steve_san's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.3
- Helpful Votes:5,408
- Reviews Submitted:243
- First Review:November 28, 2011
- Most Recent Review:September 23, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Master Detective must face the greatest challenge – time itself!
Overall rating
4
/
5
15 of 22 found this review helpful
Harbinger not a harbinger of Crossfade
PostedNovember 25, 2020
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This newest entry in the MCF series picks up where the last one (Horribleinger) left off. In fact, I had just completed that game when I received a beta of this one, Crossfade. After just a few minutes it was clear that Crossfade was a superior game.
The MCF series has been a flagship series, representing the best, most innovative and engaging gameplay that ANY series had to offer. From a technical standpoint the MCF series had a history of being a cut above other games, introducing new ideas, techniques and puzzles that were often copied by other developers. In Crossfade's case however, the game is essentially copying off itself, resulting in perhaps the ultimate irony.
The story brings back the Archivist, and as you progress you will revisit past adventures in the series in order to "make things right." This turns out to be both a strength and a weakness. A strength because it is a reminder of how well-written past games in this series were. A weakness because it is a reminder that there nothing really new or innovative to distinguish this game from other games or series'.
Nevertheless Crossfade IS enjoyable and fun even if it lacks the creative spark. The fact that it is tied to the last disaster may scare off some players - which would be unfortunate because this game, even if not up to the standard of the "glory days" of MCF, is still a solid game.
I recommend this game!
An expedition to an Aztec temple awakens a true force of nature!
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 37 found this review helpful
Who Wants To H.E.L.P.?
PostedJune 26, 2020
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Your H.E.L.P. is needed. It's needed desperately and in a myriad of ways. A certain company needs your H.E.L.P. for their newest installment in a very special and historically successful game series.
To begin, they need H.E.L.P. in designing hidden object scenes (HOPs). The only HOPs they been able to create so far are very ordinary and lacking in any imagination. Second, they need your H.E.L.P. to create new and interesting mini-games and puzzles. Right now, the newest installment has puzzles that players have played over and over. New ideas are urgently needed. Now for those who are interested in gameplay, H.E.L.P. is needed there too. If you can come up with some new tasks, please H.E.L.P. Storytelling is the fourth area where they'll need your H.E.L.P. So far, the company is stuck and have had to fall back on rehashing old ideas. They need H.E.L.P. to come up with something that will create interest by being distinctive and fresh.
Note: One area they do not need any H.E.L.P. is in the art department. Their artists have been able to create beautiful and seamlessly integrated scenes. Likewise, another area they do not need any H.E.L.P. is with the cut scenes (or "movies" if you wish). These are also wonderfully done, razor sharp, and have a distinctive "in house" as opposed to a "contracted out" look. So they have enough H.E.L.P there.
The collectibles department is also looking for H.E.L.P. People have said that the collectibles in the game are so small that the player doesn't even know what is being collected. However there are two types of collectibles, so perhaps that could H.E.L.P. somewhat.
Hopefully this message will reach those who can H.E.L.P. with this worthy endeavor. If you think you can H.E.L.P. please contact the company as soon as possible. All of us players would be very pleased to know that H.E.L.P. was on the way (soon!).
I don't recommend this game.
What's more important - the fate of the world or the destiny of your family? Find out in this amazing hidden object adventure game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
31 of 43 found this review helpful
Lost Lands Lost Fun
PostedFebruary 28, 2020
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have enjoyed playing the full versions of all the prior games in this series. I will definitely *not* be buying this one. Why? Where's the fun? I had no fun playing the trial of this game.
The gameplay is where Redemption falls far short. Whether its looking for obscure half-hidden items (no, not in the HOPs but in the scenes) that you are not even aware you need, listening to interminably long conversations, or being presented with the ***worst possible puzzle collection in any game in recent memory***, there is little left to enjoy.
The production standards are first rate, the game looks and sounds great, no issues playing, but the fun factor is almost non-existent. I really wanted to like it based on the series, but ended up forcing myself to complete the trial. For me, what a disappointment. Try it and see, not my cup of tea.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the hidden city and save your mom in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
17 of 33 found this review helpful
One of the worst characters ever
PostedMarch 16, 2019
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Andrew Collins - MadHead Games. Remember those names. Easily the most offensive character developers have ever created. What was so bad? It isn't even subtle. What were they thinking?? Well, they offended me right out of buying the game and probably future ones. It was so blatantly bad I could not even finish the trial.
Once again, we search in vain for a single interesting male character. Once again we're disappointed. Too bad, as the game might have had potential if they even considered a male player. Sorry, can't support this type of stuff. Nope.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a madman from using puppets to take over the island?
Overall rating
2
/
5
34 of 56 found this review helpful
I Knew We Were In Trouble When....
PostedJanuary 31, 2019
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
… there is a 1930's era car in the driveway and the story is set in the 1880's. I care about the details, but perhaps that's just me?
We are warned that aspects of the game are disturbing. The story line is stale - someone is collecting the Master's dolls to receive ultimate power - but just over the town of Smile (do they make porcelain?).
The artwork and animations are well done, but honestly no other aspect of this game stands out. The voices are flat, the music is uninspired, and the game play is repetitive and, at times, pointless. I dislike spoilers, but this story unfolds so obviously that the game itself practically counts as a spoiler.
If Extras interest you, there are collectible bells and morphing flowers. There're small and don't add much to the game play.
Did I have fun playing the trial? Not really. Does that mean this is a "bad" or poorly made game? No, but as reviewer p_m has noted this is the 15th in the series. This one fails to distinguish itself in any way. If you have played any of the prior 14, you seen this Show before. The Porcelain is now worn and chipped. The Smile has long since faded. And it is disturbing, but in the wrong way.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save Christmas before it’s too late?!
Overall rating
5
/
5
55 of 59 found this review helpful
One of the better Christmas games
PostedDecember 25, 2018
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was pleasantly surprised by this game. I'm not generally a fan of Christmas games (not because I don't like Christmas, just the way the games portray it) but his one was very good. The title tells you that Santa was framed (for stealing presents) and its up to you to track down the actual thief. The thief has also stolen Santa's voice adding to the difficulty. This leads you on a fairly long journey to various locations where you interact with many characters, including Jack Frost and the Snow Queen.
The story line is ok, but I thought the game play was better. There is a nice mix of puzzles and HOPs and I found most of them were interesting to play, if not especially innovative.
In my opinion, the weakest part of the game was the voice acting, particularly the character you play. I don't usually like to mention it, but the acting was just way over the top, easily reaching the overacting category. This is also true in the Bonus game, if you purchase the Collectors Edition as I did, where you play the elf. I found the elf's voice slightly more annoying.
Speaking of the Bonus Game, it is a bit of a letdown after the main game and not nearly as clever or good. For that reason, and if you miss a collectible in the main game you cannot go back afterwards to get it, I recommend this Standard Edition.
Despite a few broken icicles and lumps of coal, this is a good game and of course it's worth saving Santa. Merry Christmas!
I recommend this game!
What lies within the depths of the pitch-black mirror?
Overall rating
2
/
5
73 of 87 found this review helpful
Countess Me Out, Queenie
PostedNovember 20, 2018
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I really disliked this game. The main reason was the puzzles - not the super puzzles, just the ordinary ones. One said to arrange items according to the "clue." Well the "clue" could be interpreted many different ways, so good luck with that one. Then there was the domino puzzle. This one required study. I studied it and studied it. Then I studied it some more. More studying. Looked at the solution. More studying. Still more studying. Finally, I gave up - it still made no sense. I have to add that there also was no consistency in difficulty with the other puzzles and HOPS. All the rest you can complete easily and quickly. In fact I finished the "super" puzzle in about a minute an a half.
Ok, but what about the story? Surely there is a good storyline, right?
Well, did it have anything new or unique?
No.
Maybe it was a continuation of another MCF story?
No.
But surely there was something to tie this story to the MCF series?
Sorry, not really.
There must have been something to draw you in or catch your interest?
If there was, I didn't see it. And I looked. Very hard.
Well, did it have anything new or unique?
No.
Maybe it was a continuation of another MCF story?
No.
But surely there was something to tie this story to the MCF series?
Sorry, not really.
There must have been something to draw you in or catch your interest?
If there was, I didn't see it. And I looked. Very hard.
Instead it's just a run of the mill old castle with ghosts and a legend of "ancient evil" or something. Yawn. I think that's been done before one or two (hundred) times. I stopped caring about the story after about 15 minutes.
There are 37 collectible morphing objects and the same number of mirror fragments. The same thing you can expect in any number of other games on this site. I've played all the other MCF games and this one is by far the most disappointing, ordinary, boring one of the entire series. If you must, you must but don't say I didn't warn you.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a malevolent force from stealing souls in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
Day of Beating a Dead Horse
PostedAugust 6, 2018
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
It's Redemption Cemetery so of course we have spirits and such. But there is absolutely nothing new in the story. It's the usual "capture x number of souls to reincarnate some infernal being." By the way, I never knew a soul looked like a smoky vapor. And what do you capture a soul in anyway?
In the opening scene, a young woman standing in the rain is absorbed by a cloud of black smoke. Desperately, her hand reaches out of the smoke to try to grasp... her umbrella? What was she going to do, beat the spirit to death with it? I knew we were in trouble at that moment.
It didn't get much better as it was impossible to progress without solving an interminable number of puzzles and gathering a similar number of objects. One puzzle required you to direct water from point A to point B - except that I could never figure out what point B was, so I was never sure how to solve it (for me, a guaranteed deal breaker). The few HOPs that appeared were a nice relief from the tedium, but they were sadly unremarkable.
There were not even many collectibles or other extras to make it more interesting, and I'm really not sure what, if any, was the theme for the collectibles (pyramid, elephant, ???). I did not find any morphing objects.
Really a big all around disappointment for me. The story and game play were both a big letdown. I did not enjoy the trial and won't be purchasing. Better luck on the nexy Day.
I don't recommend this game.
The killer from an unsolved case returns for more blood!
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 31 found this review helpful
The Hunger for the rest of the SG
PostedJuly 19, 2018
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The game is OK, nothing special, but what's with the missing Strategy Guide? The demo contains the SG for less than half of the trial. From the last puzzle in the police station to the end is missing. Not good, especially since the last puzzle in the police station is a real pain. That made up my mind for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Step into the shoes of Emily Patterson, follow the trail of the captor and thwart his evil plans.
Overall rating
3
/
5
40 of 47 found this review helpful
"Why is there so much evil and greed in the world?" she asks
PostedApril 17, 2018
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Because there are people in the world.
Paris, 1900. You are Emily Patterson, daughter of Professor Ben Patterson a prominent inventor. There has been a recent series of suspicious "accidents," each involving inventors (one person was shot, so hard to see how that qualifies as an accident?). While visiting your father and demonstrating his latest invention, a suspicious accident occurs and your father and his invention disappear. The prime suspect, Count d'Aubinac, is seen leaving via a balloon.
Gameplay is fairly straightforward and simple. Lots of things to find and insert, levers to pull, hoses to attach, cables to connect, locks to open etc. My only complaint was there seemed to be an inordinate amount of dialog. They could have easily accomplished the same with much less. One of the characters is Ferdinand Porsche, who has, "ze fastest automobile" and "I'll be back" (ok, I added that).
Trial was a little short. Playing slowly I finished in 29 minutes. There are seven chapters listed in the guide. There is no dramatic end to the trial, in fact it was a little flat. Extras are locked until completing the game, but there are 30 collectible atomic symbols (this is announced in the first scene).
I enjoyed the trial, but hard to tell if it is worth the CE price as everything is locked.