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:
Free Emmett from an evil spell and save the townspeople from murderous demons.
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 14 found this review helpful
Fun HOGs and puzzles!
PostedJanuary 25, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Again, I ran the demo in the casual mode to get the feel of the game and game play. I'm not familiar with this dev, but that doesn't mean much. The graphics weren't bad, a bit monochrome in color, which is tiring on the eyes. Cut scenes were a bit fuzzy, but that seems to be the norm these days. Otherwise, the graphics were quite clear and nice. Game play was good, but a little slow when moving from one scene to another. Music got old very quickly, so I turned it down. Locking inventory bar, so you don't constantly have it jumping up and down.
Voice overs were nice, but few and far between. Not much in the way of sound FX either, very disappointing. The "whip" sound you hear each time you find something gets very annoying as well. SG is the usual. Hint system is helpful and fills at the normal rate as any other game. Jump map is useful and locations are well identified.
HOGs were a bit messy, but fun in that you can switch between straight HOG to a jigsaw puzzle #I'm a major jigsaw puzzle person, so I loved this part#, then the HOGs switch to "place me where I belong" and a match 3 jewels. This is nice...you don't get bored with the same old stuff throughout the game. Yes, you do repeat the same HOGs, but they switch out how they are played. Puzzles are not difficult, but a few take some time and thought to complete and are fun.
I liked that there were multiple things to do and look for in each scene, rather than run around for one here and one there. You do repeat the same area multiple times, but your time is better used when you do.
There are a lot of achievements, so you are on your toes throughout the game. There isn't really much instruction as to what you are to do with the coins, jewels or animals once you get them, but you can figure it out. Coins are well hidden, jewels are fairly easy to find, as are the animals.
The only thing I really didn't care for was that I read faster than they speak, so when I click on the "click to continue" button, I expect the next phrase to come up, not skip the entire dialog, which happens most of the time. Other than that, I did find this game interesting. Nothing new in the story department, but the HOGs and puzzles were fun. Not sure this is CE worthy at this point, so for now, it goes in my puddle for a second thought.
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 wolf spirit still haunts… will you heed its call?
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
And the adventure continues...
PostedJanuary 23, 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
Story has already been covered by others, so on with the game play. I always demo a game in the casual mode in order to get a feel for the game play. I have the first two Myths and really enjoyed them both (I did like the first the best, Chinese Healer). This game is no exception when it comes to the graphics and game play. Both are very nice. However, I did notice that the graphics were a bit fuzzy in the cut scenes, but I think that was for effect. Colors are very clean and clear otherwise.
There is a jump map that you will use frequently, as you return to the same scene multiple times. Areas are clearly identified. Hint system is quite helpful and fills at the usual and customary rate. Music is nice, very soothing, with background sound FX. There is not a lot of dialog, but what there is, is very well done. Puzzles were nothing new and quite easy (the binocular puzzles was exceedingly simple). HOGs were easy and items not difficult to find, and are repeated. HOGs switched between standard HOG and silhouettes. You could also play the "bubble" puzzle if you didn't want the HOG, which is very similar to match 3.
I did have one question...why would you put a family heirloom on the dash of your car where it could easily be stolen? Hmmm. This game is not extremely challenging, nor is it a new story, but a nice game and one that seemed to pull me into the story from the beginning. I am trying not to buy so many CE's, but I feel the need to add this one to my ever growing collection. 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!
Paranormal activity has turned Smalltown upside-down! As the newest initiate of the Order of the Light, you must investigate why.
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
Not a bad game...
PostedJanuary 18, 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
As always, I demo in the casual mode to get the feel of a game before I decide whether or not to purchase. I'm not familiar with this dev, I've seen so many I just can't remember if I have or not. The graphics are a little fuzzy. Nice bright colors, and game play was good. The music got annoying after a short time, but it did change with the scene and action. Jump map is a little messy and everything is packed in together, but something you will use constantly.
Did not care for the cursor, I prefer the small standard cursor. There is a locking inventory bar. Voice overs aren't bad, as long as you don't try to watch their mouth when they speak. Sound FX were okay, but not many. SG was the standard and was helpful. The hint system needed some work. It was good if used in a HOG, but not very helpful otherwise, giving you directions and not really a hint. It did take a while for the hint to refill as well.
HOGs were junk piles, with some brightly colored items and some very dark colorless items thrown in to mess things up a bit. You do replay the same HOGs multiple times. Most puzzles are quite easy, but there were a few that took some time and thought to complete, as well as a couple that were very different and fun.
There are a lot of collectibles in this game, which I found to be quite fun. The need to find 35 ghosts, and 5 pieces of fruit and 5 statues and 5 items from the sea, etc., made the game far more challenging than the actual game itself. Without the collectibles, it would just be a very simple no nothing game. The game itself it not really challenging. All that being said, I just didn't not find that this game was CE worthy. I would be surprised if you didn't get all the collectibles in the SE, so the only thing you really get extra is the bonus game. This is a nice game for a beginner, and maybe even an intermediate player and this is the only reason I would recommend it.
I will hold on to this one and wait for the SE and give it a second chance, so no buy for me today. As I have said many times before, I sometimes change my mind about a game once I have played the SE version and buy it, but seldom go back to purchase the CE.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one quite enjoyable. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Your strange travels continue in this sequel to the exciting game that took you on an Amaranthine Voyage…
Overall rating
5
/
5
60 of 77 found this review helpful
This one has it all!
PostedJanuary 16, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Morning all. As always, I demo games in the casual mode to get a feel for the game play. This one has excellent graphics, very clear and bright colors. Only a few dark places, but not too dark to see. Game play was excellent as well, no problems at all. I usually turn music down, but I liked this one. Glad I left it on. Music changed with each scene and mood, so was not boring at all.
Voice overs were very well done, with emotion to match facial expressions and what was happening at the time. I liked that you could "click" through the dialoge, for those of us who read faster than they talk. There is a locking inventory bar, and a very nice jump map. Hint system is very helpful and filled quickly. SG is the standard version. Would be nice to have all the chapters listed, even if you can't get into them during the demo.
HOGs were very well done. They switch between silhouette and standard. You can also change to a bubble shooting game #didn't care for that one#. Each HOG has a riddle to solve at the end, which gives you an item that you will use within the game. The attention to detail was amazing, e.g. using a spoon to crack an egg. I liked the way an item is automatically removed when you "put the pieces together," rather than having to click on it again to remove it from the list. You also have a little dog, Bonnie, who is quite helpful in obtaining hard to reach items within a scene. She actually barks when you can use her. You also have a bow and arrow that is quite helpful, but it doesn't bark.
There are the usual achievements, along with collecting 48 dog biscuits, which are easy to find, and 20 fairies, which are not as easy to find as you may think.
Did not care for the first game in this series, but this one is exceptionally well done. It drew me in as soon as I was transported to another time...actually, probably even before that. I don't give 5 stars easily, but this one defnitely deserves them. I believe this game will appeal to all levels of players. A definite 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 not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Your daughter Cathie has been kidnapped by an evil creature! Solve the mystery of the elephant and bring Cathie home!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 12 found this review helpful
Could have been a nice game...
PostedJanuary 14, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Morning all. I read all of the reviews and get a lot of very useful and helpful information from them all. However, I always try the game for myself, since my tastes may be quite different from anyone else's. After running through the demo, and quitting with 37 minutes left in play, I must say "HUH?" This is a very confusing story, one that really does not flow well and most movements don't make any sense at all. Dialoge is even worse "Cathy told about it," "What a mercy." Okay, not familiar with this dev, so I give them the benefit of the doubt.
That said, the story is nothing new. Cursor did not change when I clicked off the custom mode. There is no locking inventory bar. Music isn't too bad. Voice overs are a bit silly and unrealistic. Game play was choppy but no glitches. Graphics left a lot to be desired..very old school and very dark.. There is a jump map that you will use frequently and the locations are well identified. The hint system is helpful, and fills quickly, but I had to click on the hint more than once to get it to finally kick in and work.
HOGs are extremely dark and junky, so items are not that easy to find. You have to do a lot of searching and clicking around in dark corners and hope you land on something. Puzzles aren't difficult, but you cannot reset if you mess up. You have to wait for it to reset itself...very maddening.
Couple of other oddities...since when does a puppy with a thorn in it's foot turn into an adult dog when you remove the thorn? Cut open a fish to get a key...harf! It just seems like everything was just thrown together in hopes of a playable game. Well, you can play it, but I doubt that even a beginner would find this one fun. I rarely do not recommend a game, but I find it difficult to find anything good about this one. Sorry, 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 to be exactly what you are looking for. Thanks for the reviews.
I don't recommend this game.
The mystical Silver Arrow has been stolen from you on the eve of your wedding. Without it, you can’t marry your beloved Prince Philip! Can you track down the arrow in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Much better as an SE...
PostedJanuary 13, 2014
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Finally got to demo this one. I had run through the CE version (see review below) and was not especially kicked out about it. However, as I have said many times, I sometimes change my mind once I play it over again. However, I seldom go back and buy the CE. For some reason, the second time around was much better on this one. Wouldn't it be nice if we could demo twice before making our decision to buy or not?
Still not all that challenging, but is a nice SE and I have used a game credit to get it. Please read the following for a more thorough review, based on the CE demo.
"Well, this one has me on the fence, to say the least. Game play is good. Graphics seem old school...maybe back a couple of years, and a little washed out. Music isn't too bad. There is a locking inventory bar and a jump map. Jump map is not identified by location, only a picture...I lose interest in this type of set up quickly. At least the SG doesn't say "return to the tower," it tells you how many steps to go back, which can be quite a few.
HOGs are okay, although straight silhouettes is very boring, and I like HOGs. Puzzles are not difficult, but take a bit to complete (the cup game was easy to figure out#. There are some sound FX, e.g. birds, bugs, water, but not a lot in the way of dialoge...except for the interpreter animal. Ug, extremely grating voice and why do we need to interpret animal speech when it is the land of magic and you just wave your hand? Did not care for that at all. Hint system is helpful and fills quickly.
Not a lot I can say about this game. Only collectibles are the pearls and you only use them to upgrade the tower #yawn). It did not grab me and make me want to buy it to see what happens. The story is nothing new, location is nothing new. The game was not challening to the point of needing to use the SG to figure out what to do next...not necessary at all. I do not see that this game is CE worthy, but I may get the SE if there is a hot deal down the road. I sometimes find that a game is worth buying if I play it a second time, when the SE comes out, although not often.
It is time that the devs do some upgrading of graphics, story and challenge...especially challenge. Really tired of the same old stuff.
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!
Witch hunters have kidnapped Lynn! To save her, you'll have to team up with an old foe and storm their castle.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
Nice game....
PostedJanuary 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
Morning all. This is the 3rd in the WL series. I have the first two and really liked them both. This one isn't quite as well done, but close. Review is based only on the demo. Graphics weren't too bad, but fuzzy in most places. Colors were bright and no dark areas so far. Custom cursor did not go away when I turned it off (really hate that#. Game play was good, but movements were somewhat slow. Voice overs were nice, but few and far between.
Unless my hearing is going, there wasn't any music during the game play. There are sound FX, but again, very few. This is a quiet game so far. Did not care for the way the SG was set up for the demo. Only one page from each chapter was shown, which doesn't help when the page you need to see isn't there. Hint system is quite helpful and fills very quickly.
Games were simple. Some took a little time to complete. HOGs were standard, but a lot of the colors blended into each other, making it difficult to see some items. I liked that you could switch to a match game if you got bored. I like memory games. There is a lot of running back and forth for one item, so you are constantly returning to the same location. Fortunately, you have a jump map that is well marked. You have the Imp to help you reach "out of reach" areas and get items for you, and a little witch who is helping along the way.
Story isn't too bad, but predictable. Figured out what was going to happen in the very first scene...no brainer there. You have 35 morphing objects to find, which are not difficult to see. Just look at the center of the screen for a few seconds and you will see it out of the corner of your eye #most of the time#. Also have 40 jigsaw puzzles pieces to find. Not sure what they are for yet, but I think I want to find out.
All that being said, I did like this game and will purchase it and add it to my every growing collection. Even with all the running around, it was challenging enough to keep my interest. I think this one will apeal to all level 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!
Welcome to the Any Wish Hotel, where guests don't check out – they simply vanish! You've been called in to investigate a perplexing disappearance. Can you solve the case before you become a permanent guest?
Overall rating
4
/
5
41 of 44 found this review helpful
A simple game...3.5 stars
PostedJanuary 8, 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
Another SE today (not complaining, tired of nothing but CEs). Not sure why the devs think everything needs to be in cartoon format these days. I don't mind it once in a while, as long as it is a good game and fun to play, but they seem to be backing up rather than moving forward. Today's game isn't bad. Graphics are clear with bright colors. Game play is good, no problems with any glitches, but moves a bit slowly.
There are no voice overs, just a lot of reading, but you can click through it if you read faster and not miss anything important. This is a very quiet game with sound FX here and there, but otherwise very quiet. The initial music was hauntingly nice, but once you got into the game, it was very sparse and different.
Hint system is very helpful and fills at the usual and customary rate. HOGs are very simple and interactive. They are clear and items are not difficult to find. So far, there hasn't been many. Same with the puzzles. Only ran across a few, but they were very simple as well. The chess game did take some thought and time. There is a lot of running back and forth and visiting the same area a lot. Be sure to check out the entire scene before you leave.
This game is geared more toward the beginner, which is okay, because sometimes that is all I want. Story is nothing new and it is not really challenging. It's just a nice simple game. I will put this in my puddle for purchse another day (like a BOGO).
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 fabled land of Agartha awaits your discovery in Esoterica: Hollow Earth! Experience a sci-fi adventure that will take you to the depths of the Earth.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Not a bad game...
PostedJanuary 7, 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
Interesting game today. Graphics are very cartoon like, including the written dialoge. Game play isn't bad. Bright colors. Music isn't bad, but gets annoying after a while. Nice voice overs. Didn't care for the dialoge cut-outs here and there.
Hint system is quite helpful and fills very quickly. There is a lot to do in each scene, so you really need to "click" around and look. Not an extreme amount of back tracking, but some and HOGs are played more than once. HOGs are simple, items are large enough to see clearly, are a bit junky and give you something you need to play the game. You have 29 cards to collect that also give you a story to follow. So far, the puzzles are quite simple as well.
This isn't an extremely challenging game, but was okay for an SE. The story was nothing new, but the setting was very nice and different. As I said, this is a simple game and one beginners will find entertaining. If you just want a nice little game to fill some time and not tax your brain, this is it. For now, I will put this in my puddle and decide later if I am going to buy or not.
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!
Fall of the New Age
Help Marla uncover the secret conspiracy of the Cult and release her brother from captivity!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 12 found this review helpful
Excellent SE!
PostedJanuary 5, 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
5
/
5
Well, I hear an echo...WOW, what a great game! Finally, the kind of game we use to get. Excellent graphics and game play (no problems at all). It is a little dark in some spots, but not so much that you can't see at all. Excellent voice overs, with emotion and not just someone reading a script. Music was very nice for a change and the tempo changed with the action in the scene. Very nice sound FX, although the game was quite quiet when you were "looking" for things. Someone was suppose to be pounding on the door, but no sound. Loved the setting and scenery, very realistic.
There is a cute little ferret that runs around in circles, very annoying, when you need to use the hint. Fortunately, that is all he does for you. Hint fills fairly quickly and is very helpful. HOGs are fun and change from silhouettes to standard HOG. So far, not many in this game. Puzzles are not extremely difficult, but do take some time and thought to complete. The lock pick puzzles got very annoying after the 2nd time...hopefully there aren't a lot more of them.
You find 25 stones that go in the box above the hint. As you fill in a row, you get some info into the story. You get to put Marla, our little thief, into different disguises in order for her to progress through the game, which is fun. If you don't, you won't be able to go any further.
I really liked this game and bought it as soon as the demo ended. It grabbed my interest from the very beginning. I think all level of players will find this one fun and challenging enough to keep you going and using your brain.
I don't give 5 stars easily, but this one is close enough. I only down graded due to the lack of sound in a number of areas that should have had some FX.
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!