Poodlebear's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:1,374
- Reviews Submitted:45
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:May 17, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time Collector's Edition
It’s time to solve the secret of this mysterious island!
Overall rating
3
/
5
58 of 79 found this review helpful
Promising story and game play mechanics fell apart.
PostedJuly 11, 2014
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game started off great, hence my purchase, with an interesting story line involving time paradoxes and manipulations, but shortly into the game it just sort of fell apart. Special touches like using your pet to solve challenges and communicating with your grandfather to help solve the meanings of mysterious carvings stopped shortly after the beginning. There was also this strange feature where you took pictures and it would say, "You've uncovered more of the story!" but there wasn't any follow up to that. It felt very much like about 1/3 of the way into development the team changed or they lost funding or leadership. Over all it was disjointed, a bit glitchy (though playable), and ended up disappointing after a promising start. The bonus chapter was terrible, very clearly thrown together. I regret the purchase.
I don't recommend this game.
World Mosaics Chroma
Stop a mysterious criminal from turning the world gray!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
SO sad it's FTP.
PostedFebruary 17, 2014
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When I saw the TGT was a World Mosaics game I literally cheered and then almost as quickly groaned when I saw it was "Free" to play. I have purchased and loved ALL of the previous World Mosaics games and LOVED them! I think there are far too few of this style of game so I always snap 'em up when I see them. This is why I thought I'd give this a whirl even though I don't play FTP games which invariably make going very far nearly impossible in order to force the buying of power-ups.
The one thing I did like a lot about this was the use of more than one color of tile. I created a level of complexity that was refreshing. But that's about it and the only reason this made the 3 stars.
The graphics are far too bright garish and I miss the muted tones of past games. It forces you to take the tutorial which was tedious though I suppose necessary to show the added color twist but drug on beyond what was needed. The music is terrible too. Best hits of your local elevator...
So while this requires no purchase I am not going to play it and have already deleted it after a few puzzles. This saddens me greatly as it likely means we won't see a standard World Mosaics game anytime soon if ever. Boooo.
I don't recommend this game.
Soul and machine are one in Motor Town, where a stunning mystery awaits!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Has Detroit seen this? ;)
PostedFebruary 14, 2013
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really enjoyed this game and for a Standard Edition it's terrific. Nice long game play with a good balance between Hidden Object and Puzzles. A little heavy on Hidden Object but tons of interactivity in the HOs eased that abundance for me, being not huge fan of HO. Great clear graphics with door puzzles that hearkened back (in style only) to the old Ravenhearst. Nothing too tough on any puzzle but engaging none the less. Nor were any puzzles anything new BUT often had a new twist on old standards. Great logical solutions to inventory puzzle items too, which is often not the case. I was pleased to see hints were directional only. I've hated recent trend of hints telling you exactly what to do. I played on Expert Difficulty and completed the game.
I would like to give it a 4.5 but that's not an option and it doesn't quite make a 5, but very few games do in the opinion of this picky old bear. ;)
Vrooom!
I recommend this game!
Track the treasure and solve the riddles of the past with Golden Trails 3: The Guardian’s Creed game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
If you really like Interactive Hidden Object Scenes...
PostedDecember 7, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
...THIS is the game for you!
Review based on demo only.
I do, in fact, really enjoy interactive hidden object scenes. Back at the beginning of the H.O. genre it was enough to just find stuff. As time wore on though it seemed like having to sift through a bunch of incongruous junk to find the one object needed to move on became more of a chore than fun. The Golden Trails series turns this on it's ear by making the whole game pretty much an interactive hidden object scene - beside just finding objects you are locating usable objects to apply to areas, either in this scene or another, to get items that are used in puzzles or in mini-games or are clues to the over-all mystery. I find this refurbishing of an old game mechanic refreshing and fun.
And boy! DO they know how to hide stuff! Normally adjusting objects in scale or opacity to hide them I consider a cheat, but since these are so thoughtfully hidden, not just thrown in a pile, it doesn't seem to bother me here. I can feel my brain getting a workout thinking how images could be adjusted to fit into the scene. Since you must earn Hints by shooting bad guys as they pop up (this becomes really pretty easy) I find myself jealously guarding them and trying harder to find things on my own.
I don't really care about points or achievements but find myself playing along when they are present. These are pretty unobtrusive.
The graphics are terrific, if a bit dark (gama adjustment was needed on my system) and the sound is good, storyline interesting. I like solving a mystery. :)
I plan on buying but thought I'd pop in w/ my 2 cents on the way to do so.
I recommend this game!
Patchworkz is a relaxing jigsaw-puzzle game with competitive elements.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Perfectly relaxing.
PostedDecember 3, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Journey: The Heart of Gaia
(83)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
The graphics of the screen shots on the description page are what compelled me to try this game. What I didn't expect was a surprisingly challenging (if you play long enough, early puzzles extremely easy) pastime with lovely music that had me eagerly anticipating the next puzzle.
It is what it is - extremely simple and straight forward game play similar to a jigsaw. The challenge comes with not knowing what the picture will be. There is always the challenge of finishing w/in 2 minutes for one of 3 star ratings, the other being simple completion and not placing pieces incorrectly. I don't play games for "achievements" so this is inconsequential for me. There is a timed version but I did not try that.
This is the perfect game for winding down, chilling out, relaxation. My one complaint is I have issues with my hands and needing to drag and drop pieces proved tiring by the end of the demo. I would have liked the option to click to pick up and place.
I recommend this game!
Use your botany skills to survive the strange new planet of Botanica. Can you find your way back to Earth in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure?
Overall rating
5
/
5
18 of 38 found this review helpful
A wonderful departure and quality game.
PostedNovember 24, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Okay, the story line has been done before - Missing Father, Mysterious Portals, Unknown Lands. BUT this one is presented with enough new flesh on those typical bones to make the story interesting as are the characters who are more developed than usual.
That aside what we have here, besides engaging story, is terrific and fresh gameplay. Highly interactive Hidden Object scenes are just the tip of the iceberg followed by lots of unique and clever puzzles. True, I did not find any of them terribly challenging but all made me think before I could solve and several were entirely new to me, which considering I play nearly every IHOG offered is impressive.
The graphics were very pretty, such a nice change from ruined towns and abandoned hospitals, and the music was WONDERFUL! The music and environments I found very reminiscent of a certain blockbuster movie involving blue people on a jungle planet... ;) Really a pleasant place to spend several hours. The character painting was a little unpolished and no support of HD monitors, however, hence it not quite reaching the 5 stars.
At the end of the game I regretted not buying the CE because I was sad this journey was over. Fabulous game, highly recommended.
I recommend this game!
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 14 found this review helpful
Where the heck are the puzzles?
PostedNovember 20, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have completed the main game. I have started the Bonus Area. I played on the Advanced setting (there are only 2).
As has been my fear through the last 2 MCF games the emphasis seems to have shifted from gameplay to the video cut scenes. Story is good, I love story, and cut scenes that are well produced as these certainly are are great BUT it's a game first and sorry, this is lacking.
Each location goes through the same routine - a Hidden Object phase (granted this was handled a little differently, which was refreshing), a Match the Picture to the Environment Phase, then back to the Motel for a "Reading" which was a puzzle, but tedious after initial interest. I have a rule in games I like: Never make the player do the same thing more than three times. This whole game was repetition.
There were a few, VERY few, traditional mini-game type puzzles. Only one springs to mind as good. (the wiring puzzle that was a fun challenge). The others weren't even really puzzles, just figuring out how to restore locations to make images, one game of hangman and I honestly can't remember any others.
The scare factor was the best part of the game. The graphics and music were high quality and the atmosphere super creepy with several big BOO! type scares. BUT THAT'S NOT A GAME. That's a movie.
Add to that the main game was short. I am sure I finished in less than 3 hours. Sad thing is by that time I didn't mind as I was frankly kinda bored.
It actually saddens me to think back to the original Ravenhearst with it's wonderful, super challenging door puzzles. It made me fall in love with IHOGs and Big Fish. What happened to that innovative GAMING vision? At this point, with really excellent CE IHOGS being offered nearly every week Big Fish Studios has to step it up. This was not it.
I don't recommend this game.
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
...not a Collector's Edition?
PostedNovember 10, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
...but superior to many that are.
Terrific game w/ lots of the extras one normally finds in CEs including a bonus chapter.
Nice long game play, alternative game choice for HO Scenes, map that shows action available, different take on the usual rescue missing loved one theme, good voice acting, moderately easy puzzles, nice balance between interactive HOs and Inventory Puzzles.
Loved every minute of it.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your canine companion, and solve the mystery of Houndspoint!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 10 found this review helpful
A date with a gorgeous but vapid companion.
PostedJune 30, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If this game didn't have truly gorgeous graphics and lovely music I am sure I would be giving it a 3 overall rating. BUT I, personally, can be sustained by beautiful graphics to a point in a game where I might normally grow bored.
There is nothing new or innovative or even challenging in the puzzles. There are far too many trial and error puzzles which I consider a cheat by the developers. They take no intellect or ability beyond memory. I did skip a couple puzzles mostly because of this.
The inventory puzzles were interesting enough, mostly logical, though occasionally nonsensical. I personally like this aspect the most, being an old school adventure game player, where no clues were given and much wandering was required. For those not into wandering a map that allows clicking to locations is given. That's a plus.
Also a plus is the removal of already found objects from repeated Hidden Object scenes. These occurred at an acceptable rate and, though junk pile style, were at least not anachronistic or illogical.
So while I enjoyed the game and decided to buy the CE (the bonus chapter was very good I thought, though short) I was often aware that I was, for the most part, responding not to substance but to it's pretty face. ;)
I don't recommend this game.
Once upon a time in the small, undistinguished town of Silentville people started disappearing. Help uncover the mystery behind these disappearances and save the town from a curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
163 of 187 found this review helpful
Good enough to buy after 12 minutes!
PostedJune 16, 2012
Poodlebear
fromSeattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Alright, I admit I should likely wait to review this as it could all go horribly wrong further in, but suffice for now to say that I realized, in playing the demo, I was playing w/ a BIG smile on my face, and it's been a while since I've felt that. Soooo after 12 minutes of great graphics, wonderful voice over, intriguing story and 2 of the most highly interactive Hidden Object scenes I have *ever* played I had to stop and buy. Particularly because this is NOT a Collector's Edition and I want to encourage, through my dollars spent, this kind of quality in Standard Editions.
It's shaping up to be a good night!
I recommend this game!