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:
Every second counts in this breathtaking paranormal adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 39 found this review helpful
Who is kidnapping the gifted children?
PostedOctober 11, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
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 fun, but quite easy. You are Samantha Evans, in Child Protective Services, who receives a call from paranormal child Kevin, channeled through a neighbor. You investigate, find out Kevin's stepfather and the police force are up to no good, so you rescue Kevin and run away.
What makes this game so easy, is the big yellow circles that say HIDE or RUN that you click on to find your way out of danger. Or you can use Kevin's powers to move furniture to save yourself.
The game's premise is interesting, but the actual gameplay is pretty simple. There are 25 achievements like "godmother" or "midnight racer" pertaining to accomplishments in the normal course of the game. The HOS are interactive lists -- the find an item and use it type. You may need the Hint Button there, as they are not always intuitive. The mini-games are easy also.
Ther are 5 coin collections to find -- not really hidden. And 6 characters that were locked so I don't know what they do. I am not sure this is a CE level game. But it is a good one for beginners to try, I think.
I recommend this game!
Someone – or something – is stealing the children of Blake’s Mountain!
Overall rating
5
/
5
68 of 91 found this review helpful
Save the children!
PostedOctober 9, 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
What a great game to take into the weekend! This is the only developer that allows you to adjust "gamma" which is the light of the screen -- a necessity for me with a large monitor!
Anyway, you are a League Detective, summoned to Blake Mountain, Ireland, to solve the missing children mystery. You are there when 2 other children are captured and encapsulated into a jar by a quite scary scarecrow. It seems, perhaps, a healer who saved every one from the plague except her own child, may be behind all the mayhem. Plus, the Red Moon - when evil enters our world - is right around the corner!
You acquire a cute little scarecrow friend, who helps you chase off ravens and reach places you cannot. You even find items for him -- a headlamp for dark places, a shield and sword for a battle. You meet a gypsy who also helps fill in the story for you and gives you her "Eye" so you can communicate. The teleporting map shows areas for activity. And the hint button refreshes quickly.
The HOS are either silhouettes or a list -- not too hard. One of my favorite mini-games is a story book which tells a tale, while you find objects within the story.
The voice-overs are good -- the lips move. For CE bling there are 2 bonus stories, plus a fresco to complete by finishing achievements. You also collect 6 statues and 25 hidden owls. The four modes, including custom, should satisfy everyone.
This game is fun to play -- try it and see!
I recommend this game!
People have been disappearing in the town of Ridleton for the past 15 years... Can you weather the storm and solve the case?
Overall rating
5
/
5
56 of 72 found this review helpful
Will the Huntress find her father?
PostedOctober 4, 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 a fun game with some unique bells and whistles from the developer to keep you occupied this weekend!
You are a detective summoned to Ridleton to help stop the mysterious disappearances of townspeople. Along the way you rescue a red panda who becomes your assistant to reach places you cannot. You also meet Emily the Huntress, who was born blind but can now see. Her father, the blacksmith, disappeared at the same time she regained her sight, and Emily thinks they are connected. There is lots of smoke and a few wolves every time someone is kidnapped.
The graphics are very good - the policeman who fell into the lake just drips water when he is rescued. The lips move on the voice-overs. The HOS are either lists, find some number of items, or find items that are parts of a story. You can play Match-3 instead. The mini-games are easy but unique, so they are also fun to play.
The CE bling includes 168 flames to collect. There is a reminder in each scene for how many flames are left. The flames are marked by fireflies, so they are easy to spot. If you find them all, they make a painting that unlocks and EXTRA bonus chapter. The achievements include things like Horse Therapist and Zoologist, and create objects for the Panda's room - a nice touch.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable game that is not too taxing for a fun experience. Try it and see!
I recommend this game!
Without warning, a group of mysterious figures arrives and reduces your village to flames and rubble. What do they want... and who is controlling them?
Overall rating
5
/
5
65 of 79 found this review helpful
Dragons and Banshees and Flames, oh my!
PostedOctober 2, 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 game has everything! You are Valera, whose mother was some type of mage. She left you her Flame Medallion, that lets you become a "Stone Wisperer" and allows you to wake up the gatekeeper stones, and a dragon stone, and even a stone book -- all of whom tell you stories about your town and its origins. Eventually, I guess, you will find out why the banshees are setting your town of Northpearl on fire, and why they took your father.
There is so much to see and do in this game. There are 4 modes, keeping with the flame theme - spark, flame, blaze and custom. You get your mother's magic boots, which let you become invisible to escape the banshees. There seems to be more room on the medallion, so I think you will gain more powers as well.
The HOS puzzles are either lists, or parts of stories where you find an object the storyteller is describing. The mini-puzzles are quite unique with multiple steps. One of my favorites is, in order to cross a beam with flames all around, you have to "balance" yourself by pressing a target when a ball is centered on it - horizontally, then both horizontally and vertically, then diagonally.
Besides a teleporting map and the boots, you have a journal, your flame medallion, and a quickly refilling hint button. The CE bling includes a flame to find in each scene - with an icon to let you know if you've missed one. There are morping objects in each HOS as well. Plus a "making of" - one of my favorites - that normally shows the developers at work/play. There is jigsaw puzzle to complete, and something called a Card Gallery, in addition to the normal CE bling of art, music, etc.
I thoroughly enjoyed this game, and didn't even skip any of the puzzles! Try it and see!
I recommend this game!
Prove the innocence of a young queen before she is put to death for a crime she didn't commit!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 14 found this review helpful
The Six Swans Fairy Tale
PostedSeptember 27, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
PuppetShow: Lightning Strikes Collector's Edition
(123)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you remember the Grimm's fairy tale about the 6 brothers turned into swans, whose sister cannot speak for 7 years or else they will remain swans forever, then you will recognize this game's premise. There is some dark magic involved, and the Queen's baby still disappears - did the King's mother do it? The Queen gets locked up to be burned at the stake; meanwhile she is knitting those nettle shirts to hopefully turn the swans back into her brothers!
The Swan Kingdom is now shrouded in Darkness - to hear that story you must find golden feathers and dip them into the golden inkwell. The King loves his wife and urges you to help her and go to the Swan Kingdom ...... and the demo ends.
The HOPs are either FROGs - fragmented object games - or the find and use silhouette type. The mini-games are not unique and I skipped most of them because I did not have the patience to solve them again.
The game has 3 modes of play -- no custom. There are 11 skill-related achievements involving time and clicking and hints. There are 18 other achievements like "Help the Swallow" who becomes your friend for a while to reach high places. Plus there are 31 Healer's Siegels - symbols - to find with an icon to tell you if you've found the symbol in a scene or not.
There is the normal CE bling, plus a bonus chapter, but nothing really extra here like a souvenir room or a puzzle to put together. I didn't even notice if you could switch out from a HOP or not -- the previous game let you play dominos!
So this is a good game but not great, even though I normally enjoy this developer's CE games. I think I will wait for the SE.
I recommend this game!
Tragedy strikes a popular Parisian cabaret when their star dancer is murdered! Gather the suspects and unmask the killer.
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 67 found this review helpful
I love Toulous Lautrec!
PostedSeptember 25, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
PuppetShow: Lightning Strikes Collector's Edition
(123)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another great game to take us into the weekend! You are Madame Roche, summoned by Toulous Lautrec - it looks just like him! - to investigate the murder of Sophie, one of the performers at the famed Moulin Rouge.
You have your trusty forensic kit, your evidence board where you save all your information by character, and a carriage with map to take you wherever you need to go. The HOPs are all interactive "find and use" types. The mini-games are so clever -- match figures on a lock to the Café entry ticket, match the evidence on the roses for the Paris Green poison.
You can play a Match 3 game instead of the HOPs. There are 4 modes, including custom, with 25 multi-level achievements to earn, and 41 hidden windmills to collect. Moulin Rouge stands for "Red Mill", hence the windmills -- one of the cool facts you learn by reading the Codex Extra!
This developer always includes a bonus Souvenir Room to play, plus the "Making Of" video with the developers interacting with the scenery this time. So much fun! Enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Princess Selene's vivid dreams warn that her marriage foretells disaster – but only you can break the magical spell threatening both your lives!
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 45 found this review helpful
Save the Ambassador and Selene!
PostedSeptember 20, 2014
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
4
/
5
The developers took a good story line and then messed up the execution of the game. I finally had to quit the demo in frustration! You are the ambassador sent by Prince Armus of Area with his marriage proposal to Princess Selene of Tida. When Selene opens the proposal, see shes her nightmare vision of fire destroying her kingdom and her mother dyting. She then collapses bound by chains and green smoke.
You are given the task of saving Selene, or else you too will die. Unfortunately, you don't get a lot of help to do it! The game has sparkles to indicate something should happen, but no clue or help is given. The help button just points to something or perhaps out of the room. I had to use the strategy guide quite often after giving up on what object I needed in what area.
The HOS were all lists; the mini-puzzles were hard -- also with often no information about what needed to happen. You eventually get a map -- needed the S.G. to find the last piece! But it doesn't really help. This could have been a very good game, but the lack of direction ruined it for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Leonardo da Vinci needs your help! A tyrant has conquered Florence and he is destroying all works of art and science!
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 97 found this review helpful
Save Da Vinci's art and drawings in Florence!
PostedSeptember 18, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Shrouded Tales: The Spellbound Land Collector's Edition
(46)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the fifth and best in this series, once again set in Italy. This time you are summoned to Florence by Leonardo Da Vinci to conquer the Mage who claims Florence is cursed - poison cattle and other ills - and can only be cured by burning all the art and collecting all of Da Vinci's scientific drawings. The Mage uses magic tricks of flying and fire and has a minion Gobbo who does his dirty deeds for him!
Throughout the game you have to choose to follow the trusting path or the selfish path. One of the choices involves Da Vinci's assistant Lisa who may or may not be on the side of good. Of course, Da Vinci gets captured so now you have to rescue him as well, before the Mage poisons him!
This is a clever game filled with lots of Da Vinci's sketches and inventions, including the flying wings. You eventually open up his Secret Chamber where you must find items to release the secrets of Anatomy, Education, and other topics. You get a mechanical pigeon for a while as a helper, who is eventually replaced by a mechanical sheep. The Sheep's Room holds your achievement trophies.
There is also a store where you buy items you need with coins you find -- only could afford one metal ring for a codex so not sure if I'm missing some coins or not. The collectibles become part of a "pop-up" book of Tales written by Leonardo -- kind of an interesting bit of history not known to me before.
The HOPs are not too hard and can be swapped with a shooter type of puzzle if you like. The mini-games are quite cool. My favorite is the duplication of the Madonna Benois painting using shapes and colors to match the original, so you don't have to give Gobbo the original to burn!
This is a challenging game. The teleporting map shows incomplete areas that may or may not have an activitiy ready to be performed. The hint button doesn't teleport -- just points. You can find fans to get more hints.
This is a worthy addition to the Grim Façade series. Try it and see!
I recommend this game!
Shrouded Tales: The Spellbound Land Collector's Edition
Your magical powers have finally awakened. Now you have the strength to free your mother from the Shadow Realm!
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 62 found this review helpful
Defeat Vulture and save your town!
PostedSeptember 13, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The best part of this game is finding runes to activate spells in your mother's spellbook. I had the best time fixing things with Restora, and either growing plants or destroying vines with the second spell I learned!
So you are Veronica, 25 year-old daughter of your magician mother, who has been banished to the shadow kingdom by Vulture, the Master of Shadows. Evidently, now that you are 25, you gain magic powers through the use of your mother's spellbook. Sometimes your mother's lips move when she speaks, and sometimes not -- a bit annoying but it happens randomly with all the characters.
Another cool thing about this game is the ability to move in and out of the "Shadow Realm" after finding various colored pyramids to open a portal. Here you get to talk to the good guys who help you, as well as meet Vulture himself right as the demo ends. He is very creepy with red eyes - and his lips move as he tells you he will kill you and destroy your town!
The HOPs are interesting, in that they have a "magnifier" that helps you see what you are looking for. All of them are very interactive, and you even get to use your spells as needed. The best mini-game has 3 different diorama that you place missing objects in to complete the scene.
There are 22 achievements that are not just time and hint based. "Perform 2 acts of kindness" and "Brew 3 magic potions" are two of the achievements. The CE bling includes Lost Pages and Final Quiz, but both were unavailable in the demo.
This is a fun game with many interesting touches. Ignore the voice-overs and enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Diva's dark talent claims another victim – can you stop her before the curtain falls?
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 108 found this review helpful
Save Kate and the town from Diva and Master!
PostedSeptember 11, 2014
MSBAM100
fromTampa, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There is so much to like about the fourth in the Maestro series. You arrive in town to meet your friend Kate for a night at the opera, only to have Kate captured several times by the Master's dark minions! You meet a "Knowing One" who gives you a medallion to help stop the Diva from stealing her listener's life energies with her singing. Unfortunately, you spend a lot of time rescuing the Knowing One from the minions' tricks! And recharging the medallion.
From the opening scene when skulls pop out of roses, the graphics and animation are quite good. Lots of black smoke here! Unfortunately, the lips don't move on the voice-overs, which didn't used to annoy me, but now it does for some reason. Also, Instead of the normal haunting music of the Maestro series, we have an operatic diva singing. Not necessarily something you want to listen to throughout the entire game!
But it is a very good game, with achievements to earn, and collection items - cloaked in black smoke - to find. The HOPs are quite varied. You can find 12 chain links, place items in a scene until the diva appears and turns everyone to ashes, or work through an interactive list. The mini-puzzles are fairly easy, and you have a helpful ferret that appears occasionally to help you out with an item as long as you feed him or give him a toy to play with. Or, you can play an alternate matching pairs game instead.
You have a teleporting map to help you, but the activities are only marked when you roll over a spot on the map. Would much rather see at a glance where to go next, if I need to.
Regardless, this is a fun game in a great series, so give it a try!
I recommend this game!