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:
When your father is arrested, it's up to you to save him and the city of Prague from sinister forces.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Amazing Fantasy HOA
PostedMarch 22, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Everything in this game is exactly what you would expect from Eipix: there are incredible graphics, devilish games, and interactive HOS as well as a map.
I loved creating a potion - always a plus for me - and finding hidden spells. The cutscenes were beautiful, and even the narrator's voice reminded me of Morgan Freeman - really.
So - what fell short? I guess I like a character as the main person, instead of feeling like a faceless pointer as I set the times on clocks and search for runestones. However, that's a small point, and the developers really deserve kudos.
If you enjoy dark fantasy along with your HOA's - seriously, is it Golem month here at BFG? - this is a great game for you.
I recommend this game!
The famous Johnny Abilli has been murdered at the Broadbeach Resort. You've been called in to crack the case.
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
Fun Murder Mystery Set in Florida
PostedMarch 22, 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
I usually like dark fantasy in my HO's, so when a realistic murder version of the genre captures my attention for several hours, you know it's good. Broadbeach Cove has you going around a yacht Club, beach, boat, and other locations to interview suspects and search for clues.
This Dead Reckoning game, my first, stands out because of the expandable objects and interactive HO scenes. The mini-games are perfect - just difficult enough to keep things interesting without being impossible. That must be a hard level to hit, so kudos to the game designers.
I really got into the mystery, as well, trying to figure out whodunnit! Am I a total nerd if I confess I had a bit of a crush on the victim? (He was cute.) The characterization of his wife and others really came through. I loved scanning the witnesses and suspects to see if they were lying or telling the truth.
As I said, this is my first Dead Reckoning - but definitely not my last. I'll be back!
I recommend this game!
Janet and Brad thought they were going on a peaceful holiday until an unfortunate breakdown stopped them outside Frankenstein Burg!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
No. Just No.
PostedMarch 21, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
With the names Brad and Janet, I thought this might be a fun game. AU CONTRAIRE. After all the clunky HO's, navigation, and a supremely annoying pipe puzzle, I clicked out never to return.
Did I mention Janet's annoying face? Every time Brad talks to her, she turns red with anger. It's supposed to be funny, but just made me want to offer her up to the good doctor for spare parts.
Honestly, the best part of the game were the facts about Mary Shelley's novel. Even though they sounded as though they were cut-and-pasted right from an old encyclopedia, everything else was so dire the Lit 101 quotes were the bright spots.
I don't recommend this game.
You’ve been given the opportunity to prove your mall construction prowess! Entice customers to visit your mall in Mall-A-Palooza!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
SO much fun!
PostedMarch 21, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
There's nothing like being late to the party. Why, oh why haven't I played Mall-A-Palooza before? It's a blast building stores and hiring workers. Not only that, and this is what made it a must-buy for me, each round of play continues to the next. So, if you hire a janitor for 2400$ in the first round, lo and behold there he is, still sweeping up after all the sloppy shoppers, in the next. LOVE that, and it's pretty unique.
I found this was similar to Build-A-Lot and Green City (without all the annoying 4x3 /2x2 grids I can never memorize or fit into my existing lots.) This is a keeper for me.
I recommend this game!
Is fear the price or the reward?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
Intriguing and Intricate!
PostedMarch 20, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love HO scenes with a purpose, and these abound in Emma Roberts' mystery. She's investigating an old house, as you do, and along the way she has to defrost freezers and fix zipper pulls. Nothing new there. However, the HO's were interactive, sometimes revealing a second puzzle. With gorgeous graphics and an interesting story, this is a fascinating - and dark - installment.
I like the pop-up games (find 5 rocks for your catapult, etc) when you complete an item. And - did I mention morphing Objects? And interactive map? PLUS, the map also shows if you've found all the morphies in a scene, which is very useful.
In my opinion the puzzles were fun and the HOS just challenging enough. This is a great game for mystery / HO players.
I recommend this game!
The latest installment in the Clutter series is here! It’s just Clutter, Clutter and more Clutter!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Deceptively Simple!
PostedMarch 20, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Time Management, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Sure, you feel like you're wandering through Aunt Tacky's attic, but Clutter IV is a pure HO fiendish delight. As you match floppy discs and stuffed animals or classic food items, you have to fulfill different tasks: find the given shapes or all the butterfly pairs. At the same time, you're assembling a series of puzzles.
Clutter isn't only HO: sliding tiles are back with mirrored images, making those mini games a true challenge!
The retro objects and simple graphics make this game a way to get your kitschy zen on.
I recommend this game!
There's a thin line between the living and the dead.
Overall rating
5
/
5
45 of 51 found this review helpful
Grabbed Me From the Start
PostedMarch 18, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm not a huge HO fan, but Her Own Eyes has a great storyline and really original HOS and puzzles. You are able to see for the first time in your life, and the new lenses give you the ability to see dead people. Not only that, you can reach into the past and retrieve clues to a crime.
The HO's were the type where you find a few objects to reveal the list. For example, you have to find two notebooks in order to reveal the hidden object list. There are also morphing objects (yay!) and usable tools for discovering other items.
The puzzles are thought-provoking but not impossible - just right. Not only that, I really got involved with the story.
There were a few weird things, like having to search the dead girl's house right in front of her mom. Maybe I'm sensitive, but that just seemed creepy. Still, I'm being pretty picky, since this is one of the most absorbing HO's I've played in a long time.
There's an interactive map AND a custom mode - always a huge win with me.
I recommend this game!
Join Manuel in this incredible adventure through the land of the dead and help him to rescue his beloved bride.
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 20 found this review helpful
Really Fun Solitaire Game
PostedMarch 18, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoyed Fairway solitaire, so when I sampled this card game and found it was the same type with some cute changes, I was a buyer. Entertaining games that keep me playing for longer than a few days are rare, so this one's really a keeper.
The hero is Manuel who's trying to win back Maria from the Dead. In order to find his love, he has to collect ingredients for an extremely complicated magic potion. Along the way he fulfills quests, all by playing solitaire - as you do.
The solitaire games are made challenging by different rules each time: Get 8 in a row with no diamonds, No mistakes, etc. There are magic cards like Shuffle the Deck and Wild Joker, which you can buy from money earned through straights and leftover cards.
The graphics are bright and bold. I really liked them, but that's a matter of taste. In any case, it's the cards that are important!
Did I mention long??? I'm on the 52nd chapter, and I haven't finished the potion yet! If you want a card game that gives you your money's worth, this is it.
I recommend this game!
Golems are taking over Glanville, and only you can stop them!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Fun HO Game
PostedMarch 17, 2016
graceland9
fromNew Jersey
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really appreciate an extra level of invention in my HOA's, so this was a win for me. The golem wasn't that story, maybe because the artists made the game more colorful than the usual dark and gloomy jumpscare HOA's.
There were two helpers in this game, and although I'm not the mushy type, I loved the cute little golem you have to make.
However, the game's pretty short - about 3-4 hours of playtime. Still, it's a fun couple of hours.
I recommend this game!
Travel around the world and get acquainted with the world's most famous masterpieces. Collect evidence and help police catch a criminal.
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Not a buy for me.
PostedMarch 2, 2016
graceland9
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
In this HO game, you find mistakes in great art and fix them with your little dropper as well as a scraper, eraser, or paint brush. You can also swat an annoying hornet who keeps landing on the paintings.
You have a certain amount of fixative in your dropper to remove the unwanted objects, so maybe this becomes more challenging in the higher levels.
I guess that was about it? After doing five paintings I got bored and quit out. If you enjoy pure HO's and not much storyline beyond a comic-style background, and if you also like finding lobster claws and laptops in fine art, then this is the game for you.
It just wasn't a buy for me - too bad, because the idea was original.
I don't recommend this game.