MSBAM100's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.7
- Helpful Votes:8,578
- Reviews Submitted:240
- First Review:January 11, 2013
- Most Recent Review:January 27, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A Mayan god is turning people into jaguars! Can you stop him before the world falls into chaos?
Overall rating
5
/
5
167 of 180 found this review helpful
Jaguars, jaguars, everywhere!
PostedAugust 7, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I was really starting to enjoy this game when the demo ended after 60 minutes. Now that there are 90 minute demos, it was a bit disappointing not to see more of the game.
This is the third in the Mayan series, which is summarized in the beginning. Three characters are carry-overs. You play Alexis Dean, partnered with Gregory, still after Fernando Gomez who has escaped twice already from your custody. Anyway, Gomez has the blade that captured Xalan, the God of the Jaguars. He has been turning humans into jaguars with a potion, which he does to poor Gregory. Gregory now becomes your animal helper to get into high places and dig or whatever.
The HOS are a bit hard, but you can play Mahjong instead. They are lists or silhouettes, but as you find each item you uncover a piece to a lock or a box that holds your final item. The mini-games are fairly easy, as they are not unique.
The graphics are nice and bright, the voice-overs good. One of my favorite scenes is that of a manatee caught in a net -- quite a realistic occurrence down here in Florida!
You have 36 morphing objects to find, plus 25 totems that turn into birds when you click on them. The jump map is a good one, with activities marked in casual mode. There are four modes, including custom. While it doesn't have all the CE bling other developers provide, this is a good story that is easy to follow. Try it and see.
I recommend this game!
Witch Hunters: Full Moon Ceremony Collector's Edition
Defeat the evil witches and save the world from eternal darkness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 38 found this review helpful
Witches, witches everywhere!
PostedAugust 2, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait Collector's Edition
(72)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The best part of this game is the evil dwarf who shows up in every scene and transforms it, like changing your living room into a medieval castle, complete with Medusa!
So one night you awaken to find out your house is deserted and your bedroom is full of tree roots, courtesy of the dwarf who gets his powers from the moonlight. It seems it is time to choose a new moon queen, and the witches don't want one, so it is up to you to find the 15 magic shards of your dresser mirror that the dwarf broke when he first showed up!
There are morphing objects and achievements but not much other bling here. The HOS scenes are dark -- a brightener option would be most welcome. The voice-overs of the witches all kind of sound the same, and the lips don't move. The map is a jump map, but the areas with activities are supposed to be marked in color, but again, because of the dark textures, you cannot really tell. The game is not intuitive, so I used the hint button and the strategy guide extensively -- not as much fun as figuring it out yourself.
But watching the evil dwarf wreak havoc on your house in a unique fashion in every scene is pretty cool!
I am not sure this is a CE, but it would be fun as an SE.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
77 of 87 found this review helpful
Save Anther from the Torment!
PostedJuly 31, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time Collector's Edition
(47)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another lovely graphic feast from this developer. It seems to have nothing to do with the previous Amaranthine games, although you still play Professor Burns. Your team finds an artifact, which eventually allows you to uncover the Vault Seal and enter Anther, a gorgeous world of flowers except for the dark smoke circling around!
The voice-overs are spot on. The HOPs are multi-faceted with silhouettes and lists and riddles, or byou can play a Bubble Popper instead.
The CE bling is outstanding -- 17 morphing objects inside the HOPs, 41 flowers of remembrance to find, with a Bonus game, the Flower Collection, the Souvenir Room, the Making of video, plus 3 HOPs from previous games to win access to.
A thoroughly enjoyable game!
I recommend this game!
Your investigative report on the Weeping Woman of San Cristobal turns personal after you witness a kidnapping. Is the legend true?
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 30 found this review helpful
Beware the Flores de los Mertos festival!
PostedJuly 26, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You are a reporter who arrives in San Cristobal to find the missing children. It seems Maria and Domingo were happily married with 2 children, when Domingo decides to leave her for another woman, and took the children as well. So Maria drowned herself in Rio Cristobal, and now steals children near the river to make up for her own lost ones.
The best thing about this game is the voice acting. The character's lips move to match what they are saying. Otherwise, it is a bit boring. The HOS are lists, and the mini-games quite easy. You ramble around the town looking for clues, using a map that doesn't actually represent all the areas in the town. Activities are marked, but you may not be able to carry out the activity at the time.
You can collect 25 golden skulls and 25 floweres, plus 14 achievements. I quit playing the demo after about 15 minutes or so, because I was using the hint button too much. It is not intuitive where to go or what to do next.
I am afraid I'll have to pass on this one.
I don't recommend this game.
Save your daughter from a mysterious mirror-hopping monster!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 27 found this review helpful
Alice is all grown up -- and missing!
PostedJuly 19, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the sequel to the previous Nevertales game, and it doesn't disappoint! You can watch a movie of the previous game before you start, if you want. Anyway, the baby you rescued then is now yours and Pierre's daughter Alice, 12 years old, who has her own Travelling powers involving mirrors, not just the books you use.
Alice disappears through a mirror, your world starts quaking and falling apart, a shroud monster appears in the mirror and the mirror breaks. To rescue Alice, you must visit Maria and her island from the previous Nevertales story, who tells you to find four Catalysts to save your daughter.
This is a clever tale, intertwined with previous games and using the same BookWorld theme of opening portals with Books. There is so much to do! You have 24 achievements to earn, morphing items in HOPs, plus a book collectible in every scene.
Plus, there is Alice's empty dollhouse -- when you find a room, you receive a message or a magic item from Alice. You get to repair magic mirrors by finding shards. You become Pierre for a bit while he climbs out of a ditch. The HOPs are clever lists, that require interaction -- or each found object affects another. You get to complete a story book HOP. The mini-games are all solvable.
The CE bling includes a Tower Defense and Travelers, to be opened after completing the Bonus Game. The four levels of difficulty should satisfy all. I am so happy there is a special this weekend -- I've got to see the next chapter!
I recommend this game!
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait Collector's Edition
A father returns home to find his children missing - all but one, who refuses to say a word...
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 174 found this review helpful
Get rid of the paintings!
PostedJuly 17, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Dreampath: The Two Kingdoms Collector's Edition
(90)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It is 1756, in Blatshire, England, and you've returned to your new home, Groford Estate, to find you are locked out. Once you open the door, a painting of a dog comes to life, and your wife faints. You deal with the dog, revive your wife, and find out three of your four children have disappeared when Anna removed a book in the library that opened a secret panel! Only your daughter Leia remains, but eventually she too, is taken by the mysterious stranger, Marshall. It seems Marshall was burned at the stake in 1452 when his family disappeared after he painted them. Hence, the connection to the paintings coming to life and threatening you and your family.
There is a lot to like about this game. You get a jump map of the estate, which is huge. The family cat, Mr. Jenkins, helps you out in the tight spaces and scares away some critters. Mr. Jenkins also has his own Kitty Playroom that you stock with food and a couch and other things after you find some coins. The HOS are lists with a twist. Each HOS has one or two mini-games embedded within -- dress a doll, assemble a gear, rearrange pieces of a painting. Each HOS also requires you to interact with pieces within the HOS -- very well done. The stand-alone mini-games are not very hard, and not that unique, but still fun to do.
There is no journal, and the voice-overs do not move the mouths of the characters. There is, however, a Developer Diary where you can see the game developers at work -- one of the reasons the demo took me 82 minutes to complete! There is a bonus Match-3 game, plus a bonus game, plus the normal CE bling. This is a relaxing game to play. Try it, I think you will enjoy it.
I recommend this game!
Was Veronica West’s death an accident… or a cold-blooded murder?
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 88 found this review helpful
Welcome back, Detective!
PostedJuly 12, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am a sucker for this developer's detective games! You and Daniels once again are called to investigate a suicide/murder of famous actress Veronica West. As an inside joke, it looks like she worked for Wolf Studios, a prominent setting in several other games. You have your evidence board where you track the suspects and clues, as usual. As you meet each suspect, a new feature lets you interrogate them and determine if they are telling the truth, or hiding something. Is the maid really crying if her makeup is perfect and her handkerchief is dry?
The artwork is gorgeous, and the opening scenes on the boat are so realistic, they almost made me seasick! The opening mini-game requires you to use a compass to navigate to Veronica's island -- not hard, but clever fun. A later mini-game requires you to pick the lock by spinning several dials to advance the pick -- again, not hard but a new twist on the lockpick game. I enjoy the extra time of the demos as I don't have to skip the mini-games any more due to time constraints. It took me 72 minutes to finish the demo, and I enjoyed every minute!
The achievements this time include some humorous items, like "in a Hurry" -- over-clicking on a HOP; "Coffee Break" -- stand idle for 5 minutes; and "Hoarder" -- have 10 items in your inventory at once. The Hint button, which is your detective badge, can act like a Jump if you need to move to another area. The map is a jump map, with activities marked in casual mode, although the story is so well-thought out I didn't even need to use the map.
The HOPs are multi-level and you can play a Bubble Shooter game instead. Each HOP seems to have a list, some silhouettes, then an additional step where you have to assemble something. Again, not hard but fun.
CE bling includes 44 stars to collect, with an icon telling you if you've found the star or not, as well as 12 morping objects in HOPS -- I found one, but promptly forgot to look in the other HOPS. I need an icon for that as well! This developer always includes The Making Of pictures of staff and a Souvenir Room where you go back and find an object in each scene after you've completed the games, plus all the normal CE extras like replaying HOPs and mini-games and even the Bubble Shooter, and a Bonus Game.
So after you've talked to most of the suspects, and examined the scene of the crime, you look through the telescope and -- BANG -- a gun is fired at your partner. How can you not buy!
I recommend this game!
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time Collector's Edition
It’s time to solve the secret of this mysterious island!
Overall rating
5
/
5
74 of 120 found this review helpful
What if you'd never been born?
PostedJuly 10, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A clever game with a clever plot! Your grandfather tried to bring back the sarcophagus of the Lord of Time from an island, but the casket was disrupted and triggered a time collapse. You have to save the world by finding and replacing the four eagles that secure the sarcophagus, or else you might never be born!
The opening video is so realistic, I was almost seasick from the waves. And the characters are realistically drawn, with smooth movements and excellent voiceovers. Their mouths don't just move -- they look like they are actually saying the words. I was totally immersed in the story, and enjoyed every minute of the 75 minutes I spent playing the demo.
You get to give first aid to your grandfather, and rescue your grandmother from a villain who is in love with her, and owns one of the golden eagles. Both of them are still young, and you could even be your grandmother's twin!
There are four modes of play, including custom. You have a jump map - after you fix the satellite GPS - but it doesn't have the activities marked, so you have to remember things like where you saw the other half of the grass clippers. You've brought along your pet dog, whom you get to name after you rescue him from a shark. He of course digs and helps you with some of the critters you meet. You repair a videophone that your grandfather uses to keep in touch with you while you explore. And your "notebook" is a high tech cellphone with tasks, notes/clues, videos and the map. A slightly new twist is a camera, which you use to take pictures of clues. If you take five pictures of key characters, you will discover more info about them.
The collectibles are 20 morphing clocks, which unlock locks on the Gate of Time. You also find pictures, which when matched to the scene, yield helpful items - you just have to remember where you saw that partial scene before! The HOS are fairly simple lists, which you can exchange for a Match 3 game. The mini-puzzles are more interesting, and you can choose Casual or Hard for more challenge.
The demo ends when the Guardians of Time - winged females who look like angels but aren't - grab your grandfather. I can't wait to buy and see what happens!
I recommend this game!
Can you bring Maria back from a shadowy realm?
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 60 found this review helpful
A fortune teller, a pilot, and a 16 year old girl
PostedJuly 5, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the fourth in this series and it does not disappoint. A sixteen year old girl was taken by a terrible beast, after she opened a magical birthday present. Her father was a test pilot, who is also attacked and loses his memory. While piloting a plane, he crashed into the creature, which is perhaps why the creature has targeted his daughter. The creature needs 3 innocent souls to restore his master, which appears to be a giant flower!
While the story is a bit convoluted, it slowly works itself out into an interesting journey, allowing you to pass between the normal world and the dark world by using a device. The device needs a lot of maintenance, however -- a new battery, a repair, a rescue from the creature. All quite challenging and fun! There is also a mysterious fortune teller that gives you glimpses of the story as well.
To help you in your journey, you have an interactive map with activities marked. You have a hint button that will actually take you to another scene if necessary. And you have a device you repaired that lets you remove magical spells from doors or items. Plus a strategy guide, if needed.
The HOS are interactive picture lists, requiring you to use items found in order to find the next item. Also, there are the "place the items in the scene" form of HOS. Both are challenging and required me to use the Hint Button. The mini-games, however, are easily solved. Some are unique, and some are common.
There are 4 modes of play, including custom, 30 collectible flowers, achievement awards and points, plus morphing objects. The morphing objects fit into the scene they were found in, turning the darkness into the normal -- a nice twist.
I played the demo for 63 minutes, and at the end, the fortune teller promises to show you "how to save Maria." What she actually shows you is a preview of all the upcoming scenes and dangers -- another nice touch.
I really enjoyed the demo and plan to buy it. You should try it and see for yourself!
I recommend this game!
The expedition continues... Track down the fragments of King Solomon's crown and foil a madman's plot in this exciting follow-up to the bestselling series!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 52 found this review helpful
H.E.L.P find Solomon's Crown
PostedJuly 3, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another Smithsonian Adventure! What a treat for a Holiday weekend! When the story opens, you are the H.E.L.P agent on a plane, returning the previous adventure's artifacts, when you are unceremoniously dumped from the plane by the copilot who is an imposter. You land in Turkey, conveniently right by an overheated taxi cab, which takes you to the Sultan - an art dealer, murderer and thief - who discovered a piece of Solomon's crown. Your H.E.L.P cohort picks you up in her plane, and takes you to the next site - the Artic Circle - to find the next piece of the crown.
You are aided in your quest by your H.E.L.P. communicator, with which you talk to your boss and receive tips from the agency. You finally receive a jump map at the Artic Circle, which marks activities to be accomplished, if you play in Casual mode. There are four modes -- Rookie, Field Agent, H.E.L.P operative, and custom. The demo ends just as you find the second piece of the crown. Unfortunately, the crooks take it from you, blow up the ship, and leave you underwater!
The HOPs are all multi-level, with both pictures and lists. The mini-games are not hard -- I didn't need to SKIP any. There are 20 FACT cards -- a staple of the Hidden Expedition series. The FACT cards tell you about interesting tidbits related to your game -- King Solomon, Constantinople, and others.
The CE bling includes some of my favorites -- the "making of", the souvenir room, 44 crown collectibles with a screen icon to remind you if you've found it yet, plus morphing objects in the HOPs -- I found none so far!
This is an enjoyable game that I have to buy. Try it and see if you like it too!
I recommend this game!