belamba's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.4
- Helpful Votes:6,536
- Reviews Submitted:161
- First Review:November 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 4, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Charles Dexter Ward summons you to the island of Pawtuxet to stop a revenant from murdering the townspeople.
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Too short, and too boring!
PostedApril 21, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Played this game to the end (on middle level) and all finished within 3 1/2 hours including bonus level.
Way too many HOS...in fact, one after the other after the other... Only marginally interactive too.
Stupidest story line. Too much hand holding, and on middle/advanced level you still get annoying sparkles. Only 'hardcore' doesn't have sparkles, but also no hints, puzzle skips etc either. Can't imagine why you don't get the usual 3 options of sparkles, no sparkles and no help at all.
Puzzles nothing new, and mainly boring and too easy.
Good newcomers iHOG, but there's way better out there than this. The graphics weren't bad, and the music in keeping.
Bought it as new CE for Mac, but didn't feel it was worth the CE price. Might be ok if an SE as the bonus content was short, again too many HOS. Just seemed lazily put together, by padding it out with mundane HOS here, there and everywhere!
Way too many HOS...in fact, one after the other after the other... Only marginally interactive too.
Stupidest story line. Too much hand holding, and on middle/advanced level you still get annoying sparkles. Only 'hardcore' doesn't have sparkles, but also no hints, puzzle skips etc either. Can't imagine why you don't get the usual 3 options of sparkles, no sparkles and no help at all.
Puzzles nothing new, and mainly boring and too easy.
Good newcomers iHOG, but there's way better out there than this. The graphics weren't bad, and the music in keeping.
Bought it as new CE for Mac, but didn't feel it was worth the CE price. Might be ok if an SE as the bonus content was short, again too many HOS. Just seemed lazily put together, by padding it out with mundane HOS here, there and everywhere!
I don't recommend this game.
Discover the secrets of your family’s past on a mystical island!
Overall rating
3
/
5
31 of 48 found this review helpful
An ok game, but too short and not very interesting game play
PostedMarch 24, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Ran on my Mac perfectly.
Too much hand holding in 'advanced' mode. Map very handy; without one it would have been frustrating running back and forth. Quite linear in game play, excellent graphics too.
Needed to do two HOS at a time, with various timepieces sending you back and forth. Minimal interaction really, but not too many of them so that was a good thing.
Too much hand holding in 'advanced' mode. Map very handy; without one it would have been frustrating running back and forth. Quite linear in game play, excellent graphics too.
Needed to do two HOS at a time, with various timepieces sending you back and forth. Minimal interaction really, but not too many of them so that was a good thing.
Biggest complaint is that it was way too short. Started playing at 9am and whole game finished by 12.20 including bonus play.
Puzzles weren't very interesting, and quite laborious actually.
I was in two minds whether to buy this CE or not after the trial hour, but hoped it would get better. Not a bad game but nowhere near the best either.
Usual 'find the amulets' storyline!
I recommend this game!
The magic world of Lumina needs a new hero! It's up to you to face Tenebria, the queen of the dark world in the original Match 3 game, Mystika!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not bad for a M3
PostedFebruary 23, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played this game to the end. Not overly long, but was quite entertaining.
Whilst playing there are bats, spiders and turtles to click on to stop them locking up the tiles with chains.
Found it quite annoying really, and it didn't add anything to the game either!
Not the best M3 out there by far, but worth a go if you enjoy this genre.
The music was fairly nice, although like most it was on a loop, so got a bit boring.
The stupidest story line...aren't most of them?
A few HOS in between the M3 boards, but didn't add anything to the game.
You earn power ups, but I couldn't actually work out what two of them did!
Whilst playing there are bats, spiders and turtles to click on to stop them locking up the tiles with chains.
Found it quite annoying really, and it didn't add anything to the game either!
Not the best M3 out there by far, but worth a go if you enjoy this genre.
The music was fairly nice, although like most it was on a loop, so got a bit boring.
The stupidest story line...aren't most of them?
A few HOS in between the M3 boards, but didn't add anything to the game.
You earn power ups, but I couldn't actually work out what two of them did!
I recommend this game!
Explore the magical world of Enchantia as you race to save the land from the evil Phoenix Queen.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
A bit different and quite challenging...
PostedFebruary 15, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Loved the graphics, the map aided you in going from place to place, and an excellent hint system. I played middle mode. Some of the puzzles I found quite difficult as I didn't understand the instructions, so waited for the skip to be available. In middle mode the hint and skip buttons didn't take too long to refill. I prefer 'FROGs' to HOs, so was happy to see them in this game. Much better than looking for the same old hourglasses, fans, feathers etc,
The animal characters were beautifully done and comical.
My only gripe really is the non stop toing and froeing to scenes that looked very similar. I found the style of the graphics made it difficult to remember where and what you needed to do next!
Definitely an above average game that seems to be of a good length. I played for four hours, and a long way to go yet!
The animal characters were beautifully done and comical.
My only gripe really is the non stop toing and froeing to scenes that looked very similar. I found the style of the graphics made it difficult to remember where and what you needed to do next!
Definitely an above average game that seems to be of a good length. I played for four hours, and a long way to go yet!
I recommend this game!
A mysterious man in red summons you, sending you to a flying ship where a little girl needs your help!
Overall rating
5
/
5
208 of 227 found this review helpful
A fab non-CE that i enjoyed immensely.
PostedFebruary 9, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game was excellent in all depts. I played the middle of 3 modes right through to the end of the game.
No sparkles, not too many HOS, and puzzles were interesting and although not overly easy were mainly doable.
Not much hand holding. The hint system was adequate without giving too much away. A fair bit of tooing and froing and no map, but found the hint guided me around easily.
Relevant info was in the diary.
Had a lens to look for some hidden objects, which just added a bit of interest to the game.
Took me 6 hours non-stop to finish the game and played seamlessly with zero tech issues.
Wish there were more regular games like this.
No sparkles, not too many HOS, and puzzles were interesting and although not overly easy were mainly doable.
Not much hand holding. The hint system was adequate without giving too much away. A fair bit of tooing and froing and no map, but found the hint guided me around easily.
Relevant info was in the diary.
Had a lens to look for some hidden objects, which just added a bit of interest to the game.
Took me 6 hours non-stop to finish the game and played seamlessly with zero tech issues.
Wish there were more regular games like this.
I recommend this game!
The Brothers Grimm have assigned the task of revealing the truth behind missing children in the town of Arbourshire; it is up to you to discover the secrets of the Fairy Tale Mystery, before it is too late.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Way too many HOS
PostedFebruary 8, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
i was looking forwards to this game, but there are way too many HOS and cut scenes! Gets tedious and boring.
Nothing different about this game either. Ok as an SE, but not up to the CE quality we've come to expect.
Nothing different about this game either. Ok as an SE, but not up to the CE quality we've come to expect.
I don't recommend this game.
An organ grinder seeks revenge, marking his victims with cards. Can you stop him before he destroys the entire city?
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
Really loved this game..
PostedFebruary 8, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Played it to the end in advanced mode. Thought the graphics superb, nice large items in HOGs and easy to find.
Enjoyed the music too.
Didn't need SG as hint system excellent.
Story line silly as they usually are, but then games are like fantasy movies.
Bonus chapter was a bit short, but at least it didn't have any dreaded sparkles nor were there too many HOs.
Enjoyed the music too.
Didn't need SG as hint system excellent.
Story line silly as they usually are, but then games are like fantasy movies.
Bonus chapter was a bit short, but at least it didn't have any dreaded sparkles nor were there too many HOs.
I recommend this game!
Eerie music fills the air in Vienna, where shadows terrorize people in the streets. Two musical prodigies have gone missing. Can you save them without striking a single false note?
Overall rating
2
/
5
38 of 54 found this review helpful
Far too short..
PostedJanuary 31, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The BFG website promised hours of extended play in this CE. I'm not interested in extras like more puzzles and wallpapers once the game has finished. Just want value for money, good length of bonus game play and fun.
I took it to mean the bonus play was, (unlike so many games) of a good length. Playing advanced mode, I'd finished the trial hour, main game and bonus content in under 3 1/2 hours.
I'm getting truly fed up playing the trial which promises fun HOS ie. everything interacts until you've solved the game, only to find on buying the game it's mainly junk pile HOS.
In advanced mode there were sparkles in the HO scenes! Barely interactive, I found the sparkles extremely annoying. I'm not too stupid to work it out for myself!
I took it to mean the bonus play was, (unlike so many games) of a good length. Playing advanced mode, I'd finished the trial hour, main game and bonus content in under 3 1/2 hours.
I'm getting truly fed up playing the trial which promises fun HOS ie. everything interacts until you've solved the game, only to find on buying the game it's mainly junk pile HOS.
In advanced mode there were sparkles in the HO scenes! Barely interactive, I found the sparkles extremely annoying. I'm not too stupid to work it out for myself!
I've always supported these devs, and have just about all of their games. This is the second time in a short period these devs have released a game with the trial not having any junk pile HOS, and on purchasing the game is almost nothing but....
I feel duped into buying the games, when I discover they aren't what the trial promised.
This game has good graphics although far too easy, too much hand holding and very linear in game play.
The puzzles were very easy.
Don't feel it was worth the extra money.
You collect lots of instruments along the way, which promised something exciting if you found them all. I found them all, but nothing happened that I noticed anyway..
It's ok if you don't expect too much from a CE; wish I'd waited for the SE.
I feel duped into buying the games, when I discover they aren't what the trial promised.
This game has good graphics although far too easy, too much hand holding and very linear in game play.
The puzzles were very easy.
Don't feel it was worth the extra money.
You collect lots of instruments along the way, which promised something exciting if you found them all. I found them all, but nothing happened that I noticed anyway..
It's ok if you don't expect too much from a CE; wish I'd waited for the SE.
I don't recommend this game.
After finding an artifact, you're whisked away to a dying world. Can you save it from the darkness?
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 10 found this review helpful
It's alright...
PostedJanuary 28, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game I found had too many HOS games. My biggest issue was the huge amount of chit chat that couldn't be skipped. Some can, but a lot can't be.
A bit different in that its not really spooky. Got bored quickly having to find shapes to fit objects, and the puzzles were too easy. Each scene had a blimp/grenade you had to find, plus a dozen butterflies throughout the game (who knows why)!
Not a bad game, but there's far better available.
A bit different in that its not really spooky. Got bored quickly having to find shapes to fit objects, and the puzzles were too easy. Each scene had a blimp/grenade you had to find, plus a dozen butterflies throughout the game (who knows why)!
Not a bad game, but there's far better available.
I recommend this game!
Dupin needs your help solving the mystery of the gold bug. Crack the codes and follow the clues to one man’s obsession with an old legend.
Overall rating
2
/
5
63 of 80 found this review helpful
Really boring game....
PostedJanuary 10, 2013
belamba
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Although during the trial hour it wasn't a great game, the fact that there were no junk HOGs and the graphics were excellent and that I've enjoyed the others in the series persuaded me to buy it.
Having purchased it, there was one junk pile HO scene after another after another after another...not even interactive. well, unless you count moving two objects to find another and they were covered in sparkles even in advanced mode!
I couldn't take any more after another 30 mins of this, so uninstalled.
Has to rank as one of the most boring CEs ever.
It felt as though the devs consider us all too stupid to fathom anything out, as the whole game led us by the hand as though we are toddlers.
The graphics were excellent, and that's all I can say.
Having purchased it, there was one junk pile HO scene after another after another after another...not even interactive. well, unless you count moving two objects to find another and they were covered in sparkles even in advanced mode!
I couldn't take any more after another 30 mins of this, so uninstalled.
Has to rank as one of the most boring CEs ever.
It felt as though the devs consider us all too stupid to fathom anything out, as the whole game led us by the hand as though we are toddlers.
The graphics were excellent, and that's all I can say.
I don't recommend this game.