LunaNik's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.8
- Helpful Votes:12,435
- Reviews Submitted:670
- First Review:November 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:August 19, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you save a woman’s fiancé before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 30 found this review helpful
2½ stars...ERS offers the exact same puzzles with a new, badly developed story.
PostedSeptember 15, 2016
LunaNik
fromIllogical, poorly developed storylines and ridiculously easy gameplay is a casual game trend that I hope will end soon.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON 22 minutes of an utterly boring demo
I CURRENTLY OWN 504 computer games.
PROLOGUE
PuppetShow was a groundbreaking and enjoyable series…in 2009. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing has changed in the ensuing seven years. Adventure, HO scenes, and puzzles are exactly the same, churned out per the archaic ERS formula and stretched over a ridiculous and poorly developed storyline that bears no relation to the original story arc. This is just a sad attempt to cash in on the series name.
PuppetShow was a groundbreaking and enjoyable series…in 2009. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing has changed in the ensuing seven years. Adventure, HO scenes, and puzzles are exactly the same, churned out per the archaic ERS formula and stretched over a ridiculous and poorly developed storyline that bears no relation to the original story arc. This is just a sad attempt to cash in on the series name.
ONCE UPON A TIME ★
Marjory’s fiancé, James, has been kidnapped by hooded figures wearing, of all things, plague masks. They’ve demanded a high ransom, but her father won’t pay because he doesn’t approve of James. Marjory has called you in to investigate and rescue James while avoiding her father, no idea why.
Marjory’s fiancé, James, has been kidnapped by hooded figures wearing, of all things, plague masks. They’ve demanded a high ransom, but her father won’t pay because he doesn’t approve of James. Marjory has called you in to investigate and rescue James while avoiding her father, no idea why.
Irrationality abounds, including the mask-wearing kidnappers inexplicably having a getaway vehicle when their destination is two buildings away. And being such poor drivers that they attempt to travel that distance by peeling out, resulting in a collision with a fire hydrant. One of them attempts to fight you—using both his hands—while he’s standing atop a ladder. They manage to capture Marjory and tie her up, but don’t kidnap her, thus ensuring their ransom. If they’re that incompetent, this case should be easy.
PLAY THE GAME ★
Adventure mode finds you doing exactly the same tasks you did in the last game ERS released: using a magnet to acquire an item behind a broken window, magically finding everything you need right when you need it (including a ladder, a fire hose, pliers that cut chain, and a random screw to fix said pliers that amazingly fits), being afraid to get your hands dirty, and being the worst-prepared detective ever (no light source or tools).
(Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
Adventure mode finds you doing exactly the same tasks you did in the last game ERS released: using a magnet to acquire an item behind a broken window, magically finding everything you need right when you need it (including a ladder, a fire hose, pliers that cut chain, and a random screw to fix said pliers that amazingly fits), being afraid to get your hands dirty, and being the worst-prepared detective ever (no light source or tools).
(Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
HO Scenes I encountered included place items in the scene and three-panel FROG. (Level of challenge: medium. Fun factor: medium.)
Puzzles were all simplistic and exactly the same as in every ERS game:
• Exchange four pins until they’re in the correct places based on matching their symbols. (LoC: none. FF: mind-numbingly dull.)
• End the game with more chips than your opponent. Moving one space gives you an additional chip. Moving two spaces merely moves the chip. Move adjacent to your opponent’s chip to change his chips to yours. (LoC: low. FF: tedious.)
• Exchange four pins until they’re in the correct places based on matching their symbols. (LoC: none. FF: mind-numbingly dull.)
• End the game with more chips than your opponent. Moving one space gives you an additional chip. Moving two spaces merely moves the chip. Move adjacent to your opponent’s chip to change his chips to yours. (LoC: low. FF: tedious.)
SIGHTSEEING ★★★★
• Scenery - Hand-painted scenery with a darker palette, but a decent amount of detail work and good depth of field.
• Up close - Lots of detail, but the level of realism varied.
• NPCs - Hand-drawn, but well-articulated and lifelike in movement.
• Cutscene Animation - Done well, especially the puppets.
• Zoom Scene Animation - Smooth and realistic.
• Scenery - Hand-painted scenery with a darker palette, but a decent amount of detail work and good depth of field.
• Up close - Lots of detail, but the level of realism varied.
• NPCs - Hand-drawn, but well-articulated and lifelike in movement.
• Cutscene Animation - Done well, especially the puppets.
• Zoom Scene Animation - Smooth and realistic.
SOUNDBOARD ★★★
• Music - Somewhat repetitive, mostly strings.
• Environmental Sounds - Honestly, the music overwhelmed environmental sounds.
• Game Sounds - Not overly annoying.
• Voiceovers - Good affect and delivery.
• Music - Somewhat repetitive, mostly strings.
• Environmental Sounds - Honestly, the music overwhelmed environmental sounds.
• Game Sounds - Not overly annoying.
• Voiceovers - Good affect and delivery.
TOOLBOX ★★★
• Inventory Panel - Locks open, but only shows six items at a time and arrows only move one item at a time, rather than functioning as “page down” and “page up” buttons.
• Map - A work of art and fully interactive.
• Journal - None.
• Helper - A feral-looking mechanical cat who can provide light, access small spaces, and can’t be harmed by electricity.
• Gimmick - None.
• Inventory Panel - Locks open, but only shows six items at a time and arrows only move one item at a time, rather than functioning as “page down” and “page up” buttons.
• Map - A work of art and fully interactive.
• Journal - None.
• Helper - A feral-looking mechanical cat who can provide light, access small spaces, and can’t be harmed by electricity.
• Gimmick - None.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6. However, mouse response was extremely slow.
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6. However, mouse response was extremely slow.
OOH! PIECE OF CANDY ★★★★
• Bonus Chapter - What would you do for love?
• Strategy Guide - Yes.
• Collectibles - Not very hidden puppets, and not many of them.
• Morphing Objects - No.
• Replay HO Scenes - Yes.
• Replay Puzzles - Yes.
• Performance Achievements - Yes.
• Developer’s Portfolio - Wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks.
• Bonus Chapter - What would you do for love?
• Strategy Guide - Yes.
• Collectibles - Not very hidden puppets, and not many of them.
• Morphing Objects - No.
• Replay HO Scenes - Yes.
• Replay Puzzles - Yes.
• Performance Achievements - Yes.
• Developer’s Portfolio - Wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks.
EPILOGUE - Overall Rating: (16 total ★) ÷ 6 = 2.6 ★ (rounded to ★★½)
I can’t recommend this one. The storyline is ridiculous and moves at a snail’s pace, and the gameplay is, again, far too easy. Plus, most of the gameplay in this game is cribbed from other ERS games. Why should anyone pay for a game that offers the exact same puzzles? Innovate or fade away, ERS. You should be ashamed to release a game that’s no different from one you released seven years ago.
I can’t recommend this one. The storyline is ridiculous and moves at a snail’s pace, and the gameplay is, again, far too easy. Plus, most of the gameplay in this game is cribbed from other ERS games. Why should anyone pay for a game that offers the exact same puzzles? Innovate or fade away, ERS. You should be ashamed to release a game that’s no different from one you released seven years ago.
RECOMMENDED BY THIS DEV (★★★★ or above, based on my rating at game’s release)
From this series:
Mystery of Joyville ★★★★ 2009
Souls of the Innocent CE ★★★★ 2010
Return to Joyville CE ★★★★ 2012
The Price of Immortality CE ★★★★ 2015
From this series:
Mystery of Joyville ★★★★ 2009
Souls of the Innocent CE ★★★★ 2010
Return to Joyville CE ★★★★ 2012
The Price of Immortality CE ★★★★ 2015
From Redemption Cemetery:
Salvation of the Lost CE ★★★★ 2013
Clock of Fate CE ★★★★½ 2015
Salvation of the Lost CE ★★★★ 2013
Clock of Fate CE ★★★★½ 2015
One-Offs:
Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE ★★★★★ 2012
Reveries: Sisterly Love CE ★★★★ 2013
Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE ★★★★★ 2012
Reveries: Sisterly Love CE ★★★★ 2013
I don't recommend this game.
Reunite the Dragon and Phoenix Kingdoms to stop the evil witch!
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
2½ stars...undeveloped storyline, repetitive and simple gameplay, horrible acting
PostedSeptember 13, 2016
LunaNik
fromJust another formulaic ERS game. Plug in the same puzzles with new graphics, add a minimal soundtrack, throw in cutrate animation and non-actor voiceovers, and call it a day.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
REVIEW BASED ON completed game + bonus chapter + extras
I CURRENTLY OWN 504 computer games.
PROLOGUE
I bought this game based on the demo, which had promise, and the fact that I have most of the rest of the series. Unfortunately, it sprinted downhill soon after the demo ended in nearly every area.
I bought this game based on the demo, which had promise, and the fact that I have most of the rest of the series. Unfortunately, it sprinted downhill soon after the demo ended in nearly every area.
ONCE UPON A TIME ★
Isa, the seemingly invincible minion of dark forces, has returned with a new scheme. As a child, your dear friend, Princess of the Kingdom of the Black Unicorn, falls deathly ill. Isa saves her life after exacting a promise from her father, the King, for her hand in marriage when she is grown. Isa’s motive, ostensibly, is to take over the kingdom legitimately as part of a larger plot…which is never revealed to us.
Isa, the seemingly invincible minion of dark forces, has returned with a new scheme. As a child, your dear friend, Princess of the Kingdom of the Black Unicorn, falls deathly ill. Isa saves her life after exacting a promise from her father, the King, for her hand in marriage when she is grown. Isa’s motive, ostensibly, is to take over the kingdom legitimately as part of a larger plot…which is never revealed to us.
The ending is abrupt, and the larger storyline—that of the dark force Isa serves and the scheme of which controlling the Black Unicorn kingdom is only part—is never developed at all. Which leaves the storyline as a simple “rescue a friend in trouble.” We never learn why Isa needs to be the legitimate king. He’s evil, right? Why not just commit regicide and have done with it? We never learn who the real bad guy is, or what the bigger scheme is. There’s a lot that’s left unexplained. And there’s no denouement.
PLAY THE GAME ★★
Adventure mode: Lots and lots of shaped insets to find and use, quite a few potions to create and things to assemble, and several people to repeatedly rescue from Isa’s mischief. Nothing groundbreaking, quite a bit that was repetitive, and any challenge was simply in the fact that it was unclear what was supposed to be done. (Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
PLAY THE GAME ★★
Adventure mode: Lots and lots of shaped insets to find and use, quite a few potions to create and things to assemble, and several people to repeatedly rescue from Isa’s mischief. Nothing groundbreaking, quite a bit that was repetitive, and any challenge was simply in the fact that it was unclear what was supposed to be done. (Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
HO Scenes don’t offer much variation and each scene is visited twice. Most are minimally interactive list. Others include:
• all of one object (e.g. 12 skulls)
• place objects in scene (but not find and replace)
• silhouettes
• find and use (only one scene)
(Level of challenge: medium. Fun factor: medium.)
• all of one object (e.g. 12 skulls)
• place objects in scene (but not find and replace)
• silhouettes
• find and use (only one scene)
(Level of challenge: medium. Fun factor: medium.)
Puzzles are all familiar and none are difficult. They include:
• Slide three gems to their goals. Gems slide until they meet an obstacle. (LoC: low. FF: medium.)
• Move your king figurines to fill more spaces than the dragon figurines. Moving one space adds a figurine. Moving adjacent to any dragon changes it to a king. (LoC: medium. FF: medium.)
• A grid contains a number of unicorn-shaped tokens. Jump them over each other vertically, horizontally, and diagonally until only one is left. (LoC: medium. FF: medium.)
• A medallion contains four fragmented designs. Two are already completed, sadly. Complete the remaining two, swapping pieces for one and rotating pieces for the other. (LoC: low. FF: low.)
• Grow a magic vine by playing Match-3. Some icons will make the vine grow; others will reduce it. (LoC: low. FF: low.)
There are also a couple of jigsaw puzzles (LoC: dishwashing. FF: dental cleaning.) and a lock with three “exchange the colored balls to their correct goals” (LoC: getting dressed. FF: vacuuming.).
• Slide three gems to their goals. Gems slide until they meet an obstacle. (LoC: low. FF: medium.)
• Move your king figurines to fill more spaces than the dragon figurines. Moving one space adds a figurine. Moving adjacent to any dragon changes it to a king. (LoC: medium. FF: medium.)
• A grid contains a number of unicorn-shaped tokens. Jump them over each other vertically, horizontally, and diagonally until only one is left. (LoC: medium. FF: medium.)
• A medallion contains four fragmented designs. Two are already completed, sadly. Complete the remaining two, swapping pieces for one and rotating pieces for the other. (LoC: low. FF: low.)
• Grow a magic vine by playing Match-3. Some icons will make the vine grow; others will reduce it. (LoC: low. FF: low.)
There are also a couple of jigsaw puzzles (LoC: dishwashing. FF: dental cleaning.) and a lock with three “exchange the colored balls to their correct goals” (LoC: getting dressed. FF: vacuuming.).
SIGHTSEEING ★★★
• Scenery - Backgrounds are charmingly hand-painted, reminiscent of a storybook. Details aren’t lacking, and depth of field is appropriate so scenes don’t appear flattened. Jewel tones abound, but are not overwhelming. The depiction of light is mostly realistic, but with a few surreal blues and greens that are jarring.
• Up close - Items up close have lovely texture, and light and shadow are used well here, with surfaces absorbing or reflecting appropriately.
• NPCs - Hand-painted and relatively static. They don’t move realistically at all. When they walk, they glide across the floor. None of them ever change their facial expressions: Isa keeps his smirk while the rest appear to be emotionally dead. Lip synching is unnatural.
• Cutscene Animation - Not great. A low frame rate makes it appear too stop motion.
• Zoom Scene Animation - Much better than full screen, as it has a higher frame rate and, thus, appears more realistic.
• Scenery - Backgrounds are charmingly hand-painted, reminiscent of a storybook. Details aren’t lacking, and depth of field is appropriate so scenes don’t appear flattened. Jewel tones abound, but are not overwhelming. The depiction of light is mostly realistic, but with a few surreal blues and greens that are jarring.
• Up close - Items up close have lovely texture, and light and shadow are used well here, with surfaces absorbing or reflecting appropriately.
• NPCs - Hand-painted and relatively static. They don’t move realistically at all. When they walk, they glide across the floor. None of them ever change their facial expressions: Isa keeps his smirk while the rest appear to be emotionally dead. Lip synching is unnatural.
• Cutscene Animation - Not great. A low frame rate makes it appear too stop motion.
• Zoom Scene Animation - Much better than full screen, as it has a higher frame rate and, thus, appears more realistic.
SOUNDBOARD ★
• Music - Since there are only four compositions, and all feature strings, it becomes repetitive. I ended up turning it off. “The Journey to the Lost City” starts out beautifully on acoustic guitar, then heavy strings begin and ruin it. Oddly, “Lilian, the Last Princess of Arken” includes horror movie violins. And “Chains of Promise” and “They Mystery of the Black Unicorn Kingdom” sound alike.
• Environmental Sounds - Quite good, especially if you do turn the music off.
• Game Sounds - The “ta-da” sound every time I found something became a tad annoying.
• Voiceovers - Really awful, with the sole exception of Isa. The rest of the cast sounded like robots: completely emotionless and detached, reading their lines in monotones with an odd cadence.
• Music - Since there are only four compositions, and all feature strings, it becomes repetitive. I ended up turning it off. “The Journey to the Lost City” starts out beautifully on acoustic guitar, then heavy strings begin and ruin it. Oddly, “Lilian, the Last Princess of Arken” includes horror movie violins. And “Chains of Promise” and “They Mystery of the Black Unicorn Kingdom” sound alike.
• Environmental Sounds - Quite good, especially if you do turn the music off.
• Game Sounds - The “ta-da” sound every time I found something became a tad annoying.
• Voiceovers - Really awful, with the sole exception of Isa. The rest of the cast sounded like robots: completely emotionless and detached, reading their lines in monotones with an odd cadence.
TOOLBOX ★★★★
• Inventory Panel - Locks open and includes plus items. Arrows only move one item at a time, and I wish devs would standardize the arrows functioning like “page down” and “page up” buttons.
• Map - Fully interactive transporter map.
• Journal - None, and none is necessary.
• Helper - Thankfully, no.
• Gimmick - Yes, but it’s only used for half the game, which contributes to making this game feel unfinished. It’s a magic mirror. Whenever you see a red gargoyle outline, grab the mirror and look in the scene for six white gargoyle outlines, then use the mirror on the red one and a secret will be revealed.
• Inventory Panel - Locks open and includes plus items. Arrows only move one item at a time, and I wish devs would standardize the arrows functioning like “page down” and “page up” buttons.
• Map - Fully interactive transporter map.
• Journal - None, and none is necessary.
• Helper - Thankfully, no.
• Gimmick - Yes, but it’s only used for half the game, which contributes to making this game feel unfinished. It’s a magic mirror. Whenever you see a red gargoyle outline, grab the mirror and look in the scene for six white gargoyle outlines, then use the mirror on the red one and a secret will be revealed.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6. This might be a minor bug: it took forever to find the sweet spot to be able to rotate the pieces in the map jigsaw puzzle. This might be a major bug: I got out of the prison without ever making the key for the door…just by using the map. At the end of the game, I still had all the items to make the key in my inventory, as well as several other unused items.
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6. This might be a minor bug: it took forever to find the sweet spot to be able to rotate the pieces in the map jigsaw puzzle. This might be a major bug: I got out of the prison without ever making the key for the door…just by using the map. At the end of the game, I still had all the items to make the key in my inventory, as well as several other unused items.
OOH! PIECE OF CANDY ★★★★
• Bonus Chapter - The dark force takes over Lilian, and you need Isa’s help to free her. Can he be trusted? Also ends abruptly.
• Strategy Guide - Yes, with a table of contents.
• Collectibles - Wax seal stamps that you can actually stamp. If you collect all 24, you activate an infinite Match-3 game.
• Morphing Objects - No
• Replay HO Scenes - Yes, 25 of them.
• Replay Puzzles - Yes, 11 of them.
• Performance Achievements - Yes, but most are merely functions of playing the game.
• Developer’s Portfolio - 9 wallpapers, 4 screensavers, 4 soundtracks, 9 pieces of concept art, replay 17 cutscenes
• Bonus Chapter - The dark force takes over Lilian, and you need Isa’s help to free her. Can he be trusted? Also ends abruptly.
• Strategy Guide - Yes, with a table of contents.
• Collectibles - Wax seal stamps that you can actually stamp. If you collect all 24, you activate an infinite Match-3 game.
• Morphing Objects - No
• Replay HO Scenes - Yes, 25 of them.
• Replay Puzzles - Yes, 11 of them.
• Performance Achievements - Yes, but most are merely functions of playing the game.
• Developer’s Portfolio - 9 wallpapers, 4 screensavers, 4 soundtracks, 9 pieces of concept art, replay 17 cutscenes
EPILOGUE - Overall Rating: (15 total ★) ÷ 6 = ★★½
While this might have been a ★★★★ game in 2010, it doesn’t reach the bar set by other devs in the intervening years in the areas of graphics, animation, music, gameplay, and overall production. This game relies on the series name and the dev’s prior reputation…and it doesn’t live up to either one.
While this might have been a ★★★★ game in 2010, it doesn’t reach the bar set by other devs in the intervening years in the areas of graphics, animation, music, gameplay, and overall production. This game relies on the series name and the dev’s prior reputation…and it doesn’t live up to either one.
RECOMMENDED BY THIS DEV (★★★★ or above, based on my rating at game’s release)
Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE - 2012
PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville - 2009
PuppetShow: Souls of the Innocent CE - 2010
PuppetShow: Return to Joyville CE - 2012
PuppetShow: The Price of Immortality CE - 2015
Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost CE - 2013
Redemption Cemetery: Clock of Fate CE - 2015
Reveries: Sisterly Love CE - 2013
Spirits of Mystery: Amber Maiden - 2011
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix CE - 2012
Spirits of Mystery: The Silver Arrow CE - 2013
Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE - 2012
PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville - 2009
PuppetShow: Souls of the Innocent CE - 2010
PuppetShow: Return to Joyville CE - 2012
PuppetShow: The Price of Immortality CE - 2015
Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost CE - 2013
Redemption Cemetery: Clock of Fate CE - 2015
Reveries: Sisterly Love CE - 2013
Spirits of Mystery: Amber Maiden - 2011
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix CE - 2012
Spirits of Mystery: The Silver Arrow CE - 2013
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your best friend before it's too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
35 of 44 found this review helpful
This is getting ridiculous.
PostedSeptember 10, 2016
LunaNik
fromEipix has, apparently, ceased "creating worlds" in favor of creating mediocrity.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
REVIEW BASED ON full demo
I CURRENTLY OWN 504 computer games.
PROLOGUE
With the notable exception of two original and somewhat challenging puzzles, Ominous Obsession is a rehash of the overwhelming majority of Eipix games that have been released in the past year. The storyline is nearly nonexistent, and gameplay is simplistic and repetitive. Been there, done that…and at this point, I wouldn’t wear the t-shirt if you paid me.
With the notable exception of two original and somewhat challenging puzzles, Ominous Obsession is a rehash of the overwhelming majority of Eipix games that have been released in the past year. The storyline is nearly nonexistent, and gameplay is simplistic and repetitive. Been there, done that…and at this point, I wouldn’t wear the t-shirt if you paid me.
ONCE UPON A TIME ★
Your best friend Maria is supposed to travel via ship to America to become a movie star. You’re at the dock to see her off, but realize she forgot her passport. As you board the ship to return it to her, you witness her being kidnapped and manage to follow the trail to a theater, where it appears as if cult activity is going on…or maybe they’re just rehearsing a play.
Your best friend Maria is supposed to travel via ship to America to become a movie star. You’re at the dock to see her off, but realize she forgot her passport. As you board the ship to return it to her, you witness her being kidnapped and manage to follow the trail to a theater, where it appears as if cult activity is going on…or maybe they’re just rehearsing a play.
In the hour demo, the plot remained thin, confusing, and poorly developed to the point that I didn’t care what happened. Sorry, but if you can’t capture my interest in an hour, you’ve failed to write a proper exposition.
PLAY THE GAME ★★
Adventure - Lots of the usual hackneyed and illogical devices:
• the dreaded missing zipper pull (Getting old, devs.),
• the rusty hinges that magically become brand new with oil (Ever try that? Yeah, you get oily rust.),
• the magnet to get something metal from a cabinet with a glass front (Surprise! Not all metal is magnetic.),
• shaped keys to fit inset “locks,” (So much nope.),
• broken things that need repairing (On a ship about to set sail across the Atlantic?!),
• incomplete items, etc. (Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
Adventure - Lots of the usual hackneyed and illogical devices:
• the dreaded missing zipper pull (Getting old, devs.),
• the rusty hinges that magically become brand new with oil (Ever try that? Yeah, you get oily rust.),
• the magnet to get something metal from a cabinet with a glass front (Surprise! Not all metal is magnetic.),
• shaped keys to fit inset “locks,” (So much nope.),
• broken things that need repairing (On a ship about to set sail across the Atlantic?!),
• incomplete items, etc. (Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
HO Scenes - Quite a bit of variety but, in the end, they’re still “unhidden object scenes.”
• Find five of each, then use those to unlock interactive list panels.
• Matching pairs.
• Riddles.
• Straight interactive list.
• Silhouette find and use that included a zoomed area matching pairs (with really badly drawn pictures).
You can play Match-3 instead; for each Eipix logo you get to the bottom of the grid, one object is “found.” (Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
• Find five of each, then use those to unlock interactive list panels.
• Matching pairs.
• Riddles.
• Straight interactive list.
• Silhouette find and use that included a zoomed area matching pairs (with really badly drawn pictures).
You can play Match-3 instead; for each Eipix logo you get to the bottom of the grid, one object is “found.” (Level of challenge: low. Fun factor: low.)
Puzzles - Throwaway, stupidly easy puzzles included:
• rotating parts of a gate until the two sides matched,
• finding multiple icons on a map,
• turning four lion heads until they faced the center (moving one did NOT affect others),
• clicking jigsaw pieces in the correct order,
• moving musical notes to mirror the given clue.
There were only two that were original and offered a modicum of a challenge.
• On a map with three ships and marked shipping lanes, move each ship to its destination. Ships can only move along shipping lanes that match their flags, and moving a ship through a marked point changes that point’s flag. This puzzle required strategy and was actually fun.
• A loom is partially woven with patterned ribbons. Add ribbons vertically and horizontally so that the topmost ribbon you add matches the pattern already in place. Again, this one required a bit of planning and was fun.
These two puzzles are the sole reason gameplay got two stars instead of one.
• rotating parts of a gate until the two sides matched,
• finding multiple icons on a map,
• turning four lion heads until they faced the center (moving one did NOT affect others),
• clicking jigsaw pieces in the correct order,
• moving musical notes to mirror the given clue.
There were only two that were original and offered a modicum of a challenge.
• On a map with three ships and marked shipping lanes, move each ship to its destination. Ships can only move along shipping lanes that match their flags, and moving a ship through a marked point changes that point’s flag. This puzzle required strategy and was actually fun.
• A loom is partially woven with patterned ribbons. Add ribbons vertically and horizontally so that the topmost ribbon you add matches the pattern already in place. Again, this one required a bit of planning and was fun.
These two puzzles are the sole reason gameplay got two stars instead of one.
SIGHTSEEING ★★
• Scenery - Apparently, we’re back to the nauseating “all light sources are neon” trend. Most scenes appeared unrealistic because the light was not realistic. Twilight skies aren’t purple, sunsets aren’t usually Pepto Bismol pink, and streets at night aren’t blue.
• Up close - Textures were rendered well, including reflective surfaces.
• NPCs - Generally drawn fairly well, but the animation was cut-rate.
• Cutscene Animation - Grainy and pixellated on my large screen HD monitor, with inconsistent quality. At times, the articulation and movement of the NPCs was spot on, as if green-screened (like the winding of the music box and the shadow figure dancing). Most times, it was non-human and stop-motion in quality (like Maria waving goodbye…her arm looks like it’s on backwards).
• Zoom Scene Animation - Pro forma at best, it had none of the smooth, realistic animation Eipix usually produces.
• Scenery - Apparently, we’re back to the nauseating “all light sources are neon” trend. Most scenes appeared unrealistic because the light was not realistic. Twilight skies aren’t purple, sunsets aren’t usually Pepto Bismol pink, and streets at night aren’t blue.
• Up close - Textures were rendered well, including reflective surfaces.
• NPCs - Generally drawn fairly well, but the animation was cut-rate.
• Cutscene Animation - Grainy and pixellated on my large screen HD monitor, with inconsistent quality. At times, the articulation and movement of the NPCs was spot on, as if green-screened (like the winding of the music box and the shadow figure dancing). Most times, it was non-human and stop-motion in quality (like Maria waving goodbye…her arm looks like it’s on backwards).
• Zoom Scene Animation - Pro forma at best, it had none of the smooth, realistic animation Eipix usually produces.
SOUNDBOARD ★
• Music - Overly dramatic and repetitive. I turned it off.
• Environmental Sounds - Mostly lacking, unfortunately.
• Game Sounds - Appropriate and mostly not annoying.
• Voiceovers - Amateurish. Either stilted and lacking affect or melodramatic.
• Music - Overly dramatic and repetitive. I turned it off.
• Environmental Sounds - Mostly lacking, unfortunately.
• Game Sounds - Appropriate and mostly not annoying.
• Voiceovers - Amateurish. Either stilted and lacking affect or melodramatic.
TOOLBOX ★★
• Inventory Panel - Not really a panel, but a series of circles. Every item animated when you moused over it, which was distracting. The arrows only moved one item at a time, so it took forever to click through, since only five items show at once.
• Map & Navigation - Fully interactive map drawn like a blueprint. Regarding navigation: the sweet spot to go back to a previous location was extremely small and touchy. It was too easy to move past it to either the inventory or the scene.
• Journal - None.
• Helper - None.
• Gimmick - None, at least during the demo.
• Inventory Panel - Not really a panel, but a series of circles. Every item animated when you moused over it, which was distracting. The arrows only moved one item at a time, so it took forever to click through, since only five items show at once.
• Map & Navigation - Fully interactive map drawn like a blueprint. Regarding navigation: the sweet spot to go back to a previous location was extremely small and touchy. It was too easy to move past it to either the inventory or the scene.
• Journal - None.
• Helper - None.
• Gimmick - None, at least during the demo.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties with Mac OS 10.11.6. I did find that there was a great deal of lag at the ends of cutscenes before gameplay would resume, as well as every time the dratted notification banners slid in from the side, which was often.
No technical difficulties with Mac OS 10.11.6. I did find that there was a great deal of lag at the ends of cutscenes before gameplay would resume, as well as every time the dratted notification banners slid in from the side, which was often.
OOH! PIECE OF CANDY ★★★★
• Bonus Chapter - Free Maria, which you apparently don’t do in the main game.
• Strategy Guide - Presumably.
• Collectibles - Easily visible boxes of some type in each scene that allegedly unlock bonus content.
• Morphing Objects - One in each HO scene.
• Replay HO Scenes - Yes.
• Replay Puzzles - Yes.
• Developer’s Portfolio - Wallpapers, soundtracks, concept art, movies.
• Other - Dubious performance achievements, replay Match-3, souvenir room.
• Bonus Chapter - Free Maria, which you apparently don’t do in the main game.
• Strategy Guide - Presumably.
• Collectibles - Easily visible boxes of some type in each scene that allegedly unlock bonus content.
• Morphing Objects - One in each HO scene.
• Replay HO Scenes - Yes.
• Replay Puzzles - Yes.
• Developer’s Portfolio - Wallpapers, soundtracks, concept art, movies.
• Other - Dubious performance achievements, replay Match-3, souvenir room.
EPILOGUE - Overall Rating: (12 total ★) ÷ 6 = ★★
I see no need to spend money on this, because I’m pretty sure I already own several Eipix games exactly like it…and have reviewed and refused to buy dozens more. Much better games by this dev include:
• Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain CE ★★★★¾
• Amaranthine Voyage: The Shadow of Torment ★★★★★
• Dark Parables: The Swan Princess and the Dire Tree ★★★★★
• Myths of the World: Black Rose CE ★★★★½
I see no need to spend money on this, because I’m pretty sure I already own several Eipix games exactly like it…and have reviewed and refused to buy dozens more. Much better games by this dev include:
• Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain CE ★★★★¾
• Amaranthine Voyage: The Shadow of Torment ★★★★★
• Dark Parables: The Swan Princess and the Dire Tree ★★★★★
• Myths of the World: Black Rose CE ★★★★½
I don't recommend this game.
Artifacts are mysteriously disappearing from the museum exhibit. Thread your way through a maze of deceit in this epic Greek Drama!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
Adventure game heaven...absolutely NO hand-holding!
PostedSeptember 10, 2016
LunaNik
fromSad that I've bypassed this series because of its lack of demos. Happy that I've got 30-something challenging games waiting for me!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON full demo
I CURRENTLY OWN 504 computer games.
PROLOGUE
This is my first Nancy Drew game, mainly because they never have demos. Based on playing this demo, I can see I’ve been missing out! There’s absolutely NO hand-holding. Despite that, the game is not impossible. Everything you need to solve its enigmas is just waiting for you to discover it, whether it’s a book given to you by a NPC, a pamphlet posted on a wall, or information you acquire by speaking with someone. The clues are all there…but it’s up to YOU to fire your neurons and put them all together.
This is my first Nancy Drew game, mainly because they never have demos. Based on playing this demo, I can see I’ve been missing out! There’s absolutely NO hand-holding. Despite that, the game is not impossible. Everything you need to solve its enigmas is just waiting for you to discover it, whether it’s a book given to you by a NPC, a pamphlet posted on a wall, or information you acquire by speaking with someone. The clues are all there…but it’s up to YOU to fire your neurons and put them all together.
ONCE UPON A TIME ★★★★★
As Nancy Drew, you’re hired to provide assistance with a highly anticipated museum display featuring ancient Greek artifacts, in combination with a reenactment of the myth of Persephone. Naturally, there’s a mystery afoot: some of the artifacts have disappeared, but it’s not known whether there were mistakes during delivery, or if they’ve been stolen. There are a number of suspects, including the troupe of actors rehearsing nearby, and the numerous museum employees who have either quit or been fired. Can the intrepid Nancy Drew solve yet another mystery?
As Nancy Drew, you’re hired to provide assistance with a highly anticipated museum display featuring ancient Greek artifacts, in combination with a reenactment of the myth of Persephone. Naturally, there’s a mystery afoot: some of the artifacts have disappeared, but it’s not known whether there were mistakes during delivery, or if they’ve been stolen. There are a number of suspects, including the troupe of actors rehearsing nearby, and the numerous museum employees who have either quit or been fired. Can the intrepid Nancy Drew solve yet another mystery?
PLAY THE GAME ★★★★★
Given that we’re actually expected to solve a mystery, the demo is hardly sufficient to provide an idea of what the entire game is like. At first, there’s lots of clue-gathering…items that are added to our inventory to be used later. And there’s quite a bit of interacting with NPCs to acquire information regarding what’s going on. Some might find this tedious, but adventure gamers will be familiar with the protocol.
Given that we’re actually expected to solve a mystery, the demo is hardly sufficient to provide an idea of what the entire game is like. At first, there’s lots of clue-gathering…items that are added to our inventory to be used later. And there’s quite a bit of interacting with NPCs to acquire information regarding what’s going on. Some might find this tedious, but adventure gamers will be familiar with the protocol.
Of the puzzles I encountered, all were enjoyable and extremely challenging. However, they are NOT instruction-inclusive puzzles in the HOPA mode; the clues you’ll need to solve them won’t be found anywhere near the puzzles themselves…you’ll have to assemble all the clues first. Awesome.
• Match the gods’ and goddesses’ symbols with the animals that generally represent them. (You’ll see this puzzle long before you have the info to solve it, which will come from two sources.)
• Given a series of statements, solve the logic puzzle to assign seating for the upcoming play. (You won’t encounter this puzzle until you find the computer’s password.)
• Match the gods’ and goddesses’ symbols with the animals that generally represent them. (You’ll see this puzzle long before you have the info to solve it, which will come from two sources.)
• Given a series of statements, solve the logic puzzle to assign seating for the upcoming play. (You won’t encounter this puzzle until you find the computer’s password.)
In general, think completely outside the box. When all else fails, talk to the NPCs around you, call whoever’s on your phone, and look everywhere for clues. Oh, and you’ll want to actually read every bit of info you acquire, because all of it contains clues.
SIGHTSEEING ★★★★★
• Scenery - Beautifully rendered panoramas and architecture do a great job illustrating the blend of ancient myth and modern society. There’s lovely contrast between the rough, millenia-old stone of the amphitheater and the crisply hewn marble of the museum.
• Up close - Lots of thoughtful detail from wood textures to reflective glass on the phone to fabric folds.
• NPCs - Animated really well, including lip synching, and emoting in both facial expression and bodily gestures.
• Cutscene Animation - Smooth with a high frame rate.
• Zoom Scene Animation - Realistic from turning pages to opening doors.
• Scenery - Beautifully rendered panoramas and architecture do a great job illustrating the blend of ancient myth and modern society. There’s lovely contrast between the rough, millenia-old stone of the amphitheater and the crisply hewn marble of the museum.
• Up close - Lots of thoughtful detail from wood textures to reflective glass on the phone to fabric folds.
• NPCs - Animated really well, including lip synching, and emoting in both facial expression and bodily gestures.
• Cutscene Animation - Smooth with a high frame rate.
• Zoom Scene Animation - Realistic from turning pages to opening doors.
SOUNDBOARD ★★★★★
• Music - What I heard of the music, I liked. It seems to be mostly in the background.
• Environmental Sounds - Excellent, from glass breaking to drawers opening to paper rifling.
• Game Sounds - Appropriate, not intrusive.
• Voiceovers - Really professional, including accents and affect.
• Music - What I heard of the music, I liked. It seems to be mostly in the background.
• Environmental Sounds - Excellent, from glass breaking to drawers opening to paper rifling.
• Game Sounds - Appropriate, not intrusive.
• Voiceovers - Really professional, including accents and affect.
TOOLBOX ★★★★★
• Inventory Panel - Stays open. A small eye superimposed on an item indicates that it provides information.
• Map - I didn’t see one, but there may be one.
• Journal - To the right of the inventory is an area with both “notes” and a “task list.” Click the tabs to switch between them.
• Helper - You’re on your own!
• Gimmick - You do have a cellphone, but it’s integral to the game since you use it to contact people for info, take photos, etc.
• Inventory Panel - Stays open. A small eye superimposed on an item indicates that it provides information.
• Map - I didn’t see one, but there may be one.
• Journal - To the right of the inventory is an area with both “notes” and a “task list.” Click the tabs to switch between them.
• Helper - You’re on your own!
• Gimmick - You do have a cellphone, but it’s integral to the game since you use it to contact people for info, take photos, etc.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6.
No technical difficulties, lags, or annoyances with Mac OS 10.11.6.
EPILOGUE - Overall Rating: (25 total ★) ÷ 5 = ★★★★★
It doesn’t happen often, but I’m going with five stars on this one. Excellent, intuitive, and challenging gameplay. Terrific storyline. Gorgeous graphics and lovely music. Superb voiceovers and characterization. This is how it’s done. Looks like I have a very long and enjoyable game series to explore. Happy gaming, fishies!
It doesn’t happen often, but I’m going with five stars on this one. Excellent, intuitive, and challenging gameplay. Terrific storyline. Gorgeous graphics and lovely music. Superb voiceovers and characterization. This is how it’s done. Looks like I have a very long and enjoyable game series to explore. Happy gaming, fishies!
I recommend this game!
What secrets are hidden in the legendary McCordan Library?
Overall rating
2
/
5
92 of 108 found this review helpful
Vapid, poorly developed storyline and unchallenging, boring gameplay. Again.
PostedSeptember 8, 2016
LunaNik
fromWould some devs out there PLEASE make games for thinking adults?! WithOUT jigsaw puzzles!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I really, truly wanted to love this game because the storyline is totally in my wheelhouse. Alternate universes inside of books? Yes, please! It's been explored as a game theme before, most notably in the Myst series, but also in Azada and many others. And there's a reason for this, as any avid reader will tell you. Open a book, and you ARE in an alternate universe, at least as long as you're reading.
Unfortunately, Sinister Knowledge was dragged down by a badly developed storyline. Teams of government experts couldn't find the allegedly secret library, and we waltz in and discover it within ten minutes? Because we just happen to have the exact same runes that unlock it already in our notebook? Given the sophistication of government intelligence in 2016, not one agent uncovered Englund's duplicity? Come on!
Gameplay was, once again, overly simplistic and nothing we haven't seen a gazillion times.
• Push four buttons in the correct order by trial and error. (Fun factor: root canal. Level of challenge: tic-tac-toe.)
• Set a clock to the correct time following the clue. (Fun factor: hangnail. Level of challenge: tying your shoe.)
• A version of "all lights on." (Fun factor: stubbing your toe. Level of challenge: spelling your name.)
• A jigsaw puzzle, no piece rotation required. (Fun factor: getting gum out of your hair. Level of challenge: breathing.)
• Push four buttons in the correct order by trial and error. (Fun factor: root canal. Level of challenge: tic-tac-toe.)
• Set a clock to the correct time following the clue. (Fun factor: hangnail. Level of challenge: tying your shoe.)
• A version of "all lights on." (Fun factor: stubbing your toe. Level of challenge: spelling your name.)
• A jigsaw puzzle, no piece rotation required. (Fun factor: getting gum out of your hair. Level of challenge: breathing.)
No, no, a thousand times NO. If you're making games for adults, as the storyline would seem to indicate, the gameplay must challenge adults. If you wish to keep including elementary puzzles that grade school children can solve, then develop games for children.
If I seem like I'm being mean, it's because I'm angry that I'm expected to shell out cash on garbage like this. I own more than 500 computer games; I’m not new to this.
And it’s not me. Looking back on my reviews over the years, it’s clear that fewer fun and challenging games are being developed. In 2013, I gave ★★★★★ to 13 games, ★★★★½ to 5 games, and ★★★★ to 40 games! This year, those numbers are down to 5, 4, and 3. (Last year, they were 5, 3, and 5 for the entire year.)
Think back, fishies, and compare the games you’ve loved with those being churned out one after another today…all alike. You can’t tell me that this game is even remotely in the same class as “Drawn: The Painted Tower” or anything in the MCF series. We deserve better. Demand better. Or keep giving simple jigsaw puzzles ★★★★★ and that’s all we’ll ever get.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the secret of the Qin dynasty?
Overall rating
1
/
5
26 of 38 found this review helpful
1½ stars. The demo certainly seemed eternal.
PostedSeptember 5, 2016
LunaNik
fromEipix, you can do better. We know this, because you HAVE done better. Stop churning out a game a week with the same old garbage and start creating again.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
• Too many gadgets that cue time-wasting animation, including the drone and the map, which was horrible.
• Not enough actual gameplay. In 45 minutes, there were only two HO scenes and a handful of puzzles.
• NPCs that constantly interrupt with irrelevant comments.
• No gameplay that's challenging. All the puzzles were suitable for elementary schoolchildren, not adults. Jigsaw puzzles with a dozen pieces are no challenge, especially when the pieces don't even have to be rotated. Arranging a two-dimensional armature to match the clue right next to it is no challenge. Randomly guessing a pattern of four is no challenge.
• Storyline moved at a snail's pace and wasn't intriguing. Characters were not relatable; they had no affect in their voices or facial expressions.
Better games by Eipix:
Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain CE - 4¾ stars
Amaranthine Voyage: The Shadow of Torment CE - 5 stars
Dark Parables: The Swan Princess and the Dire Tree CE - 5 stars
Myths of the World: Black Rose CE - 4½ stars
Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain CE - 4¾ stars
Amaranthine Voyage: The Shadow of Torment CE - 5 stars
Dark Parables: The Swan Princess and the Dire Tree CE - 5 stars
Myths of the World: Black Rose CE - 4½ stars
I don't recommend this game.
Can you bring peace to the kingdoms in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 63 found this review helpful
Lord of Wicked Awesome...Madhead does it again!
PostedSeptember 3, 2016
LunaNik
fromQueen Valera is conquering the elements, one by one. Flame, ice, wind...I can't wait to see where she's going next! Will it be a water kingdom?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON
full demo, definitely purchasing as soon as I find a second CE for the sale
full demo, definitely purchasing as soon as I find a second CE for the sale
I CURRENTLY OWN
493 computer games
493 computer games
ONCE UPON A TIME - 5 stars
Queen of Flames was Valera’s coming of age trial, while Princess of Ice was Valera’s first quest as Queen. Now, her wisdom and resourcefulness will be tested again. A saboteur wreaks havoc on the pending peace treaty between Queen Valera and King Harlan of the Sky Kingdom. After generations of war, the two leaders wish peace, but are both anxious about trusting the other.
Queen of Flames was Valera’s coming of age trial, while Princess of Ice was Valera’s first quest as Queen. Now, her wisdom and resourcefulness will be tested again. A saboteur wreaks havoc on the pending peace treaty between Queen Valera and King Harlan of the Sky Kingdom. After generations of war, the two leaders wish peace, but are both anxious about trusting the other.
Just as the proceedings are coming to a close, both leaders believe the other has effected a double cross, and the war resumes. Valera heads off to drain the heart of the wind, but ends up uncovering the traitor. She and Harlan call a truce while she goes on her real quest: a journey into the heart of the jungle to capture the essence of magic itself, defeat the traitor, and save both kingdoms. And, with a little luck, the peace treaty.
PLAY THE GAME - 4 stars
Adventure mode consists of common sense actions, a breath of fresh air from the illogical nonsense we’ve been asked to do in games of late. Things aren’t gratuitously broken or missing parts…unless war destruction or decay has naturally caused it. While there are shaped inlays, they mostly relate to puzzles, not locks.
Adventure mode consists of common sense actions, a breath of fresh air from the illogical nonsense we’ve been asked to do in games of late. Things aren’t gratuitously broken or missing parts…unless war destruction or decay has naturally caused it. While there are shaped inlays, they mostly relate to puzzles, not locks.
Once again, HO scenes are incredibly varied and each includes a morphing object. During the demo alone, I encountered an interactive list where each object was hiding a fragment, find symbols in the books and scrolls on a shelf, silhouettes presented in a unique format, a recipe where each directive contained an object to find plus an action to take, find two parts of each rune shown, and a repeating one where you find multiples in three scenes while hearing the backstory. So, in my hour demo, there was no repetition of HO scene type…that’s epic!
Of the five puzzles I saw, two were easy, two were of medium difficulty, and the repeating one progressed in difficulty. I’m hoping that means they become more difficult as the game goes on. Here they are:
• Rotate three circles to the correct positions; moving one affects the others (easy, low fun factor).
• In the mosaic, choose the correct birds to color in, then flow the two colors to them by clicking the mosaic pieces to allow or disallow paint flow (medium difficulty, medium fun factor).
• Complete four simple mazes which become parts for a larger maze in which you must move the light to the goal without touching the sides (medium difficulty, medium fun factor).
• Variously sized fish are arrayed at the top of the board, each attached to a line. Their goals are at the bottom. In the middle, the fish lines are a tangled mess. Rearrange the fish at the top so that they’re in the correct order from large to small (easy, medium fun factor).
• A repeating puzzle every time Valera shoots an arrow: move the blocks aside to clear a path for the arrow (progresses in difficulty, low to medium fun factor).
• Rotate three circles to the correct positions; moving one affects the others (easy, low fun factor).
• In the mosaic, choose the correct birds to color in, then flow the two colors to them by clicking the mosaic pieces to allow or disallow paint flow (medium difficulty, medium fun factor).
• Complete four simple mazes which become parts for a larger maze in which you must move the light to the goal without touching the sides (medium difficulty, medium fun factor).
• Variously sized fish are arrayed at the top of the board, each attached to a line. Their goals are at the bottom. In the middle, the fish lines are a tangled mess. Rearrange the fish at the top so that they’re in the correct order from large to small (easy, medium fun factor).
• A repeating puzzle every time Valera shoots an arrow: move the blocks aside to clear a path for the arrow (progresses in difficulty, low to medium fun factor).
SIGHTSEEING - 5 stars
Stunning visuals have been a hallmark of this series, and this episode is no different. Each scene is enchantingly handpainted with rich color and detail. NPCs are drawn realistically and move in a lifelike manner. Close-ups are so dimensional that they’re almost tactile, with beautiful textures. Even the sepia-toned backstory scenes are gorgeously drawn. And the animation is extremely well done.
Stunning visuals have been a hallmark of this series, and this episode is no different. Each scene is enchantingly handpainted with rich color and detail. NPCs are drawn realistically and move in a lifelike manner. Close-ups are so dimensional that they’re almost tactile, with beautiful textures. Even the sepia-toned backstory scenes are gorgeously drawn. And the animation is extremely well done.
SOUNDBOARD - 5 stars
Whoever is composing the music for this series is brilliant. There’s amazing variety, but each piece is lovely whether it’s orchestral, choir voices, small ensemble, or single instrument. One piece reminded me of chamber music, while another would have been appropriate in an epic movie. I definitely recommend downloading it; I always do. (If you choose quieter, ambient pieces, game music makes a wonderful bedtime playlist. Totally serious. I play mine every night on shuffle.)
Whoever is composing the music for this series is brilliant. There’s amazing variety, but each piece is lovely whether it’s orchestral, choir voices, small ensemble, or single instrument. One piece reminded me of chamber music, while another would have been appropriate in an epic movie. I definitely recommend downloading it; I always do. (If you choose quieter, ambient pieces, game music makes a wonderful bedtime playlist. Totally serious. I play mine every night on shuffle.)
Environmental sounds are truly awesome; every scene has appropriate sounds to match its scenery. Game sounds are sufficient as notifications, but unobtrusive enough that they don’t disturb immersion. And voiceovers, once again, are superb. (I’m running out of superlatives.)
TOOLBOX - 5 stars
Inventory locks open and includes complex plus items. I never needed the map, so I never looked at it. Sorry about that; I should have peeked at it for this review. No journal, but there’s an objectives icon. Thankfully, adorable animal helpers are nowhere to be found. But you do have a phenomenal bow with arrows that do various tasks.
Inventory locks open and includes complex plus items. I never needed the map, so I never looked at it. Sorry about that; I should have peeked at it for this review. No journal, but there’s an objectives icon. Thankfully, adorable animal helpers are nowhere to be found. But you do have a phenomenal bow with arrows that do various tasks.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties with Mac OS 10.11.6.
No technical difficulties with Mac OS 10.11.6.
OOH! PIECE OF CANDY - 5 stars
Visit a different world in the bonus chapter. Find collectible feathers (and some are tough to spot). Grab the morphing object in each HO scene. (And I understand you can go back and get any you missed…yay!) Use the SG and earn performance achievements. Replay HO scenes (but I’m not sure if you can replay puzzles). And check out the dev’s portfolio of sights and sounds.
Visit a different world in the bonus chapter. Find collectible feathers (and some are tough to spot). Grab the morphing object in each HO scene. (And I understand you can go back and get any you missed…yay!) Use the SG and earn performance achievements. Replay HO scenes (but I’m not sure if you can replay puzzles). And check out the dev’s portfolio of sights and sounds.
CONCLUSION - Overall Rating: (5 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5) ÷ 6 = 4.8 stars (round to 5)
Since I rated both Queen of Flames and Princess of Ice as five-star games, Lord of the Winds had a couple of overachieving older siblings to live up to…and I believe it did. Dark Realm is Madhead’s best series, and I recommend all three episodes wholeheartedly.
Since I rated both Queen of Flames and Princess of Ice as five-star games, Lord of the Winds had a couple of overachieving older siblings to live up to…and I believe it did. Dark Realm is Madhead’s best series, and I recommend all three episodes wholeheartedly.
Other notable games by Madhead that I’ve enjoyed include:
• Beyond: Light Advent
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death
• Maze: Subject 360
• Nevertales: The Beauty Within AND Shattered Image
• Rite of Passage: The Perfect Show AND Child of the Forest AND Hide and Seek
As always, happy gaming, fishies!
• Beyond: Light Advent
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death
• Maze: Subject 360
• Nevertales: The Beauty Within AND Shattered Image
• Rite of Passage: The Perfect Show AND Child of the Forest AND Hide and Seek
As always, happy gaming, fishies!
I recommend this game!
You are the key to solving a chilling supernatural mystery!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Top notch storyline, graphics, and music. Too easy gameplay.
PostedAugust 28, 2016
LunaNik
fromThis is a sensory, immersive game for when you want to relax. It's not challenging, but it's a great escape.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON
completed CE version + bonus chapter + extras
completed CE version + bonus chapter + extras
I CURRENTLY OWN
491 games
491 games
ONCE UPON A TIME - 5 stars
Sam and Caroline, owners of the Hotel Berkeley, call you to investigate some eerie events that are scaring off their guests. You decide to spend the night in the allegedly haunted room—Room 13, of course! Sure enough, halfway through the night, your room morphs into a nightmare version of itself, and the ghost makes its appearance. But things aren’t as cut and dried as a simple haunting. There’s a multi-layered plot across two dimensions that needs to be unraveled, as well as a curse to be laid to rest…if you survive the night, that is.
Sam and Caroline, owners of the Hotel Berkeley, call you to investigate some eerie events that are scaring off their guests. You decide to spend the night in the allegedly haunted room—Room 13, of course! Sure enough, halfway through the night, your room morphs into a nightmare version of itself, and the ghost makes its appearance. But things aren’t as cut and dried as a simple haunting. There’s a multi-layered plot across two dimensions that needs to be unraveled, as well as a curse to be laid to rest…if you survive the night, that is.
I found the storyline well-written and developed, with plot twists that were completely unexpected. The bonus chapter nicely tied up the loose ends, explaining how the villain came to be.
PLAY THE GAME - 2.5 stars
Gameplay was fair to middling with the challenge level ranging from much too easy to about medium difficulty, and the fun factor ranging from tedious to satisfying. There was a LOT of running around to repair things that were broken or missing parts which invariably opened up secret caches. Devs really need to think up new ways of advancing gameplay.
Gameplay was fair to middling with the challenge level ranging from much too easy to about medium difficulty, and the fun factor ranging from tedious to satisfying. There was a LOT of running around to repair things that were broken or missing parts which invariably opened up secret caches. Devs really need to think up new ways of advancing gameplay.
HO scenes presented little variation, being mostly interactive list. There was, sadly, only one sequential find-and-use, which is my personal favorite. Two presented a bit of a challenge, as the objects were on two different channels on a TV. Some of the interactive list HOs began with finding four items to unlock the four panels, while others had each object on the list hiding part of the final object. Lastly, there were a number of zoom area FROGS where the fragments are hidden outside the zoom area.
The majority of the puzzles were retreads and too easy. Two versions of pipes, one with rotating triangles, the other with swapping hexagons. Several versions of the dreaded simple jigsaw puzzle. A number of puzzles requiring sliding tokens around until each was in its proper place. Untangle the ropes. A bunch of mazes of different types. And several “interact with the elements in the scene” which were quite simple.
Overall challenge level = 2 stars
Overall fun factor = 3 stars
I do wish that devs would abandon these childish puzzles and mini-games. No one plays them in real life because they’re neither challenging nor fun, so why would we want to play digital versions?
Overall fun factor = 3 stars
I do wish that devs would abandon these childish puzzles and mini-games. No one plays them in real life because they’re neither challenging nor fun, so why would we want to play digital versions?
SIGHTSEEING - 5 stars
Stunning graphics, especially the textures. The ground cover next to the fountain looks like a photo, as does the surface of the stone. Wood grains were gorgeously lush, while metals were rich and reflective.
Stunning graphics, especially the textures. The ground cover next to the fountain looks like a photo, as does the surface of the stone. Wood grains were gorgeously lush, while metals were rich and reflective.
Backgrounds made excellent use of forced perspective and depth of field to create scenes with dimension and interest. NPCs were well-drawn and moved in a lifelike manner, and the lip synching was decent. Animation was smooth.
SOUNDBOARD - 5 stars
Loved the soundtrack with its incredible variety:
• “Some Water” created a zen-like ambience with muted organ and piano.
• “Trust Me” got the blood flowing with stirring arpeggios on strings.
• “Evil Inside” surprised me with a Coen Brothers-inspired driving, distorted, electric guitar rhythm. More, please!
Really, one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard.
Loved the soundtrack with its incredible variety:
• “Some Water” created a zen-like ambience with muted organ and piano.
• “Trust Me” got the blood flowing with stirring arpeggios on strings.
• “Evil Inside” surprised me with a Coen Brothers-inspired driving, distorted, electric guitar rhythm. More, please!
Really, one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard.
Environmental sounds were done well, as were game sounds. Voiceovers were hit or miss. I thought Jack’s voice was acted well, but Caroline’s lacked affect. She just sounded apathetic about everything. However, I’m completely overlooking it because the soundtrack is so awesome.
TOOLBOX - 5 stars
Inventory locks open and plus items are indicated. The map shows available actions and collectibles, and transports. I don’t recall whether there was a journal; clearly, it wasn’t necessary. Thankfully, there were no annoying helpers or irritating gimmicks.
Inventory locks open and plus items are indicated. The map shows available actions and collectibles, and transports. I don’t recall whether there was a journal; clearly, it wasn’t necessary. Thankfully, there were no annoying helpers or irritating gimmicks.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties with Mac OS 10.11.6.
No technical difficulties with Mac OS 10.11.6.
OOH! PIECE OF CANDY - 3 stars
Help Sam and Caroline escape the Hotel Berkeley in the bonus chapter, as well as learning the history of the villain. Make use of the SG. Find 30 collectibles in five categories, as well as a morphing object in each scene. Earn ten performance achievements. Download 7 music tracks, 9 wallpapers, 3 screensavers, and 11 concept art. You can’t replay HO scenes or puzzles (minus one star), and you can’t go back and find any of the collectibles you missed (minus one star).
Help Sam and Caroline escape the Hotel Berkeley in the bonus chapter, as well as learning the history of the villain. Make use of the SG. Find 30 collectibles in five categories, as well as a morphing object in each scene. Earn ten performance achievements. Download 7 music tracks, 9 wallpapers, 3 screensavers, and 11 concept art. You can’t replay HO scenes or puzzles (minus one star), and you can’t go back and find any of the collectibles you missed (minus one star).
CONCLUSION - Overall Rating: (5 + 2.5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 3) ÷ 6 = 4.25 stars
Unless you’re a music junkie like me, I recommend the SE over the CE. The bonus chapter wasn’t all that long and it isn’t necessary to the story, and you can’t replay HO scenes and puzzles or complete your collections. While this isn’t a challenging game, it is definitely eye and ear candy, and the storyline is excellent, so I recommend it for when you feel like a relaxing game. Enjoy, fishies!
Unless you’re a music junkie like me, I recommend the SE over the CE. The bonus chapter wasn’t all that long and it isn’t necessary to the story, and you can’t replay HO scenes and puzzles or complete your collections. While this isn’t a challenging game, it is definitely eye and ear candy, and the storyline is excellent, so I recommend it for when you feel like a relaxing game. Enjoy, fishies!
Set course for adventure in Mosaics Galore 2 and discover 120 new magical fantasy mosaics puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Beautiful game for when you want to relax...
PostedAugust 28, 2016
LunaNik
fromWhen you need to de-stress and have some zen time, this is the game for you.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON
full demo
full demo
I CURRENTLY OWN
490 games
490 games
ONCE UPON A TIME - 2.5 stars
There’s allegedly a storyline, but it’s not developed at all, at least in the demo. Supposedly, a villain has kidnapped the magical species of the enchanted lands, and you have to save them by completing mosaics and collecting keys. On the one hand, zero stars for failure to develop the storyline. On the other hand, no storyline is truly necessary here, so I’ll split the difference.
There’s allegedly a storyline, but it’s not developed at all, at least in the demo. Supposedly, a villain has kidnapped the magical species of the enchanted lands, and you have to save them by completing mosaics and collecting keys. On the one hand, zero stars for failure to develop the storyline. On the other hand, no storyline is truly necessary here, so I’ll split the difference.
PLAY THE GAME - 4 stars
Each module begins with relatively easy mosaics and progresses to more difficult ones,. Unfortunately, once you get to the second module, it starts out with simple mosaics again instead of being more challenging. I mean, once you’ve finished difficult ones, you don’t really want to go back to easy ones, right? To get all three keys you must complete the mosaic within the time limit and without errors.
Each module begins with relatively easy mosaics and progresses to more difficult ones,. Unfortunately, once you get to the second module, it starts out with simple mosaics again instead of being more challenging. I mean, once you’ve finished difficult ones, you don’t really want to go back to easy ones, right? To get all three keys you must complete the mosaic within the time limit and without errors.
SIGHTSEEING - 5 stars
The graphics are quite beautiful. In each module, the pieces are constructed from different materials. During the demo, I worked with wooden pieces and paper pieces. Both were colored and patterned gorgeously. Animation is smooth, both for the gameplay and the functioning of the parts of the game.
The graphics are quite beautiful. In each module, the pieces are constructed from different materials. During the demo, I worked with wooden pieces and paper pieces. Both were colored and patterned gorgeously. Animation is smooth, both for the gameplay and the functioning of the parts of the game.
SOUNDBOARD - 4 stars
The music, while lovely, was not varied enough. It became repetitive and I turned it off. For a game like this, which is relaxing, there should have been many more music tracks. Game sounds were appropriate and not annoying.
The music, while lovely, was not varied enough. It became repetitive and I turned it off. For a game like this, which is relaxing, there should have been many more music tracks. Game sounds were appropriate and not annoying.
TOOLBOX - 5 stars
The screen setup is clean and easy to read. To the left are the timer and completion meters; the timer empties while the completion meter fills. To the right are the hint button, inventory of mosaic pieces, and pause button. At the top is your score.
The screen setup is clean and easy to read. To the left are the timer and completion meters; the timer empties while the completion meter fills. To the right are the hint button, inventory of mosaic pieces, and pause button. At the top is your score.
BUGS & BOTHERS
No technical difficulties or annoyances on Mac OS 10.11.6.
No technical difficulties or annoyances on Mac OS 10.11.6.
CONCLUSION - Overall Rating: (2.5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 5) ÷ 5 = 4.125 stars
Obviously, I’m rounding this to a solid 4 stars. I found the most difficult mosaics offered a medium challenge, so this is a game more for relaxation. Nothing wrong with that! Sometimes, you just want to take a break and relax. I do recommend that you turn the music off, launch a media player, and choose a relaxing playlist of your own. I happen to make use of the downloadable soundtracks from CEs to make just such a playlist, and it worked beautifully for this. Happy gaming, fishies!
Obviously, I’m rounding this to a solid 4 stars. I found the most difficult mosaics offered a medium challenge, so this is a game more for relaxation. Nothing wrong with that! Sometimes, you just want to take a break and relax. I do recommend that you turn the music off, launch a media player, and choose a relaxing playlist of your own. I happen to make use of the downloadable soundtracks from CEs to make just such a playlist, and it worked beautifully for this. Happy gaming, fishies!
I recommend this game!
Some family heirlooms are more trouble than they're worth...
Overall rating
1
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
Tedious, boring, repetitive, and monotonous. Might be a cure for insomnia.
PostedAugust 26, 2016
LunaNik
fromElephant, allow me to introduce you to a novel concept. It's called a "key."
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I'm fairly sure the plot synopsis is wrong.
Brandon's son went missing after suffering a psychotic break resulting from the plethora of locks in the castle, all with shaped indentations requiring matching shaped objects. He was rescued by child services, received therapy, and is now happily living with his foster family in a home where the only locks are on the exterior doors...and they open using regular keys.
Brandon's wife fell into a coma after struggling through the nth tedious puzzle in Castle Insanity. Her brain is now permanently turned in on itself, living in a fantasy world where puzzles are challenging and fun.
Brandon is doomed to eternal despair for dragging his wife and child into this untenable, madness-causing environment. Had he visited his local home improvement store, purchased tools and supplies, and immediately retrofitted the castle with normal locksets, none of this would have happened.
I don't recommend this game.