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:
Mysterious creatures are terrorizing the train!
Overall rating
2
/
5
32 of 35 found this review helpful
Mystery Trackers Goes to Hellswich
PostedJuly 28, 2016
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
As a Mystery Tracker detective, you're about to take a well earned vacation. But soon after you board (or bored) your train, your colleague Larkin - a.k.a Captain Obvious - informs you that "something strange is happening" (what Larkin is doing on the train is not explained). Turns out gifted children are disappearing - yes, again! - and you must save them from the.... wait for it,.. ...wait for it... hooded red-eyed monsters - yes, its them again!
Unfortunately the story is not the only thing rehashed in this, apparently the 10th MT episode (MTX?). In just the demo, you will be presented with not one but TWO missing zipper pulls, a couple of wimpy male characters, silhouette type "what is it?" HO scenes, and an unlocking device which is activated by - gasp! - a match-3 game . Elf is still here , but he's dressed in a silly hat and coat which for me was a big turn off even though I like Elf. Besides all that mundane stuff you'll be oiling rusty things, putting shapes in locks, sharpening saws and running back and forth - a lot. There is also a glaring spelling error, unless you like to eat a "macaron."
The quality of the artwork is fine, but nothing looks like it belongs together. In fact things don't appear to belong in the same century. At times I began to wonder if I was still on the same train. The game really has no coherent visual look which, given the sketchy story and unimaginative play, is probably fitting.
CE extras - as "play" progressed I found myself focusing more on finding the collectibles than following the story - I always consider this a bad sign. There are 27 morphing objects, 32 puzzle pieces, 12 landmarks and 21 achievements. There does not seem to be replay of HOs and puzzles. There is a bonus game, strategy guide and pseudo-extra fluff.
During the demo it isn't made clear what "Hellswich" has to do with the story unless its just a play on "switch" because we're on a train. It would have been better, in this reviewer's opinion, to leave this train at the station until a coherent story and some imaginative play could be developed. If this is one of your first MT games, I could imagine your enjoying playing this, especially if match-3 is your thing. However, as a veteran Tracker I fell this train should go to Hellswich (sorry!) and never return.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save the Metzengerstein line before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
47 of 56 found this review helpful
That's "Metz-AHN-ger-steen"
PostedJuly 21, 2016
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Setting: Budapest, Hungary. To quote from the original Edgar Allen Poe story, "The families of Berlifitzing and Metzengerstein had been at variance for centuries. Never before were two houses so illustrious, mutually embittered by hostility so deadly. The origin of this enmity seems to be found in the words of an ancient prophecy — “A lofty name shall have a fearful fall when, as the rider over his horse, the mortality of Metzengerstein shall triumph over the immortality of Berlifitzing.”"
Ok, so we do have Poe and Inspector Dupin, so it can't be all bad, right? Its a shame I can't say the same for the voices. No accents whatsoever. Dupin is even referred to as mon-se-your (somewhere the French are cringing). The artwork is fine, pretty much what you would expect from the creators of the Puppetshow series. In fact, you'll hear a brief clip of Puppetshow music at the very beginning.
Game play consists of 15 mini-games and 21 HO scenes. There are no morphing objects. Most of the mini-games during the demo were simple, but there were a couple that you will work at a little. One was a three-stage puzzle arranging objects according to color with each stage having a different layout. Hidden object scenes were mostly standard; the list type, choosing objects from a narrative, and find x number of an object.
There are the usual locks and assembling of various shapes to fit the locks. During the demo, I found myself somewhat stumped several times regarding what my next step was. Especially with the first task to get inside the Metzengerstein house. It took me quite some time to complete. Either I am dense or they are trying to challenge us a little more - of which (ahem) I hope the latter is the case.
CE extras - aside from the usual stuff that I refer to as pseudo-extras (wallpapers, music, etc.) there is very little. Just 15 collectible cards which are not very interesting because they don't contain any information.
The story isn't particularly compelling, its the usual family curse, separated young lovers, mystical villain stuff we're used to. Of course, the reason we're used to it is because we like that sort of stuff - or at least we keep buying it.
Because of the lack of any worthwhile CE extras - unless you are insanely in love with Dupin - I recommend getting the SE when it is available. As Poe would say, "In criticism I will be bold, and as sternly, absolutely just with friend and foe. From this purpose nothing shall turn me."
Because of the lack of any worthwhile CE extras - unless you are insanely in love with Dupin - I recommend getting the SE when it is available. As Poe would say, "In criticism I will be bold, and as sternly, absolutely just with friend and foe. From this purpose nothing shall turn me."
Help Emma save her Uncle's house and decorate it! Hidden Object, Match-3 and Decoration all in 1 Game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
66 of 75 found this review helpful
Addictive fun
PostedJune 27, 2016
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The story: Your uncle's house has been abandoned for years and the mayor is about to take over unless you can fix it up and find the title in time. To raise money you have "sales" by finding objects that customers request. The cash raised is used to buy wildly overpriced furni$hing$ like $400 daisies.
This is similar to the Gardenscapes series but it has a little less charm. You can play in arcade mode (timed) or relaxed. During the trial, play was either hidden object or match three. The match-3 levels were basic and optional. Hidden object scenes vary from picture, scrambled words, silhouette, one-at-a-time, and find X number of an object. There are 15 rooms and each has a hidden key and round symbol (I forgot what it was called).
The play can be a little challenging as some objects are well hidden (i.e. black on black) and others are quite small. Also, while you do replay scenes, the object positions change for added difficulty. To get a better view, you can use your mouse wheel to zoom in and scroll in any direction.
Fun game, recommended for hidden object addicts.
I recommend this game!
Not all fairy tales are just stories…
Overall rating
2
/
5
24 of 25 found this review helpful
"Lost Tales" Lives Up To Its Name
PostedJune 17, 2016
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
1
/
5
I usually begin my reviews with a brief summary of the story's setting. This time I'll just use a one word description: Fairyland. This is because shortly after beginning play, my brain decided to switch off my "story receptors." That was a not-so-subtle clue that this game was not for me. However, I did continue to play until the end of the trial.
The artwork is very good and looks great in both the "real world" and Fairyland locations. The hidden object scenes are fairy tale easy, but the mini games have slightly more challenge and are integrated well into the game.
There are collectible flowers and 12 figures. Can't tell how many puzzles and HOs there are because the developers have the number locked down until the game is completed (bad move). Apparently there is the option to replay them though.
Whether this game will appeal to you or not probably depends on how much you like (or should that be love?) fairy tales. This player found the game extremely annoying, and the actions of the main character were sometimes dumbfounding. For example, if there is someone in the next room who is trying to kill you, what would you do? Try to get out of the house? Nah! Call for help with the phone on the desk? Nope! Play a game? Yes! Made perfect sense to me.
Give the trial a try and see if the slipper fits. If you can swallow this Cinderella pumpkin of a story, you have a good chance of making it back from the ball by midnight and enjoying your time in Fairyland. Meanwhile, does anyone know how to turn your story receptors back on again?
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a heartless criminal before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
35 of 45 found this review helpful
Now, Don't Get TOO Excited
PostedMay 12, 2016
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The Curio Society is a collection of people who get together every other Tuesday to compare curio collections. Suddenly, one of the society members has gone rogue and stolen all the curios in a mad scheme to conquer the curio world (OK, I actually made that up).
What's really happening: the Curio Society is tasked to Protect the World From Danger. But an artifact (or curio) has been stolen from them which can amplify the affects of anything. The "anything" in this case is a potion which suppresses all human emotion. The mastermind of this plan is Frederick who sees emotion as the cause of all evil. He's being aided by Suzanna, a former member of the Curio Society and now an outcast. You must retrieve the artifact!
The look of the game is saturation, saturation, saturation. Reds, blues, greens, even browns all are heavily saturated and the scenes are rendered with high contrast. The cut scenes do have a bit of noticeable blurriness. I did not particularly like the look, but tastes differ. The music is repetitive but soothing, and the voices are reasonably well acted and appropriate to the characters.
During the trial, the play consists of a lot of assembling, gathering and putting together. The hidden object scenes (there are 20) are quite interactive and varied. Unfortunately, in the first one you'll have to know something about the series, in particular about the gargoyle gun, to complete it (SPOILER ALERT: you'll have to know to put a lens in a gun). Alternatively, there is a match-3 option. Mini games (23) were fairly simple; assembling of images, pulling levers and the like.
CE Extras are collectible Rorschach cards (10), morphing objects (15). There is an indicator for each of these above the inventory. Other extras are locked until the game is completed: Personality test, Medical profiles and Archive. There are also 32 achievements - you'd better get used to the achievement indicator popping out over and over even for ordinary tasks.
Did I enjoy the trial? Yes. It reminded me of the movie Equilibrium. The story is different enough to be interesting, and the characters aren't bad either. I liked the varied game play as well. If my emotions get the best of me I may get the CE or, if I take the antidote, the SE may suffice. Either way, there is something exciting about the New Order.
I recommend this game!
Phantasmat: Town of Lost Hope
Carrying the lives of many on your shoulders, you are forced to balance on the tightrope placed between life and death.
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
A Real Hatchet Job
PostedMay 12, 2016
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
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
After reviewing the Collector's Edition and giving it only 2-1/2 stars, I ended up using a credit to get this standard edition.
The game is barely ok. The story is sorely lacking. In the beginning, someone is chasing you around with a hatchet. At the end, someone is chasing you around with a hatchet. In between, we find out he is a disturbed person. Duh! I'm still not sure what happened at the end, but in any event it wasn't satisfying.
Beside that, the game play itself has some serious issues with the use of objects that I can't discuss without revealing spoilers. This is a poor example of a once very good series. I cannot recommend the game except on a 1/2 price sale or with free coupon. I can't even think of anything funny to say about it.
Can you help the tormented spirits before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 26 found this review helpful
Delightful Death's Door Demon Drama
PostedMay 5, 2016
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
3
/
5
You're riding in a modern taxi when the driver encounters a detour. Suddenly, sha-zam! The driver is dead and you find yourself at the gate of a old cemetery. There's a message there saying something about you being the "Chosen One." What's going on?
Well for one thing, plenty of melodrama. Nearly every time something is solved, there is an explosion of overly-dramatic loud music and a fast-moving cut scene. Toward the end of the trial this began to get old, so here's hoping it does not continue throughout. Fittingly the game is dark, but even lighter elements are colored mostly in black, grey and brown - so everything is pretty dim. The voice acing is OK, children sound like children, etc. There is the seemingly ever-present hooded ghoul , but this one's eyes are yellow instead of red.
I found the game play to be slightly more challenging than usual. There is a definite adventure game element to it, especially when played on the harder difficulty settings. Examples of mini games are: navigating through a mechanical maze, swapping elements to complete four discs, and pulling multiple levers to have them all "open." Hidden object scenes are interactive list and story type. Because of the dark palette and a few small objects, these were slightly more difficult than expected. Interestingly, when each HOP is completed, your statistics are shown.
In total, there are 18 mini-games and 20 hidden object scenes. This CE also has 14 collectible items - each one is unique. There is a strategy guide (two chapters in trial) transportable map, achievements, and bonus game.
When an new game is released in a long-running series like Redemption Cemetery, I always hope they didn't "rune" it . I think this one passes that test. It has a lot going for it, especially visually. On those chained cemetery gates, the story seems to be the weakest link. Not because it is bad, but it's just the usual "saving souls" stuff. However, in this ghoul's opinion, there is enough here to carry me over the threshold of Death's Door.
I recommend this game!
Uncover secrets about a murdered woman and her missing daughter.
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 16 found this review helpful
I Wonder How It Ends?
PostedApril 16, 2016
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
3
/
5
Five years ago you defeated the arch demon Ragnar. In the process, your amulet was destroyed but demonic activity ceased. Today, Olivia Martin has been killed and her ten year old daughter Lila is missing. Strange shadowy beings have been seen near their house. Officer Brown is there waiting and there's probably a normal explanation, right? (NOT).
The first thing I noticed was the stunning artwork which filled each scene with incredible detail. It's clear they spent a lot of time and talent on each scene - even on areas that you won't interact with. The voices and acting are great and the conversations are appropriate. The music - well its more like a constant note in tension. Listening to it adds to the stressful nature of the story which, as the title suggests, centers on demons.
Seems to me like we've had a lot of creepy (and some pseudo creepy) games lately. My "creep meter" here registered at 7.5 out of 10. The atmosphere is very dark, with occasional ghoulishly bright green highlights. Every action with the mouse returns a sinister "swoosh" sound.
Play includes standard HO scenes with some interaction and fragmented scenes. Puzzles were pretty standard, i.e. finding sequences, matching colored wheels. Instructions are clear. There are no "gizmos" used, or at least not during the trial.
There is a transportable map which fits the style of the game well, and the usual four levels of difficulty. There are some inconsistencies. Some objects are out of their time period and the game shows humans killing demons by shooting them with a crossbow.
The CE features collectibles: 15 scrolls, 15 coins and 15 dolls. Other CE features are bonus game, strategy guide (there are five chapters listed), replay of puzzles and HO's, achievements and the usual array of pseudo extras.
I don't own Demon Hunter 1 or 2, but this one looks good. If you aren't totally turned off by demon games, I suggest giving this a try. I saw nothing overly occult during the trial but... The story is no Revelation, but if you want that you'll have to read the Book.
four fallen angels
I recommend this game!
It's up to you to stop the evil lurking in Mud Creek!
Overall rating
3
/
5
19 of 23 found this review helpful
Beware the "Price" of this Boat Ride
PostedApril 14, 2016
steve_san
fromCity of Brotherly Love, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
A continuation of the series, previous titles were: Lockwood Manor, Deadly Cold, Three Guardians and Curse of the Black Water. This time, you've been asked by Bob Price to come to the Price Estate and investigate strange goings on. Bob lives there with wife Sarah, located on a large waterway known as Mud Creek. Once you arrive, a mysterious boatman navigates the waters to take you from place to place.
The artwork and cut scenes are excellent, the look is slightly hazy and washed out. The palette includes lots of blues and grays. Some scenes are almost entirely of these colors, while others are more varied. The voice acting was mostly good. The voices seemed appropriate to the characters appearance. I did not really notice the music, but the sounds were well done, especially when various items fell to the ground with a nice clangy-clang.
They attempted to make this a creepy, somewhat scary game. I was not impressed. After one event occurs Bob says, "I can't believe this!" My immediate response was, "neither can I." The story came across as something that might be scary to very young players, or a parody of a scary story for more mature ones. The screeching of the main protagonist was not a welcome addition either.
The game play is pretty easy. The most difficult puzzle in the trial was assembling broken boards to fit inside a grid. You also have a magic charm used repeatedly against spirits. Each time it is used you play a puzzle which is a variation of match 3 with a limited number of moves. I stink at match 3, but had no problem completing these with moves to spare. The HO scenes were a little better. One has a tiny stream flowing down the center. Make sure you observe everything.
There were logical issues, because bronze bells cannot be welded back together with a blowtorch, and there are no fuses inside grandfather clocks. But we come across so many of these issues that I wonder if I should mention them anymore since the developers apparently don't listen.
The CE has collectibles - 25 morphing bats, nine figurines, and 21 fresco pieces - a strategy guide, bonus game and the usual other stuff. There is a transportable map, objectives, and four difficulty settings including Custom.
Since this game fell short on the story telling and play, I would only consider purchasing it as a SE. The extras aren't much and the play went so fast I felt I would finish in 2 hours. Nevertheless, there will probably be many fishes that will enjoy this. You may be one of them. If you do get in the boat, be sure to keep your hands and feet inside at all times.
Phantasmat: Town of Lost Hope Collector's Edition
Carrying the lives of many on your shoulders, you are forced to balance on the tightrope placed between life and death.
Overall rating
2
/
5
35 of 37 found this review helpful
This Tank is Only Half Full
PostedApril 7, 2016
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
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
You are driving to the big game with your brother and his girlfriend. You're lost and then realize you're also out of gas, so you take a remote exit and stop at a gas station. While filling your tank, the next thing you know you're face to face with the owner, Ethel (gas?) Hansen. Your brother and his girlfriend are nowhere to be found.
The drawing style is dark, dirty and dreary and utilizes a color palette of mostly dark browns and greens. The style suits the story line and it is well executed. So too were the voices and acting. Music and sounds were OK, nothing really stood out during the trial period.
What isn't well executed is the story. Clearly, they were trying to develop a creepy and believable story line. For me it did not work. The characters were more like caricatures, and their actions were more comical than creepy (is that enough alliteration?) In other words, I was not drawn in to the story, and there was never a moment where I forgot I was playing a game.
The game play itself was decent. There were a few mechanical type puzzles that require a little patience, but none were very difficult. There was a voltage puzzle that I managed to solve without knowing what I was doing. The hidden object scenes were varied; finding pairs, putting objects back, finding a number of the same object, etc. While I thought these were well designed, they were not very memorable because they suffer from the overall dingy and dreary look of the game.
There is a transportable map and four levels of difficulty including Custom. Hints refill can be set between 10-120 seconds, Skip can be set between 10-400 seconds. Sparkles, glints, messages, and tutorial can be turned on or off.
The CE extras include 41 collectible signs, souvenirs, replay of HOPs and puzzles, strategy guide and bonus game.
As a fan of the Phantasmat series, I was disappointed. Other games, including a recent one from another series, have successfully developed a creepy atmosphere and story. I don't doubt the effort to create this game, but in my opinion it fails in the area of storytelling. Town of Lost Hope would be more aptly titled Game of Lost Story.
2 1/2 gallons of low octane ethel gasoline
I don't recommend this game.