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:
Secret Trails: Frozen Heart Collector's Edition
Your surprise visit is ruined by a blizzard. Who caused it, and what does he want with your little sister?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 15 found this review helpful
Not challenging, but, worth 3.5 stars
PostedNovember 23, 2013
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
A game from a dev that I am not familiar with, but maybe I just haven't seen their games before. The graphics were clear and game play was nice, no problems anywhere. Voice overs are good, but I did notice some skips where the mouth moved, the dialoge was showing, but no sound. There are a lot of achievements, but the only collectibles I found were the butterflies and all they did was fill up your hint...they did not give you extra hints.
The inventory bar locked, which I appreciate. There was not much in the way of sound FX, nothing to build the excitement of whatever may be on the way. There is a jump map, which you will use constantly. Way too much running back and forth for one item. Did not care for the way the map was set up, e.g., click on the area and then have to click again to get there. Areas were not labeled, so you did have to remember where they were, or at least what they looked like. SG was very simple and not wordy. Did not list any chapters and I finished the demo with 26 minutes to spare. Makes me think this must be a very short game.
HOGs were quite simple. Clear and easy to find items. Puzzles were not difficult, but some took some time and thought to complete. Hint system wasn't too bad, but took a while to recharge.
It was kind of fun to see my name integrated into the game, but the game was not challenging at all. The story was nice, but it needed something extra. I do not see that this is CE worthy, even with the special this weekend. To me, this game was geared more toward the beginner. Too bad. Could have been a nice little game without much extra work. Not a bad try for a first time dev. I will recommend this for beginners, but not for me today. However, I have been known to change my mind when the SE comes out and I give it another chance.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this to be exactly what you are looking for today. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
You thought this would be just like any other investigation. But now you find yourself lost in a mysterious mansion brimming with strange creatures, comatose colleagues, and mysterious tentacles around every corner…
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 21 found this review helpful
Time to move on to another story....
PostedNovember 21, 2013
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
2
/
5
I have 3 of the Haunted Halls games and really enjoyed them all. This has the standard very nice ERS graphics and game play. Colors are very clear. Music not too bad, but gets annoying after a while. Nice voice overs, well done.
I did not use the jump map, but there is a tremendous amount of running back and forth for one thing or another...a lot of unnecessary returns. Hint system was helpful and I liked the fact that you could customize the length of time you wanted for it to recharge. SG was the usual ERS as well...nicely done.
I too am getting tired of animals in everything. They don't really do much for the game at all. Didn't run across much in the way of "extras," except to collect animals. Did not care for the glasses either. The puzzle that accompanied their use was extremely simple and rather childish. The only HOG I ran across was extremely simple as well.
I was very disappointed in this game, as there really isn't anything new or different. It was not challenging at all and I found it almost too simple even for a beginner. I think it is time for the devs to drop the "series" and move on to something more challenging and fun. Unless there is an exceptional special coming up in the near future, I do not believe I will purchase this game. However, I have been known to change my mind once I have played it again...usually when the SE comes out. Will have to wait and see. Definitely do not see that it is CE worthy right 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 wanted. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Help Princess Arianna save her kingdom and defeat the Dark Witch in this clever hidden-object adventure and match-3 game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
Good for beginner...
PostedNovember 19, 2013
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
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Hi, Pond Pals...
Today's game has what has become the standard in the hand-drawn look. Graphics aren't bad, color is very vibrant and clear. Game play is good, no problems at all. There are no voice overs, which makes a game rather boring these days. However, the music was nice and changed up a bit now and then. You can click through the dialoge, which is always good when you read faster than they do.
The hint system is very helpful, but seems a bit slow on the return. There are a lot of match 3 games, but each one has a different picture, so it keeps it somewhat interesting, but still match 3. I'm not a huge fan of these games, but these were nice. Few HOGs...mostly junk piles because of all the cobwebs, and too crowded. The items are not all that easy to see. No locking inventory bar, so it jumps up and down...very annoying.
This game would be perfect for a beginner or someone who does not want any challenge. This game is pretty much a "no brainer" in play and story line. It is not a bad game, but does not have the challenge that I like. I recommend it for beginners, but not for the advanced player.
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!
Life imitates art with deadly results in this thrilling whodunit!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Pulled me into the story right away....
PostedNovember 16, 2013
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
Well, the story has been reviewed already elsewhere, except that I saw a movie similar to this not too long ago, so on with the game play review. Haven't seen a BLAM game for quite some time, so was surprised when this came out.
The graphics and game play were very nice. No problems at all, based on casual mode. The sound FX were very good and appropriate for what was happening at the time and the music played right into it...very well done. I usually turn the music down low for games, but you need to listen to this music, as it moves with the excitement of what is happening in the game. Voice overs were well done and were appropriate to the time and place as well.
Jump map was very nice. The locations were clearly marked and identified, which I really appreciate. SG was the usual. Hint system was very helpful and filled farily quickly. HOGs were nothing special, but clear and pretty clean. Items not difficult to find. Puzzles were also not difficult, but some did take a little thought to complete.
This was not an especially challenging game, but I was drawn into the story and the game play quite quickly. I really like the mystery type games and this is a wonderful "whodunit." I seldom give 5 stars, but I feel this one deserves them. I really liked this game and I am going to purchase the CE. Been holding onto a couple of other games, so I will take advantage of the special today and buy them all. I think this game will appeal 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!
This was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. But instead of walking down the aisle, you're in another dimension, battling a mad inventor to save your family!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 14 found this review helpful
Nice Sequel....
PostedNovember 14, 2013
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 been reviewed by others, so on with the game play. I have the first in this series and if you liked Tideville, then you will like this one as well...I do and I did.
Seems everyone is going to the "hand painted" look these days. It fits this game and is done very well. Granted, the lips do not sync, but I don't watch that, I play the game and listen. The graphics are fairly well done, a bit fuzzy, but nice. Game play is very good...had no problems at all. Music isn't too bad either. I usually turn it way down, but this one was rather relaxing. Animation was well done, but a bit choppy in the beginning.
I play my demos in casual mode to get a feel for the game, and then replay at a later date in the advanced mode. HOGs were clean and fairly clear. Items were not difficult to find. You can switch to match 3 if you get tired of the straight HOGs, which is nice. Puzzles were not difficult at all...nothing new here. Voice overs were done well, except "Mom" looked a lot older than her voice sounded. You can click through the dialoge if you read faster than they speak #I like that#. There is a locking inventory bar so you don't see it constantly jumping up and down.
SG is nice and clear instructions. Hint fills at the usual and customary rate, and rather than point you in the general direction of the next move, it will teleport you. Oh, I just remembered, I didn't try to use the map to see if it is a jump or not. I didn't need to.
This game is not all that challenging, and for that reason I did not give it 5 stars, but I did enjoy it. I really liked that the story picked up where the first one left off, rather than go in an entirely different direction like most sequels do. I think this will appeal to both the beginner #as a difficult game# and to the seasoned player as just a nice game to play. This is 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!
These nursery rhymes are cursed, and your sister’s been taken by the Crooked Man!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Nursery Rhyme With a Twist...
PostedNovember 9, 2013
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 loved the Dark Parables and have them all, so I was excited to see this one come out. Story has already been covered, so on with the game review. The graphics were nice, a bit grainy, but clear enough. Game play was good. I loved the music and I usually always turn it way down...not this one. Very nice voice overs, appropriate for time and setting. You could not click through the dialoge, if you read faster than they speak...I do and this is annoying. Speaking of annoying, the crows were over-done.
SG was the usual and was helpful. Jump map was good only because it identified the location so you didn't have to remember where something was, but blurry pictures. Hint system was helpful and filled at the usual speed. I really like the fragmented HOGs, but some items really blended in with the background and were a little difficult to see. Did not run across a lot during the demo. Puzzles were different and challenging for the most part.
Yes, there are collectibles that are not all that easy to spot, as well as achievements. Not sure why collecting morphing objects would fill a hint meter, since it fills fairly quickly. There is a click penalty, which we haven't seen in a game for quite some time. This was a very nice game. The music caught my attention from the very beginning and the demo seemed to go by very quickly. Crows and the somewhat fuzzy graphics aside, I liked this game and I will purchase it. At this point, I'm not sure if I want the CE or wait for the SE. I don't give 5 stars easily and the only thing holding me back on this one, is the graphics. Otherwise, very nice 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!
The rich folklore continues with this exciting tale set in an old Slavic land. As Child of Spring, can you save the world from eternal winter?
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 12 found this review helpful
Brrrrr, winter!
PostedNovember 7, 2013
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
Okay, enough copying each other with the cute little animals! That said, I have the first two games in this series and really enjoyed them both, with the first being the very best. You have already read the reviews on the story, so on with the game play. The graphics were nice and game play was good. Didn't care for the black out of the screen when you went to what I assume was a new chapter...took too long. Voice overs were nice and appropriate for the time and setting. I was disappointed in that there were very few sound FX and this game was prime for them. Did have a locking inventory bar...thank you very much and a jump map, which you will use constantly. There is a tremendous amount of running around in this one as well.
SG only shows 2 chapters, which makes me wonder how long it really is and if it's worth the price of a CE. HOGs were very simple and you could switch between HOG and match 3 if you wanted something different. Puzzles were extremely simple...no brain work here. SG was helpful and well put together. Hint system was also very helpful and filled fairly quickly. The one thing I really didn't care for, and thought was a bit weird, was the dancing sunflowers that popped up every time you thawed something out. Yes, there were collectibles, but not much fun there either. Very easy to see.
This game was no where near as exciting or challenging as the first. It had the making of a very nice game, but fell short a bit. I liked it, for a simple game, but I'm not sure I will pay the CE price for this one, or wait for the SE. I think this will go in my puddle until I decide, or until a really great sale comes along. I will add it to my collection at some point.
I do not give 5 stars easily and this one didn't quite make it to that level either. It was too simple 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 on at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
As Sara tries to find a miracle cure for her ailing brother, she unravels the dark events of her own past.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
Very nice SE...
PostedNovember 5, 2013
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
No story review, just game play. The graphics are cartoon like, but very well done. Game play is nice and smooth, no glitches for me. Voice overs are well done. Almost too much dialoge, which cannot be clicked through. You can skip it, but you may miss part of the story if you do. I read faster than they talk, so really need to be able to hurry it along a bit. Inventory bar does not lock in place..very annoying jumping up and down. Music not too bad. Nice sound FX.
HOGs are not many, but items you find are used within the game...very nice. They are fairly clean and easy to find items. You can also skip them if you like...very different addition. Hint system is helpful and allows you to jump to the location you need next, if you choose...also a very nice addition, since there is no jump map, and you are not penalized by using up the hint meter. Hint refills at about the usual time frame as other games. Skip fill is very long.
You have collectibles, which are not at all difficult to find, and achievements. Puzzles are not difficult either.
I don't know what it is about this game, but I really like it. Not extremely challenging, but fun and I find that I need to keep playing to see where it goes with the story line. This is a very nice SE for a change and one that I am using a credit to purchase. This most definitely is not geared to the children in the house...YES, about time!
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.
Paranormal State: Poison Spring
Thrills abound as the ghost-hunters from the hit A&E TV show "Paranormal State" race to solve terrifying Civil War hauntings.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Very nice game...
PostedNovember 3, 2013
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
Well, graphics were nicely done. Very bright and clear colors. Game play was very good. Voice overs well done and appropriate to the scene and time frame of game. Almost too much dialoge, but good. Odd that you could click through some dialoge and not all. I don't like to skip in case there is a hint in there somewhere.
Nice story line as well. Music not bad. Good sound FX and placed appropriately. HOGs clean and clear and easy to find items. Almost no sound when you find an item, which is odd. If you aren't watching, you wouldn't know you actually picked it up.
Hint system was very helpful and filled quickly. Only thing I didn't care for was that the "sparkles" didn't show up very well, so had to really watch the screen. Some were large, but others were quite small, i.e., item on the pipe in the basement. I guess I should say that I always demo in the easiest mode first. Next time I play, I go to the next level.
This is a simple game, but it got me hooked from the beginning for some reason. I liked it and I am going to use a punch to get it, cine I already lost 2 last week! It's about time we have an SE worth purchasing. The game is not all that challenging, but different and interesting to me. I got so caught up in the game, I almost forgot to keep notes on the play. I think this will appeal to all level of players...especially if you are into the paranormal. Off to buy.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not like this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Journey down a magical road to save two worlds!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Nicely done....
PostedNovember 3, 2013
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
Again, I am reviewing the game play and not the story. Graphics are nice, a bit old school, but it fits the story line. Game play was good..only had one glitch, but it righted itself when I went out and back in again, which I should not have to do. Music not too bad. Can't tell how long the game may be. I much prefer seeing how many chapters there are before I buy a game. Gives me some idea of how long I can play and if it is worth the CE price. Nice voice overs, but some areas you cannot click through if you read faster than they speak (didn't like that#.
HOGs are clean and clear with easy to find objects. Puzzles are very simple, with one repeated at each new area, but gets a little harder with each play. Nice bright colors in this game. Locking inentory bar, which I really like. Helpful hint system and fills farily quickly. SG is the usual. The game is simple enough where you don't really need to use the SG and rarely use the hint.
More cute little animals, but that's okay. They are used well. You find little bells, which are not extremely difficult to find, but you do have to look for them. You also find animals, but I'm not sure I was really finding them, as they were in a scene and I was told I found one. Got tired of seeing "you completed a HOG in less than a minute" #yes, they were that simple).
Not a lot of shoe leather used on this one, but you do use the jump map on occasion. Very nicely set up and each location is identified, so you don't have to try to remember what a place looked like.
Okay, one comment about the story. Not sure what it is really. You get bits and pieces of an explanation, but so far, nothing has really tied together. Haven't seen anything from this dev for awhile. I kind of liked this one, even with the few minuses. This game was not extremely challenging, but for some reason, I found it to be fun. I may get this one on the special today. Just have to decide if I want to spend the money for the CE, but I will get one of them.
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!