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:
Samba your way to the tropical paradise of Rio de Janiero! Search for thousands of cleverly hidden items and play fun mini-games along the way.
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
Fun straight HOG
PostedJune 4, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Hi all. Yes, I am a Big City geek. I have all but one of these games, not sure why I didn't get it, but anyway. This one is the same as all the others as far as music, which I wish they would change...could use music from each city instead. Game play was very good, no problems. The colors seem brighter and clearer than any of the previous games in the series.
The HOGs do not seem as cluttered, but some of the items are very well hidden, e.g., behind a leaf, or blended into something of the same color. There is a little eye strain, but not as much as some of the other BC games I have played. It had been a while since I last played one of these, so I had to get back into the swing of how they hide the items. Once I did that, items were much easier to spot. The puzzles were much of the same, but were much easier than in past games. This was disappointing. There are achievements in this one, but I don't see that they play any particular part in the game. The collectible is quite easy, as it is on your list of items to find. Nothing taxing or challenging, but I find these games fun, and the postcards give you bits of information about each location. I just wish they would stop using that "brushed" look on them, as it makes the picture quite blurry.
I like straight HOGs now and then. I especially like that these games are quite long, so I can come back to it and play a bit, move to another game, and then come back again. It's sort of a relaxing break from the rest. Plus, this is as close as I'm ever going to get to most of these places. Needless to say, I am going to get this game.
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!
After a long journey, Queen Sophia faces her enemy for the last time - but will she succeed in saving her parents?
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 32 found this review helpful
Yep, bought it!
PostedMay 31, 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. Well, another addition to the Awakening saga. Yes, I have all of the others (Awakening Moonfell Wood; Goblin Kingdom; Dreamless Castle and Sunhook Spire), and all were very good. BoomZap is one of my favs. Colors were very vibrant and clean. Graphics were excellent, as was the game play. Music was the same as all the other in the series, so turned it down a bit. The few voice overs you had were well done (except for the crying boy - now that was annoying) and didn't just sound like they were reading a script. Few sound FX as well, but nicely done.
HOPs were fairly clean and clear. Items were not difficult to see, but some did take some thought to find. Ran across a couple of different ways to play and they were quite fun, but you have to see for yourself. Did not see any difficult puzzles in this one, but some were a little different as well.
Hint system filled quite quickly and was very helpful. Not only gives you a hint, but also transports you to your next area, if you want...time saver on this part. The map is the usual and naturally, is not identified by area name (aaaargh!#. SG was the usual, but instructions were not as clear as they could have been. Just hope it stays on the last page visited when I exit the game. Frustrating to come back and have to search for the right chapter and page you need. This one does not have page numbers either! With the helpful hint, I didn't really find all that much need to use the SG.
The only collectibles I found were the rune looking stone flowers #some areas have more than one, so be on the lookout). Some are quite small and difficult to see, or blend very well into the background. Not as easy to spot at you may think. You are suppose to spend them in the garden and buy things, but I haven't found that yet. Also said there were "special" golden collectibles, but I guess they are too hard to see, as I haven't found any at all.
After so many lemons lately, it is nice to finally see a peach. Yes, I did like this game and have the need to add it to my continually growing collection. It was not all that challenging, but enough to keep me interested and wanting more. I think all levels of players will find this one fun. I will hold off and buy it when the new month starts...don't need any more points today.
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!
Guests keep disappearing from a gimmicky haunted hotel. Is there someone pulling the strings, or are these ghosts actually real?
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Not the best of the 3 previous games...
PostedMay 30, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. I have the first 3 Haunted Hotel games and liked them all (Haunted Hotel: Believe the Lies; HH: Charles Dexter Ward and HH: Eclipse). The colors are very bright with very clear graphics. Game play was very good, no problems at all. Music was a little odd to me, in that it would build like something was about to happen, so you get ready for it, but then just drops off with nothing. Voice overs were well done. The "bad guy" had a very sinister voice. There really isn't much in the way of sound FX either. Other than the music and the occasional dialog, it is a pretty quiet game.
The jump map areas are marked, so you don't have to guess which is what #thank you!#. Hint system fills very quickly and is quite helpful. Since the hint actually teleports you to the next location, you really don't need to use the SG or the map. There is a lot of back tracking on this one, so grab an extra pair of tennis shoes, you will need them.
Usually the lead in scene is what will grab me and pique my interest. This one was lacking in excitement and didn't make much sense to me, with not much of anything leading into the actual story. There are a lot of Egyptian items that you pick up here and there, but the story is not in Egypt and didn't explain why these artifacts are collected. Maybe it does as the game progresses.
The HOPs are the usual, fairly clean and items are easy to spot. Puzzles weren't difficult, but as the game progressed, the puzzles took a bit more thought to complete. The only collectibles that I could find were the Egyptian canopic jars. Each jar told you who was interred in the jar...a little history here. I don't really care about achievements and whether or not I get them, but the collectibles make a game more challenging and fun. The jars are either difficult to see, or I'm just missing them, as I only found 2 during the demo.
I was surprised at the lack of challenge in this game, after playing the other 3. It seemed that the devs got a bit lazy with this one...again. I liked it well enough to want to add it to my every growing collection of games, but right now I'm not too sure I want to get the CE. I have been known to change my mind. A beginner will find this one challenging, but us old timers might not. I will put this in my puddle and think on it a bit.
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!
After searching for five years, Princess found her mother – only to have her kidnapped right before her eyes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
23 of 31 found this review helpful
Good for an SE
PostedMay 30, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, my original review for the CE version still stands. Graphics and game play are the usual Elephant standard. Nothing new or exciting in this game at all. HOPs and puzzles were extremely simple and took no real thought to complete.
Although I did like the story and the "bring the statue to life" part of the game, I still do not feel it is CE worthy. There is no challenge, but after playing the SE version, I have decided that I will purchase this game to add to my collection. I do have the need to play it out and see what happens, but will not be purchasing the CE version.
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!
Haunted Manor: Painted Beauties Collector's Edition
A peaceful day at the park becomes a journey into the surreal when you become the latest victim of a troubled artist's deal with Death!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 9 found this review helpful
Like it, bought it.
PostedMay 24, 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. Well, another in the Haunted Manor series. I already have Lord of Mirrors and Queen of Death and really liked them both. This one is right in line with graphics and game play, both of which were very good. There is a bit of a lag when going from one scene to another, where you have a black screen for a few seconds. Otherwise, the graphics are clean and clear. Colors are a bit muted, but still clear. Like the jump map...areas are well marked and identified (thanks devs). The only thing I didn't like was that the map areas were not marked to identify if there was a task that needed to be done. I sort of like where the map and SG are located at the side, but so use to clicking at the bottom of the screen, I had to click again in the right place. Nice music, which fit the atmosphere and setting. Voice overs were very nice and fit the people. Game is fairly quiet, with not a lot of dialog or sound FX.
HOPs were not difficult and items were not hard to find, but some did take a little thought. Same with the puzzles, although nothing new that I have seen yet. There are a number of achievements in this one as well. I only found two collectibles. Not sure the pearls are really collectibles, but you still need to find them and some are quite small easy to miss. The morphing objects are a little difficult as well. They don't just jump off the page at you, so watch for them. There is a lot of backtracking in this one, so put on the tennis shoes.
SG is the usual and not really needed for this one. Hint system fills very quickly and is helpful, but sometimes sent you to an area where you did not have the item you needed to complete the task. I did like the giggle the hint angel had, and I only heard it when she refilled.
I found this game to be a bit more challenging than most of the previous games we have seen lately. Story line was different and I liked how you needed to go into paintings to find other parts to the game. I liked it and will purchase, and believe this game 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!
The city fears the return of the infamous Fire Knight – but is Rosa Ramirez really responsible?
Overall rating
4
/
5
36 of 47 found this review helpful
On second thought!
PostedMay 23, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. First of all, I'd like to wish everyone a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend. If you are driving, drive carefully. If you are staying home, don't burn the burgers.
Well, here is a new one for me, and quite unusual. When I reviewed the CE version, it wasn't very favorable, but I did say that I often change my mind when the SE comes out and get the SE instead. If you wish, you can see my original review under the CE version. Well, after playing the SE, I found that I liked it well enough to go ahead and purchase the CE version. I have all the other GF games and was surprised that I didn't care for this one at first. Wouldn't it be nice if we could play a demo more than once before deciding to purchase or not?
Anyway, very nice graphics and game play. Still not kicked out about the voice overs (rather boring and emotionless in some cases). HOPs and puzzles not difficult. I do like the HOPs, especially the riddle type, which are different and fun.
Not an extremely challenging game, but it does keep you moving. I now find the need to see how the story plays out, and why that silly bull needs all those butterflies.
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!
Visit a boarding school abandoned after a terrible accident. Unravel the mystery of the loss of its former students.
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 23 found this review helpful
Very simple game...
PostedMay 21, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Most games these days, I can just do a cut and paste on the review and call it good, which is not a good thing. This is pretty much one of them. The graphics were pretty good, even a bit dark, which it probably should be because of the story line. You want it to be a bit dark and creepy. Even in the dark, the colors were nice and clear. There is a reason why you have a flashlight, which you use quite a lot and at any time you wish. Game play was good, no problems with the demo at all. Another game with a click penalty.
There is a jump map, but I didn't really find the need to use it much. Music was very monotonous and started to grate on my nerves pretty quickly. Hint system was somewhat helpful, but takes quite some time to fill. HOPs were very simple and items not difficult to find. Some were a bit small, but not too much eye strain here. Puzzles were extremely easy. One thing I do have to say is...I wish gas was only 25 cents a gallon! Did you notice that it only took 75 cents to fill up her car?
This is one of those no brainer games for a day that you want to play but not work hard at it. I do like those occasionally. That being said, I will put this game in my "rainy day" puddle for a maybe down the road game. I didn't love it, but I didn't dislike it either. I just don't have the need to run out and buy it now. I'm sure this will appeal to the beginner more than the seasoned gamer, as far as challenge is concerned.
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!
Find your sister and escape from a terrifying haunted house!
Overall rating
2
/
5
47 of 59 found this review helpful
Definitely not CE worthy!
PostedMay 17, 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
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hi all. Well, guess I'm going to be the minority on this one today. I will say that the graphics weren't too bad, but a little fuzzy. Nice colors. Game play was good. Voice overs were good, but not that many. I much prefer animation to "real" people in these games, as real people just never line up with the background and it looks too fake. Music was very monotonous. Very little in the way of sound FX, and this game definitely needed them. It is suppose to be "scary," but there was nothing to bring you to the edge of your seat. I'm a huge fan of Poe stories, Vincent Price movies and the like, so I was excited to see this one come out. However, I was very disappointed. This house was suppose to have appeared 3 months ago, but Sam said he and his wife looked at it years ago and got stuck in it. Hmmm, story doesn't jibe.
HOPs are very simple, clear and easy to find items. Puzzles are quite simple as well. Hint system is helpful, so the lack of an SG is no big deal, but still very odd. There is a click penalty as well...haven't seen that in quite some time either. Makes me think this is an older game. There is constant back tracking. I felt dizzy after a while. Didn't even need to look at the map, so not sure what it does.
The only collectibles I found were the heart shaped lockets. They are quite large and easy to spot. The opening scene was the only exciting part of this game for me. It started out good, but died very quickly after that. The only scary thing about it was the title and that is very misleading. I did not find this game challenging or fun and certainly not CE worthy. It is very seldom that I do not even recommend a game for beginners, but I don't think a beginner would find this one challenging either. Definite no buy for me today.
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 don't recommend this game.
When his sister is murdered, you must prove your nephew’s innocence!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 10 found this review helpful
Liked it, bought it!
PostedMay 16, 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. Had shoulder surgery on Monday, so this will be a bit short. The usual very bright nice colors from Elephant. Game play was very good and graphics were very nice, eye movement and all. Voice overs were good, but very few and far between, and not much in the way of sound FX which made this game rather quiet. Hopefully this changes as the game progresses. I have the first 5 in this series and really liked them, but this one doesn't seem quite as good. Still, I did like it.
Music was a little boring and lifeless, no rise and fall with the action of the game. Didn't use the jump map or the SG, except to look at them. They are the usual. The hint system was quite helpful and took you directly to the location you needed to go to next, rather than just tell you to back up or move forward. Makes for faster travel and this is why I didn't need to use the map or the SG.
HOPs are the standard for Elephant and are interactive. Clean and clear and items not difficult to find. Puzzles are simple and easy to figure out and complete. There are a number of achievements and collectibles. The figurines are very easy to spot and give you more insight into the story and history of the family as you find them. There are additional story parts to find, but I'm not quite sure why yet. The morphing objects do not just jump off the page at you, so you better be on the look out for them or you will easily miss them.
As with the last few Elephant games, this one was not particularly challenging or exciting, but I like it well enough to add it to my collection of Grim Tales games and there is enough constant movement to keep you interested in the game. Besides, I have the need to see where the story is going and "who-dun-it." I think this 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!
Your librarian friend wants your help as a journalist – he’s found an ancient book that is still unfinished. Can you save the world in the book before their story ends?
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 24 found this review helpful
Highly recommend...solid 4.75 game!
PostedMay 10, 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
5
/
5
Hi all. I love this game! Does that tell you where this review is going? ERS has finally gotten back to basics with this one. Colors and graphics are very well done. The pictures seem to be a bit fuzzy, but I think it is suppose to resemble a book page and not a sharp movie. It fits the fairy tale look of the game. Game play was excellent, no problems anywhere on this one. You can click through the dialog, which I really like, since I read faster than they speak. Voice overs are appropriate for age, person and situation, showing anger, fear, sorrow, etc...very well done. Music is not constant, like in most games, and comes in and out depending on what is happening in the scene at the time. This seems to add more "thrill" to the game for me. It's like watching a movie and just waiting for something to happen because of the music. Well done, didn't turn this one down at all.
I only looked at the SG to see how it was set up, which was the usual. The story and action flowed so well that I really didn't need to use it. Hint system is quite helpful and I like the fact that you can turn the recovery speed up or down as you like. There is some back-tracking, but not a lot. You are constantly on the move with a lot to do in each scene.
Puzzles were not difficult, but were a little different. You earn points to "find" hidden objects. The HOPs that I found so far are silhouettes of various types, clean, clear and items not difficult to see or find. Some take a little thought to go from one step to another.
The only thing I didn't like, was that the SG, hint and map were much too close together. Too cluttered and too easy to hit the wrong item. The only collectibles I have found so far are vases, and I only found 2 in the demo. There are a lot of achievements...hey, I was a tree hugger for healing the tree.
Intro was awesome...now that's the ERS we know and love. I found this game to be quite entertaining, not extremely challenging, but fun, and it kept my interest throughout the entire demo. This is a definite buy for me. I don't give 5 stars easily and the only reason this one doesn't get them is because of the cramped SG/map/hint. Picky, I know, but I am who I am. I think this game will appeal to all levels of players.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in game and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!