graceland9's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:959
- Reviews Submitted:102
- First Review:April 22, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 17, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
In Wishville, all dreams come true, for a price.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Fear, Fantasy, and Fun
PostedApril 4, 2016
graceland9
fromSquirrel!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hello, gamers - can we all agree what a meanie Mayor Tom is? Not only has he captured a prince, a miller, and other Wishville residents, he took the hero's husband! Oh no he didn't!
Not only that, the villainous mayor binds his victims to contracts in order to fulfill their wishes. Even death can't help them escape, until you come along to release the poor, tortured souls and find your husband. But - will you be able to reach him in time?
The graphics in this Wishville game are gorgeous. In fact, I want the opening drawing as a poster in my room. One of the cutscenes shows a boat between two cliffs, seen from above, and I felt like I was watching Lord of the Rings. Oh, and there's the cutest squirrel ever, even if he is a bit mischievous.
I loved the HOS, with some cool interactions like finding all the keys to a strange casket. The puzzles were a bit easy, but I still enjoyed them.
This was an instant buy for me. The demo sped past, and I was shocked when the hour was done.
I recommend this game!
The murders are escalating in the city! Follow the clues to crack the cases and arrest the killers!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Mystery Grids
PostedApril 4, 2016
graceland9
fromIs that REALLY supposed to be a looking glass?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
In this logic-grid puzzler, you're a detective who's solving several cases by searching for 'clues.' These are all solved by multi-color grids, and you can flip back and forth between colors to help you solve the puzzles. There are several hints, but if you make too many mistakes you get booted back to the beginning.
Don't worry, you can choose a level, between easier (numbers cross off as you solve) or harder (numbers don't cross off until the end.)
I loved the concept, and even though some of the clues really didn't look like the objects they were supposed to represent, this game was a blast to play. If you like puzzles with a side helping of mystery, this is the game for you.
I recommend this game!
Was Marion Ashworth murdered? Uncover the victim's true identity!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Marion, Who Are You?
PostedApril 4, 2016
graceland9
fromWhy, oh why did I go into the cigar lounge?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As Madame White, you're on the case again to solve a Danse Macabre case. This one is tricky, with the identity of the dead girl herself at stake. Marion, it turns out, is not Marion - and you have to find out why. And where. And who!
I love mystery HOA's, so this game was right up my alley. The atmospheric graphics were great, with stunning settings and realistic characters. It's set back in time, probably during the 40's - always a fun era.
I also enjoyed the HOS with interactive sections. There were a few of find 6 of the same item, which I love. The puzzles were fine, although several involved 'turn the disc that will turn other discs.' They drive me a bit crazy, but that's just me.
There was a lot of character interaction as well, although I felt it was just right. Obviously, as a detective, you'll need to interrogate the witnesses, and the story progresses logically as you do.
This wasn't my favorite - I'm all about the Cadenza in Havana - but Deadly Deception is a well-designed game that will pass several hours of your time.
I recommend this game!
Two serial killers are back from the dead. What is their connection to an infamous vampire, and how can you stop them?
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Pretty Entertaining Vampire Game
PostedApril 3, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Vampire Legends: New Orleans held my attention throughout the demo. I'd definitely be a buyer if the graphics were just a tad better, but the cartoonish look of the characters (especially the cemetery groundskeeper) put me off.
However, I liked the concept of taking photographs and developing them to discover hidden mysteries that only your camera can reveal. The puzzles are a lot of fun, including finding portions of several scenes to find your way through that cemetery and matching sections of shapes to get into a mausoleum, mwah.
The story is fine, and the plot moved along well. There wasn't too much to-ing and fro-ing, and there's an interactive map as well as custom mode.
I'm all about vampires, so I'll probably end up buying the regular version of this game. Maybe the next chapter can feature better art - I'll definitely purchase the CE.
I recommend this game!
A fire at the local asylum takes on a supernatural life of its own!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Incredible (but Dark!) HOA
PostedApril 3, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As a detective, you have to go and investigate a fire in an asylum. Quickly you realize the situation is paranormal, and at the heart of the mystery is a very young asylum inmate. But is she the villain or victim?
I was completely swept away by the story and art within this game. There are several dark themes, such as drowning and mysterious cubes. In fact, the cubes are at the heart of one truly original puzzle in a world-within-a-world.
It is refreshing to see developers who aren't afraid of constantly reinventing the genre instead of overlaying the same, tired old formulas over their backstory. This game does exactly that. I loved the characters and was entranced by the story. In fact, I figured out the mystery before the end - which is a good thing. It means the writers have paid attention to logic in their story, leading to a conclusion.
As other reviewers have stated, this is a DARK game - but then you knew that, since it's set in an asylum. I love they way the art picks up on that, not with the usual blacks and reds, but with colors that seem to almost glow, as if everything happens by moonlight.
Yeah, it's that good. If you enjoy an intriguing mystery and don't mind some very twisted plot points, if you're looking for creative and original puzzles, this is a good match.
I recommend this game!
Pinecreek Hills just keeps getting better. Help Rangers protect Animals and Visitors, maintain and clean up the Park, spot Wildlife.
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Great Atmospheric HO!
PostedApril 3, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I loved everything about this game. There are no fancy bells or whistles, just really challenging puzzles of all types to keep you playing for hours. Each HOS includes three levels: hidden objects (including jobs and click within scene - opening a backpack, for example) finding hidden wildlife, and picking up recyclables. Doing all the tasks earns you money so you can go shopping at the camp store for a map and souvenirs like Kachina dolls.
You get to choose your gender. Once that's settled, you work to collect badges by picking up those water bottles and paper or spotting all the wildlife.
The puzzles were a lot of fun, including putting together really tough puzzles, sliders, building a tower, point out the silhouetted wildlife, finding 20 pieces of camping equipment, etc. They weren't impossible but certainly pretty challenging, particularly if you're trying to earn a gold star within the time period.
As I played, I loved the woodsy music and simple gameplay. It kind of felt as though I lay on my bank at camp, working my way through a puzzle book.
Again, there are no incredible movie cutscenes or detailed back-storied characters, but this is a really entertaining buy from BFG.
I recommend this game!
For years, Barton Mansion sat abandoned, a haunting reminder of an obsession gone wrong. But something sinister still lurked there...and it's stirring.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Love the Heroine - And Rocky!
PostedMarch 28, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This 'homecoming' is cut short when your sister, an awesome policewoman, gets captured by a dark house. In order to feed its evil forces, the house must expand... forever. This means vines keep breaking through the rooms, and you have to fight back.
Luckily you've got Rocky on your side, a Siberian husky. I've had a lot of companions here on HOA's at BFG, but Rocky was definitely my favorite. He leaps up and swims, jump, crawls whenever you click him. Rocky's the BEST.
The puzzles, including a fun paint-layering picture, were perfect. The graphics aren't quite as good as in other games, but I thought the storyline, the interactive HOS, the puzzles - and Rocky of course! - made up for that.
I recommend this game!
Some family heirlooms are more trouble than they're worth...
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
Another Wonderful HOA from Elephant
PostedMarch 25, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This newest chapter in the Grim Tales saga is filled with darkness, fear, and of course, puzzles. As Aunt Anna, you must go to help your nephew, Brandon, find his son Billy.
There are dark figures and plenty of active areas. I loved the ability to move in time, and the HOS were really original. Looking for the honey dipper and stray donut are fine, but I really enjoy the Find 7x or Find pairs or matching objects. Plus the puzzles are really intriguing - difficult but not impossible. It's difficult to hit that sweet spot, and the designers have nailed it.
One thing I love is a very logical setting, and Grim Tales delivers. I could picture where each room was in relation to the other. Sometimes I can't, not even with the map!
All the usual bells and whistles are there: great cutscenes, wonderful graphics, interactive map, and custom play mode. But there's an extra level of great writing and impeccable artistry that Elephant always brings to the table.
I recommend this game!
Will yours be your downfall?
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 29 found this review helpful
Perfectly Acceptable HOA
PostedMarch 24, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Family Lies was fine in the demo, except I wasn't enthralled enough to finish it. I got bored after the third "Got to get out of the castle, now I have to get out of the prison, now I need to climb back INTO the castle..."
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Here are what I did and didn't like:
Liked - The storyline. The idea that mom (spoiler alert) had a fling with the villain years before was interesting. I'm a sucker for a good villain myself.
Liked - the special 'amulet' view when you wave a crystal around to find hidden objects, except the designers only used it for a mean plant called Blossom as far as I could see.
Liked - the graphics - gorgeous.
Liked - the interactive HOS.
Liked - custom set-up. I'm always all about the custom thingie.
Didn't like - The level of ongoing adventure clues and puzzles, since they were way too easy.
Didn't like - all the cut scenes. I spotted at least three that could have been 'cut.' (See what I did there?)
Didn't like - No map, or did I miss something?
Other reviewers suggested this would be a good fit for kids, and I could see it as long as they're okay with dungeon violence (and the suggestion of torture) skeletons, and the thought that once upon a time (spoiler alert again ) Mom had a fling.
So, this was a bit off the mark for me, but if you like dark fantasy and don't insist on really challenging gameplay, this might float your boat.
I recommend this game!
Can you escape the mysterious musician’s melody?
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Maravilloso! Fantastico!
PostedMarch 23, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is like an amazing urban fantasy, with enough realism AND a touch of paranormal to keep all types fascinated. You play a character who's going to Havana to meet his brother; along the way you find a strange guitar player whose song turns policemen into zombies.
There are amazing interactive HOS as well as really fun puzzles including one along the lines of Guitar Hero. Not only that, there's Slide Mode and Self Aware Mode and Flip Mode - it's all good.
Not only that, the art made me feel I really was in Havana in the 50's, and the music is incredible.
Bravo to the designers, actors, and artists. This game is a masterpiece.
I recommend this game!