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:
A dragon has awoken after a hundred years - and it's after your son.
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 24 found this review helpful
Do you like dragons?
PostedMarch 15, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Graphics are very well done, very clear, bright colors. Game play was good, but a bit slow, still had no problems with play. Music was soothing and occasionally changed with what was happening in the game at the time. Voice overs were nice, but only one sided. Whoever the characters were talking to, didn't seem to want to talk back...at least not out loud. There is no journal, which is unusual. About the only time I ever use one is if it contains clues to progress within the game, otherwise I don't pay attention anyway.
There is a jump map, which is okay. There are multiple areas noted as being "available" item areas open at the same time, which can be confusing. If you don't remember where you needed to use an item, you will spend some time trying to figure out which area it was in...frustrating. I didn't feel that the SG was very well set up either. The written instructions were not clear, e.g., walk down and place the feathers...where, which area...should read walk down twice, turn right etc. If it weren't for the nice pictures as a guidance, you would have been clicking all day looking for the correct place. There were a few instructions that were very clear, but mostly not. Hint system was far more helpful, which made the SG not really necessary, but it refilled rather slowly.
HOGs were fun, clean and clear and items were not difficult to find, and some did make you use your reasoning skills. Puzzles were the usual, not difficult, but some did take a little thought to figure out. You could not access the SG for any guidance while in the HOG or any of the puzzles. Even with the voice overs, this game was very quiet and had very few sound FX. There are some achievements and you collect medals, which are very easy to find.
Because of the SG and lack of real help in the jump map, I found myself getting more and more frustrated and bored with the game. This could have been a very nice game and it may pick up as it progresses, but I was very disappointed and could not get into it. I did not find this game a challenge at all, but it would be a good one for a beginner. As I have said many times, I often change my mind when I replay the SE version and buy that one instead, but the CE just didn't make me want to run out and buy it.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may really like this one. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Dark Dimensions: Somber Song Collector's Edition
Townspeople flee as the black smoke covers their town. Can you close the dark dimension, before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 31 found this review helpful
Solid 4.5 stars - highly recommended!
PostedMarch 13, 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
5
/
5
Hello all. Another addition to the Dark Dimensions series. This is one of the better story lines I have seen in a very long time. Drew me in almost from the very beginning. Graphics and game play are extremely well done, no problems at all. Colors are bright and clear. I even liked the music, which changes with the action in the game, with the just the right amount of urgency and spooky. Sound FX and voice overs are very well done.
Although the SG only shows 2 chapters, the jump map shows a lot of areas to be visited, so it seems to be quite a long game. I have two of the first 3 DD games and this one might take over as my favorite over "Fog." Jump map is quite helpful, as you return to the same locations multiple times and repeat the HOGs as well. HOGs are well done, interactive, clean and clear and items not too difficult to find. Puzzles weren't bad, some not as easy as most and took some time and thought to complete. Hint system is also very helpful, but takes a while to recharge, as does the skip button.
The black cloud, or ghost/spirit/bad guy is annoying and not necessary in most areas, but it is there. The only collectibles I found were sheets of music, which were not difficult to find either. Although I found this to be a very nice story and an excellent game, it still needed a little more in the way of challenges and/or collectibles, e.g. morphing objects or something to make it a little more exciting and this is the only reason I did not give this game 5 stars. That being said, I am going to purchase this game, as I have the need to see where it is going. I think this game would appeal to all levels of players and especially those who find "creepy" to be a bit of fun. This game has it. Here I go, adding another CE to my long list of CE games...okay, I have a long list of SE games too.
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!
You're a top reporter in search of a missing toymaker – but this isn't child's play. Is something otherworldly responsible?
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 24 found this review helpful
Good for a beginner..
PostedMarch 12, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hello all. Well, another SE today. This one is definitely an old school type of game, with no extras at all. The graphics aren't too bad, but a bit fuzzy. Colors are pretty good. Game play is okay, didn't have any problems at all. Story is nothing new and moves a little slowly. The voice overs aren't bad, but the woman's voice becomes quite grating very quickly. The man...tries to change the voice, but doesn't do well, all sound pretty much the same.
There is a lot of running around for one little thing or another. HOGs are extremely easy and items are even easier to find. Hint system fills quickly and isn't really needed in this very simple game. Music is best turned down.
This game is no where near challenging for the experienced gamer, but I think a beginner would like it a lot. It is just a very simple, no brainer kind of game and I sometimes like those myself. However, this one just didn't have anything that made me want to buy it.
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 don't recommend this game.
After Alice's car careens into a river, she wakes to find herself in a strange world. To escape, Alice will have to overcome her fears.
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 13 found this review helpful
Very Nice SE...
PostedMarch 11, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Morning all. Well, a nice SE for a change. This game has the colors and graphics of a cartoon, but they are very well done. Cut scenes and game play are very good as well. I like the music. It has just the right amount of creepy and moves in tune with the actions of the characters and game play. Voice overs are well done and fit the characters. There is a jump map, but I wasn't too kicked out about how it was set up. Something about the color and layout. However, it did work well, but the game flowed so well that I really didn't have to use it much. There isn't a huge amount of running back and forth, but you do return to the same locations numerous times. A lot of items you find in one area are used in that area as soon as you find them, so you aren't running back and forth for only one item at a time.
HOGs are very simple, fairly clear and items are easy to find. Puzzles are not difficult, but a couple have made me stop and think a bit in order to complete them. There are a number of achievements and there are actually collectibles in this one as well. You need to find what they call "totems," to put on the 4 boulders. Okay, so maybe they aren't considered collectibles, but they don't just jump off the page at you either. You are traveling between dimensions to find these items, so you don't get bored staying in the same area all the time. There are a lot of things to pick up and do along the way, and everything is useful within the game. Hint system is very helpful and fills very quickly...so does the skip button in the puzzles.
This game is not especially challenging, but it is different and fun and a really nice SE. I think all levels of players will find this one to their liking. Definitely worth a game credit 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!
Can a vampire and an ordinary girl be together, if the vampire's father opposes this?
Overall rating
4
/
5
31 of 34 found this review helpful
Nice as an SE, different game play...
PostedMarch 9, 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
I gave the CE demo a try when it came out and didn't particularly care for it as a CE. As I have said many times before, I often change my mind when the SE comes out and I have a chance to replay the game. However, I do not buy the CE. That said, I do like this game as an SE and I am going to use a credit to buy it.
The graphics are fairly clear and game play is good, no problems at all. The music left a lot to be desired. It needed to be a little creepy and not so over-powering and annoying. You have a very helpful jump map. I especially like the way you get to play both of the main characters in this game. Their face will glow when you need to switch to that person. Very different and interesting way to play.
HOGs are still cluttered and items difficult but not impossible to find. You can switch to a match 3 game...not my favorite thing. There are really a lot of puzzles, but they are simple to figure out. Hint system is very helpful and fills at a fairly fast rate. It also ties into the jump map, as when you need to go to a totally different location, it shows the map and where you need to go. Well done.
There are voice overs, but very few. Mostly, you read a lot of dialog, which can be skipped or clicked through if you read faster than they do. Since this is not a CE, it does not have collectibles. Wouldn't it be nice to have another nice SE with collectibles? The name of the last one escapes me, but it was quite fun.
As I said, I am going to get this one today. The story isn't new, but the game play is and I find it 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 review.
I recommend this game!
Explore the Mystery Unicorn Castle and save Sophie from the Beastmaster in this exciting HOPA game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Interesting Game...
PostedMarch 8, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hmmm, rats and bugs! If either creep you out, you don't want this game. They do add "creepy" to the game, but not scary #at least not for me#. Graphics weren't too bad, although a bit fuzzy. Game play was good, no problems there at all. Music was rather soothing, but did change with the action of the game and the sound FX. Jump map was very well put together, with areas nicely spaced apart and well identified. There is a lot of returning to the same areas multiple times, so you will use the jump map a lot.
SG was the usual and standard and easy to follow. Hint system was different, in that you could wait for the meter to fill #very slowly#, or catch the little "spirit light" that floats around when you need to fill the hint. This is not difficult and fills instantly. The only time it shows up, so far, is when you need to fill the hint, which is very nice.
HOGs are neat and clear and items are quite easy to find. I didn't come across very many either. Puzzles are a little different, but not difficult at all. They really didn't take any time to complete at all. I don't pay much attention to achievements, so good if I get them and okay if I don't, since they don't make a difference in the game play or outcome. The only collectible I found were the pumpkins. They really aren't difficult to find, but you do have to look for them, as they come in many different styles #and that's all I'm saying about that#. Others have said there is a click penalty, but I deliberately tried it and never got a penalty.
This game is not especially challenging, and the story is not new, but I found it interesting. The story seemed to move a bit slowly. The best part of the game is the ability to choose how you want the game to play out. Of course, I think it probably would not matter what you chose. I'll have to test that theory out and replay with different answers to questions. Yes, I liked this one well enough to buy it and add it to my ever growing CE 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!
The seven deadly sins have plunged peaceful Riddlestone into chaos! Rescue the royal family and save their people from destruction.
Overall rating
3
/
5
26 of 27 found this review helpful
A nice game for a beginner, but not CE worthy..
PostedMarch 6, 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
Morning all. I was excited to see another new Elephant game today. I already have the other two they are listing in the "special" today, and liked them both. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in this one. Graphics were nice, game play was good, no problems there. Voice overs were good, but needed to appropriate for the age of the person they are portraying, e.g. old man sound about 30 and Mom looked and sounded the same age as her daughter. Music was okay, but got annoying. Clear colors, very nice period costumes.
Don't know what it is exactly, but it seems like the dev got lazy with this one. The SG is the standard, but not really helpful. If you don't remember where you saw something, don't bother looking at the guide...it just says, pick up the ruby...where is it! The hint system is quite helpful, as it will actually teleport you to where you need to be, which saves you a lot of time. Definitely don't need the SG on this one. Did not care for the jump map, as it basically takes you to a "general" area and doesn't identify each specific location. There again, you are only running back and forth between two main areas. Hopefully that changes as the game progresses as this is quite boring to keep going to the same 3-4 locations for an hour.
HOGs were simple and few, clear and easy to find items. A lot of mini games, but none were difficult. There are quite a few achievements, and you collect crowns and spirit items...none of which are hard to spot. I "accidentally" found the first collectibles, as they just sort of stood out from the rest of the scenery, so then I knew to look for them. Otherwise, you wouldn't even know they were there.
This would be a very nice game for a beginner, and that is the only reason I would recommend it. It just didn't have anything that drew you into the game, no excitement, same few locations over and over, not much in the way of sound FX, no real challenge. Nice story, but that's about it. I was very disappointed and do not have the need to add this to my collection of CE games. I may change my mind when the SE comes out and I have the chance to play it again, but I would not buy 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 today. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
An eccentric artist's creations have sprung to life, and they're terrorizing a small town.
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 17 found this review helpful
Fun SE!
PostedMarch 2, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Afternoon all. Well, my CE review says it all and it still remains the same for the SE version. After playing again, I still feel that this is not CE worthy, but is a nice SE game instead. The only difference is that you don't have birds to collect, or at least I didn't see any. I am going to use a game credit to get this game today. Please see my full CE review below:
"Story is a little different than most, even though you are saving the woman as always. Graphics are nice and fairly clear. Colors are pretty dark. So far, everything seems to be happening at night, hopefully that changes and it lightens up. Game play was good, no problems at all. Music was okay and tolerable. I liked how the paintings came to life, which added a bit more fun to the game.
HOPs were nice, items fairly easy to find, not crowded and junky. You had standard HOP, silhouette and "place this where it belongs" type HOPs, which is fun and keeps a game from getting boring quickly. HOPs are repeated. Did not care for the location of the SG. It needs to be on the game page and not on the menu page. Hint system is quite helpful and fills quickly, so you don't really need the SG. Jump map was nice, but I didn't find the need to use it much. Some of the found items within the game were quite small and not easy to see. Most of the puzzles were different and took a bit of thought and time to complete.
You do have birds to collect and believe me, some are very small and difficult to see, but if you look carefully, you will find them. Very disappointed in that this game would have been very nice if it had some sound FX and more voice overs. It was just too quiet. This game is not very challenging, but I did enjoy the puzzles and the story. I'm just not sure it is CE worthy. I will put this one in my puddle and think on it a bit. As I have said before, I sometimes change my mind when the SE comes out and I play it again...I don't usually purchase the CE version though. If I feel it is CE worthy, I will get it now. Not sure what is was, but it just didn't make me want to run out and buy it now."
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!
What if everything you knew about your life, everything your family ever told you, turned out to be a lie?
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Not CE worthy, but an okay game..
PostedMarch 1, 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
3
/
5
Well, I guess I'm about to be the minority here on this one. The graphics weren't too bad, although a bit old school and cartoon like. What little animation I saw was pretty good, even the eyes moved in thought. Game play was good and somewhat slow on the up-take. Very few voice overs, but what there was fit very well. Music isn't bad, needed to be spookier for affect. Not sure why there is a "warning" on this one, as it wasn't creepy at all. Maybe it gets better later in the game play.
The game is very quiet. As I said, a different music would have helped this one a great deal. Not much in the way of sound FX. The SG was a bit sparse and ho-hum. Here again, they could have had a "creepy" font. Hint system worked pretty well and filled quickly. One thing I didn't care for was that the hint would point you to an item or task, even if you didn't have the part you needed to complete it. This happened more than once in different areas.
HOGs were very simple, items easy to find and graphics very cartoony. Of course, you had to open this to find that, but after you found everything that was in that area, you could continue to open that area again for no reason at allm since there was nothing left to pick up. Puzzles were the same old, same old and not difficult at all.
I like the spooky games and don't mind a scare now and then, but this game was a bit boring for me. No real challenge at all. It could have been a very nice game with some creepy sound FX. It just didn't grab me at all and I do not feel it is CE worthy, so no buy for me today. I feel it was geared more toward the beginner. Of course, I have been known to change my mind and buy the SE when it comes out, after I have had a chance to re-play the game again. Definitely will not get 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 today. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Enter an enchanting world of legends, mystery and magic, where your destiny was written in blood and the soft murmurs of true love...
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Awesome animation!
PostedFebruary 27, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Afternoon, all. I always demo a game in casual mode to get the feel of the play, so here goes. Graphics were very nice, a bit fuzzy and somewhat faded color in places, but nice and didn't detract from the game. Game play was very good, no problems at all. Lots of voice overs that were well done. The animation was exceptional, not choppy, and very fluid. Best I've seen so far. Music was nice, and I usually turn it way down.
There are a lot of achievements in this one, check out the list. The only thing I don't care for with achievements, is that when you are on a roll in the HOP, they stop the game to tell you that you found 5 items in 10 seconds, breaking your streak...wait until I'm done. HOGs can be switched to domino game, but I didn't care for that at all. HOGs are fragmented pieces, silhouettes and straight HOG, which is fun and keeps you from getting bored with the same stuff all the time. Items are not difficult to find. Puzzles are the usual and customary and not difficult either.
SG is the standard format. There is a jump map, but it was not pleasing on the eyes...something about the way it was set up. I like everything placed on the map and identified properly, not running my cursor over the location to see what it is. Didn't seem to be a lot of returning to same locations multiple times, so didn't use it but a couple of times. Hint system is quite helpful and fills very quickly. You don't really need the SG for this one because of the hint system.
You also have 28 elusive objects (morphing) that are not as easy to spot as you may think. These objects give you more insight into the story. Also included are 30 spirits, that look more like fairies. They blend in to the scenery very well, so you really have to look for them. This is not an especially challenging game, but the play and story flowed quite well. You also get a cute little kitty to help in high or tight places..made my Yorkie bark or growl every time it meowed. The game did not make me want to run right out and buy it and I'm not sure it is CE worthy. The only "extra" I want to pay for is a nice long bonus game. I will probably end up getting this one, but not today. I'll wait for a nice special instead.
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!