biscuitsmama's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:67,036
- Reviews Submitted:1148
- First Review:July 13, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 16, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Secret Trails: Frozen Heart Collector's Edition
Your surprise visit is ruined by a blizzard. Who caused it, and what does he want with your little sister?
Overall rating
4
/
5
55 of 70 found this review helpful
Can You Defeat the Weathermaser?
PostedNovember 23, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Your sister Emma, who lives in the beautiful little village of Bloomingspring, is celebrating her birthday. You love Bloomingspring and haven’t been home for a very long time so you’ve sent Emma a card to let her know that you will soon arrive for a visit. After she receives your card, a sudden windstorm comes along and the scene quickly changes from an idyllic summer day to a dark and snowy winter. We see a man in a dark cloak tell Emma that she can’t run away from him and that she will be his. Will you be able to save Emma from the Weathermaster and return Bloomingspring to the peaceful and lovely place it once was?
Secret Trails Frozen Heart is very basic and offers very little in the way of options. There are three gameplay modes to select from and two slider buttons for sound. The graphics are excellent and crisp, with beautiful hand-drawn artwork. There are lip-synced voice overs and a very nice musical score that I found very non-intrusive. The only thing that annoyed me was the blast of music that occurred every time I found an item.
You have a diary that contains notes but there is no map to be found (at least during the demo) and you have a snow globe that is your hint button.
The HOS are the very basic list type with minimal interaction required to find some items. I found that some items were very small and difficult to locate but the HOS were not too overly cluttered. I was really on the fence about Secret Trails until I encountered the puzzles that convinced me to go ahead and purchase the game because they are so good and add a lot of substance and enjoyment to Secret Trails. Although the puzzles are not new and some of them are easy, others will be a challenge and require some thought to solve.
IMHO, there is very little in the way of CE content in Secret Trails. You need to find 21 butterflies and that’s basically it. Of course you have the extra gameplay and a strategy guide but with Secret Trails I don’t think you need the SG since the hint system tells you exactly what to do.
Although Secret Trails Frozen Heart is a fairly basic HOPA game that doesn’t have some of the over-the-top glitz and frills often found in some recent games, the devs have given us a lot of substance with an interesting storyline, great puzzles and entertaining gameplay. Having a great sale this weekend convinced me to hit the buy button but, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
50 of 57 found this review helpful
A Masterpeice - Absolutely the Best Game of 2013
PostedNovember 22, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As the game begins you have just wrapped up another successful case by proving your client innocent. As you are getting ready to relax with a good book someone starts pounding on your door. You open the door to find a baby along with a note that tells you to return her home but to not go to the police since you are the only one who can save her. So now your adventure begins. Will you be able to return the baby to her rightful home?
Others have done a great job of listing the game’s technical aspects so I won’t go into those except to note that we have another developer who has given us a custom mode of gameplay with a lot of options.
Nevertales is a very visually appealing, beautiful game with excellent graphics that are crisp and colorful. The voiceovers and lip-sync in the game are excellent as is the entire sound package. It is not often that I comment on the music in a game but I enjoyed the music in Nevertales and felt that it added a lot to my overall enjoyment of the game.
Not long after you begin the game you will find your cell phone that contains a journal and all of the information that you might need to check as you progress. Once you have found the cell phone it will live on the lower right portion of the screen in the same area where your interactive map is located. To save steps, you may also access the map through a tab in your cell phone if you prefer.
Okay so here is where we come to the gameplay basics and this is where Nevertales becomes a very different game than same old HOPA games we have come to love. The HOP scenes in Nevertales are quite interesting and the developer has certainly given a new spin on the interactive HOPS. I think many of you will enjoy the way the HOPS play out in Nevertales. Not only do we find classic HOPS, there are also fragmented object puzzles scattered throughout the game. Of course we can expect to find puzzles as well and some of them are quite different, with some of them taking a bit of thought to solve.
Nevertales The Beauty Within is an excellent game that is different than the more recent run of the mill HOPA games. The developer has given us some unique twists and turns that make this a standout, excellent game. For those of you who may be burned out on HOPA games, I would highly recommend that you try this game since it is, IMHO, a masterpiece. If you are a fairly new to playing HOPA games, I would also suggest that you try the CE version since it has the integrated strategy guide and many other extras that make it a true CE value. I loved the game but, as always, recommend that you try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
You thought this would be just like any other investigation. But now you find yourself lost in a mysterious mansion brimming with strange creatures, comatose colleagues, and mysterious tentacles around every corner…
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 61 found this review helpful
Beautiful Game AND Lots of Fun
PostedNovember 21, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Wow, the game literally starts off with a bang. There is a break in at the home of a local collector and a crystal skull is stolen. You are called in to help investigate by Agent Lloyd who needs the help of a paranormal investigator, and yes that is definitely you.
Others have done a great job of listing the game’s technical aspects so I won’t go into those except to mention that my favorite developer has now jumped on board with others who offer customized gameplay settings. I love being able to customize a game and play in a way that suits me.
As is the case with all games from this developer, the graphics are excellent. The artwork is wonderful and very colorful. The sound is very good but I did have to turn it down a bit as it was quite loud. Some sounds were a bit annoying such as the metronome that I couldn’t stop. Even though the music is nothing new and is the ERS standard theme for Haunted Halls it adds to the game.
When you arrive on scene you will receive a pair of special goggles from Agent Lloyd who tells you that they will help you decipher mysterious symbols that you may come across. The game begins with a mini puzzle where you will use the goggles to decipher symbols. You will use the goggles throughout the game when you encounter paranormal activity.
As in the other Haunted Halls games we have a video diary, which contains your notes as well as an interactive map.
The iHOP scenes are of different types. Some are list and some are the progressive silhouette type. One thing that is new to ERS games is that we now have the option to switch to playing a match 3 type game if we don’t want to look for items or if we get stuck. Since I hate using hints, I just switched to the match 3 game when I couldn’t find an item. The puzzles were fun and some were new but I didn’t find any of them to be overly challenging, which was fine since I was enjoying the game and didn’t need a frustrating puzzle to solve or skip.
Throughout the game we will find twenty vials that will create four different potions that we will use for the animals we collect, presumably to cure their various neuroses, some of which are hysterically funny. IMHO, this is a true CE with a ton of extras included.
I can hear it now, many of you will hate the way ERS has changed the Haunted Halls franchise with this light-hearted, fanciful twist but IMHO, I think this is the best of the series. It is funny and has all sorts of interesting twists and turns. Then again, I don’t like creepy games so Nightmare Dwellers is just right for me. I enjoyed every minute I played and can recommend the game without any hesitation. As always, I do think you should try the game for yourself because you will either love it or hate it.
I recommend this game!
Defeat the giant to save the world from destruction!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 28 found this review helpful
FROGS, FROGS and More FROGS
PostedNovember 17, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Fairy Tale Mysteries: The Beanstalk is a new twist on the classic Jack and The Beanstalk fairy tale. Jack was given the magic beans in trade for his family’s cow but that is only the beginning of the story. The world is in grave danger because the imprisoned giant is about to be released, and when that happens major devastation and chaos will occur. As a recent graduate of the Grimm Academy, it is your task to make sure that the giant remains in his cloud prison.
The graphics are a mixed bag of ultra-crisp and foggy or grainy. In spite of the misty or grainy appearance of some scenes, overall the game is quite colorful and beautiful. There are voiceovers that are quite nice but I was a bit thrown off that Jack’s voice is obviously much older than the young boy he appears to be in the game.
We have a diary but I hardly used it. What I did find more helpful was the interactive map that indicates where there are tasks to be completed. Where I had difficulty with the game is that it is a FROG adventure (admittedly not my favorite type of game) and it required a lot of back and forth to find the items that I would need to complete an objective.
Even though the game is a FROG adventure, we do find some traditional interactive list type HOS. The puzzles in the game were very easy and the most challenging part of the puzzles was finding the items needed to complete them.
Even though the game is a FROG adventure, we do find some traditional interactive list type HOS. The puzzles in the game were very easy and the most challenging part of the puzzles was finding the items needed to complete them.
By the time the game ended I was quite frankly worn out and tired of the FROG concept. It seemed like every single item I needed during the adventure was a FROG. I couldn’t simply pick up a shovel but needed to wander through the scene or sometimes several scenes to find its components. I know many gamers will love The Beanstalk simply because they have been waiting for a good FROG adventure to come their way, and now they have one to enjoy. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if you will like the game
I recommend this game!
Life imitates art with deadly results in this thrilling whodunit!
Overall rating
4
/
5
44 of 55 found this review helpful
Great Whodunit Mystery
PostedNovember 16, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The game begins with a cutscene of a concert pianist who is murdered while performing. As we get into the story the police arrive at your home to speak with your husband Russell, a renowned novelist, who was a friend to the murdered pianist as well as the two previous murder victims. Is this just a coincidence? The evidence against Russell is mounting each since each victim has been killed using scenarios from your husband’s novels but your husband tells you he is being set up. Fortunately, Russell has a detective friend who is on his side and who has been collecting evidence to find the real killer. With Robert’s help will you be able to find out who is behind the murders and why Russell is being set up?
Although I am sure it may appeal to many of you and while it set the tone for a “gritty” game, I found the graphic blood splattering across the sheet music at the beginning of the game offensive.
The graphics are very nice hand-drawn art and have a bit of the old-world appearance that has been showing up in some recent games. The game has very good lip-synced voiceovers, and along with the music and the environmental sounds gives this game an excellent sound package that sets the mood for a good old-fashioned mystery game.
You have a journal that contains all the information you gather on your adventure and allows you to replay some of the cutscenes. There is an interactive map that shows where you have tasks to complete and will allow you to transport to that location.
The only HOPs I encountered during the demo were the interactive list type and most of them were junkpiles where I found it difficult to locate some items. There are some great puzzles in the game and although some of them seem to be familiar many of them are a bit different and challenging.
The CE content is the standard fare that we have come to expect in CE games. We have the usual array of fluff that I don’t really care about except for the strategy guide and extra gameplay. Shortly into the game you will find a magnifying glass that is used to locate 35 hand prints that are called morphing objects. There are also achievements, to be earned and 25 collectible teapots to be found.
I like Punished Talents Seven Muses a lot. It was a good mystery and next moves were not always apparent. This is a game where you will need to think about what to do next, which makes the game a bit more challenging and entertaining. Of course many of you may think it is the same old theme but I found it different enough that it wasn’t stale or boring. Who can help enjoying a good whodunit mystery? As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if Punished Tales Seven Muses is a game that you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Explore a world of magic to stop an ancient evil!
Overall rating
3
/
5
52 of 63 found this review helpful
A Bit of a Letdown
PostedNovember 15, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Otherworld Shades of Fall is the third game in the series and although you don’t need to play the first two games, I would suggest that you do simply because they are beautiful and wonderful games. As Shades of Fall begins you and Fiona have gone to an ancient fay moor to find the Perpetual Prison that is hidden there. The Perpetual Prison is the only thing that will put an end to the Shade’s quest for an eternal winter that will destroy all life on earth.
The graphics are typical of those from BoomZap – colorful, crisp and beautiful. This developer has a knack for creating beautiful environments and is at its best when creating a fantasy type game. I love the Otherworld series and each game in the series builds on the story of Fiona and the Shade.
In Shades of Fall you will encounter Storm Cat who becomes your guide and hint button. You have an interactive map as well as a clues or notes inventory that is updated with pictures and as you travel on your adventure. There is no journal or diary.
As is the case with the other two games, Otherworld Shades of Fall is more of an adventure game than a standard HOPA, and for those of you who love adventure games; this one is definitely for you. Rather than encountering HOS after HOS, you will find areas where you may need to look for a specific number of items and only occasionally will you come across a typical list type HOS. As a story-centered adventure, I didn’t find as many puzzles as I like in a game. Some of the puzzles seem difficult since there is a lack of information or explanation of how the puzzle works. IMHO, the puzzles are the weak point in the game, which is unfortunate because solving puzzles adds tremendously to my enjoyment of a game.
Unfortunately, Shades of Fall didn’t seem quite as good as the previous two games in the Otherworld series but there were things about the game that I did enjoy. I purchased the CE and didn’t even bother with the bonus chapter because quite frankly, by the end of the game I was waiting for it to end. Even though Shades of Fall was a bit of a disappointment to me, I recommend that you try the demo to see if you like it.
I recommend this game!
This was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. But instead of walking down the aisle, you're in another dimension, battling a mad inventor to save your family!
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 30 found this review helpful
Oh No, Another Mad Scientist!
PostedNovember 14, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As the story begins we see a cutscene where preparations are underway for your wedding to a local young scientist in Tideville named Tim. Things quickly change when your fiancé’s mother is poisoned by a mad scientist who is trying to persuade Tim to help him complete his work to develop a perpetual energy source. If Tim agrees then the scientist will give Tim the antidote to save Clarice’s life. Of course, Tim refuses and is then kidnapped by the scientist; so now it is time for you to take the reins to save Clarice and rescue Tim.
The graphics are generally good hand-drawn art but the characters seem cartoonish and flat. IMHO, the game seems to lack the polish that some other notable developers have in their games. There are lip-synced voiceovers and, if you read my reviews, you know I consider that a plus. Overall the sound package is very good and I like the environmental sounds such as the purring cat that adds a touch to the realism of the game.
You have a diary that contains information you gather on your journey, as well as an interactive map that shows where you have a task to complete. Shortly into the game you will find a jeweled dragonfly that will be very helpful in certain situations.
The HOPs are interactive list type but are jammed with tons of items to sort through to find what you need. The plus is that you can switch back and forth between the HOP and a match-3 game if you get tired of sifting through the junkpile. The puzzles seem simple and very easy so there is nothing new or challenging on the puzzle front. It feels like the puzzles were just thrown in to make the game a bit more interesting.
Throughout the game you will find 164 “observers” that are bat-winged eyes, with many of them being hidden in each scene. You also have achievements to earn. As far as the CE content is concerned it is the standard fare with the usual array of unnecessary fluff that I don’t really care about, except for the strategy guide and the extra gameplay. Analysis
I must admit that I was not thrilled with the first Whispered Secrets game because I didn’t care for the graphics or artwork so I didn’t purchase the CE and waited until the SE was released but then never played it. Because Whispered Secrets Into the Beyond is actually fun to play and because I am hooked on finding those danged observers, I had to go ahead and hit the buy button. All in all even though Into the Beyond is far from being a five-star game it is certainly entertaining and enjoyable. As always, I recommend that you try the demo first to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
The Torment of Mont Triste
No one dares fall asleep in the village of Mont Triste... for when sleep arrives, so does the mysterious Lord of Nightmares.
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
Will You Be Able to Stop the Nightmares?
PostedNovember 10, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
It has finally happened; a scientist has created a device that will allow him to connect the real world with the dream world. Ah, but of course, something has gone terribly awry and the Lord of Nightmares has escaped into the real world and is determined to turn it into a nightmarish realm. As a detective, you have been asked to journey to Mont Triste to stop the Lord of Nightmares and put an end the havoc he has unleashed in the town. Will you be able to stop the Lord of Nightmares? With the aid of a special amulet, step into the nightmares of others and restore them to peaceful slumber.
The graphics are colorful but very simple and appear almost cartoonish. Sometimes the graphics have a misty or foggy appearance, while at other times they are quite crisp, which I think is intentional since the “appearance” changes between nightmare or reality scenes.
The map is an interactive transporter type which I like because there is a lot of running back and forth required in the game. The map also indicates where there are available tasks so if you are stuck, I recommend using the map as a guide. I couldn’t find a journal or diary and unless it is acquired later in the game, I guess it isn’t necessary.
The HOS are what we have come to expect, look through junkpiles (although most are not overly cluttered) and complete extra steps to find some items. Where this game excels, IMHO, is in the number of mini-puzzles, some of them easy and some a bit more difficult. Since puzzles make a game so much more entertaining, “The Torment of Monte Triste” is definitely a game I had to have.
Overall the game is entertaining and I found that I really like it. I was surprised because initially, I thought the game was just okay but as I moved on and became immersed in the various nightmares, puzzles and gameplay I didn’t want to stop. Given the number of puzzles in the game and the great two for one sale this weekend, the game was an instant buy for me. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if this is a game you enjoy.
I recommend this game!
These nursery rhymes are cursed, and your sister’s been taken by the Crooked Man!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 18 found this review helpful
Cursery is Worthy of Ten Stars
PostedNovember 9, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As the story begins you and your sister are traveling through the forest in a coach and she is telling you that several young women have been kidnapped while traveling on this very same road. Suddenly a wild cat stops your journey and your sister is kidnapped by a stranger wrapped in a dark cloud of smoke. As you seek to find your sister you come upon a lamb trapped in brambles and once you free the lamb Marianne appears to tell you the story of the crooked man. In order to save your sister, you must defeat the crooked man and this is where your exciting adventure begins.
The graphics are exceptional as we would expect from Blue Tea Games. The artwork is stunning and gorgeous AND not as glaringly busy as they were in one previous game from this developer. The sound package is also another plus and I found it to be top-notch in every way. I was hooked on the Dark Parables games years ago and I have to say that Blue Tea Games has a way of doing sequels that are consistently good and never worn out.
Shortly after beginning the game and as a reward for saving her little lamb, Marianne will appear and give you a magical, interactive map. Apparently, there are certain times that the map will not allow you to transport but that is intentional and the SG explains why this happens.
One of the things I noticed early on in the game is that there seem to be fewer FROGs and far more puzzles which is something I love. The puzzles are great and seem a bit different than the standard fare we have come to expect. Some of the puzzles are more difficult than I expected and I found the first one to be a challenge. In my experience, games generally start out with the puzzles being simple and progress in difficulty as the game moves forward, but with Cursery we get a tricky puzzle minutes into the game, which indicates that we probably have a game that is a bit more challenging than usual.
There are twenty cursed or morphing objects to find throughout the game and finding them causes the hint meter to refill more quickly. We have collectibles to find and if they are set up like the collectibles in the other Dark Parables games finding them will unlock portions of the story. As we move through the game we can earn an assortment of achievements, which is something many of you will like. The remainder of the CE content is standard fare and mostly stuff I don't care about with the exception of the integrated strategy guide. Since this is a Blue Tea game with gorgeous artwork, I may actually use one of the wallpapers.
Cursery: The Crooked Man and The Crooked Cat is an outstanding game, and I would give it ten-stars if that was possible. From the beginning of the game there is something subtle that reminds me of the Red Riding Hood Sisters – one of my favorite games from Blue Tea. Since I had played the beta for this game it was an instant purchase for me and I highly recommend the game but, as always, please try it for yourself to see if you agree. Congratulations to the team at Blue Tea Games for another exceptional Dark Parables game.
I recommend this game!
Should anyone ever check in to a place called the Final Journey Hotel?
Overall rating
4
/
5
37 of 48 found this review helpful
Enter a Ghostly Battlefield and Save a Village
PostedNovember 8, 2013
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As Haunted Hotel Eclipse opens, the stage is set with a cutscene that shows a battle between forces striving to take control of Earth. Shortly thereafter, you are called upon by your detective friend James to consult with him on a new case at the Final Journey hotel. When you arrive at the scene you find a terrified witness, a young hotel maid, who is too frightened to speak. After your witness is revived, she tells you that a war between monsters has taken place inside the hotel. As incredible as it sounds you soon discover that she was telling the truth – the hotel is now swarming with ghosts and other assorted ghoulish characters. Something quite mysterious is indeed taking place behind hotel doors. Will you and James be able to stop the forces that are battling to take control of your world?
Of course, with the game being developed by the Elephant team the graphics are top-notch, colorful and crisp. The game has very good voiceovers but, once again, we have a game with no lip-syncing. I just don’t get why this developer doesn’t take the next step and up its game. Obviously, the team at Elephant is quite skilled with creating wonderful games but maybe they just don’t care enough to add the final polish of realism to their characters. Aside from the voiceovers, the other sound effects and music are excellent and add to the overall spookiness of the game.
The HOS are the standard list type but some items do require some interaction to be found. The items on the list are easy to find and it is not difficult to figure out what you need to use to complete the interactive objects. The puzzles are also quite easy and I found no challenge in any of them. For some seasoned gamers Haunted Hotel Eclipse may be a very easy game since it doesn’t seem to present more than a beginning level of challenge.
In Haunted Hotel Eclipse we have the standard tools. On the lower left of the screen is your compass, an interactive map, that lets you transport between locations. Your diary is attached to the inventory box and keeps track of pertinent information throughout the game. The strategy guide is on the lower right below your hint button.
Overall, I liked the game but didn’t find it anything spectacular. It is a fun, entertaining game with a captivating storyline that will appeal to many gamers. In the end, although the game is good, I think it falls short of being great – not one of the best games from a developer who has astounded me in the past with some of the games they’ve presented. Yes, I purchased the CE version of the game because I can’t help myself, but I recommend that you try the demo to see if this game is for you.
I recommend this game!