developers would create stories and 'adventures' that contained elements of realism or legitimate detective-type themes. Enough with vapors, smoke screens, darth vadar voices and steroid infused superheroes!!
I recommend this game!
+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
 
Face a 200-year mystery and save your best friend! Discover how strong friendship ties can be and to what extremes unrequited love is ready to go.
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Needs a Map to Rate 5 Stars
PostedJanuary 25, 2014
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Good
4 / 5
This is a great game with the exception of the absence of an interactive map to expedite travel between locations. It was a lot of back and forth which added to the memory challenge of applying objects once they were found. I liked the length of this game, as I felt I received 'value'. I thought this had an great level of challenge and am looking forward to the 'sequel'.
I recommend this game!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
MCF is Baaaaack!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!
PostedDecember 12, 2013
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
I think this will be rated as one of the best games of 2013 because it "has it all"!! The graphics are sensational, the HOS have little 'puzzles' within the scenes that need to be completed to acquire certain hidden objects and the complex, building puzzles are fun! I love the "noises" associated with this game series. I pay little attention to 'story lines' because most of them are either very stupid or just plain disinteresting. #I read fiction for 'stories'.# Supposedly this is supposed bring to some conclusion the Ravenhurst mystery......but frankly, I paid little attention to this aspect of the game. My only regret is that it takes so long for Elephant Games and BFG to release more in the series of MCF. I wish the creators would spend more time on this series, even if it meant abandoning some of the others. Clearly, this game series is a money-maker! The game length is stellar and I enjoyed the bonus chapter and the 'revisit' to some of the puzzles. Overall, just a great game and one of the few that is truly "worth" the CE price!!
I recommend this game!
-1point
1of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Experience a story about love so strong, it can overcome the most powerful evil! Explore visually stunning mystical dimensions and rescue your fiance!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
30 of 31 found this review helpful
Great Game!!
PostedMarch 16, 2013
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
This game has it ALL - great graphics, great level of challenge, great length!! I don't buy computer games for "story lines" because I am an avid reader and NO story lines of ANY games are an attraction for me. As far as games go, this game has value. I wish all the games presented on this site were of this quality!!!!
I recommend this game!
+29points
30of 31voted this as helpful.
 
Black Isle was supposedly abandoned after an earthquake but the truth is much more sinister! Join the Mystery Trackers and learn the truth!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Well Worth the Price
PostedApril 16, 2012
Customer avatar
Happy_Gardener
fromAnn Arbor, MI
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
I strongly recommend this game as a "must buy". This game will not disappoint. The graphics are great, the puzzles are engaging and are easily understood, though challenging and, the game is of a 'money-worthy' length. Elephant Games is superior at producing game software. As far as I am concerned, this game has it all. I have had no 'buyer's remorse' for spending the money #and the time# to play this game!
I recommend this game!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.