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:
Enter the enchanted realm of the Snow Kingdom!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 34 found this review helpful
Nice Simple Game...
PostedMay 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The following is the review I had done for the CE version:
"Hi all. I have the first Dark Strokes and really liked it. This one is a bit different. The colors are very bright and nice to look at , graphics are good for this type of game and game play was very nice, no problems at all. I do like a good fairy tale now and then and this story was right up there. Music was nice and easy to listen to, but a bit loud, so I turn it down. Voice overs are good and seem appropriate for time and setting. Didn't hear a lot in the way of sound FX, but what there was, was well done. Jump map works well, but is very bland.
Did not care for the SG at all. I prefer written directions, not a step by step picture of what needs to be done. I don't need that much hand holding and I find that my eyes get tired faster looking at pictures. Hint system is helpful, except that it only shows you where to go, not what to use once you get there. You learn more of the story as you collect more items and "slides."
HOGs are the usual and are fairly clean with items quite easy to see. Puzzles are a little different, but still no real challenge, just a little more thought. I think a beginner would find this one more challenging than an old gamer like me. However, if you just want a nice easy game, this one would be a good one.
There are a number of achievements and lots of collectibles, e.g., 35 snowflakes, 12 magic scrolls and 10 morphing items that are actually found in the HOGs. None of these items are difficult to find either.
This game is not CE worthy to me, so I will wait until the SE comes out and give it another try. I often like the SE version better, even without the extras, but this one is a no buy for me today."
Naturally, there are no collectibles in the SE version, but as I said above, I often like the SE version better. I did and I purchased the game. It is a nice game, with a nice fairy tale story that I think most anyone would enjoy.
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!
Free the frog princes from the clutches of an evil witch! Return them to their princess brides, and find out if the kiss of love can break the witch’s curse!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 17 found this review helpful
For Beginners...
PostedMay 7, 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
3
/
5
Hi all. Haven't seen a Shaman game for a while. Graphics on this one are very cartoony, but then it should be with this type of game. Colors are very bright. Game play is pretty good, was a bit slow on the uptake but otherwise okay. Music got very boring very quickly, so turned it down. The one thing I really didn't care for was the constant silly sound the frog prince makes...stop already!
There seem to be a lot of things to find in every area and constant movement from one location to another. Hint system is helpful and fills very quickly. Puzzles are simple and easy to complete. Other than the frog and music, there really aren't any sound FX.
There is absolutely no challenge to this game at all. I am very much a HOP/HOPA person, but like to give other games a try as well. A little variety never hurt anyone. That said, guess I am going to be the "odd woman out" today, but I just didn't care for this one. Yes, it was silly and cute, but very much for a real beginner, and that is the only reason I will recommend this game. No buy for me.
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!
Jane Angel has mysteriously vanished and it's up to her sister to untangle the sophisticated conspiracy and uncover the truth about the family's ancient past.
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 13 found this review helpful
Sorry, did I fall asleep!
PostedMay 5, 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
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Hi all. Well, I guess we were due for one like this...been a while. The graphics weren't anything special, but fairly clear and bright in most areas. Game play seemed to be good, no problems. Voice overs were okay, but little "emotion," with dialog being a bit over the top and boring. There was also way too much unnecessary dialog in this one...too much reading.
The hint system was helpful and filled at the usual rate. HOPs, which were few, were fairly clean. Some items were difficult to see due to size (mostly) or lack of light, but otherwise easy to find items. Almost every area had something to pick up or find that was outside a HOP, so you need to click around to be sure you get everything.
I found the story line a little hard to follow. No real lead into anything. Why are you suddenly in the 1500's and then back to 2012? It was too difficult to get into the story. There is no real rhyme or reason to what is happening or what you are doing. This is an extremely simple game, with no real challenge, that is geared more toward the beginner than anyone else. Sometimes, I like games like that, but this one just didn't have anything that made me want to keep playing, so no buy for me.
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.
A warm hearth, children's laughter and adorable pets all await you in Holiday Jigsaw Easter!
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
Great for kids!
PostedMay 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
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Accidentally found this one today. I love jigsaw puzzles and have found that it has become harder and harder to find puzzles that I haven't already done. My grandchildren love jigsaw puzzles as well and this one is perfect for them. I like how you can reduce the number of pieces down to 12, which makes it a lot easier for a 3 year old to put one together, or over 300 for a 10 year old. Plus, I don't have the mess to clean up when they decide they are done. I just save and it is here for the next time they want to do a puzzle.
I have a BF jigsaw puzzle game that is more for adults that want some challenge and I have really enjoyed it. I take the time to sort my table top puzzles, so it was really nice to see that the touch of a button will do it for you, not only in the "big kid's" version, but the little guys as well.
Instructions are easy for any age to follow and the pictures are especially fun for kids. I definitely recommend this one to the little puzzlers in the family.
I recommend this game!
Travel to South America to investigate a deadly cosmic force. Can you uncover the secrets of the missing research team?
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 19 found this review helpful
Awesome HOPs and Puzzles!
PostedMay 3, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, I had never heard of a "homunculus" before, so had to look it up. For those who don't know, it is a "representation of a small human being." How about that! Now, on with the review. At first I didn't think much of this game, but soon really got into it. The graphics are very well done. No problem with the game play either. I really liked the animation, in that the people were very realistic, even having wrinkles, eyebrow movements and such...very well done. Colors were very bright and clear...it was actually day time, so you could see everything well.
The music seemed out of place for this time and setting and got very annoying very quickly. Other than the music and the occasional voice over, there are no real sound FX. Voice overs were age appropriate and well done. The jump map left a lot to be desired. Again, the areas were not identified #when will the devs listen#. When the SG tells you to go back to the stone lady, you better remember where you saw here, because the map is useless. This is a major down grade for me on any game. SG is the standard. Hint system is quite helpful, but takes a while to recharge. It is easier, faster and less frustrating to use the hint rather than the jump map to find out where you need to go next. There is not a lot of retracing steps in this game, but enough to keep you busy and moving.
I wasn't following what the neutralizer was for, until I noted that it opens the HOPs. No real lead in to that part of the story, so I was a bit lost. Speaking of HOPs...WOW, I really liked these. They are fairly clean and not cluttered. Some items do blend into others, so you really have to look for them, but no eye strain. I loved the way you have a HOP within a HOP and you need to finish one before you can finish the other. Very well done and quite fun. Puzzles were really fun as well, and challenging. What I have seen so far is very different, put together well and takes some time and thought to complete.
The only extras I found were the 35 blue plasma containers you need to find, which are not hard to see. I do not give 5 stars easily, but I would have given them to this one, had it not been for the jump map and the story being a little confusing. I am going to purchase this CE, only because I love the HOPs and puzzles.
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!
After searching for five years, Princess found her mother – only to have her kidnapped right before her eyes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Disappointing...
PostedMay 2, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hello all. We have another line in the Royal Detective series. Yes, I have the other two games listed today already. I'm not sure what is happening with Elephant, but the quality of the games is going down for some reason. The graphics in this one is okay, but a little dark and fuzzy in some areas. Colors are bright for the most part. Game play was good, no problems at all. Voice overs were good when you had them. This is a very quiet game, with not much in the way of sound FX or dialog...even the music is very quiet and sparse in most areas.
There is a jump map, but not a very good one. When will the devs listen and make a map easier to follow? There is no area on the map that is identified by name, so you better remember what an area looked like if you plan on getting back there. Yes, it does show that something can be done in a particular area, but that isn't the point. The SG is the usual and is helpful, but some instructions are a bit cryptic. Again, it does not tell you what location to go back to, just to go back 5 steps. Guess it is because the map areas are not identified by name either. Instead of a helpful little animal, you have a helpful fire dagger that burns through certain things blocking your way, e.g. ropes, trees, vines., etc.
HOPs are a little junky and very cluttered, with some items being very small, and some of the colors were more monochrome, which makes items more difficult to make out. I found my eyes getting tired very quickly. Puzzles were not difficult and as you played them, they gave you more insight into the story. This was nicely done.
The game seemed to pick up more when I started putting the statues together. There was more action, so hopefully it continues throughout the rest of the game. There are a lot of achievements, same old same old and collectibles. The only one I found was the 18 morphing dragons. They do not stand out and you can only grab them when they are in morph mode, so be on the lookout in every scene. I only found 8 during the demo.
I'm on the fence with this one, so I will put it in my puddle and think about it for awhile. The game is not particularly challenging and needs some real clean up, but I did like the story and I have hope that it will continue to pick up as you play. I would, however, recommend this for a beginner.
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!
Destroy artifacts in the past to preserve the world’s future!
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 22 found this review helpful
Finally, a nice challenge!
PostedApril 26, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, another addition in the Secret Order series. I have the first two and did not find that either of them warranted a CE. This one is different. Awesome intro into the game, pulls you in right away. Excellent graphics and game play, no problems. Animation is very nice, with voice overs fitting the characters that actually have some "emotion" to their voices. Music wasn't too bad, but I always turn it down unless there are no sound FX. This game has very nice sound FX that change with whatever is happening in the game at the time...makes it more believable.
There is a jump map that is quite helpful and areas are identified very well #you don't have to guess where something is#. SG is the standard, but a bit fuzzy. Hint system is quite helpful, so you really don't need to use the SG. Hint fills fairly quickly. You get a very helpful griffin as well, for the "higher" places you can't reach. I'm not positive, but it sounded like he was humming while he waited for me to use him...maybe it was me and I just didn't know it.
HOPs are the usual, with standard and find the parts and pieces. Items are not hard too find, but some are a little too small to jump out at you. The skip button seemed quite slow on the charge. You can switch to Mahjong, which I don't particularly care for. Puzzles were the usual, but with a bit of a twist to make them different and fun. They aren't as easy as you think and some take a few minutes of thought to complete. I found them quite enjoyable and challenging for a change.
There are a number of achievements and collectibles to find as well, e.g. #12 of each# golden dragons, amethyst griffins and turquoise unicorns. These are not as easy to find as most, but not difficult if you pay attention. They are a little small. You had to find runes to travel to another time period. Not sure this is throughout the game or what yet. They were very easy to spot.
Even though I did not buy the CE on the first two games, I found that I really did enjoy this one and it was challenging enough to keep me interested throughout the demo. I do have the need to play it though and see what happens, so a definite buy for me. I think this will appeal to all levels of players, especially the advanced player who wants more challenge.
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
3
/
5
37 of 54 found this review helpful
Time to move on...
PostedApril 24, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well another addition to the Grim Facade series. I have the first 3 and really enjoyed them. I'm on the fence with this one. The graphics are very much the same as the others, meaning the devs are stuck in a rut of some sort. That is not to say that the graphics are not nice. Game play was good, no problems at all. There is a jump map, but I really didn't care for it at all. None of the areas are identified except by a very fuzzy picture, so you better remember what each location looked like or you will be jumping all over the place.
There is no real lead in to the story either, so you really don't quite know what is going on or why, which does not make the story flow very well. It just felt like I was walking through the game...no challenge. Voice overs were okay, but the dialog left a lot to be desired, e.g., "I'll pry the sword from your cold dead hands." Really! Nothing new or exciting here. There is no real excitement in the voices either, more reading than "acting."
HOPs are not bad, items fairly easy to spot, clean and clear. You have a variety of play, which is good...where does this belong; interaction; clues (which I like#, or you could switch to Mahjong #not one I care for). There are the usual achievements and not many collectibles. All I have found so far are the coins, to buy various items to help you along in the game, and butterflies to keep the bull happy. Not sure what that's all about, but okay.
Needless to say, this game was a disappointment for me. I was excited to see another GF game today, but I don't really feel that this is CE worthy either. It doesn't have the extras a CE needs to make it fun and challenging. It is not a bad game, just one that didn't grab my attention or make me want to buy it now. As I have said many times, I may change my mind when the SE comes out and I have the opportunity to play it a second time. I will not purchase the CE version, but I may add the SE to my ever growing collection.
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!
Discover a story of mysterious kidnappings of both children and mafiosi.
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 19 found this review helpful
Like the setting...
PostedApril 19, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, another nice game today. Graphics and game play are well done. Colors are clear, and animation is very good. Voice overs are appropriate for the time and setting, and can be "clicked" through for those of use who read faster than they speak. However, there isn't a lot of "human" contact in this one, so it is rather quiet. Music is okay and changes with what is happening at the time, but could have been a little more sinister. What sound FX there are, were well done as well.
The story is not new, except that the mafia has been added, but I did find it intriguing. Story was laid out well and easy to follow, so I didn't find the need to use the SG, which is the usual set up and easy to follow. The jump map is set up a little differently and is tied in with the hint system, which is quite helpful. If you need to jump elsewhere in a hint, it opens the map and shows you where you are going. I have seen this in a couple of other games and is a very nice addition. As I said, the hint system is quite helpful and fills very quickly.
There are a lot for achievements in this game, with the addition of the "impatient" achievement if you click to much...shame on me. Lots of collectibles, e.g. 35 morphing objects #you really have to look for some of them#; 9 suitcases #easy to find#; 9 Statue of Liberty #I only found one in the demo#; 9 ties #haven't found any yet# and 10 very small casino chips.
This is not an extremely challenging game, except for the collectibles, which make it a CE. I'm not really sure why, but I did like it and find the need to play it through. Oh well, here I go with another CE! I think this game will appeal to all level of players and is 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!
Track down the wily Fox’ before he slips away into the beauty of Venice!
Overall rating
4
/
5
30 of 43 found this review helpful
Solid 4.5 stars!
PostedApril 17, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hi all. Well, after yesterday's game, this one is a real find! The graphics and game play were very well done. Very nice clear and bright colors, along with a little bit of history as you move through the game. Nice music. There is a map, but I didn't use it, so not sure how well it works.
The voice overs were very disappointing in that you are suppose to be in Italy, but the only person with an accent was the gondola driver! Sort of takes you out of the scene. Our "fox" definitely needed an accent and to be a bit more Italian, meaning dark and sexy (yes, I said it). He looks like the corner grocer. However, this game has some very nice HOPs...some are the same as usual, e.g. silhouettes and interactive, but they are a little different and fun. The puzzles were pretty easy so far. And, guess what?? You have a click penalty in this game! That's something we haven't seen in a very long time. SG is the same, except that I noted that it did not show the HOPs like all the others. The one thing I didn't care for was that the SG does not automatically go to the next chapter as you play. Very annoying. Hopefully it stays on the last page you played.
There are a lot of achievements and even more collectibles. There are 52 fox figurines, which are not difficult to find, but you really have to look for them. The 10 travel pages and the 16 alphabet letters are a lot more difficult to see. They are small and well hidden, so look hard. There are also morphing objects to locate. I found three outside the HOP, so don't know if they're in them as well. I have to look closer.
Even though I did not care for the first Off the Record, I do like this one. I was drawn in fairly quickly and disappointed when the demo ran out. I had actually just gotten to the 2nd chapter and only had one minute left of play. This is a definite buy for me, but I will wait for a good special. Just can't keep buying CEs every day. 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 games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!