angelfish106's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,547
- Reviews Submitted:75
- First Review:December 18, 2011
- Most Recent Review:May 21, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Relax and take a vacation from the comfort of home!
Overall rating
2
/
5
This is getting silly.
PostedAugust 9, 2024
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I've refrained from posting reviews about these games until now but my heart sinks every time I see another one of these 'search and find' games. The first few were ok but now it's become a tsunami of identical games with slightly different titles. I played maybe 10 minutes before sheer boredom set in.
Once upon a time BFG gave us some amazing HOGS, HOPA's and FROG's. Now we get endless games from DO, with some occasional offers from other developers and the rest are this type of game. Apart from the 'Vacation Adventures' series, nothing about these games tempts me to hit the buy button.
I've seen many question if being a Game Club member is worth it these days. No points to collect and save for a special game (assuming one ever turns up) and not much in the way of sales. I'm disappointed in the selection of games on offer. I used to buy a lot of CE's; my library is over 1500 games but almost none of them from the past couple of years. It's sad to see the decline in quality and my membership probably won't survive past the summer.
I don't recommend this game.
Breathe new life into precious paintings and photographs!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A beautiful way to relax.
PostedMay 15, 2024
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I've always been a fan of those games where you have to find the little images taken from a larger picture. Finding that element within this lovely game is a real treat; done in such a unique way, with burnt or torn edges and blended so skilfully. And it's not just one type of game; you get to search for objects listed in an unusual way or find identical stamps (not as easy as it sounds!) and remove the kids stickers! The artwork restorations (or jobs) are introduced by real people, as is the game itself.
You get paid for each job, so are able to buy different implements to help you, like paint brushes, scrapers and inks. It makes the game seem much more realistic and much more fun to play. The artwork is beautiful and the game is just so relaxing to play; time passed so quickly and the trial was over far too soon!
A definite buy for me! All the reviews are positive, apart from one that refers to this game as "junk". Give this game a try and see who you agree with.
I recommend this game!
Find hidden objects on a holiday journey through wintery Europe!
Overall rating
4
/
5
More fun than the 'Wonderland' this year.
PostedJanuary 8, 2024
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was disappointed with 'Christmas Wonderland' this year. Too easy and too much like the last one. At least with 'Trip to Europe' you learn about other countries' customs and whilst it is similar to the 'Rangers' games it's just different enough with some much better puzzles. I bought it straight away without the trial.
By the way, in British English, 'sledge' is the general term for a land vehicle that slides across a surface (usually of ice or snow). It's more common than 'sled' which is used in the U.S. So it's not a misspelt word, just a British one.
I recommend this game!
Dive into an all-new Daydream Mosaics adventure and let your cares drift away!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Welcome back Juliette and Raven!
PostedNovember 24, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This series is my absolute favourite of all the mosaic games on offer. I replay them all quite often and never tire of them.
The graphics are, as usual, absolutely stunning. When you get to the jigsaw mini-games, you really see the attention to detail the developer bring to this game. A change of scenery this time, as we're underwater, giving a different feel and bringing in a couple of new characters. It seems our heroine and her hero(es) have been watched all this time without being aware of it. Intriguing!
I don't know about anyone else but I really want Juliette and Raven to be together. Will the fact that they're from different worlds mean there's no chance of this happening? I do hope not.
I bought this game without bothering with the trial and it doesn't disappoint. So many levels, 3 different mini-games that pop up now and then, gorgeous graphics and a storyline that draws you in. What more could you ask for.
I recommend this game!
Explore a world of holiday joy through festive subgames.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Make up your own mind.
PostedNovember 23, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I've been buying games from BFG since 2007 and can honestly say that in all those years, I've never read reviews like the ones being posted lately. Some of the words being used to describe this game are unnecessarily harsh, which only served to make me want to try it.
So I did and I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of different choices on offer in what they used to call a 'compendium' (when they were boxed games!) in my early years. From Word Searches to Spot The Difference, from Sliders to Matches, there's a lot to keep you occupied. The 'Layered' Swap the Picture puzzles were excellent and don't expect the usual cut-out pieces in the jigsaws. There must be about 20 different puzzles to chose from and I even tried the ones I'm not usually keen on.
The graphics are nice enough and the whole thing is pleasantly 'Christmas-y'. Maybe not as much as Christmas Wonderland but I'm not feeling very festive this year after losing my Dad, so this game is enough for me.
To describe this game as 'pitiful' 'a repetitious, boring stinker' and a 'crummy little money grabber' is uncalled for and frankly downright cruel and nasty. The developers spend time producing games to keep up with the 'new game every day' ethos of BFG and maybe one or two might not be up to scratch. But why be deliberately cruel? Many developers are based in Ukraine, Russia or the surrounding regions and they have other things to worry about than supplying ungrateful gamers with something they feel is worthy of their attention.
I liked this game and bought it. It isn't 'pitiful' or any of the other harsh words used to describe it; it's actually quite fun and should give hours of entertainment. My mother always said "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", an old adage some people could do with taking on board..
I recommend this game!
Help young Stephan navigate the big city and save his family’s farm!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Something new and interesting at last!
PostedOctober 27, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I haven't posted a review for ages, simply because mostly the games have been all the same lately and not really to my taste. Finding cats, dogs, 'critters', pups, birds, plants et al; cluttered searches that send you cross-eyed trying to find 2 or 3 of the same objects and of course there's the 'visit every country finding more stuff and doing repetitive puzzles' games. But my mother always said 'if you can't find anything nice to say, don't say anything', an adage some reviewers on here could do with observing. I've read some downright cruel and nasty things on here lately and there's just no need for it. If you don't like a game, delete it and move on.
I'm thoroughly enjoying 'Stephan's Journey'; a different take on the standard HOG that breathes new life into the genre. While essentially you are searching for lists of items, it's done in such a unique way that it doesn't seem like a HOG at all. Graphics are not as crisp as you would normally expect but they suit the game perfectly. Lots of questions with a choice of answers that determine Stephan's path through the game, with puzzles to solve and money to earn to help his hard-up family.
I've only played the demo and based on that, it's a definite buy for me. Hopefully the rest of the game is equally entertaining. I really like it.
I recommend this game!
Your ship has come in!
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 115 found this review helpful
A 'must-buy' for me!
PostedApril 27, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
When these games were first released (both this and Vacation Adventures), I hated them. Couldn't find the rubbish (or trash), couldn't find the lost items, couldn't even find the ordinary stuff. The 'cardboard' characters looked like they'd been cut and pasted from one game to the next. The mini-games were ok but didn't change from one game to another. I just didn't bother as they were boring.
Then one year, I tried 'Christmas Wonderland' and it completely won me over. After that, I bought every one of the Cruise/Vacation/Christmas games without even bothering with the trials! Everything I'd hated, I suddenly loved. Now I could find the rubbish because I knew what to look for. The lost items weren't so hard to find, I started to recognise the 'cut and paste' characters and actually looked forward to seeing them again!
So what changed? Certainly not the games but perhaps that's their charm. Like your favourite movie that you've watched 50 times and bought the DVD but still watch it again when it comes on TV, these games are familiar yet somehow comforting. Perhaps it was me; after years of HOPA's with complicated puzzles and intricate plots that were sometimes hard to understand, perhaps something simpler was just what I needed.
Today I bought this new Cruise Director game without trying it first and I'm so glad I did. Having just recently lost my lovely Dad, I desperately needed a comfort blanket; this game has filled that need perfectly.
I recommend this game!
Surprise and adventure await Ragnar on a long journey home!
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 66 found this review helpful
I do love a Northern Tale!
PostedJanuary 20, 2023
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is nowhere near as poor as it's been painted by some other reviewers. Always best to try it for yourself and make up your own mind; don't be swayed by bad reviews.
I had no virus issues; Avast Premium Security was perfectly happy to install this game with no warnings. I found the graphics to be much like the earlier games in this series, which I always preferred over the latter versions. The hidden objects weren't 'obvious', at least not to me; I had to look quite hard for some of them but my eyes are 72 years old now, so maybe that's the reason!
There is a lot of chat but you can skip it. I used to love the little Vikings in their kilts, dancing after I'd completed a level; they've now been replaced by more 'grown-up' Vikings who just jump up and down. Perhaps they don't find the work as much fun!
Penmom has done her usual excellent job explaining all the various elements, so no need for me to go into details. Suffice to say, if you've played any of the others in the series you'll know what to expect. I would compare this latest episode to the earlier (1-4) ones, rather than the later versions.
Too much time has passed since Big Fish gave us a good TM game, so this will be a definite buy for me. I'm off to quaff a stein of beer, grab my trusty axe and follow Ragnar on his latest adventure!
I recommend this game!
Take flight with Santa for Springfield's most spectacular Christmas yet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 20 found this review helpful
Christmas Wonderland is my happy place!
PostedNovember 19, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I didn't play this or the Vacation Adventures series for years; didn't like the wooden characters, the impossible to find 'trash' items or the general ambience of the games. However, one day I gave the VA series another try and since then I've been hooked. I had a lot of games to catch up on; Vacation Adventures, Cruise Directors and of course this lovely Christmas Wonderland series.
Yes, they may be mostly the same with just a few minor changes. Yes, the characters do look like they've been cut and pasted from previous games. And yes, the games are very 'old school' but none of that matters. Once you get lost in golden angels, sparkling baubles, busy elves and the sights and sounds of Christmas, it's impossible not to smile and feel like an excited child!
They do seem to have upped the difficulty very slightly with some objects being extremely well hidden but I refuse to use a hint so I get the three stars! In addition to the main hidden objects, you also search for lost toys and a hidden snowman. The mini games are enjoyably familiar, with an extra jigsaw or two thrown in. I love the jigsaws! There are also word searches, find the difference, matching pairs and rotating puzzles of varying shapes and sizes. Lots to do in this game!
It's corny, over the top and utterly charming. Even Scrooge might have been inclined to celebrate Christmas if he'd had these games to play! Forget about your worries for a while and lose yourself in this Christmas Wonderland; it's a joyful sleigh ride of fun :-)
**I've seen people having problems in one scene with putting the angel on the tree. You have to put the angel in the mothers hand, then she puts the angel on the tree.
I recommend this game!
Can you solve the mystery of the mansion?
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Much better than the reviews suggest.
PostedNovember 9, 2022
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I wasn't expecting much, since most of the reviews basically just complain about the developer and their lack of creativity. However I have to say I disagree with pretty much everyone, as I loved this game!
There aren't 100 doors so the title is misleading but there are a great many separate sections to play. You assist assorted characters to complete tasks in a variety of ways, from straightforward hidden object to replacing missing items with a ton of interactive elements along the way to keep the game from being too repetitive.
My favourite puzzles are those where you're given a small part of a picture to try and find in a larger scene; I could play those all day long! Some puzzles are tricky; I solved the two rows of different coloured candles without knowing exactly how I did it! There's lots here to keep me entertained and the game ended too quickly for me.
I'm about to do something I've never done before; buy the CE of an SE I already own, just to get the extras! Don't be swayed by the negative reviews; see for yourself if this is a game you'd enjoy. I'm certainly glad I did!
I recommend this game!