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:
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 9 found this review helpful
Try it, then decide!
PostedAugust 10, 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
I actually liked this game. Graphics and game play are nice. Voice overs are appropriate for the time and setting and what they say makes sense for a change. Jump map is quite helpful, since you return to areas multiple times. I like talking to the characters for more info and hints. It makes the game more realistic and interesting.
HOGs are either silhouettes or "find the part," which can get boring, but it is a nice change, and you have to put things together in order to find the next item. Games are not as easy as you think, although some are. You need to take a little time and think before you move.
The only extas I see is the collection of different bugs. They are crafty little devils and move in and behind objects, so pay attention. Not sure what happens when you get them all. Nice SG with clear pictures and instructions. Hint system is quite helpful as well and fills fairly quickly.
I finished the first chapter with 22 min to spare. There are a lot of chapters in this one, so it looks to be a fairly long game. I like this game. It is not all that challenging, but it is different and it kept my interest during the demo. I think interacting with the characters did it for me. Going to take advantage of the special today and get this one. Even though I keep saying I'm trying not to buy CE games, I keep doing it. Difference is, now I wait for a special and save a few bucks.
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 fate of the magical world is in your hands – free it from evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Nice Game!
PostedAugust 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Nice graphics and game play. Voice over is very good, but a lot of talking. You can skip the talking completely, but you can't "click" through it to hurry it along if you read faster than they talk, as I do. Jump map is nice, but it does not have the name of the location on any of the dots. You go so many places, it is sometimes hard to remember where the crossroads, or whatever, might be. It needs to be labeled. The jump map also has a meter that needs to reload before you can use it to jump again...very annoying.
The SG is located in a bad place. Too much clutter. The SG is nice, but when you blow up the pictures to see a better view, they are quite blurry. As usual, not happy about showing only one chapter. Makes me wonder how short this CE really is. Hint system is good and takes usual amount of time to reload. You find three creatures in each location, which will add a page to your journal, explaining what is happening...cute. Nice music, very relaxing.
HOGs are silhouettes and some are quite hard to find...eye strain. Games are not simple and take some time and thought to complete...very different and clever. This game was not extremely challenging, but well done. I'm not sure this is CE worthy and I do not find the "need" to run right out and buy it, but I will put it in my puddle for a CE special, and get it later.
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!
Crack codes, pick locks, comb crime scenes for clues and solve clever puzzles in this thrilling retro detective drama!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Yikes, snakes!
PostedAugust 8, 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
Okay, back from vacation and ready to catch up and play. What a surprising game. Yes, the characters are very cartoony, and the dialogue is quite silly, e.g. I think I need to get out of the car...really? The graphics are quite nice, clear and vibrant colors. Game play is very good. Nice voice overs, even the silly comments.
Very fast hint recovery. This hint system is very helpful, so you really don't need a walkthrough on this one. Lots of HOGs, but they fit this game. Very clean and easy to find objects. Games are not difficult but do take some thought to complete. Nice jump map (always helpful).
I finished the demo with 28 minutes of game play left, so don't know how short or long this one may be. This game is not extremely challenging, but it is different and I found it to be fun and a refreshing change from all the CE games we have had lately. No, it did not make me want to run right out and buy it, but as I said, it was fun, so I will use a credit to get this one.
I think this will appeal to all levels of players. It is pretty much a straight HOG, but sometimes you just need a game like this one. Off to buy and play....
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!
Deep in the heart of an enchanted forest, a forbidden love blooms. Guide the human Eveline as she sets out to rescue her beloved from the clutches of a tyrant.
Overall rating
2
/
5
10 of 18 found this review helpful
Well, different!
PostedAugust 3, 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
2
/
5
The graphics seem a bit old school and more cartoon like. Does have voice overs, but dialogue is silly and over done. Game play was good. Not a lot of instruction for play. No access to SG makes me wonder if game is very short. Dragon is cute. Puzzles are simple and nothing new here.
There was an annoying muffled sound in the background, like a muffled grunt. What is that all about? Hint fills fairly quickly and can be filled by finding an extremely small and hard to see ball of light.
There were no HOGs in this one and believe me, it needed something. Maybe it's just me, but this game moved very slowly. Voice overs were not throughout the game, just here and there. Music was okay, but other than that, there was no real sound FX, which made the game boring for me. This one just didn't grab my attention at all. Not exciting or challenging. There are very few games that I don't recommend, and this is one of them. 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 quite enjoyable. Off to the beach for a week, so will catch up when I get back. Thanks for the reviews.
I don't recommend this game.
Save your niece from the evil presence haunting her school!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Not my favorite story, but very good game!
PostedAugust 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
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Very nice game from Elephant...as usual. And, as usual, I have all the other Grim Tale games, so the sale is no big deal to me. Excellent graphics and game play. The music is very interesting and keeps you very aware of what is going on around you. Usually I turn the music way down, but I liked this one. Games are quite simple so far. HOGs are fairly clean and easy to find items. There are a lot of sparkles, but not all are HOGs. Can be a bit confusing.
The only extra I found so far are the creepy statues that you collect. Looks like there are 20, so this is probably a pretty long game. Most E games are.
Voice overs are well done and voice are age and setting appropriate. There is a jump map, which is very helpful since you are constantly returning to the same area (grab another pair of tennis shoes for this one). Map shows a lot of areas to be covered. I like the fact that you can lock the inventory bar in place (popping up and down drives me nuts). Hint system is very helpful and fills quickly. Nice SG with clear instructions for next move.
I'm not really into the "Bloody Mary" story, which is the only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars, but I like the game. Demo went quite quickly and I was left wanting more. Just not sure if I want to pay the CE price since I'm trying not to these days. I need to think on this one a bit, so will put it in my puddle for now. Since I have the other CE games in this series, I probably will break down and get this one too. I'll wait to see if we have a special sometime soon.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have differen tastes in games and you may not care for this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
A long-forgotten artifact has just resurfaced, and the race to claim it will cause a devastating war. The only thing strong enough to stop it is one woman’s promise to the man she loves.
Overall rating
3
/
5
40 of 58 found this review helpful
Recommended for beginners only!
PostedJuly 27, 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
A CE game? Not even close. Graphics aren't bad, but a bit fuzzy. Game play was good. Music was so boring and not appropriate for the setting or scenery, so had to turn it down before I fell alseep. Hint system was helpful, but extremely slow recovery. SG was good, but the pictures were so small it gives you a headache. Yes, you can blow them up larger, but you shouldn't have to. There was plenty of room on the page to make them bigger and easier to see.
HOGs were very messy and cluttered. Items were partially hidden, so you really had to look to find something. Colors were washed out and dull. Way too much eye strain on this one. A lot of cut scenes, but were relevant to the story. Story wasn't too bad, but moved very slowly. Voice overs were nice, but some remarks were quite stupid and not what an adult would say. Games extremely simple.
The only sound FX you hear is right before something is going to happen, then it goes back to the boring music. This could have been a really nice game, but it fell short. No extras, except to find some symbols, which are few and far between. I only found one set during the demo and had 17 minutes left when time ran out.
As I said, this game is not CE worthy and therefore not a buy for me today, even with the special. I will put it in my puddle and maybe get it as an SE, but not even sure about that. This is a very simple, not challenging game that will appeal more to the beginner than anyone else.
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!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
Face off against Davy Jones and his nightmares from the deep!
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 23 found this review helpful
An interesting and different story line!
PostedJuly 25, 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
5
/
5
I have the first game and really enjoyed that one, so was excited to see this one come along. Graphics and game play are very nice. Music is relaxing and sound FX are excellent. Quite appropriate for what is happening at the time. HOGs are a combo of standard item search and silhouette, and can be switched to majong if you prefer. Games are quite simple so far.
Nice voice overs. Setting and story are different and nicely done. I always demo in casual mode to get a feel for the game. This one really doesn't hold your hand like so many others do. Yes, the sparkles do show for the HOGs, but the rest is up to you. Nice hint system, very helpful and fairly fast recovery. Nice SG, except that the graphics are a bit fuzzy on most of the pages that I saw.
There are items to find and achievements to complete, which keeps the story moving and more interesting. The game is not extremely challenging, but enough to keep my interest, and it was fun. Everyone has turned into a fish, or something from the sea. Can't tell if the "bad guy" is suppose to be a shark or a dolphin...sort of looks like the shark in "Sharks Tale." Anyway, I will purchase this game, as I have the need to see where it is going. I'm just not sure I'm going to get the CE or wait for the SE. Tired of paying extra for stuff I don't really want or need for the game.
As I have stated many times before, I do not give 5 stars easily. A game has to be exceptional in all aspects of the game and this one is no exception. This is a very nice game and I believe it 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!
Work as a Park Ranger in a beautiful National Park!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 10 found this review helpful
Extremely simple!
PostedJuly 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
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The graphics are fairly good, although a bit cartoony. Games are very simple and easy to do. HOGs are a little different, as you find not only the standard type of items, but a silhouette item and garbage that needs to be thrown in the garbage can, all within the HOG. Some items are extremely small and difficult to see. Plus, they are well hidden in grass, trees, weeds, etc. Very taxing on the eyes.
The music gets very annoying very quickly. This game would definitely benefit from the addition of sound FX. Hint refills very quickly, and you will need to use it to find some of the items.
Because of the eye strain, this game is not for me, but don't let that keep you from giving it a try. It is not a bad game, just very simple and is not at all challenging. The only reason I will recommend this game is that it is perfect for beginners, kids or someone who just doesn't want to think about anything for a few hours.
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!
Hop aboard to cross the border between life and death!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
A new location for a change!
PostedJuly 21, 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
A nice SE for a change. I did not purchase the CE version, trying not to buy too many these days. Anyway, the graphics and game play were nice. Voice overs very nice, but very few and far between. Not a lot of sound FX, but what you get is appropriate for the setting and scene. I didn't hear a lot of music, but I also turned it down to half..should still have heard something.
The basic story line is nothing new, girlfriend gets kidnapped, but the story is different since it is based in Mexico and during the Day of the Dead...and not a hospital, or mansion, or asylum, or a back road somewhere. A nice change of scenery.
HOGs are a bit cluttered, but items not difficult to find and the colors are farily clear. Games are not difficult, but some take a little thought and/or patience to complete. Nice jump map with a lot of places to visit in this game. Yes, you do visit the same areas multiple times and play the same HOGs more than once, so the map is very helpful.
The book is the "fun guy" in this game...quite humorous. Seems funny to laugh out loud during a game, but I did more than once. Some of the humor is dry, but most people will "get it." All in all, this is a very nice and fun game, so I did us a credit to purchase. I believe 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 fo this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!
The mysterious League of Light has chosen you as their newest member. Are you up to your first assignment?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 8 found this review helpful
Not very challenging, but very nice game!
PostedJuly 20, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Okay, how many games does that creepy gremlin guy have to be in? He really doesn't add anything to the game, at least not during the demo. There are plenty of other things to keep you busy in this one and they are a lot more fun.
Very nice graphics and game play. I liked the music, which is unusual for me, very soothing. Games were the usual, not difficult and could be skipped without penalty. Hint system very helpful and fills quickly. Nice SG...easy to follow. Very nice jump map (always a plus when you have to return to scenes#. There is some running back and forth, but not so much that you need another pair of tennis shoes. HOGS are clean and clear. Find an item and then use it to find the next one. Haven't played the entire game, so don't know if they change it up or just leave the HOGs are is. There are not very many items to find in any of the HOGs either.
As usual, do not care for the fact that all chapters are not listed in the demo, so can't even guess how long or short the game may be. Demo ended much too quickly...still had 29 minutes of play, so may not be a very long game #however, I have been wrong before).
Voice overs are well done and appropriate for the setting and scenery. You need to find 34 owls, which are not difficult to see. You just have to remember to look for them. Also some scrolls to find that add to the story, which you are filled in on along the way. This was not a very challenging game, but it was a nice one. With the special this weekend, I think I will need to get this one and another that has been swimming around in my puddle for a while. Yes, still trying not to buy CE games, but a 2 for 1 special makes it a good buy.
As always, try it for yourself and see what you think. We all have different tastes in games and you may not care fo this one at all. Thanks for the reviews.
I recommend this game!