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:
Thieves have stolen Charon's most powerful artifact: watches that can stop time. Now only you stand in their way.
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 40 found this review helpful
Time waits for no one -- unless you have a chronometer!
PostedMay 9, 2015
MSBAM100
fromTrying to reverse time so McDreamy doesn't die on Grey's Anatomy!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Charon is back again with his "soul train" and Daniel and Olivia are now married and helping Charon. This time you are Olivia, who needs to find Daniel in Farrington town, where he is chasing a thief who stole Charon's chronometer. You have your own chronometer, of course, and can use it to undo the "time stop bubbles" Katherine - the thief - has been leaving around town as she fights to take over ownership of the town. Don't know why she wants it, but there is a cute mini-game with all the town buildings that you have to match up with misplaced items.
When you find Daniel, his chronometer is malfunctioning, which saves his life when you release his time stop bubble, because a barrel expoldes. So you have to save the watchmaker - also in a time stop bubble - so he can upgrade your chrono to reverse time, as well as stop it, so you can save Daniel from the exploding barrel. Did you follow all that?
While the story is complicated, the game play is straightforward. The HOS in the demo are standard lists. The mini-games are quite simple as well. But it is fun to unstop time, and the story is clever. The map teleports, but doesn't show activities. The hint button will also teleport if you want to get somewhere quickly.
There are 47 butterflies to collect, with an on screen icon to remind you to look. The butterflies fill in a stained glass window puzzle - a nice touch. They start out fairly easy to find, but I missed several as the demo progressed. There are 15 achievements that are all time/skip/hint related, plus 10 animal achievements that are game activity related. The 17 morphing items seem to appear in HOS -- a little heart drops down on the screen that lets you know when to look.
This is a pretty good game and a sequel, but you don't have to have played the original - which was also a good game. I am off to buy!
I recommend this game!
Haunted Legends: The Dark Wishes Collector's Edition
Restore the threads of Fate, before they cause a disaster!
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 52 found this review helpful
The evil little man is back -- again!
PostedMay 7, 2015
MSBAM100
fromFollowing threads through the city of Florence looking for the Philosopher's Stone
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
No matter how many times you defeat him, the evil little man keeps returning like a bad penny! This time he's stolen the Philosopher's Stone from the Three Fates, which fulfills wishes. Unfortunately, the stone is sapping his strength because he is evil, and he goes to your pupil, Mage Robert, for help. But the stone has a mind of its own, and seeks safety with Robert, who melted it into a golden bird pendant for his bride-to-be Lucia, also one of your pupils. So the evil little man - St. Germaine - "kills" Robert and makes him vanish. Lucia gets blamed for his death and is about to be executed.............and the demo ends! Did you follow all that? What a convoluted storyline!
This game is filled with nice touches. You are the Professor of Magic, and you have invented a transportation portal which gets you to Florence to help save Roberto and Lucia. You also invented "magic threads" which can only be removed by a magical staff - and a simple mini-game. You meet the Fates, who provide you with background and tips once you find their Threads of Fate.
The city of Florence is drawn quite well, and each scene has multiple items to find and use. There are only 10 collectible birds - pigeons, yuck! And the map is a teleporting one, but doesn't show activities currently available. There were only two HOS in the demo, both using the same scene and the same multi-part "find the flower" then find more items. Not typical of this developer. The mini-games were also pretty easy, with a few "move this part into its slot" type scenarios.
Despite a few flaws, this is still an excellent game, if only for the intricate storyline. There doesn't seem to be a lot of unique CE bling, so perhaps I may wait for the SE version - or a sale!
I recommend this game!
Why has the Everlast returned after twenty years at sea?
Overall rating
5
/
5
48 of 62 found this review helpful
The Lost Must Be Forgotten!
PostedMay 2, 2015
MSBAM100
fromLooking for a harmonium collector so I can replace my handyman and maids!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Twenty years ago your family took the Everlast Cruise Ship on vacation. Unfortunately, a strange storm arose, you and your brother escaped in a lifeboat, but your mom and dad stayed on board and disappeared with the boat into some type of portal, with a mysterious mermaid nearby.
Twenty years later, the boat - and the mermaid - reappear. You attempt to sail out to the ship, but are thwarted by the mermaid whose song conjures up a huge wave. You barely survive, and with your woodworking brother's help, you fix your dad's glider and glide over to the boat. You crash land - of course - meet your dad who is now under some strange spell, get locked up and sail away into the Realm of the Forgotten - and the demo ends! UGH!
This is a detailed game with lots of steps to first repair the boat and even more steps to reconstruct the glider, with several HOPs and mini-puzzles along the way. The demo was 80 minutes long, which gave me lots of time to spend on puzzles. My favorite mini-game was the background story of the mermaid, which included placing puzzle pieces into a scene correctly and rotating them when needed. There was also a multi-step complicated puzzle to move a ball from one end to another -- had to use the strategy guide for that one!
There are four modes of difficulty - calm sea, gale, hurricane, and custom - keeping with the oceanic theme of the game. There are 8 achievements, plus 37 seashells to collect, and 13 morphing items in the HOPs. There seems to be lots of CE bling, including a Collectible Hunt, Everlasting Voyage 2, a Treasure Hunt, plus a Gallery with pictures of the Crew.
This is the fourth in this series and they are all different and interesting. I am off to buy this one. Try it and see!
I recommend this game!
Enter the role of Eve Glover, one of the best CCPP's agents, sent to investigate the lack of radio communication from your scientific team on Iceland, researching harmonium radiation.
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 48 found this review helpful
Ice and snow and harmonium?
PostedApril 30, 2015
MSBAM100
fromLooking for a harmonium collector so I can replace my handyman and maids!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You are sent to Iceland where Professor Samantha Bennet and her assistant Julian have been looking for and studying harmonium, to find a way to control its energy. Unfortunately, another scientist, Dr. Schroeder, wants to take all the harmonium to - of course - rule the world. She kidnaps the professor and makes her open a portal to Eloria, where the Book of Obsidian is stored. The Book evidently tells you how to control the harmonium. Your task is to stop Dr. Schroeder, with the help of a handsome alchemist you meet in Eloria. Unfortunately, Dr. Schroeder sends a dark cloud, wiping you out, just as the demo ends!
To assist you on your journey, you have a Harmonium Collector, that when you find the right crystals, gives you a "Mending" power, and a "Cleansing" power. Helps you fix all the broken items you come across, and removes all the dark clouds on items you need to investigate. You also have a teleporting map, which I had trouble using. But the hint button worked just fine!
The HOS are interestng and interactive. My favorite involved climbing a cliff by matching rune symbols or pictures to advance. You can play a bubble shooter instead, if you prefer.
There are four modes of play, including custom. Plus 21 achievements that are activity or time/hint/skip based. You have 40 books to collect, with an icon on the screen to remind you. I did not find any morping items. Other extras include the Making Of, Collectibles, Souvenir Room - my favorite - and a Bubble Shooter game.
This isn't my favorite Amaranthine Voyage game, but it is worth a try, i think.
I recommend this game!
A simple job protecting a bumbling professor becomes a nightmare when a masked figure threatens to kill him!
Overall rating
5
/
5
40 of 47 found this review helpful
Creepy!
PostedApril 25, 2015
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
The fifth game in the Haunted Hotel series seems to be the creepiest! The game is quite dark, so I recommend you use the gamma setting to lighten up your screen. Also, there are a lot of florescent lights to find!
Anyway, you are a detective to whom Professor Kevin Reynolds offers $100K to keep him alive -- and of course you sign the contract. But a sniper fires several shots - how could they all miss? - so you escape with Kevin's Director of Security Tobias, who takes you to a "safe house" - Ha! You arrive at the Eternity Hotel where Tobias vaporizes and the Professor is kidnapped by a weirdo in a gas mask and a protective suit. Turns out the Professor contributed $$$ to an Eternity Project which through various mini-games you discover everyone died - including Tobias!
There are four modes of play, including custom. The HOPs are varied but pretty easy and are used to explain the story. The mini-games all fit the story. My favorite was the "super puzzle" - one of those multi-step ones where you have to figure out what to do. The puzzle hint was pretty worthless, but it was quite fun to solve. Of course there is a strategy guide to help, and show you where all the collectibles are.
There are 12 trophy masks that are quite ugly, 4 photo puzzle collections - you get to solve one in the demo. The 19 achievements are mostly time and skip based. There are morphing objects as well, plus something called a "special item" to find. The CE bling also includes a Secret Room -- one of my favorite extras from this developer.
Although the demo was only a little over an hour, it was enough to whet my appetite for this creepy but clever game. Try it and see!
I recommend this game!
Only the Rose of Life can cure your father’s illness.
Overall rating
5
/
5
29 of 35 found this review helpful
Can Beatrice rescue the Rose of Life?
PostedApril 23, 2015
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
This Dark Romance is an enchanting tale with you playing as Beatrice, tasked by her dying father to bring him the Rose of Life. However, when you arrive at the remote land, you find the aging witch Claudine has stolen the Rose, and turned its true owner Prince Jonathan, into a Beast. And all his servants are animals as well!
The dog/butler Jackson gives you a Magic Frame, that lets you see the animals in their true form. He also gives you the Spell of True Path, that lets you play an easy mini-game of assembling butterflies, and leads you to Jonathan's castle - now inhabited by Claudine. It seems Jonathan has been turned into a beast, given to a circus, and controlled by an obelisk. You solve various puzzles to be able to destroy the obelisk, and just when you are about to free Jonathan -- the demo ends!
You get to play two characters in this game, and the switchng is seamless between Beatrice and Jonathan. The mini-games are easy, but fun. One of them involves moving a horse from his stable to the castle, using a variety of items -- including ice skates to get the horse across the snow! The HOS are interesting as well. One involves feeding animals their favorite foods, found using a lantern that only lights up part of the scene as you work through it. You can play Match-3 instead of the HOS, if you prefer.
The collections include 26 butterflies that fill in a butterfly picture, 15 portraits of the characters with their animal reflections. Plus 10 magic objects with a sense of humor -- one of them is a set of financial tarot cards.
This is an entertaining game without a lot of blood or fighting - at least so far. I played for 65 minutes and it kept my interest. I don't think I used the Skip at all, and didn't need the hint during a HOS either. Try it and see for yourself!
I recommend this game!
The Queen of Creatos is missing, and if you don't get her back soon... the entire world will crumble!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
Four worlds depend on one Queen!
PostedApril 18, 2015
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 fantastic demo of the second game in this series! There is so much to do and see. The graphics are bright and gorgeous in Creatos; a bit more desolate in Equilibrium. Each world is unique.
So you are again Grace, the Guardian of Dreams, summoned to Creatos by the King, whose daughter Espera is in a coma and covered by vines suspending her out the window on the second floor. If you can just free the Glove of Sophos, you can eliminate those nasty vines! You have your trusty Owl, who of course can fly up to heights you cannot reach. You also receive the Vision Ring, which looks into the future and helps you find four runes, which gets you a mystical image to place in the scene which gets you a cool item you need!
So you save the daughter, but it turns out that was just a red herring to distract you from the real victim, the Queen. Akvos of Equilibrium kidnaps the Queen. If the Queen of Creatos is missing, fear and darkness fill her world and spread to the other 3 worlds of Equilibrium, Phobus, and Actualus - which kind of looks like NYC. So off you go to save the Queen.
There is a beautiful Achievement room for both activity and skill based awards. There are 114 mirror shards to collect, some in each scene. There is a reminder of how many are left to find in each scene. There are 4 modes of play, and a well-marked map to help you find where to go next. The CE bling also includes a Bonus Chapter, and a Hidden Chapter, plus a Mirror puzzle to assemble.
The HOS are quite fun. There are story boards to find objects within. There is a map with the 4 worlds, each on a different screen, that you scroll through to find an object.
When you finally are able to follow the kidnapper through the portal to Equilibrium, the demo ends -- after 90 full minutes of play. What fun! I am off to buy! Can't wait to see the other worlds.
I recommend this game!
Ominous Objects: Phantom Reflection Collector's Edition
A mysterious mirror is causing havoc in your client’s house!
Overall rating
5
/
5
40 of 49 found this review helpful
Mirrors, mirrors, everywhere -- and all of them broken!
PostedApril 16, 2015
MSBAM100
fromTaking down my mirrors and putting them away!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
PuppetShow: The Price of Immortality Collector's Edition
(81)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the second in this series and it doesn't disappoint. Lilith Armstrong bought an ancient mirror at an auction. Unfortunately, the mirror has a violent past - killing 2 families, causing a war, destroying a building that housed it. And the mirror wreaks havoc on Lilith's house as well, eventually taking her and her son Patrick through the mirror. Luckily, you are Leia Gofford, a detective specializing in ominous objects - and the mirror certainly qualifies! And you are here to help get back Lilith and her son from the world beyond the mirror.
The graphics and animations are fantastic. Everytime you enter a room, all the mirrors explode and some black wraith destroys part of the room. It makes you want to duck, it is so realistic.
To help you in your quest, you have Mr. Jenkins your cat, who can reach those high and small place you cannot. You also have a pair of goggles from your father that lets you overcome some magical spells placed on certain parts of the room. Your map is quite helpful, with activity areas clearly marked.
The HOS are quite unique. Besides the interactive lists and silhouettes, there are several interactive scenarios that move the story along when you find and correctly place objects in the scene. There is a story about Lilith, Patrick and Bob, her dead - maybe - husband. And another about the origin of the mirror. You can play a Match-3 game instead of the HOS. My favorite mini-game was shooting the toy soldiers - with a toy gun - that had taken Patrick hostage.
The CE bling includes finding tokens to buy things for your cat -- I happen to like that but I know many of you do not. The Developers Diary shows the development team each holding the cat that modeled for Mr. Jenkins. Our cat would have bitten one or two of them!
This is a great game with a very long demo - 88 minutes! Plenty of time to decide if you like it or not.
I recommend this game!
It was supposed to be a routine mission. But when a dragon attacks your plane, crash-landing in a lush valley, you're drawn into the adventure of a lifetime!
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 30 found this review helpful
Dragons, dragons, everywhere!
PostedApril 11, 2015
MSBAM100
fromPulling out my souvenirs from China and some dragon jewelry to set the mood!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Redemption Cemetery: The Island of the Lost Collector's Edition
(46)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the sixth game in this series and they always entrance. The graphics are gorgeous, the voice-overs excellent, and the story line exciting.
Your cargo plane crashed north of Burma in the mountains of China, because you ran into a dragon that was awakened by a robber stealing his eye. The dragon looks just like you'd expect a dragon to look - the animation is pretty awesome. So it seems you are the "Chosen One" who can help the Five Hero dragons drive away the awakened Dragon King. There are a LOT of dragons in this story! You find the Golden Heart artifact that helps you, and a few helpful hints along the way from the Water Dragon. The 80 minute demo gives you a good feel for the story and the gameplay.
There HOPs are fun and multi-tiered, and have their own morphing object. You can play mahjong instead of the HOP. The mini-games are interesting but not too easy. There are 13 achievements, and four modes of play, including custom. The CE bling includes 42 ancient bamboo strip collectibles, a Souvenir Room, the Mahjong game, Golden Heart puzzles, Art, Music, and the ability to replay HOPS and puzzles, along with the Bonus Game. No "Making Of" in this one -- my favorite "extra."
For me, this is a definite buy. Try it and see!
I recommend this game!
Your enemy imprisoned your father, but now he’s forcing you to marry him! Can you escape and save your father?
Overall rating
5
/
5
15 of 20 found this review helpful
Save your father, marry an Elf!
PostedApril 9, 2015
MSBAM100
fromSitting by the pool in Tampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The previous game is this series was excellent. This one is very good, but the demo was quite short. You are playing your grandmother Eleanor, whose best friend Elf is imprisoned as a thief when you are children. Many years later, Elf returns, disguised as your father's mage, and gets you to follow him to see your dying father. What he really wants is for you to be his bride, in order to end the war and free your father.
The characters are well-drawn, and the voice-overs are well-acted. There is an old Druid who keeps appearing to help you, plus you free a phoenix who can do away with all the dark magic spirals you encounter.
The jump map has one flaw -- none of the current actions are marked. Which means you have to use the hint button more than usual. The good news is, there are four modes of play, including custom, so you can set your hint button to recharge in 10 seconds or so, if you are impatient like me!
There were 3 HOPs in the demo -- 2 lists that were of the same scene. The third one contained boxes with shadow silhouettes you had to match to a picture list. The mini-games were not too easy, not too hard. If you are impatient, set your skip button to charge in 10 or 20 seconds or so.
There are 12 achievements, 12 Fortune Telling Cards to collect, and 16 Chess pieces. The achievements all replace crowns as you earn them. I was not able to see my collections, however. Besides the normal CE bling, there is a Map Puzzle, a Match-3 game, and Fortune Telling.
I enjoyed the first game of the series quite a bit, so even though the demo is short, I give this game 5 stars because it looks quite promising. Try it and see.
I recommend this game!