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:
A rock band reunion takes a deadly detour into a nightmare!
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 13 found this review helpful
Play the first episode instead.
PostedSeptember 18, 2019
LunaNik
fromWinter is coming.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As you can see from the disparity in my ratings of the elements of this game, it's a mixed bag. The storyline had potential and I was curious about it, and the production was top notch, but the repetitive gameplay bored me.
Once again, everything is broken, is missing parts, or requires a shaped key. There were too many "laundry list" tasks. You know, the ones you see in every game nowadays.
The HO scenes were much too easy, with most items being in plain view. I'm beginning to feel as if no dev understands the meaning of "hidden" anymore. Mini-games were either too easy or impossible to figure out, given the poorly written instructions.
At this point, devs are just offering us the exact same product over and over again. They reuse scenery, graphics, music, and the same preprogrammed crap and expect us to pay again for something we already have. Innovate! Or fall into the obscurity you richly deserve.
I don't recommend this game.
Discover a sweet and magical world in this fantastic point and click adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
What just happened?
PostedSeptember 17, 2019
LunaNik
fromWinter is coming.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I can see why some reviewers have compared Varenje to My Brother Rabbit. The gameplay follows along the same lines: finding multiples of objects and using them, exploring the environment, and solving relatively easy puzzles. However, that's where the similarity ends.
What made My Brother Rabbit so engaging and immersive was the bittersweet storyline drawing the player ever forward to a known goal. That element is utterly missing in Varenje. There's not even an introductory cutscene to orient you to Varenje's fictional universe; the player is dumped right into the gameplay without a clue as to what's going on.
About halfway through the demo, there was one cutscene. But it differed radically from the main game in both artistic style and tone, so it came off as disjointed and unrelated to the gameplay. For a few seconds, I thought the developer had mixed in a cutscene from a completely different game. Nor did it make any sense in the context of the game up to that cutscene.
The graphics weren't remotely as enchanting as those in My Brother Rabbit. They were cartoon-like and rather sloppy to the point that some items were unrecognizable. And I quickly turned off the music, finding it repetitive. Also, the berries puzzle sometimes provided an item and sometimes did nothing at all.
Without the imaginative storyline and captivating environments, the gameplay became boring. I had no difficulty comprehending what I was supposed to do, but the game failed to provide motivation or even a reason to bother finding items. This one should go back to the drawing board. I'm not sure how it got out of beta testing.
I don't recommend this game.
The past returns inside the Zenith Museum of Oddities!
Overall rating
2
/
5
27 of 36 found this review helpful
Not remotely a five-star game.
PostedAugust 23, 2019
LunaNik
from*sigh* I see I didn't miss anything interesting.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I had such high hopes. Sadly, this game fell down on production, storyline, and gameplay. It certainly is not worthy of the MCF franchise.
I found the graphics rudimentary and unfinished, as well as overly chaotic as there was too much extraneous stuff in every scene. The music was unremarkable and stayed in the background.
The gameplay was nothing new. In 45 minutes, there were only two HO scenes. First was a pro forma interactive list, then a series of obscure riddles. No effort was made to actually hide the objects.
If you like elementary puzzles that a grade school child would find easy, this game is for you.
• a quite simple logic puzzle to open a statue's cache
• rotate gears to free the bridge controls (you can instantly see what must be done...after that, it's just another annoying activity you have to finish)
• use the clue to turn the lights on
• move two layers of sliding pieces to free the lever
• copy the clue to restore the automaton
• use weights to align the containers
• copy the clues to open the alphabet box
• shooting gallery - shoot only the evil ducks (don't ask)
• match hidden pairs
• a quite simple logic puzzle to open a statue's cache
• rotate gears to free the bridge controls (you can instantly see what must be done...after that, it's just another annoying activity you have to finish)
• use the clue to turn the lights on
• move two layers of sliding pieces to free the lever
• copy the clue to restore the automaton
• use weights to align the containers
• copy the clues to open the alphabet box
• shooting gallery - shoot only the evil ducks (don't ask)
• match hidden pairs
The super puzzle was also disappointing, as it was just a series of simplistic mini-games: Simon Says, copy the code, copy the tile pattern, find four differences, guess the order, matching pairs, find symbols. Nothing to figure out with any of these.
While I could see where the storyline was going, it was executed extremely poorly. There was no sense of suspense and the endless back and forth to complete silly tasks, fix broken devices, and deal with an animal helper killed my curiosity regarding what might happen. I mean, Shadow Lake was a better episode than this.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a powerful foe from taking over Paris?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
3½ stars...better than the previous episodes
PostedJuly 20, 2019
LunaNik
fromMelting in New England.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED DEMO
OVERVIEW
I haven't been a fan of this series, rating all previous episodes either one or two stars. My complaints included poorly developed storylines, simplistic mini-games, pro forma HO scenes, and endless interruptions in the form of cutscenes, popups, and the like.
I haven't been a fan of this series, rating all previous episodes either one or two stars. My complaints included poorly developed storylines, simplistic mini-games, pro forma HO scenes, and endless interruptions in the form of cutscenes, popups, and the like.
This episode shows quite a bit of improvement in all those areas, although I maintain that Eipix (and all other devs) should study game theory.
WHAT I LIKED
• The storyline was more of a Davinci Code style mystery rather than endlessly chasing after villains.
• The gameplay was creative and had a purpose in the context of the plot.
• Graphics were, as usual, quite beautiful.
• The storyline was more of a Davinci Code style mystery rather than endlessly chasing after villains.
• The gameplay was creative and had a purpose in the context of the plot.
• Graphics were, as usual, quite beautiful.
WHAT WAS 'MEH'
• There were still too many slowly moving cutscenes for my taste.
• The mini-game to HO scene ratio is off; there are loads of mini-games, but the HO scenes didn't show a lot of effort.
• There were still too many slowly moving cutscenes for my taste.
• The mini-game to HO scene ratio is off; there are loads of mini-games, but the HO scenes didn't show a lot of effort.
WHAT I DISLIKED
• The challenge level was far too low for me, especially in comparion with pre-2012 HOPAs.
• I'm not a fan of playing the sidekick who does all the work while the "famous detective" lounges around with a coffee and croissant.
• The challenge level was far too low for me, especially in comparion with pre-2012 HOPAs.
• I'm not a fan of playing the sidekick who does all the work while the "famous detective" lounges around with a coffee and croissant.
HO DETAILS
Nearly every one I played was a "find multiples in these categories."
• Find six each jade, gold, and crystal items.
• Find multiples of animals, humans, and gods on several scrolls, switching between them as necessary.
• Find multiples in a display of ivory figurines guarded by a huge spider.
Nearly every one I played was a "find multiples in these categories."
• Find six each jade, gold, and crystal items.
• Find multiples of animals, humans, and gods on several scrolls, switching between them as necessary.
• Find multiples in a display of ivory figurines guarded by a huge spider.
MINI-GAME DETAILS
• Unlock the doors to three location-themed displays by solving three map puzzles.
• Place stoppers in the correct holes of an alchemical device to allow the liquid to reach the goal in eight steps.
• For each grimoire, follow the instructions given to mix potions using the correct ingredients.
• Line up each magnifier with its matching celestial body to find the clue.
• Move the segments of the skull to match each of the three skull clues.
• Unlock the doors to three location-themed displays by solving three map puzzles.
• Place stoppers in the correct holes of an alchemical device to allow the liquid to reach the goal in eight steps.
• For each grimoire, follow the instructions given to mix potions using the correct ingredients.
• Line up each magnifier with its matching celestial body to find the clue.
• Move the segments of the skull to match each of the three skull clues.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• My standing recommendation is to always try the demo for yourself. We all have different tastes as far as what we like in games. Personally, I'm going to revisit this when the SE is released.
• Games with similar Davinci Code style storylines include Portal of Evil: Stolen Runes, Eternal Journey: New Atlantis, the Serpent of Isis series, Mystery Case Files: The 13th Skull and Dire Grove, Timeless: The Lost Castle, Where Angels Cry, Escape the Lost Kingdom, The Beast of Lycan Isle, Mythic Wonders: The Philosopher's Stone, and the Flux Family Secrets series.
• My standing recommendation is to always try the demo for yourself. We all have different tastes as far as what we like in games. Personally, I'm going to revisit this when the SE is released.
• Games with similar Davinci Code style storylines include Portal of Evil: Stolen Runes, Eternal Journey: New Atlantis, the Serpent of Isis series, Mystery Case Files: The 13th Skull and Dire Grove, Timeless: The Lost Castle, Where Angels Cry, Escape the Lost Kingdom, The Beast of Lycan Isle, Mythic Wonders: The Philosopher's Stone, and the Flux Family Secrets series.
Can you help three souls escape a deadly amusement park?
Overall rating
1
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
1½ stars...there's nothing new here.
PostedJuly 17, 2019
LunaNik
fromWhen it's too hot to be outside, it's time to play demos.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I'll be honest. The game failed to capture my interest within 15 minutes. All I saw was the same old, same old. A series of three simple jigsaw puzzles. Interactive list HOs with multiples in plain sight. And the usual back and forth because, OMG, everything is broken or missing parts again.
This HOPA formula needs to be killed with fire. It's been done to death and we're all sick of it. Devs, if you want our interest, innovate! Develop new storylines and challenging gameplay. And stop resting on your laurels. What is this, the 20th game in this series? Sheesh. Give it a rest.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a buried past from destroying your world?
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 21 found this review helpful
3½ stars...I'll wait for the SE.
PostedJuly 13, 2019
LunaNik
fromA huge improvement for Madhead!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETE DEMO
OVERVIEW
I'm fairly sure I disliked the first episode in this series since I didn't buy it. But this one shows quite a bit more thought regarding the storyline, integrating gameplay, and visual interest. I don't think it's CE worthy, but would make a decent SE.
I'm fairly sure I disliked the first episode in this series since I didn't buy it. But this one shows quite a bit more thought regarding the storyline, integrating gameplay, and visual interest. I don't think it's CE worthy, but would make a decent SE.
WHAT I LIKED
• The nearly instant plot twist, which was unexpected and, I feel sure, will twist again.
• The new HO presentations.
• The redesign of familiar mini-games which made the more interesting.
• The nearly instant plot twist, which was unexpected and, I feel sure, will twist again.
• The new HO presentations.
• The redesign of familiar mini-games which made the more interesting.
WHAT WAS 'MEH'
• The challenge level could have been stepped up
• The morphing objects, while done well, were fairly easy to spot.
• The moon glove gadget. I dislike gadgets that take the place of actual gameplay.
• The challenge level could have been stepped up
• The morphing objects, while done well, were fairly easy to spot.
• The moon glove gadget. I dislike gadgets that take the place of actual gameplay.
WHAT I DISLIKED
• That dratted Madhead spiral! Collectibles should be story-themed, not dev-themed.
• That dratted Madhead spiral! Collectibles should be story-themed, not dev-themed.
HO DETAILS
• A pictorial list of pattern swatches...my fave.
• Symbols, some of which need to be completed before they can be collected.
• Silhouettes.
• Related pairs.
• A pictorial list of pattern swatches...my fave.
• Symbols, some of which need to be completed before they can be collected.
• Silhouettes.
• Related pairs.
MINI-GAME DETAILS
• Interact with the parts of the diary; figure out how to open it (moderate challenge).
• Rotate both pattern and material to make a shaped key from a template (moderate challenge).
• Move the diver through the darkened maze, avoiding obstacles and enemies (difficult).
• Place the rays of light into the pattern (easy and basically a jigsaw).
• Interact with the parts of the diary; figure out how to open it (moderate challenge).
• Rotate both pattern and material to make a shaped key from a template (moderate challenge).
• Move the diver through the darkened maze, avoiding obstacles and enemies (difficult).
• Place the rays of light into the pattern (easy and basically a jigsaw).
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Try the demo for yourself, as always.
• Wait for the SE.
• Try the demo for yourself, as always.
• Wait for the SE.
Whenever heroes gather, villains are sure to follow...
Overall rating
1
/
5
15 of 20 found this review helpful
Gameplay is the same as every other Elephant game. I'm not paying for content I already own.
PostedMay 26, 2019
LunaNik
fromRain, rain, go away.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I lasted 7 minutes before quitting in disgust.
FIRST SCENE
• device missing a part
• mailbox missing 2 shaped keys
• stuff floating in a well out of my reach
• thorns to be pruned
• boards to be pried off
• a simplistic zoom box HO with no hidden objects
• device missing a part
• mailbox missing 2 shaped keys
• stuff floating in a well out of my reach
• thorns to be pruned
• boards to be pried off
• a simplistic zoom box HO with no hidden objects
SECOND SCENE
• bees to be smoked
• box missing 1 shaped key
• box missing 2 shaped keys
• fountain missing 4 shaped keys
• stuff floating in the fountain out of my reach
• bees to be smoked
• box missing 1 shaped key
• box missing 2 shaped keys
• fountain missing 4 shaped keys
• stuff floating in the fountain out of my reach
Are you sensing a theme here? This is the exact same game as the last one Elephant released. All the tasks are the same and there's literally no challenge at all. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, not interested in doing it again.
I don't recommend this game.
There is a shadow hanging over New York City and time is running out.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 11 found this review helpful
Not perfect, but better than most.
PostedMay 26, 2019
LunaNik
fromToday in New England: a Spring morning, followed by a Summer afternoon, with an Autumn thunderstorm in the evening. Maybe it'll snow tonight, just to round out the day with Winter.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETE DEMO
OVERVIEW
Five-BN is one of my favorite devs, mainly because they always come up with interesting storylines, but also because their graphics are so beautiful, almost Pixar quality. The storyline here sounded fascinating, but it practice, it moved a bit slowly for me.
Five-BN is one of my favorite devs, mainly because they always come up with interesting storylines, but also because their graphics are so beautiful, almost Pixar quality. The storyline here sounded fascinating, but it practice, it moved a bit slowly for me.
WHAT I LIKED
• This dev's HO scenes are always sequential find and use, which most resembles looking for one particular object IRL. (Pro Tip: The best way to figure these out is to start at the goal, then work you way backwards.)
• The mini-games were well designed and most presented a decent challenge.
• The map shows the locations of collectibles and morphing objects.
• The CE bling is comprehensive.
• The graphics are lovely, with lots of detail and a realistic palette, and this dev has the best posers in the HOPA business.
• This dev's HO scenes are always sequential find and use, which most resembles looking for one particular object IRL. (Pro Tip: The best way to figure these out is to start at the goal, then work you way backwards.)
• The mini-games were well designed and most presented a decent challenge.
• The map shows the locations of collectibles and morphing objects.
• The CE bling is comprehensive.
• The graphics are lovely, with lots of detail and a realistic palette, and this dev has the best posers in the HOPA business.
WHAT WAS 'MEH'
• The storyline moved relatively slowly; the demo finished before I'd even gotten my scientist friend to the laboratory, and there'd only been one interaction with the victims of the plague.
• Given that the game is set in NYC, it was much too quiet; no city noises. Also, when have you ever seen the streets of NYC utterly deserted? The city that doesn't sleep was, apparently, taking a siesta at last.
• Replacing shaped keys with actual keys is not an improvement. Or even a change. Devs need to formulate new ways to move the story forward, other than locking up everything possible.
• The storyline moved relatively slowly; the demo finished before I'd even gotten my scientist friend to the laboratory, and there'd only been one interaction with the victims of the plague.
• Given that the game is set in NYC, it was much too quiet; no city noises. Also, when have you ever seen the streets of NYC utterly deserted? The city that doesn't sleep was, apparently, taking a siesta at last.
• Replacing shaped keys with actual keys is not an improvement. Or even a change. Devs need to formulate new ways to move the story forward, other than locking up everything possible.
WHAT I DISLIKED
• I lost count of the number of times that the tool I needed amounted to a hook on a stick, which I would use once, only to need it again a few minutes later. And why would I use once, then discard a knife, a pair of scissors, a screwdriver, a wrench, etc?
• Given my position in the Order, why would I need to scrounge around for a flashlight, a lockpick, a knife, and other common detecting tools?
• I lost count of the number of times that the tool I needed amounted to a hook on a stick, which I would use once, only to need it again a few minutes later. And why would I use once, then discard a knife, a pair of scissors, a screwdriver, a wrench, etc?
• Given my position in the Order, why would I need to scrounge around for a flashlight, a lockpick, a knife, and other common detecting tools?
MINI-GAME DETAILS
• Rotate the maze to move the silver ball to the green button in the center, using the gold balls to avoid dead ends.
• Move train tokens along the lines to return them to their matching slots. Three levels of increasing challenge.
• Play Sudoku with mask tokens. There are four colors and four emotions represented. Each row and column must contain four different emotions and four different colors. Much more difficult than traditional Sudoku.
• Set all nine statues to match the given clue. Each spot has buttons that cycle through the available statues. This one was much too easy since you just have to copy the clue. I would have liked fragments of clues, leaving me something to deduce.
• Rotate the maze to move the silver ball to the green button in the center, using the gold balls to avoid dead ends.
• Move train tokens along the lines to return them to their matching slots. Three levels of increasing challenge.
• Play Sudoku with mask tokens. There are four colors and four emotions represented. Each row and column must contain four different emotions and four different colors. Much more difficult than traditional Sudoku.
• Set all nine statues to match the given clue. Each spot has buttons that cycle through the available statues. This one was much too easy since you just have to copy the clue. I would have liked fragments of clues, leaving me something to deduce.
I'm going to revisit this one when the SE comes out. In the meantime, I recommend that you play the demo. This one is a bit different from previous games in the series.
Can you stop a dangerous game from taking more lives?
Overall rating
1
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Seems to be marketed to pre-teen girls, not adults.
PostedApril 30, 2019
LunaNik
fromDull, boring, humdrum, tedious, and uninteresting.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
STORYLINE
Narcissistic actress with the obligatory tiny dog invites you to a casino cruise ship, the owner of which is a soul-stealing entity. Amazing how many of those darned things there are in HOPA world.
Narcissistic actress with the obligatory tiny dog invites you to a casino cruise ship, the owner of which is a soul-stealing entity. Amazing how many of those darned things there are in HOPA world.
GAMEPLAY
Bribe animals. Fix broken stuff. Have you hand held firmly and your actions steered every step of the way.
Bribe animals. Fix broken stuff. Have you hand held firmly and your actions steered every step of the way.
PRODUCTION
Well-rendered graphics, but the palette was, apparently, subcontracted out to Lisa Frank. The characters' facial movements hit the uncanny valley. Voiceovers are pretty bad.
Well-rendered graphics, but the palette was, apparently, subcontracted out to Lisa Frank. The characters' facial movements hit the uncanny valley. Voiceovers are pretty bad.
RECOMMENDATION
I don't have one. This dev's games are clones of one another. I bought one, once, and regretted it.
I don't have one. This dev's games are clones of one another. I bought one, once, and regretted it.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the origins of a dangerous ancient artifact in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 21 found this review helpful
Tales from the Clone Wars
PostedApril 30, 2019
LunaNik
fromDull, boring, humdrum, tedious, and uninteresting.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, 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'm beginning to think these games are developed on assembly lines with limited materials. This one is yet another formulaic "game" that presents no challenge. It moves so slowly that I nearly fell asleep waiting through the numerous cutscenes. And it started out with shaped keys. I'm done.
I don't recommend this game.