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:
Kingdom's Heyday
Have you ever wanted to rule a kingdom? Now is your chance! Help the princess restore prosperity.
Overall rating
5
/
5
24 of 29 found this review helpful
The Princess is a Builder!
PostedDecember 4, 2013
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 a charming, low-key, building game different enough from other building games to grab your interest. You still build huts and cabins and taverns and luxury items to improve the value of your properties and your income. But it doesn't have that "hurry up" feeling that the Build-A-Lots have. While it still has a timer, I am not sure it matters. It has some achievements and you are also uncovering a map of the kingdom as you play.
A thoroughly satisfying and relaxing game!
I recommend this game!
An imprisoned soul will never be free until you clear his name!
Overall rating
5
/
5
59 of 73 found this review helpful
Dana's back!
PostedNovember 30, 2013
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
What a treat to have a new Dana Knightstone game! First Scotland, then Italy, then Austria and now Portugal! While attending the reopening of the Aldamo Hotel, you discover the death of Gabriela Montoya, who was engaged to Silvio Torres but married Joel Aldama instead. Gabriela's family owned competing vineyards to the Aldamas. She was murdered and Silvio seems to have been framed for her death. Since you are clairvoyant, you can see back into the past and find a second set of footprints! It seems the Aldama's aren't as innocent as they want you to believe.
The Dana series always has a great story. The demo only had one HOS, however, and just a few puzzles. But the puzzles all lead to needed items to move the story forward. I did have to use the strategy guide when I got stuck, although I eventually mastered the teleporting map with the clues turned on which made it easier.
There are three modes of play (no custom#, 15 achievements, and I kept finding pictures of the Aldamos that disintegrated when clicked -- not sure what that is. There is an Epilogue Bonus chapter, plus the normal CE extras. A great way to spend Thanksgiving weekend #if you've finished shopping!)
I recommend this game!
Construct campsites for stalwart explorers to stay safe and warm as they join you and Addie in an expedition across long forgotten lands.
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Same old Campgrounds
PostedNovember 28, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Having played and enjoyed the previous Campgrounds game, I was looking forward to a new one. While this game is fun, I cannot really tell the difference from the previous game. You are Addie, who has found the Artifact of Endorus, a mythical civilization. You have a team who wants to follow you to retrace the footsteps the Endorus followed to uncover even greater mysteries. Unfortunately, except for the occasional mention of the Endorus in the text, there is nothing different in the demo that connects with that concept.
This doesn't mean the game isn't good. You still build tents and trailers and greenhouses and factories and even the same original coconut hut. It has an untimed mode for those of us who do not like to rush -- my favorite attraction in this game!
There are 14 trophies you can achieve, and a strategy guide as an extra (not needed so far). While I really do like this game, it is definitely not a CE. I recommend this as an SE.
I recommend this game!
Secret Trails: Frozen Heart Collector's Edition
Your surprise visit is ruined by a blizzard. Who caused it, and what does he want with your little sister?
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 49 found this review helpful
Another Frozen Beauty game
PostedNovember 23, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You are Emma's sister, visiting her for her birthday. When you arrive, you find a frozen Emma. While you are figuring out how to defrost her, she gets kidnapped.
This game doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a typical CE. You do get to collect butterflies, which restore the hint button completely. And there is a bonus game. But none of the cleverness we've become used to in our CE games -- no morphing items, no pets, no helpers, no custom mode.
The HOS are straightforward and rather easy. The mini-puzzles are not unique and also easily solved because we've seen them before. The hint button gives you a specific task to do next, so the strategy guide is not really necessary. There is a teleporting map with the task places marked.
And the demo is fairly short. This game, unfortunately, is boring and we've already had many frozen games to figure out that are much better.
I don't recommend this game.
You thought this would be just like any other investigation. But now you find yourself lost in a mysterious mansion brimming with strange creatures, comatose colleagues, and mysterious tentacles around every corner…
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 41 found this review helpful
An octopus, a skull and psychic phenomena!
PostedNovember 21, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
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 game has everything. You don't need to have played the previous games in the series to really enjoy this one. Agent Lloyd has contacted you as the paranormal phenomena specialist to assist with finding a stolen crystal skull from the psychologist Dr. Gauss. Detective Lloyd even brings donuts and coffee to the crime scene for you. The crystal skull is definitely connected to snakes or tentacles or both. Dr. Gauss tells you the skull belonged to Morpheus, the god of dreams, who turns dreams into reality. The whole house layout changes and you have to find the skull. But Dr. Gauss also entraps Agent Lloyd in his own scary dreams, so all is not as innocent as it appears!
There are four game modes, including custom. There is a teleporting map with objectives marked, and a notebook for clues. The achievements you earn populate a dream world. There is a zoo for all the animals you find -- hamster, frog, bird, cat, flamingo and more. Each animal is portrayed with a psychic problem. You gather four 5-part potions of love, anger, joy, and sadness which seem to be connected to the hamster. It appears you may be able to purchase items for the hamster, but I did not find anything during the demo.
Lloyd gives you the Secret Service Goggles that lets you decode psychic symbols along the way, that give you hints about the animals. The one HOS in the demo was a silhouette that you used each item found to get the next item. The mini-games are clever and based on the theme of the game -- lead the mouse to the exit, match the skull xrays, follow a story to destroy the skull.
The graphics are clean and clear, the music appropriate, the voice overs excellent. Rushing to buy this now!
I recommend this game!
Life imitates art with deadly results in this thrilling whodunit!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
A whodunit with your husband as the suspect!
PostedNovember 17, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
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
You are Samantha Pollock, whose husband Russell is a famous mystery writer in Boston. Unfortunately, three of his friends have been murdered using the scenarios of three of Russell's books! The game opens with a Rube Goldberg type device that eventually loads a bullet into a gun that shoots the pianist. Quite a surprise to start! Then someone tries to murder his friend Robert, a private eye. Then they cover his sculptor friend in plaster. Luckily, you are there to save them both. But Russell is gone, escaped through the window when the police were at the door.
This is a good game with an interesting premise -- not one we've seen lately. The graphics are reminiscent of the 1930s or so, well rendered. The cut scenes are interesting, and the voice overs very good. The demo ends with a threatening phone call about something about to happen at the theater.
This game was so good, I completely forgot to look for the 25 teapots. You also get a sleuth magnifying glass to search for the 40 fingerprints hidden within the game. There are four modes to choose from including custom, plus a choice for the interactive map to see task flags or not. I've used the task flags on the map instead of the strategy guide, and even in lieu of the hint button. It is quite useful when you find an item to remember which scene it is needed in.
There is a bonus game, plus "Russell's Book" which lets you replay cut scenes, and a "Microscope" that gives you info on the characters. This is a unique game and a definite buy for me.
I recommend this game!
This was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. But instead of walking down the aisle, you're in another dimension, battling a mad inventor to save your family!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 14 found this review helpful
Flying eyes are everywhere!
PostedNovember 14, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is a continuation of one I did not play, but will probably go back and get. It doesn't seem to matter. You are the bride-to-be of scientist Tim, whose mother Clarice is poisoned by another scientist via a wedding present. Tim is working on the antidote, when the older scientist kidnaps him to help with his energy scheme. Your job is to recreate the portal and go bring back Tim so he can cure his mother and marry you.
The music is nice -- I actually left it on which I usually don't. The graphics are clear and clean and easily seen, even on large screen monitors. There are the normal three levels of play, a teleportable map with available tasks marked, and a helpful hint button that points rather than explains.
One nice touch is a dragonfly vacuum that removes toxins and stores them in a box that eventually will cure Clarice, I think. There is a lot to do in each scene, including finding the Observers (164 total), that are either flying eyes - they look like the Golden Snitch in Harry Potter except they aren't gold - or mechanical spiders. There is a clue in each scene that lets you know if you've found them all.
The HOS are all lists, but can be replaced by a Match 3 game if you prefer. There are many achievements, easy to look at. And there is a kitty you can name and click on who eats and scratches but not much else that I can tell.
Eventually you assemble all the stuff to open up a portal to the mad scientist's era -- and then the demo ends! This is a fun game -- a bit easy, but it certainly keeps you busy. I will probably buy this, and the previous one as well!
I recommend this game!
These nursery rhymes are cursed, and your sister’s been taken by the Crooked Man!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Mother Goose with a Twist!
PostedNovember 9, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
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
What a fun game! The entire game is a takeoff of Nursery Rhymes with a twist (hence, Cursery). The Crooked Man has kidnapped your sister Renee - and several other young women over the years. Marianne and her little lamb tell you his story -- he is trying to recreate his dead fiancé. His Crooked Cat is a beastie that you have to keep defeating with one of your items.
The one HOS scene in the demo is a FROG, but not too cluttered and easily viewed on large screen monitors. The puzzles are unique, with directions in rhyme - although you can have the instructions in plain English if you choose. The puzzles even seen to have a Mother Goose spin - in one you have to help 3 mice (blind?) find their way home. In another, the little pigs must defeat the wolves.
You get a pop-up, teleporting map with hints, but no diary. The strategy guide is quite helpful. The hint button refills faster as you find the 20 morphing objects. There are 25 achievements and 24 collectibles (but I don't recall finding a collectible in the demo.) There are also 14 pop-up notes, but didn't find a use for them yet. The Bonus Game is about Humpty Dumpty!
This is a fun game and a buy for me!
I recommend this game!
The rich folklore continues with this exciting tale set in an old Slavic land. As Child of Spring, can you save the world from eternal winter?
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 24 found this review helpful
Spring trumps Winter!
PostedNovember 7, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
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 second in the series by EIPIX. Completely unrelated, but just as good with the several nice touches of the first game as well.
You are a peasant of Spring, chosen by Vesna, goddess of Spring, who has been kidnapped by Morana, goddess of Winter. Morana is planning to turn the whole world into snow and ice, and only you can save the world and Vesna. You are trying to get to Baba Yaga's cottage in the woods. You do have some help, however! You have your Spring Brush, that lets you clear away frost. And you have your pet ermine - I called mine Susie - whose sharp teeth come in handy to carve wood into screwdrivers or cut knots out of rope. Plus, you find Pet Tokens you can spend on your ermine (I bought mine jewels) as well as redecorate the My Pet space as often as you like. What fun!
Of course there are achievements, and a diary and task list, plus an interactive map with activities showing -- that can be turned off in Custom mode. The cut scenes are amazing, the voice overs are great -- the lips move with the words. The HOS are lists or silhouettes of items, and can be swapped out for a Match-3 game when you like. The mini-puzzles are unique and fun, but not too hard -- I didn't have to skip any. The hint button is helpful, but I did use the strategy guide once.
All in all, this is a very satisfying game that is great fun to play! A definite buy.
I recommend this game!
Journey down a magical road to save two worlds!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 29 found this review helpful
Talking trees, fairy dragon and fog!
PostedNovember 2, 2013
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is an interesting game but the goal is a little "foggy". It seems you have been summoned to the Celtic village of Cairville (even your car steers on the right!). There is a wizard Cornelius who has been released from his tomb and is now fogging up the village and turning people into trees and cats into tigers. You have to defeat Cornelius and the fog before he gets to the Royal Palace in order to save your world and the magical world you have been dumped into. If it sounds confusing, it is (at least to me!)
You have a Bestiary with 20 magical creatures, achievements, a bonus chapter, the strategy guide - useful- and an interactive map (the hints can be turned off). You get a raccoon friend to help with heights, hatch a fairy dragon to set things on fire or melt things, and a Magic Star that somehow takes you to another part of the woods before it loses power. The HOS are lists (only 2 in the demo) and the only mini-games in the demo are this dumb one with runes that I skip every time. The game crashed on me once, but when I exited and returned it continued on OK.
I like it, but not sure I want to buy it. The animals and trees are cute, but the game is confusing and the mini-games irritating.
I recommend this game!