mizmoose's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:1,244
- Reviews Submitted:61
- First Review:November 14, 2011
- Most Recent Review:December 1, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Excursions of Evil
Audrey makes her living writing about her extreme adventures. But will she be able to retell this tale?
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 29 found this review helpful
Horrible and Clunky
PostedOctober 19, 2013
mizmoose
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I never made it to the end of the demo, and I really wasn't interested in trying, either.
The game starts with an intro you cannot skip out of. What information you get comes from a phone/PDA type device, on which navigation is clunky and unintuitive. You get a game which implies that if you play it you will get needed things, but nothing ever happens.
The hints are useless. The graphics are cheesy. The one HO scene I did wasn't too awful, but it didn't make up for the rest of this boring, frustrating game.
I don't recommend this game.
Your murderous half-sister has escaped, and you've got the last piece of your father's treacherous film projector...
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Not quite as good as the original
PostedJuly 19, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I utterly loved the first game in this series. The sequel is good, but it suffers too much from "and let's make it BETTER!"
It's too wordy, there's more cut scenes, more videos, more conversations. There are tapes to listen to. You can skip through a lot of it, but there's far too much of it.
Overall the game is still well done. There's a useful map to help you navigate around. You're looking for a few 'extras' along the way. Sometimes they lead you to some of them, sometimes they don't. Some are cute (hiding kites on the map).
Hidden Object scenes don't have you hunting for tiny hard to find things yet manage to still stay challenging. There are no language problems causing you to think you're looking for one thing when they mean another.
The bonus section is better than most (usually they are so limited in scenes that there's no real challenge to them).
Make sure to play the "office chapter" where you get the lead programmer a cup of coffee, and he explains to you some of the secrets of the game and the company. (Spoiler alert: Many of the actors are secretly not human!)
Overall it's a very good game, they just need to sit on their urge to go overboard with the video stuff and remember that we're playing a game, not watching a movie -- even if the game is about movies!
I recommend this game!
The Emperor’s son has a mysterious illness. As legendary healer Daiyu, you’re called to the palace to save him, but you end up having to save yourself!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
Disappointing with awful story line
PostedJuly 16, 2013
mizmoose
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The game itself is pretty standard. Hidden object scenes, you find things that help you in a later scene, usually close by. Nothing new or exciting here.
In the simplest mode, the HOSs are fairly easy to do. There's the typical "put two things together" to find something, and they show the one half with a "moving gears" visual and the other with a grasping hand. There's another style of HOS that has you find things via silhouette which is even easier.
My biggest complaint of the game is in the design. The use of dated "Oriental"-style lettering sets the tone for the whole all asians are alike problem; there are things in there that are distinctly not Chinese, let alone ancient Chinese, the funniest being the fortune cookie (which was invented in the US only a hundred years ago, probably by a Japanese immigrant!).
If you can get past the obnoxious design problems, it's not an awful game. It's just not anything special.
I don't recommend this game.
The castle needs a hero – protect the castle from hordes of trolls! Build towers, save money, learn spells and keep the enemy away!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Tough But Fun Tower Defense Game
PostedFebruary 11, 2013
mizmoose
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I'm generally loathe to review something that I haven't finished playing, but at the rate I'm going I'll be three weeks dead before I finish this game!
It's hard and a bit frustrating but I still really like the game. There are three levels to the game, and "easy" is very hard! I can't imagine even trying the medium level.
As with all tower building games, there are different towers that do different kinds of damage. As you go up in levels, upgrades become available to the towers, as well as new towers. There are various spells that do different kinds of damage and renew after a set period of time. There is also a "gold mine" to help you get gold, and with upgrades can even help more.
As the levels progress the monsters get tougher. Heck, not just tougher, they also start getting resistant to various spells or tower upgrades.
As another reviewer mentioned, you will wind up going back over previously played levels to gather enough gems to buy further upgrades -- how fast a spell regenerates, how much damage a spell or tower does, how much they cost, how much or fast a mine generates, and more.
But as you go back over previously played levels you get to keep the upgrades you've made since, making the level easier and usually even more enjoyable.
It's slow going and there's a lot of replaying levels, but the challenge remains and it's still a lot of fun.
My biggest complaint --one that keeps it from being a five star review-- is that you are given information about changes only when they're made available. In the middle of a level and cannot remember which upgrade does what? You'll have to guess, as there's no in-game guide to what's what. That's kind of annoying.
Otherwise, if you like tower defense games, you'll like this one.
I recommend this game!
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Not awful, just not up to MCF standards
PostedJanuary 26, 2013
mizmoose
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Were this a game by anyone else I might give it a higher rating. But the MCF games have put up a standard that they've failed to meet with this game.
I bought the standard edition because there were many complaints on the CE about it being too short, and the bonus material just not enough.
Instead of just standard HOG scenes there is also the addition of needing to match scraps of paper to a small section of a scene. Sometimes you have to find items and assemble an area to be able to match a scrap.
There is a map and it's required to get from area to area. Unfortunately, the map only takes you to the area, not a particular room or place in that area. Fortunately, each area is only a handful of places, so it's not too awful, but every time you return to the motel - where you are constantly returning - means having to then also move back further. It gets tedious.
Probably the best part of this game is watching an actress best known for being in Back to the Future shred scenery on the level of great scenery shredders like Brian Blessed. Her hammy over-acting is perfect for this pork-pie of a game. Come on, BFG, you can do better.
I don't recommend the game, but MCF people will probably get it anyway, just because. Heck, that's why I got it. I strongly recommend getting it on sale or with a coupon.
I don't recommend this game.
Fight your way out of a coma by exploring your deepest memories!
Overall rating
1
/
5
14 of 21 found this review helpful
Uninspired and annoying
PostedJanuary 26, 2013
mizmoose
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I get what a lot of the reviewers are saying -- that it is nice to have a HOG game that isn't about supernatural elements and dark fantasy and all that.
But the reverse is worse. This is insipid and dull. There's a voiceover that's just so condescending I feel like I'm being completely talked down to. You can skip some of the bigger voiceover/cut scenes but not all of them, and in some cases even after you've hit the skip button, the condescending voice keeps prattling at you.
There's no map so no good way to jump around from place to place without using the hint button (which offers you the ability to do that). That wouldn't be so awful except that each room loading takes forever.
The HOG scenes themselves are average, with the usual addition having to do a few things to complete the list.
I never finished the demo. After 40 minutes I couldn't take the condescending voice anymore and deleted the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus
Welcome to a world of danger and suspense in Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus, a thrilling Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Good plot, not so good game.
PostedDecember 1, 2012
mizmoose
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The plot of this HOG is great -- You are invited to a class reunion and horrible things keep happening. Clues lead you to believe that there's something sinister going on -- and there is. But it's not what you expect. The plot has some great twists.
However, as a HO game, the play itself is lacking. You are often seeking for teeny tiny objects in very busy screens, some of which are no more than a few pixels in size. Completely insane, and extremely difficult for anyone with vision issues.
As is common with most HO games, if you return to a HO scene, the things you found previously [including things you've used] are still in the scene.
The map is useful and lets you teleport around, with a small cool-down period between uses. It is supposed to tell you in which areas there are things to do, but at least once HO scenes exist that the map doesn't tell you about.
The worst part of this game is that it punishes you for so many wrong clicks, even if you make successful ones in between the wrong ones.
The game is a nice length. It's not a bad game, but it has issues.
I recommend this game!
Prepare for a mind-bending journey into the realm of the weird in Haunted Halls: Revenge of Dr. Blackmore! Brace yourself for the unexpected in this exciting Hidden Object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Another Great Chapter in This Series
PostedOctober 10, 2012
mizmoose
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really enjoy the Haunted Halls games and I was delighted to see a new one!
This one is a continuation of the previous games but can be played on its own, if you haven't played the others yet. The basic plotline is the same, the narrator needing to save other people from a psycho "Doctor" so she can save her husband.
There's sci/fi-ish and mystical elements to the game, but they're not absurdly overwhelming. A nifty new part to this game is the chemical kit you get, where you can make chemicals used (usually) to fight hallucinations. The chemical process is a bit time consuming but is kind of fun, I really enjoyed it.
My favorite part of the games in this series is the design of the Hidden Object scenes. Unlike most other scenes in HO games, in this game if you return to a HO scene, the items you found previously are no longer there to confuse you! I love that. I hate going back to a HO scene and being distracted by "wait, a horseshoe? Didn't I already find that here?" or, worse, "That doll is in my inventory, why is it back in this scene??"
The artwork is terrific, the music a bit monotonous but not horribly enough that I turned it off.
I give this game my full thumbs up.
I recommend this game!
After the first date with a charming girl named April, our hero wakes up alone in an abandoned city after being drugged.
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 32 found this review helpful
Great Story Line, Awful Game Play
PostedSeptember 13, 2012
mizmoose
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The basic idea of this game is that you go on a date, and get drugged. You wake up in a desolate city and need to find out what's going on and where you are, and how to escape.
The story telling is great. If I could have dealt with the game play I would have kept going just for the story.
However the game play is just so obnoxious, I could only play about half the demo before I quit in complete frustration.
The HOG stuff is mostly you finding things you need to move the story along. That's terrific, and really helps keep you in the game. But too often you're searching for tiny things. The game offers you a magnifying glass, which would be perfect, except the artwork is so blurry that it's only magnifying blurry lines. It's impossible to find anything, especially if your eyesight isn't perfect.
To make matters worse, the game uses a point system. You lose points if you skip a mini-game. You lose points if you use a hint (and the hints are often hard to see, making you waste them). You lose points if you click wrongly too many times [what is this, 10 years ago?]! While you can still get a hint if you have 0 points, the thing is, it's trivially to get back down to 0 points if you can't see what you're doing!
The final insult is that you can use the points to "buy secrets", which the game implies are secrets to the game -- which actually tell you absolutely nothing.
It's too bad this game is so frustrating to play. I'd love to know where the storyline was headed.
I don't recommend this game.
Start building your very own amusement park in Dream Builder: Amusement Park! Grow the park by adding the coolest new rides, the yummiest concession stands and the most entertaining attractions.
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Similar to games of 10+ yrs ago
PostedAugust 26, 2012
mizmoose
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This is a cheesy version of the oldest Rollercoaster Tycoon or Theme Park games. This type of thing existed ages ago, with cheesy, 2D game play - you can't even rotate the map around to see where things are going. There's nothing more than some level of money management, that's it. Dull, boring, and old technology!
Even the 5+ yr old RCT3 is light-years ahead of this. I wouldn't even waste a free token on this game.
I don't recommend this game.