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 shipwreck on a volcanic island unearths deadly secrets!
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
Not a bad game...solid 3.5
PostedOctober 3, 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
Naturally, another special and I already have the two games they list on the sale. This one has promise, but... The graphics weren't bad, but not real clear and a bit old school. Color was very good. Game play was very good. Voice overs were appropriate for setting. I like that they picked up where the first MP left off. That's different.
The demo was quite short, I still had 20 minutes of game play left, so wondering how long the full game might be. They don't list all the chapters in the demo, so hard to guess. Morphing objects are not all that easy to spot. Once you figure out the "system" to the hidden birds, it is quite easy to find them.
HOGs are fairly clean and simple and you can switch between standard HOG and Majong. Most puzzles are simple, but some did take a little thought to complete. Hint system is good and helpful. SG was easy to follow. Music nice. Not a lot of sound FX, but what you get is pretty good.
This game was nice, but it did not grab me like the first one. There seems to be something missing here, but I'm not sure what. There is way too much running back and forth, so the map is quite helpful. It is not a very challenging game and the seasoned gamer will probably find it a little boring. For these reasons, I don't feel that this game is CE worthy, so I will put it in my puddle and wait for the SE, then toss it into the pond and add it to my collection.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find that this on is exactly what you are looking for today. Thanks for the reviews
I recommend this game!
Detective, it is your job to destroy the evil machine that is tearing the city apart and arrest the crazed professor responsible for the destruction!
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 18 found this review helpful
Challenging and fun...solid 4.5
PostedOctober 1, 2013
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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Almost missed this game today. Some movements are a bit jumpy. Graphics look hand-drawn, but nice. Games play isn't bad. Voice overs are good and sound FX are appropriate. Music is nice. It is a pleasing change to see "real" people in a game and not just computer generated.
HOGs are not difficult and fairly clean. Games are not extremely difficult, but do take some thought and a little time to complete. Jump map is nice and very helpful. This game could definitely use a WT. You need to find "special items," which is done quite differently than all other games. Well done. The collectables are not as easy to find as you think and take time and patience, but it does make the game more challening and fun.
Hint system takes a very long time to refill on easy mode...hate to think what it does on "Professional" mode. Hint is not all that helpful. Tells you what you need to do but not where to do it (no arrows pointing in the general direction). For some reason, the hint doesn't work well either. Sat and waited 5 minutes in one area to get a hint, but I had used it and then it didn't want to work again. Need to fix that glitch.
This is a very nice SE and well worth the punch credit I just used to get it. It is one of the most challenging SEs I have seen in a very long time. I think it was probably going to be a CE, but changed their mind for some reason. I believe the seasoned gamer will find this one enjoyable.
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!
One night the ghost of President Lincoln appears, asking for your help. Can you find the hidden Confederate treasure?
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 9 found this review helpful
Okay, but could have been much better...
PostedSeptember 28, 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
3
/
5
Another in the series. Have all the others and really enjoyed them all. This is very much the same, nothing new here. Graphics aren't bad, but not as clear as the other games. Game play is very good. Liked the voice overs, appropriate for time and scenery. Not a lot of sound FX, but good when they do show up.
There are a lot more puzzles and fewer HOGs in this game, which is a disappointment. It doesn't seem as challenging as the others in the series, but I find it interesting anyway. This has a different ghost and the same collectibles. Ravens are not as easy to spot as in the other games, and some of the clovers are difficult to see as well. Would be nice to have something new added to "spice" it up a bit. HOGs are okay. Games are quite simple. Absolutely no challenge here at all. I much prefer getting a bit frustrated with a game, rather than ho-hum bored because it is too simple. Need to go back to the same dev as the other 4 in the series.
All that being said, I did enjoy the game and will purchase because of the special this weekend. I have the need to add this to my collection, CE or no CE. As simple as it was, I think most people would find it entertaining, but not too challenging.
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!
Enter Ravenwood Park and discover the secrets hidden in the mists...
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 14 found this review helpful
Not perfect, but what is...
PostedSeptember 26, 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
5
/
5
I have the first Enigmatis and really liked it. This one is a little different, with a nice location and scenery. Graphics are nice, but some are a little fuzzy, especially in the SG. SG is nice, but it seems that some steps are missing, e.g. back one, turn left to owl tree. That may seem like hand-holding, but when the SG doesn't list everything, it helps for clear instructions. Game play is nice.
There is a jump map, but it doesn't actually take you where you need to go, it just gets you in the general direction...if you remember about where it might be. Not every location is marked (at least not that I see so far in the game). There are morphing objects to find and collectables, which I really like. Haven't seen too many HOGs yet, but I like that you can either find the item, or play the matching game. A change now and then is nice during a game. Some items are well hidden. You have to find evidence in order to solve the mystery of the game. That is different and fun, but you have to continually go back to the dungeon. Again, the jump map puts you in the general area and not at the dungeon door like other games will.
Not too sure about the guy that is "helping." Got the feeling that it's another one of those "ha, I got you" kind of helpers and he is just using us for his evil deeds. I could be wrong, been wrong before, will be again.
All that being said, I did enjoy the game and have the need to see if I'm right about the dungeon guy. This game is not as challenging as the first in the series, but it was interesting. This looks to be a fairly long game and with today's special, who can pass this one up? I'm losing another punch credit today, so not happy about that at all. Either we need some good SE games, or I need to quit completely. Haven't decided yet.
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!
Antique Road Trip: American Dreamin'
You are an antiques expert placed in charge of a small town antique shop. Play colorful hidden object scenes and fun minigames to make your business a success!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 12 found this review helpful
Disappointing!!
PostedSeptember 25, 2013
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
I love the Antique Road Show games, but this one leaves a lot to be desired. Game play is not even close to fun. I don't care for the FTP games, they aren't worth the trouble of downloading. This one is colorful, as are the others, but to make this short...no buy for me either. Extremely disappointed!
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 don't recommend this game.
It should have been a tremendous achievement, but the tunnel through the Ridge of Leviathan became the site of a great disaster. What really happened that day?
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Gotta have it...
PostedSeptember 19, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Yep, another great game from Elephant. This is the 4th in the Surface series and I have the other three, so I will need to get this one as well...CE or no CE...gotta have it.
I won't rehash the story, since that's part of playing the game. However, graphics and game play are the usual great part of Elephant games. HOGs are fun and interesting, but not a lot of them, as in the other Surface games. Games/puzzles are not easy, nor are they extremely difficult, but take time and thought to complete. There seems to be more puzzles than HOGs so far in the demo. Nice SG and easy to follow. Hint system is very helpful and fills fairly quickly. There is a jump map, which you will use a lot, as there is a lot of shoe leather used in this one and a great deal of back tracking for items...almost too much.
Game is very quiet. I turn the music down to 50% and didn't hear any, unless something exciting happens. Not a lot in the way of sound FX either, but very nice voice overs. The only extras I see so far is the collection of flowers. Some areas have more than one and some are within a close up area, so you need to watch for them. Didn't have any difficulty finding them, but a couple were well blended into the background color.
This is a wonderful series and as much as I don't want to spend the money on any more CE games, I have to have this one to add to my collection. This game is challenging enough for the expert player, but I think the beginner would find it quite enjoyable as well.
I don't give 5 stars easily and even though I gave the story line only 4, it is still a 5 star game. Story is nothing new, but I found it interesting and wanting more when the demo ended.
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!
Scale the heights of Sunhook Spire, rescue the Enchantress and uncover the tower's mysteries as Queen Sophia's journey continues!
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 25 found this review helpful
Not a bad game...
PostedSeptember 15, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I did demo the CE and didn't feel that it was CE worthy for reasons you can read in that review. I decided to demo the SE version and found the following: The graphics and game play were very nice. Vibrant colors throughout the game. Very nice voice overs. HOGs were well done and a little different. Games were not all that difficult, although they did take some thought and time to complete (I did skip one). Music is nice, but gets annoying after awhile.
Hint recovery is very quick. Didn't care for how the hint system was set up though...too much reading to get to the point. Did not care for the jump map set up either...everything too close together and not clear. There is a lot of running back and forth, so you really need to use the map a lot.
This wasn't a bad SE, but still don't think it was CE worthy. I am going to get this SE, only because I now have 13 punch credits and need to use one before I lose it. Nothing new in the story line, but the games made this one challenging, and I think all level of players would find this one interesting. I think this one is closer to 3.5 stars.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may find this one not quite what you are looking for, or it may the perfect game for you. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
Your father was murdered while he was investigating a crime. Travel back through time to save him!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 9 found this review helpful
Fairly nice game...
PostedSeptember 14, 2013
dancemom1
fromYakima, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Wasn't it yesterday that I mentioned blood, guts and gore? Yep, and here we have it in today's game, although I haven't actually seen any blood. That said....nice graphics and game play. The game sounds dark and dreary, but it isn't really, although I didn't care much for watching people get shot. Combination of voice overs and written dialoge, which can be skipped, or clicked through quickly. Locking inventory bar, which I really like. SG button is at the top and out of the way of everything else, so you don't "accidentally" hit the wrong button, which can be very maddening! SG is very clear and easy to follow. Jump map has all of the locations identified. It looks like someone was listening, so you don't have to rack your brain trying to remember which room is which...huge time saver.
Music is nice. Games are simple, but some do take a little thought to complete. HOGs are a little different, but items are not difficult to find and are useful within the game. So far, the only sparkles I saw were in the HOGs. Hint system is quite helpful and fills quickly. Not a lot of sound FX, but well done and realistic.
There are no extras, so I'm not quite sure what makes this CE worthy. Looking at the jump map, it looks to be fairly long. I had 11 minutes left when the demo ran out in chapter 3. Naturally, the SG does not list all the chapters. This is not a real challenging game, but I am enjoying it and I will purchase. I'm just not sure if I will get it now during the special, or wait for the SE. I'm trying to cut way back on my CE purchases...I have 11 punch credits and no SE game worth getting. Tired of losing my credits. BF can track your outstanding and used punch credits, why can't they figure out how we can use them to purchase CE games?
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!
Someone has stolen two powerful magic doves from your kingdom, and the consequences could be disastrous. Embark on an extraordinary journey to stop the thief.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 12 found this review helpful
Pleasant game...
PostedSeptember 12, 2013
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
Yes, the fairy people and the cute little animals and all are getting a bit old and simple, but in this game, they fit (but singing mushrooms?). I am so tired of blood, guts and gore all the time. Sometimes, you just want pleasant. Don't get me wrong, I do like the others as well, but it's nice to have something like this once in awhile.
That said...the graphics and game play are the usual ERS and quite good. Voice overs are well done and appropriate for the setting and time frame of game (except that the king's future bride sounds like a man trying to sound like a woman). Music is very pleasing and does not play throughout the entire game. There are some sound FX, which are well done, and frequently no sound at all. HOGs and games are very simple...too simple on most of them.
There is a jump map, but nothing is identified, so you need to have a pretty good memory of what each scene looked like or you would be jumping all over the place looking for it. Nice SG, very helpful hint system and quick recovery. I like the fact that you can customize the game play as well. Very nicely done.
I do not give 5 stars easily. This game was fun, but not great; not challenging to a seasoned gamer; nothing new in the storyline and especially no identification for each location on the map.
However, I did like this game and have the need to purchase and see where it is going, even though it is predictable. I will put it in my puddle and wait for a good special, before tossing it in the pond. It's just a nice game...animals fairies and all.
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!
Jane Austen's: Estate of Affairs
Search for Jane Austen's missing novel and help save the Austen estate from greedy villains!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 5 found this review helpful
Predictable Story..
PostedSeptember 11, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Nice graphics and game play. Sound FX are very good and voice are appropriate for the setting and time period. Music is extremely annoying. Hint system is helpful and recovers very quickly.
HOGS and games are very simple. HOGS are clean. Items you pick up in the HOG are not the items you use in the game..some make no sense to pick up in the first place. Locking inventory bar, which is very nice (can't stand for it to jump up and down all through a game).
This game is more for a beginner, or someone who just wants to float through a day. Doesn't look to be very long. This was not a bad game. It was not challenging at all, but interesting enough. I'm going to get it only because I have a credit that is about to expire and I'm very tired of losing 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!