dancemom1's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:13,287
- Reviews Submitted:871
- First Review:April 15, 2012
- Most Recent Review:November 26, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
There's a new sheriff in Meadows Town – and it's you! Can you stop a vengeful Viking spirit before she strikes again?
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 18 found this review helpful
Do like a good ERS game!
PostedAugust 14, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. A new ERS game, yay! Okay, first of all, what idiot would speed down a dark slippery road on a rainy night! Now that I got that out of my system... As usual, ERS has come through with really nice graphics and animation. Colors are very clear and we are not slammed with reds and blues. Game play was very good, no problems and the game filled my large screen perfectly. Music was very nice and moved with what was happening at the time. Very nice, realistic sound FX. Voice overs were very good as well and fit the character and what was happening.
SG was the usual and had very clear instructions. There were complaints that the HOPs are not listed in the SG, but where is the challenge in that? I primarily use the SG to help me find a collectible, in case I missed one. The hint doesn't help you with that one (wouldn't that be nice), but it will help you in the HOP. HOPs were very clean and clear and items were not difficult to find. I didn't run across very many in the demo, so hoping more show up. Not many puzzles yet either, but what I found was quite fun. The hint system fills quite quickly in this game and is very helpful. Unfortunately, it does not transport you to other locations.
The only collectibles I found are the runes, which are pretty well hidden here and there. You collect 40, which are to "reveal ancient prophecies." Not sure what that is all about yet. You also have an orb to collect paranormal energy, which in turn eliminates the dark entity for a while.
I think I figured out who the "bad guy" was within the first 5 minutes, but now I have to play out the game to see if I'm right...hate it when that happens. The game wasn't all that challenging, but it kept me interested and moving. Really like the Viking story line in this one. I think this one will appeal to all levels of players.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Travel through ghost worlds to investigate the mysteries of your family. Can you uncover the mystery of the tribal curse?
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 25 found this review helpful
Different and fun SE!
PostedAugust 11, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Aaaaargh, my demo ran out! I was totally engrossed in this game. Graphics were very well done, even though they were a bit cartoon like, which seemed to fit this story well. Colors are very vibrant and clear, without a lot of the blues and reds we have seen lately. I always demo on the easiest setting to get a feel for the game. Even at easy, this one still had some challenge. Game play was very good, no problems at all and game filled my large screen completely. There is no map, and you do have to do a lot of back-tracking, so put on your tennis shoes and get ready for it. I really liked the music, which made up for the lack of voice overs. For some reason, this game really didn't need them. The one thing I didn't care for is that the inventory bar did not lock, so it jumped up and down when you used is or happened to run your cursor over it.
HOPs were simple and straight forward. Items were not difficult to find. Puzzles were surprisingly different, even though they looked like the same old puzzles. I like games where you have to find "parts" of things in order to complete an item to use. This is a little more challenging than you may think and quite fun. Hint system was helpful, but filled at a fairly slow rate, compared to the newer games.
There were no collectibles, naturally, this is an SE, but you do travel to parallel worlds in order to complete your tasks. This was quite fun, as you had to put things together in order to move on to the next world. This seemed like an older game that was brought back out, but it had a newer feel to it. Not a lot of animation or sound FX in the demo, but as I said before, I was engrossed in the game when the demo ended and not happy when it did. This is a very nice SE for a change and I recommend it for all levels of players. It is different, fun and challenging, and a definite buy for me.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Solve the mystery that spooked a young girl into silence!
Overall rating
5
/
5
99 of 111 found this review helpful
Highly recommended!
PostedAugust 9, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Back from vacation and ready to play and what a game to come home to. This is a very nice game, with very good graphics. Nice, clear colors, not all blues or reds for a change. Game play was excellent, absolutely no problems and fit my large screen perfectly. The jump map was helpful and areas are identified very well. Read a few places that some items were called by a different name, but I didn't run across any so far in the demo...a flashlight was a flashlight. Besides, it makes you think a little more. Voice overs were very nice, appropriate for age and person. Music was a little annoying until something was about to happen, but otherwise was somewhat monotonous...not a deal breaker.
SG was pretty much the same as all others, except for all the stuff at the bottom, which is usually found on the menu screen. This was very busy and distracting. Didn't really use the SG much, since the hint system was so helpful and it does transport you to further areas so you don't have to run around clicking back and forth all the time. This is very helpful. HOPs were pretty clean and clear and no junk piles in this one. Items were fairly easy to find, but inventory items are not identified by name when you run the cursor over them. They were fun and not much repetition so far.
The collectibles were fun as well. You need to find puzzles pieces in order to put a picture together, which in turn provides one puzzle piece for a larger picture. The larger picture requires 5 pieces and has to be completed in order to finish the game and move to the bonus play. The morphing objects you find give you extra hints and are not as easy to find as you think. They blend well in some scenes.
The one thing I didn't care for was that some dialog could be "clicked" through for those of us who read faster than they speak but some dialog could not. If you hit "continue," you will skip it all, not move to the next line. I found this game interesting and entertaining enough to keep me interested and wanting more. I think all levels of players will find this one enjoyable. I never give 5 stars automatically, and not easily, but this one gets them all. Definite buy for me.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
A Mayan god is turning people into jaguars! Can you stop him before the world falls into chaos?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Liked it, gotta have it!
PostedAugust 9, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Been on vacation, so now trying to catch up. I have the MP Ship of Spirits, which I feel is the best of the 3. This one comes pretty close. Colors are very bright with some blues and reds popping up now and then, but mostly very clean and clear. Graphics were very nice and game play was very good, no problems at all. Jump map was well done, with areas well marked with picture and name of area for those of us who can't remember everything. Music was nice and somewhat soothing. Not a lot of sound FX, but there when you needed them. Voice overs were also well done, but not a lot of them, and fit quite well with the animation. Some dialog can be clicked through for those of us who read faster than they speak, where others cannot, so you have to either skip completely or just listen to it.
IHOPs were somewhat junky, but were different and fun. You could switch between IHOP and Majong game. SG was the usual, but very clear and easy to follow. Hint system filled at the regular rate and was quite helpful, but did not transport, so you do a lot of running and back-tracking. Yes, there is a helpful jaguar, that is actually a human who was turned into a jaguar.
The only collectibles I found are the totums, which are not difficult to find, but are different sizes and shapes. Once you find one, a bird appears that you also need to collect (not sure why). Also have 36 morphing objects that are not as easy to spot as you may think, so there is a challenge here.
Other than the morphing objects, this game was not especially challenging, but flowed well and was easy to follow. I found the story interesting and the need to play it out and see what happens. This one is going to be added to my ever growing collection of CE games...again. I believe all levels of players would find this one fun.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Witch Hunters: Full Moon Ceremony Collector's Edition
Defeat the evil witches and save the world from eternal darkness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 23 found this review helpful
Interesting game...
PostedAugust 2, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hi all. Well, a second addition to the Witch Hunters games. I have the first and really enjoyed that one. This one is pretty much the same, nothing really new. Animation was very well done. Graphics were well done too, but when you pick up an object, it's almost like it starts to open and then quickly jumps into the boxed screen that shows you got it. Can't quite explain it, but a bit odd. Not a smooth transition from where it is to where you have actually picked it up. Other than that, the graphic were clean and clear and had very nice colors. Game play was very good, no problems at all. Voices seemed to fit the characters and ages. Jump map was quite helpful and areas are well marked and identified. Didn't care for how they identified an area that had something to be done...it was in color, where the other areas were in black and white. Silly, yes, but I didn't care for it. Also didn't care much for the music. Seemed to always be building up to something exciting happening, but then it didn't. It just didn't fit each scene very well, and got annoying very quickly.
SG was the usual and it stayed on the last page visited when you leave the game and then return later. This is always a plus for me. Instructions were very clear and easy to follow. SG only shows 2 chapters, so hard to determine about how long the game may be. The demo seemed very short, as I still had 53 minutes of a 90 minute demo, and I am not a fast player. Hint system is a cat, but he/she is very quiet and only meowed once during the demo. Hint is very helpful and fills very quickly. HOPs were the standard with nothing new, but were very clean with clear colors. Some were a bit cluttered, but items were not difficult to find. Puzzles were very simple.
The only collectibles I found were the morphing objects, which I happen to like. They are not difficult, but you do have to look for them. There are also 15 glass shards that you need to find, in order to repair the vanity mirror...you find out why when you play the game.
This was not an extremely challenging game, but it was interesting. I am not sure it is CE worthy, so I will put it in my puddle and think about it. This game will probably appeal to all levels of players.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one to be exactly what you are looking for today. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 55 found this review helpful
Oh yes, gotta have it!
PostedJuly 31, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Well, here is the second in the Amaranthine series. The first was an excellent game and this one is even better. The graphics, animation and voice overs are extremely well done. Voices actually had some emotion and didn't sound like someone was just reading a script. Game play was excellent, no problems and filled my large screen completely. The colors were wonderful. Some were a bit muted, but it depends on where you are in the scenery and how the sunlight, or even just the light, would bounce off of something. Very well done and very realistic. Music was quite nice and moved with what was happening at the time.
To be quite honest with you, I got so engrossed in the game, and found that it flowed so well, that I didn't even open the map or the SG. That is a major plus for me. The hint system was quite helpful and teleported you if you had a long distance to travel to the hint location, rather than just keep telling you to go back. Big time saver, so you have more time for the game. The hint recharged fairly quickly.
HOPs were very clean and clear, no junk piles. Items were not difficult to find. Some were the standard word HOP and others were silhouettes. These were done a bit differently, in that you had "sections" to do and did not have everything listed at once, so you were searching different areas for items. You also have 17 morphing objects to find in the HOPs. They aren't really difficult to see, you just have to remember to look for them. Puzzles were not difficult, but some were different and a little challenging.
The only collectibles I found were the 41 flowers of remembrance, which were not too difficult to find. Some are tucked away, so you have to look for them. You had to find jewel shards for a "tool" you use during the game, which give you another item to use within the game. You find other parts and pieces in the game that provide you with pieces of the story as you go along. There are numerous achievements as well.
No, the story isn't new, but I found this game to be extremely well done, fun and interesting. I believe this one will appeal to all levels of players. I do not give 5 stars easily, but this one has it all, with enough challenge to keep you moving and wanting more. Yes, I am definitely going to purchase this game to add to my collection.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Forbidden Garden Collector's Edition
Your parents always told you to stay away from the mysterious maze behind their house…. and you’re about to find out why.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 9 found this review helpful
First two were better...
PostedJuly 30, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Got called away yesterday when this came out, so didn't finish demo until today. I have the other Sable Maze games and really enjoyed them all. This one isn't quite up to par with the other two, but it isn't a bad game either. Yes, we have Mom turned into a cute little Ferret, which I didn't much care for, but it's a game. I don't mind the animals, because they help you through the game. I found that Mom isn't the only helpful animal in the game either.
The graphics and game play were nice, except that there are a lot of blues and pinks again. Not sure why some devs have a problem with clear colors. Music is nice. Voice overs and animation were very good. Jump map was well done and areas identified by name and picture, in case you forget what something looks like. SG was the usual, but only showed a couple of chapters, so not sure how long the game might be. If it is like the others in this series, it is a fairly long game.
HOPs were a little different and fun and each was played a little differently than the last, so you don't get bored with the same thing all the time. Items were not too difficult to find, but took some thought. The puzzles were quite simple and nothing new...skip button filled very slowly. Hint system is quite helpful and did teleport occasionally, but filled a little slower than most.
The only collectibles I found were the pages that gave you information on the fairyland animals. There are morphing jewels throughout as well, which are not difficult to see.
All in all, this was not a challenging game. As I said before, it was not a bad game either, but not better than the first two. That said, I doubt that I will get this as a CE, but I have been known to change my mind now and then. I think this one is geared more toward the beginner, so it will go in my maybe puddle.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one to be exactly what you are looking for. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
After a suspicious accident, you find yourself stranded at a run-down motel. But you soon realize the area hides a terrifying secret...
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 20 found this review helpful
Not a "fright"
PostedJuly 27, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hi all. I had played the demo of the CE version, and didn't see that it was CE quality. I sometimes change my mind when I give the SE a try, but not this time.
As I have said many times, I don't care for the "real" people in these games as the movements and voice overs are not very well done. Movements are very choppy and colors are too much brown/orange, which is a bit hard on the eyes. You had to click multiple times to pick something up from the inventory, or anywhere else, which is very frustrating. There isn't any "fright" in this game either...black smoke just doesn't do it and neither does the ugly face. This game should have put you on the edge of your seat, but it did not. Too bad, it started out very well.
No, I am not going to buy the SE either. Please feel free to read my full CE review, as it still holds true for the SE as well. I seldom do not recommend a game and I usually always find something good, but not this one. I'm not even sure a beginner would find this one entertaining.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this to be exactly what you are looking for today. Thanks for the reviews.
I don't recommend this game.
Your investigative report on the Weeping Woman of San Cristobal turns personal after you witness a kidnapping. Is the legend true?
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 26 found this review helpful
Wish we had half stars...4.5!
PostedJuly 26, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Don't know this legend, so had to look it up. Beautiful graphics with very clear and sharp colors (yay!). Game play was very good, no problems at all, very smooth. Animation and voice overs were done very well, with voices/accents, dress and scenery appropriate for the story. Music was quite nice as well and moved with whatever was happening at the time, so it does sort of draw you into the game. Jump map is quite helpful, with areas well marked with name and picture of location, as well as identified if there is anything that can be done there.
SG is the standard, but is very clear, short and to the point without being cluttered with a lot of unnecessary wording. A major plus is that it actually stays on the last page visited when you leave the game and come back. Something a lot of games haven't been doing...very frustrating. The only minus is that the SG is much too close to the hint/skip button, so pay attention to where you are clicking or you use a hint when you don't want it. Hint system is also very helpful. It not only points you in the right direction, it keeps pointing until you actually arrive where you need to be, so a lot less "clicking" to move back somewhere. Hint recovery is not "fast," but not too bad.
HOPs are interactive, clean and not cluttered with junk. Items are not difficult to see, but you do have to move, open and look around things to find some of them. Puzzles are not difficult or challenging so far and I have not found anything new yet.
The only collectibles I have found are the morphing flowers. Some of which are pretty easy to spot, but others are not, so keep your eye out for them. The other collectible is a golden skull, which is hidden pretty well. You need to really look in and under things to find them. Some locations had both, but others did not, so check before you move on.
This game is not extremely challenging, but enough to keep you interested and on the move. I found the story line to not be a new one, but was interesting and intriguing. The demo went by too quickly, and yes, I found the need to buy it and play it out. I think this one will appeal to all levels of players.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the review.
I recommend this game!
Save your daughter from a mysterious mirror-hopping monster!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 26 found this review helpful
Well done!
PostedJuly 19, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Well, I beta tested this one and really enjoyed it, even with the somewhat cartoon like graphics. Other than that, the graphics were quite good. Bright colors, but still a lot of pinks. Game play was very good, no problems and filled my large screen without black bars. The only real complaint I had about this game is that everything is so incredibly close to the hint button, so watch where you click. Nice voice overs, appropriate for person and time. Really liked the music. Usually soothing, but moved with the game play and what was happening at the time. Very nice sound FX. Jump map is quite helpful, with areas of interest marked and identified with name and picture, in case your memory isn't working today.
HOPs are silhouettes and finding parts to complete a task. These are not difficult but take some time and are fun. Puzzles are not difficult either, nothing new or too challenging. SG is helpful if you need it, but the hint system is even more helpful and faster to use. Between that and the jump map, you really don't need to use the SG.
You do travel through portals, so if you have a problem with bright lights, close them before you click...these are very bright. There are some things you do that you have to switch characters in order to complete a task. This was fun and different. Along the way, you find parts of a dollhouse and when you place the part, you receive a needed item for your inventory. The only collectibles I found were a picture of a book. These are not what you expect and blend into the background and scenery, but are not that difficult to see. You just have to remember to look for them.
I like that there are extra things to do, even after you finish the bonus game. These little extras make a game more fun, interesting and worth the price. This game is well done and fun. It is not extremely challenging, but enough to keep you interested and moving. The story line quickly drew me into the game. I have the first in this series ( Nevertales: The Beauty Within CE) and this one is equally as good. I think this will appeal to all levels of players and yes, I am going to get it for my collection.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!