angelfish106's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,547
- Reviews Submitted:72
- First Review:December 18, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 21, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Head the investigation team and help the Argonauts crack the case of the missing Golden Fleece in this fantastic time management adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
27 of 33 found this review helpful
Too much hand holding.
PostedOctober 2, 2018
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
What might have been a decent 'builder' type game has been ruined by far too much hand-holding. Whilst the graphics are pretty and very clear, the tasks are too repetitive even for this type of game. On every level I played (which was about 7) the goal was to collect the papyrus. Nothing different, just clear the roads to reach it.
The deal-breaker for me was the insistent 'do this' or 'pick up that' orders you get throughout the game. And yes, I do mean orders. The run faster icon flashed continuously until I was forced to use it just to stop it jumping about. The rocks or bridges to clear or build flash in a more subtle manner but are still noticeable. You cannot turn off the tutorial, so for the first few levels you are forced to do whatever the developer thinks you should, presumably because you're too dim to work it out for yourself.
As for challenge, it's non-existent in the non-timed mode. I didn't try any of the others; there are no bonus levels, no SG or anything else to warrant the price of a CE, so I wouldn't have bought it even if the other levels were more challenging.
I may consider the SE if other reviews get a more positive response for the timed modes. Otherwise this isn't a patch on some of the better quality TM games. Disappointing.
I don't recommend this game.
When a notorious poacher steals every animal off a reserve, FEMA calls in the Rescue Team! Save the day in the time management rescue mission.
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 37 found this review helpful
Unnecessary changes spoil the game.
PostedSeptember 29, 2018
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have all the RT games and love them, so I bought this straight away without trying the demo. That was a mistake; I wouldn't have bought the CE had I seen the changes. I'd have waited for the SE.
It seems as though a different developer has made this latest episode. Carrie and Ron are now 'Cary' and 'Ronn'. The black guy is now called Pete, whereas in RT7 his name was Pit.
The graphics are not as crisp and colourful. The money/food/wood boosters seem to be on steroids, as they now quiver like frantic jellies. 'Cary' and 'Ronn' have had makeovers and now look totally different in the game than they do in the static graphics.
The usual power-ups are available to buy with the stars you earn, as well as upgrades to the base. Bizarrely, in the relaxed mode you lose stars for no apparent reason; the game gives you 2 stars, yet on the map you get 3. I can't work out what causes the loss of a star and it shouldn't happen on a mode with no timer.
It's all just a bit 'off'. Nowhere near the fun of the previous episodes and I, for one, am disappointed with this 8th offering. Hopefully if there's another RT, they revert back to the style and fun of the previous episodes, because this one just falls flat.
I don't recommend this game.
Accompany Kat on a rainbow-colored mosaics adventure as she tries to help a stranger in need!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
They've ruined this series.
PostedJune 27, 2018
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
What's happened to this series?? The lovely graphics have been replaced by cartoon style drawings which are just plain awful. I have at least 2 of this series and both of them are lovely but this one is such a disappointment. I gave up after 29 minutes and deleted it.
Can you keep the past from destroying the present?
Overall rating
5
/
5
74 of 98 found this review helpful
Memories of Case Files Past.
PostedJune 21, 2018
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is based on the demo only but I will be buying the full version. Eipix have done a great job of re-creating the feel of the early MCF games.
This one is reminiscent of 'Ravenhearst' in it's HOP's, reproducing the same type of lists but with the addition of a morphing object. The 'super-puzzles' aren't as complex as the originals but lots of fun to complete! Other puzzles include recreating a picture by swapping or rotating tiles and making keys to fit locks for access to other rooms (there are more but too much detail would only spoil it for other players).
The atmosphere of the game is spot on; creepy and gloomy, quite dark in places and I felt at times like I was back in one of the old MCF games. Kudos to Eipix for this aspect of the game!
As well as morphs there are capacitors to collect, which are located solely within the super-puzzles. I only looked at the SG to locate the morphs so can't comment on it's content. One thing I did think was different is that the chapters are timed but only if you want to play the game this way; you can choose to turn the timer off. I seem to remember an early Ravenhearst game used a timer so again Eipix have included an aspect of the original games.
I found myself totally immersed in this game. I loved the feeling of being back at Ravenhearst and the Carnival, meeting some old friends and one or two old enemies! Whilst there are no 'live' characters, the way they are drawn is very well done: Victor looked just as batty as he did the last time we saw him!
A definite buy for me; I can't wait to get back to it!
I recommend this game!
Return to a world of knights and dragons, witches and goblins and swords and magic to save King Arthur!
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 34 found this review helpful
Not as good as no. 4
PostedApril 10, 2018
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm usually the first to hit the 'buy' button with this series but I'm not sure about this episode. A very swift release from the previous game which came out in December; perhaps it's a bit too soon and personally I don't think it's a patch on no. 4.
The graphics as always are crisp and colourful but the colours are quite dull and make the game seem gloomy. The gameplay is the same as ever but with some new additions. Most notable of these is a dog; you can send him to chase off goblins and skeletons, which would be fun if he didn't bark constantly whilst attacking. After a few times, this gets really irritating.
You also come across a unicorn, which like the reindeer in 'Santa's Service' will charge at the workers until he's fed; after this, he too will see off the skeletons. He does this without prompting but the dog will sometimes need positioning for the best defence.
There just seems to be too much going on for the game to flow comfortably from one task to the next. It felt bitty and uncoordinated, trying to get food, gold, wood and manna whist sending either John or the dog to fight off far too many skeletons on some levels. On the plus side, there is an untimed mode for those (like me) that welcome one!
There are puzzle pieces to find and a built in SG amongst the extras but nothing much else to warrant twice the price. I will buy the game as I have all the others and this type of TM is becoming an endangered species. Whether or not i go for the CE depends on any sales coming up, otherwise I'll wait for the SE. It's a reasonable addition to the series but nowhere near as good as the previous game.
I recommend this game!
It’s the find of a century, but will you live to tell about it?
Overall rating
4
/
5
39 of 51 found this review helpful
You never know what you'll find in the jungle!
PostedMarch 1, 2018
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've always been a fan of Mad Head games, although lately they seem to be veering down the path trodden by so many of their fellow developers; lets bring out tons of games and never mind the quality, grab the cash. However, this game is much better. I like the story and the characters so far seem mostly likeable; even the bossy sister becomes more pleasant as the demo wears on.
The Mayan theme is one that draws me in (as does anything Egyptian), so i was bound to like the scenery; it's quite beautifully done, with lush colours and attention to detail. The voices were, as usual, mostly American but can be excused for what seems like a modern day adventure. Others will outline the plot, so I won't; suffice to say there are good and bad characters but not one of them wore a hood or had red glowing eyes! I didn't come across anything remotely demonic which will be a relief to many.
As usual, Mad Head employ their lazy excuse for collectibles; time to get rid of that obvious symbol and think of something more original. And they are the only developer that still uses a 'x' when you wrongly click on something
If you're looking for a lot of HOS, you won't find them in this game. It is very puzzle-heavy; in the demo there were perhaps 3 hidden object searches and 3 times as many puzzles. One of them I didn't understand but otherwise most were pretty simple. The game has 5 modes of play inc. custom, the map transports and shows tasks. There are only 4 chapters but I was still in the first chapter when the game resumed after the demo. Extras include the bonus chapter, achievements, replay of HOS and something called an 'Ultimate Puzzle', which is accessed after you complete the main game.
The only downside for me was the extremely annoying 'tool bag', located in the left corner of the screen. An archaeologist confronted with sand on an artifact would know they need a soft brush but do Mad Head allow the player to choose their own tools? Of course not, because we're all too stupid to realise that a glyph might need a translation manual. So when we come across something that requires a tool, the tool bag jumps up and down like a kangaroo stung by a wasp A ridiculous distraction and an insult to players who are perfectly capable of working out what tool is required, thank you.
I look forward to finding out how... ..well I won't spoil the cliff-hanger! A definite buy.
I recommend this game!
Treasure Island: The Golden Bug
Guide William on the adventure of a lifetime and discover Captain Kidd's lost pirate treasure in this riveting Hidden Object game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
31 of 36 found this review helpful
Not terrible but not that good...
PostedSeptember 3, 2013
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Time Management, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nearwood Collector's Edition
(117)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I suspect this game has been dug out of the vault because there's a lot a pirate themed games around at the moment. This is probably the worst aside from 'Ashley Clark; Secret Of The Ruby'. But in spite of the horribly dated graphics, lack of widescreen, tiny objects in the HOS, no voiceovers, the ludicrous speech pattern of the black lady and puzzles with weird instructions, I found after a while that I started to quite like it!
Maybe it was the story or just that it was so awful it was a challenge to see if I could last until the end of the demo! The insect puzzle was annoying too; find so many spotted/long/large beetles seems easy enough but pick the wrong one and you have to start all over again. Not a lot of fun. Plenty of hints used but you collect stars so not much chance of running out (which was just as well). Sounds were ok apart from the fire in the cabin which got irritating very quickly!
I played the whole demo but to be honest it's unlikely I will buy this game even with a PCC. Without wishing to be overly harsh to this developer, the game is miles below the standard of other games out there. Perhaps they don't have the resources but if they were able to make some improvements, I'm sure they could do much better.
I don't recommend this game.
Mystery Case Files: Shadow Lake Collector's Edition
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 30 found this review helpful
What a disappoinment.
PostedNovember 21, 2012
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Current Favorite:
Zodiac Prophecies: The Serpent Bearer
(72)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Add me to the list of those who regret buying this game. What a bitter disappointment the whole thing is; from the drab, dreary and lifeless locations to the awful floating jigsaw puzzles, the game has just become a chore and no fun at all.
The strategy guide is useless; many of the puzzle instructions made no sense to me at all and the guide was absolutely no help. And whoever thought up the idea of trying to put together bits of a jigsaw as they float about the screen should be looking for another job.
I am supposed to be a Master Detective. Can you imagine anyone with that title running around doing the bidding of a psychic?? I got sick and tired of keep going back to the motel to get the stupid pictures, especially since finding the locations of them led to yet another jigsaw (which just got skipped after the first few). Oh and since I had never heard of Lea Thompson, her addition to the game meant nothing to me. And frankly if I never see her again it will be too soon.
I loved RTR and Dire Grove. Madame Fate was brilliant. 13th Skull was ok, EFR was gross and Shadow Lake is the worst of them all. The MCF games are steadily going downhill; in trying to be innovative, the games are becoming a chore to play. The HOS were just terrible; tiny items in a room and sometimes not even in that room so you have to look in another one. Inventory was a nuisance; fan type which meant you have to keep going from one side to another to find an item to use. That clunking sound when you pick up an inventory item and try to put it back was horrible. And I never found a single morphing object.
I can't be bothered to even finish this game. It will be deleted from the game manager and never played again (did the same with EFR). I'm annoyed with myself for wasting my money on this disaster; I should have gone for Brink Of Consciousness instead. At least that played in full screen instead of having a 3" black bar down either side. Hugely disappointing.
I don't recommend this game.
Web of Deceit: Black Widow
You’re drawn into a web of deceit when your train stops in Andville, where the Black Widow lies in wait...
Overall rating
3
/
5
56 of 105 found this review helpful
Could have been excellent but....
PostedNovember 14, 2012
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Hidden Object, Strategy
Current Favorite:
The TimeBuilders: Pyramid Rising 2
(45)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I remembered trying the CE of this game and not buying it; I assumed it was because I've had a fear of spiders since childhood. But I made it through the first 45 minutes of the SE demo only finding mechanical ones, so that wasn't the reason.
Good enough graphics, filled my w/s monitor, HOS not overly cluttered or full of hard to find items, enjoyed the puzzles which were different to any I've seen before and the game ran smoothly. So what turned me off the CE and ultimately the SE?
The hint system. It is completely useless. Aside from pointing you in the direction you should be heading, all it says is 'I can use something here'. Really?? I'd already figured that out for myself; it didn't need saying. But it does get said, over and over and over again until it got so annoying I just stopped playing. It even says it in the HOS if the item needs another step to be found. Pointless and irritating in the extreme.
The hint system should say something constructive, not state the obvious. Otherwise it's pretty much redundant. I might have bought this game in spite of the spiders; I certainly won't be buying it now.
I don't recommend this game.
A Gnome's Home: The Great Crystal Crusade
Help gnomes to return the magic crystal and rebuild their underworld kingdom.
Overall rating
4
/
5
55 of 59 found this review helpful
Good fun but needs a relaxed mode!
PostedJuly 10, 2012
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Royal Detective: The Lord of Statues Collector's Edition
(279)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What a treat to have a new building type game! They are so few and far between that pretty much any new ones will be appreciated; this one doesn't disappoint apart from not being able to continue after the timer runs out. A major flaw that will stop many from buying, the timer is very harsh and I found it a struggle to even scrape through with bronze on some levels!
However, the graphics are deliciously cute, the music relaxing, plenty of levels and different lands to visit and overall a buy for me. The challenge of getting gold is something I can't resist!
The mechanics of the game I found a touch clumsy; assigning workers to the jam factory or sawmill could have been made a bit smoother to achieve but the developer has done an excellent job of creating a new building game that will challenge even the quickest players!
I recommend this game!