angelfish106's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,547
- Reviews Submitted:69
- First Review:December 18, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 16, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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!
When a bolt of lightning sends you back to the days of King Arthur, you trade in your farmer's hat for a suit of armor and set off on a journey to find the Fountain of Youth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
98 of 105 found this review helpful
Cute TM game!
PostedMay 7, 2012
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Bought from the devs several weeks ago, I must admit to having replayed this cute game many times! Basic storyline is as described, although you never find the Fountain Of Youth nor do I recall it ever being mentioned in the game.
You build houses, windmills, foundries, statues etc and clear wood, gather food and mine gold. Along the way there are enemies which frighten the workers; cue lots of shrieking and running frantically about until you send someone to defeat the enemy! The workers are a bunch of cissies which from the looks of them have been released for the day from the funny farm! Very strange that the dev chose to make them look so gormless!! But they do work hard when they're not running away from something!
There is no untimed mode, however you can continue after gold time has elapsed and earn either silver or bronze. Some levels do need a bit of thought to get gold but apart from one which took a few tries, I have got gold on all of them.
There is a lot of dialogue which can't be skipped, although cut scenes can. Graphics are bright and clear, custom cursor can't be changed but isn't intrusive and you can turn off the in-game hints. The dialogue can be quite amusing, especially later in the game when the hero meets....well, I won't give away the plot but he does get a big surprise!!
The only downside for me is the length of the game; only 40 levels and no option to play in a harder mode. But if you liked Royal Envoy, MKFTP etc then give this a try; it's fun!
I recommend this game!
The King turns once more to you, his trusted city planner, to save the faraway land of Middleshire in Royal Envoy 2!
Overall rating
4
/
5
66 of 76 found this review helpful
Royal Envoy meets Diner Dash!
PostedDecember 18, 2011
angelfish106
fromStevenage, Herts UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
At first glance, RE2 has a similar feel to the original game. The basic layouts of the game are much the same, except that you visit the districts of Middleshire rather than separate islands. And of course you are re-building them, for reasons which are explained now by the leaders of each district rather than Cedric, who is only along for the journey.
However the actual gameplay has changed to become more of a 'click-fest'; rent is now collected by the player, food is picked from bushes (as in ROR) or collected from the farm and wood, whilst still produced at the sawmill if necessary, can also be collected from the forestry huts or again picked up by chopping trees. If these resources aren't collected, they disappear. The houses conveniently glow just before the rent is due, making it easier to notice the gold.
Major changes include no tax collectors; they have evolved into Royal Inspectors and although they do appear in the game, play no real part in the gameplay. Quests to complete within certain levels, some which need a lot of frantic clicking to get through. New characters, some to get past in order to progress and some that help you get through a level. Banks automatically add to the rent rather than having to collect the gold (gardens also increase the rent). Enhancements add happiness wherever they are built. Some new buildings, which unfortunately also add to the constant clicking you have to do. Houses are only upgraded once. No built in walkthrough (unlike the first RE CE) so you're really on your own! Oh and watch out for some sneakily hidden treasures; not always obvious but when you find them they're a real help!
The one change I have come to dislike intensely is the constant comments from the workers. I found it irritating on most levels. The market owners at least have stopped yelling 'new offer'(which I hated in the original). And to me the sad leprechauns are just annoying; I feel like giving them a good slap!
There are many achievements to be won, which can be added to from the 30 bonus levels. These are fun to play but mostly fairly easy to complete in 3 star time (with one or two exceptions!). The expert levels can be very challenging, as the timer runs out very quickly!
Overall I found this sequel slightly less enjoyable than the original. It has become more like 'Royal Envoy Dash' and I found having to click like crazy on some levels to collect resources quite hard work sometimes. However it is very addictive; I've had to replay some levels several times to get the 3-star time!
My favourite moments? The opening video, which is just pure fun! And one of the district leaders calling Cedric 'this nerd in the blue wig'!! Priceless ;-)
I recommend this game!