mikesilverman's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.6
- Helpful Votes:396
- Reviews Submitted:53
- First Review:August 5, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 18, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
It’s up to you to save the Swan Princess’s kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
AN AMAZING VISUAL JOURNEY - GROUND BREAKING QUALITY
PostedAugust 7, 2016
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am continually amazed by the progress of game producers in areas such as these "hidden-object" adventures.
Each time that I think the pinnacle of art and animation has been reached for this genre , a game like The Swan Princess and The Dire Tree comes along and blows that idea out of the water. EIPIX ENTERTAINMENT and their fleet of animators and artists have created something extraordinary here, I would even say it is ground-breaking in the depth of its quality. The living breathing settings you will encounter, richly painted and crafted with animated movement makes every scene an experience of WOW!
The gameplay is perfect. As you move from scene to scene you feel like you are walking through a fantasy world and the puzzles are beautifully crafted but not aggressively difficult. One of the most difficult things for a game producer in this genre of "hidden-object" casual games is to strike exactly the right balance between challenge and enjoyment without sacrificing either. The hidden object scenes are breathtakingly beautiful and not overly difficult to complete. The same thing can be said of the puzzles, they entertaining to play but not frustrating to complete.
If you like fantasy quests you will love this game.
Each time that I think the pinnacle of art and animation has been reached for this genre , a game like The Swan Princess and The Dire Tree comes along and blows that idea out of the water. EIPIX ENTERTAINMENT and their fleet of animators and artists have created something extraordinary here, I would even say it is ground-breaking in the depth of its quality. The living breathing settings you will encounter, richly painted and crafted with animated movement makes every scene an experience of WOW!
The gameplay is perfect. As you move from scene to scene you feel like you are walking through a fantasy world and the puzzles are beautifully crafted but not aggressively difficult. One of the most difficult things for a game producer in this genre of "hidden-object" casual games is to strike exactly the right balance between challenge and enjoyment without sacrificing either. The hidden object scenes are breathtakingly beautiful and not overly difficult to complete. The same thing can be said of the puzzles, they entertaining to play but not frustrating to complete.
If you like fantasy quests you will love this game.
I recommend this game!
Step into Noah's shoes and build the ark in this touching story of faith, family, and the future!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
HELP SAVE NOAH AND HIS FAMILY FROM THE FLOOD
PostedMarch 28, 2016
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a very charming little game that faithfully tells the story of the biblical account of Noah's Ark. No corners were cut, it actually gets the story right. Through audio and nicely-drawn visuals you see Noah and his family interact as he takes up the task of constructing the Ark.
The game has a typical Match-3 style game board, and each round had goals to reach for collecting certain types of tiles. You can play with or without a timer. The game tiles depict various creatures and plants and objects in clean clear well-designed graphics that fall and bounce off the screen as you match them three-or-more in a row or column. Some boards contains elements that tie-in to the story, such as disks with doves on them that contain the "word of God" that you must lower to the bottom of the game board after which you are told vocally that "The spirit of The Lord is upon you!".
As you complete each board you earn resources that help Noah in the steps toward building and completing the Ark.
There are power-up items as well, an axe and a bomb and a stone tablet that each can be used to remove a certain number of tiles from the screen. After using one of the power-ups the power-up will re-energize and become available again as quickly as you can make multiple matches of 4 or more tiles to refil the energy meter.
The game has a typical Match-3 style game board, and each round had goals to reach for collecting certain types of tiles. You can play with or without a timer. The game tiles depict various creatures and plants and objects in clean clear well-designed graphics that fall and bounce off the screen as you match them three-or-more in a row or column. Some boards contains elements that tie-in to the story, such as disks with doves on them that contain the "word of God" that you must lower to the bottom of the game board after which you are told vocally that "The spirit of The Lord is upon you!".
As you complete each board you earn resources that help Noah in the steps toward building and completing the Ark.
There are power-up items as well, an axe and a bomb and a stone tablet that each can be used to remove a certain number of tiles from the screen. After using one of the power-ups the power-up will re-energize and become available again as quickly as you can make multiple matches of 4 or more tiles to refil the energy meter.
The game is also fun to play because it strikes the right balance between being challenging without being too hard to complete each board. The theme, the visuals and the story of this match-3 game makes it a stand-out from all the others of its type. I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
In Wishville, all dreams come true, for a price.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
A BEAUTIFUL INTENSE FAIRY TALE
PostedMarch 13, 2016
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a beautiful and gripping reworking of the classic fairy tale Rumplestiltskin. The artwork in this game is amazing, all around you there is a fluid motion of the scenery. Every time I think that a pinnacle has been reached in art and motion in these types of games, one comes along that raises the bar to a whole new level, and this is the game that does it.
The game is loaded with classic list-type hidden object scenes, and the puzzles you encounter are moderate , some are easy , to solve. The story is about your journey to find your missing husband Jack who went on a quest to fulfill a contract he had signed with a enigmatic stranger named Mayor Tom. Mayor Tom has the ability to grant anyone any wish, but he always demands a signed contract from the wish-seeker to fulfill a task in return. All along your journey you encounter the sad stories of people who could not fulfill the contract before they died, but even in death they are bound, and will not be free until their contracts are complete. You take up thier contracts along the way and try to fulfill them to set these people free.
Along the way there are roses and objects to collet for extra achievement. Unlike some other hidden object adventures, the ending to this is actually satisfying and complete and nothing is left hanging.
I enjoyed this very much and highly recommend it.
The game is loaded with classic list-type hidden object scenes, and the puzzles you encounter are moderate , some are easy , to solve. The story is about your journey to find your missing husband Jack who went on a quest to fulfill a contract he had signed with a enigmatic stranger named Mayor Tom. Mayor Tom has the ability to grant anyone any wish, but he always demands a signed contract from the wish-seeker to fulfill a task in return. All along your journey you encounter the sad stories of people who could not fulfill the contract before they died, but even in death they are bound, and will not be free until their contracts are complete. You take up thier contracts along the way and try to fulfill them to set these people free.
Along the way there are roses and objects to collet for extra achievement. Unlike some other hidden object adventures, the ending to this is actually satisfying and complete and nothing is left hanging.
I enjoyed this very much and highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Have fun helping Santa make the best Christmas ever. Put up decorations, visit Santa's North Pole workshops and open fabulous presents.
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
PURE HIDDEN OBJECT FUN
PostedDecember 13, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Beautiful detailed scenes with joyful Christmas holiday themes and music comprise this delightful hidden-object search game.
The visual details are beautifully rendered with everything from warm cozy coffee shops to outdoor winter wonderlands full of people and decorations and animals and animated movement, the images are very attractive and put a smile on your face every time.
Each of the scenes contains dozens of hidden objects that you have to find based on a list located at the bottom of the screen. Some of the objects are well hidden so you have to look carefully. Most of the objects to find are there hidden in plain sight and you will see them eventually if you look through the scenes carefully. A few items , listed in RED on the list, are hidden deeper and you typically need to click on something like a cabinet door or a box or a backpack to open and find those few deeply hidden objects.
Also every scene has Golden Reindeer that are hidden in plain sight that are "extra" bonus points for collecting if you can find them. You will see, next to the list of objects, a little "deer stable" with the doors open and a reindeer peeking out. This indicates that there are golden reindeer to find. After you find all the golden reindeer in a scene the "deer stable" doors will close for that scene, and will open again at the next hidden object scene you come to.
Also there are additional extra "Lost and Found" objects to find for extra points. These objects appear in a shadow shape inside the snow globe to the left side of the hidden object list.
Each hidden object scene ends when you find all the items on the primary list of objects at the bottom of the screen. So if you want to find all the golden reindeer and extra lost and found items, do those first, then do the objects from the primary list.
This is a relaxing fun way to spend some time when you just want to unwind a little and enjoy looking at some beautiful holiday scenes and play a very casually paced game with no time limits.
I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
WMS Slots: Quest for the Fountain
Spin on nine brand new, never before seen slot games and 6 classic casino slots from WMS Gaming!
Overall rating
5
/
5
127 of 155 found this review helpful
WOW! AMAZING SLOT MACHINES!
PostedNovember 28, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I normally don't play the "slots" type of video games because I find slot machines to be very boring. But THIS game changes everything! The graphics and visuals are amazing! The reels of the slot machines contain beautifully rendered animated icons, and the winning percentages are high enough that you don't get frustrated, and there are challenges to meet for each different slot machine in order to unlock more slot machines.
For example, the Nemo's Voyage slot machine ( one of my favorites, and one that I think pays out the most ) has reels with all kinds of deep sea icons like giant squids, diving suits, anchors, sharks, and so on... and off to the right side of the machine there is a depth gauge which shows you how deep your submarine is going as you play the slot machine. On the left side of the machine there is a window which shows you sea creatures swimming by which become different as you descend to incredible depths. I know... right? This is a slot machine? Yes, it's a slot machine that has tons of fascinating graphic effects. So, every time you spin the reels.., when the "increase pressure" icon shows up, you dive deeper. And this where it gets really fun. There are steam vents and steel plates around the edges of the slot machine to sort of give the feel of being in a submarine, and as you dive deeper, bursts of steam shoot out from the vents, and... the rivets holding the steel plates in place begin to pop..., and streams of water start pouring out! When you hit the very bottom of the depths you go into an emergency "surfacing" mode where the depth gauge shows you the ship starting to rise, and in this moment all the values on the board are increased. Also there are voices announcing emergency conditions, and when special bonuses appear on the board. There is also a special bonus spin round that looks completely different, which gets activated if you hit three bonus icons in one spin. And this is just one of the dozens of different amazing slot machines in this game.
To get the maximum fun and payout I recommend setting the bet on each spin to the maximum limit playing all lines on the slot machine.
I love it! I highly recommend it!
I recommend this game!
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
LOTS OF FUN AND NOT TOO HARD
PostedNovember 22, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game was fun and visually magnificent, and fairly easy to complete. Some people have said that this is a difficult game or that the puzzles are difficult but I did not find that to be the case. From 2 to 7 minutes maximum is what I spent on solving the various puzzles. I would rate the puzzles as moderately difficult. If you have already successfully finished 3 or 4 hidden-object style games, then you should not have too much trouble with this one.
I have not played the other hidden-object games in the MCF Mystery Case files series, but you don't have to have played the previous games in order to play and enjoy this one. While there are some references to previous episodes of the MCF series Ravenhearst, it in no way impedes or detracts from the play and enjoyment of this game in a stand-alone status.
The visuals are beautiful, the scenery, the rooms, and the people are rendered in exquisite detail. There is a an authentically spooky spine-tingling feeling to the game as you wander through the strange old rooms of the mansion. Just as an example, when you enter the study of the old mansion and look out the windows you can see the roiling waves of the ocean splashing up against the windows as lightning crackles overhead.
The puzzles, as I mentioned, are not all that difficult but they are very entertaining. Especially the large puzzle screens that contain four or five different "micro" puzzles within them. Completing each of the micro-puzzles provides you with a key part to activate the next micro-puzzle segment. The thing about these large puzzles with the micro-puzzles in them is that the puzzle screen itself contains very good clues as to how to complete each little micro puzzle, so poke around on those screens and you will likely uncover helpful hints.
While there were a couple of times I felt that I was stuck , it didn't take me long to figure out why and what to do. At various times during the game you might find yourself with some inventory items but no place left to go with them, seemingly nowhere to use them. You looked everywhere but there doesn't seem to be anything you haven't tried. Ah, but what I didn't realize at first was that there is a puzzle-box connected to the inventory screen. And at various times, when you have collected the needed inventory piece, you have to click on that puzzle box that is attached to the inventory screen and use that to advance to the next part of the game.
Also, there are some puzzles that present a coded keypad, but try as you might you can not find any code to use for that keypad. Well, these few keypads have no key code to locate, you have to simply play with them on a trial and error bases to figure out which keys pressed , in which order, will light up the lights and unlock the door.
Overall a very fun, very entertaining game that I highly recommend.
I recommend this game!
Help save the world from dark forces in this puzzle adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
PostedOctober 18, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the best match 3 game I've played in a long time. The board is full of spooky tiles such as bubbling cauldrons, gravestones, disembodied eyes, bloody knives, skulls with brains, magic spell books, a creepy collection of tiles that fits with the halloween theme.
There is a timed mode, and a "moves" mode that is not timed but limits the number of moves you have to complete the board.
For each board there are several tasks to complete in order to finish, such as collecting a certain number of specific types of tiles, or maybe bringing a golden skull to the bottom of the screen.
There are helpful bonuses, such as forming matches of 4 or more will produce a crucifix that shoots rays in four directions at once, or witches on broomsticks that fly across or up the board clearing rows of tiles. There are also pistols, hammers, and other helpful objects.
The backgrounds change as you progress and are beautiful detailed renderings of creepy old houses and crypts and other landscape. As you clear boards you earn gold that you can use to decorate your own haunted house with some seriously creepy decorations.
I am having a lot of fun playing this, and I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Help the adorable grim reapers Grimm and Rose defeat monsters, ghosts, evil bunnies and more using the power of words!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
BECOME A WORD WARRIOR
PostedOctober 11, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I really enjoy this Letter Quest game. You don't need to be a genius to play this game but you should have at least a slightly above average vocabulary / spelling ability in order to play the game effectively.
In a side-scrolling adventure style game your character ( A Grim Reaper type character who carries a scythe ) roams through various caverns and forests encountering monsters. Each time a monster appears your character will stop and will raise the weapon he is carrying. A grid of letters will appear and then you must form words by clicking on the letters. Based upon the length of the word you make and the letters you use..., you will do a certain amount of damage to the monster, and then the monster will retaliate doing a certain amount of damage to your character ( unless you kill the monster and then there will be no retaliation on that move ). And then you create another word , again, to do more damage to the monster and so on... until you finally kill it, or it kills you.
There is no timer involved in these sequences, you can take as long as you want to look at the letters and form a word. ( there is an optional "timed" quest you can choose if you want ).
As the game progresses the monsters get bigger and stronger and can cause more harm to your character. This is where the Role-Playing aspect of the game comes into play. The game is divided into multiple quest segments, and after each segment is successfully completed you are awarded a certain number of gems you can spend at the "Store" between quests. The store has around 50 different items you can purchase to help you on your quest. This includes different types of weapons that have stronger effects against monsters, spell books that have various effects such as giving you extra strength for damage against monsters if you use a certain number of letters, and skills upgrades such as making you a better fighter and better at dodging attacks, stronger defense. There are also potions you can buy to take with you to restore health as needed or to undo negative effects monsters cause to the letters on the game board. Also, anything you purchase at the store can be upgraded itself to have better effects.
There are other things you can get at the store, such as an upgraded style to the tiles on the game board to make the game a little more fancy and elegant. And after a while you can swap your character for one other different character, a smaller demon girl ( looks like a girl, so I'm assuming it is ) at the store. I did this and found that the demon girl is actually a more effective character at withstanding attacks from the monsters.
At any time you can go back and replay any of the segments you have already completed. Along with the main quest there are side-quests and challenges that you can choose to take to score extra gems.
The fun entertaining graphics, the ability to upgrade your character's skills and equipment, the challenge of the word game itself, all come together to create a very addictive gameplay that I have been enjoying a lot. I highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Explore the Wild West and help Ted and his friends in their adventures.
Overall rating
2
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Not So Great
PostedOctober 3, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
After about 30 minutes of playing this game I was bored with it. The game had the feel of a Royal Envoy refit with a cheap western theme pasted over it. Royal Envoy was a much better game.
I found the timer to be too quick to run out, the tasks far too repetitive and the characters uninteresting. If you want a great recent time management game , get the Labors of Hercules.
I can't recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
The legendary hero Hercules and his wife Megara are back, ready to embark on their next adventure! Restore the world's beauty and save Mother Nature from destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
This One is FUN!!
PostedSeptember 13, 2015
mikesilverman
fromMassachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Word, Mahjong, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I normally dislike time management games. They never seem to allow enough time to complete the tasks you need to do. And then they rapidly overload you with more and more tasks that drive you crazy.
BUT this one is different. I really like this 12 Labors Of Hercules, it is actually fun to play. And, the game allows plenty of time to complete the tasks on each level. But even better, if you don't manage to complete the tasks before the timer runs out, you still get to complete the level and move on to the next one. The difference is that , when you complete the level before the timer runs out, you earn gold or silver stars which you will need to access the bonus content at the end of the game and to earn achievement awards.
The animation is clear, well defined, easy to look at and has nice graphic touches such as Hercules kicking giant boulders off the screen and punching out his evil twin, medusa turning minotaurs into stone, Megara ( Hercules' wife ) using her power to bring trees back to life, and thieves who sneak up and try to steal gold and wood resources before you can get to them.
There are a lot of power-ups you can obtain during each level, including constructing obelisks that increase your speed, upgrading your home base to add more workers to complete tasks, and a power-up progress bar on the right side of the screen that you can use to add extra resources and power.
Each level has a goal, or multiple goals that you must complete in order to finish the level. Most of the goals involved clearing the way of debris and enemies.
This game is a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!