Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
I like adventure games. Hero of the Kingdom is one of my favorites, and I've replayed it many times. I was prepared to like this one even with some of the critiques I'd read. But I've got to turn it down. There are just way too many dialogue boxes and no easy way to advance through them quickly. I have no objection to reading dialogue instead of hearing voiceovers. I find many of the voice actors to be overly dramatic or just plain irritating sometimes, and usually way too slow--I can always read it much faster than they can say it. Devs need to consolidate into way fewer boxes, make them smaller and maybe lower on the screen, and put a "next" or "close" option on each one. With those changes, this would be a four or five star game and definite "buy" for me.
In spite of only one other review that gave this game one star and negative comments, I decided to give it a try anyway. While installing the game, I was prompted to approve the installation of "Microsoft XNA Framework," which is required to run the game. First red flag--this is a very old set of libraries/protocols developed years ago to help game devs. But I did, and then started the game. After I entered my player name, and play was about to begin, my security program blocked the game with the notice that it was trying to access protected folders. I immediately shut it down and uninstalled. I do NOT recommend this game! I'm only hoping that by uninstalling it I managed to remove everything that was installed.
I hardly ever write reviews, but I had to review this game. Like most other reviewers, I thought the devs hit it out of the park with Subject 360. I think they just did it again with Sinister Play. I was skeptical of reviewers who talked about jump scares in the game, and thought, "Yeah, right. I don't jump at games." But guess what? They got me more than once, and I had to laugh and admit, okay, you did it. I also don't like lots of blood and gore or creepy monsters. In fact, I just finished a survey telling BF exactly that. This game has more than its share of blood, gore, and creepy monsters, and I still loved it. I had to make myself stop at the end of the second part just so I wouldn't finish it all in one sitting--wanted to prolong the enjoyment. If you don't care about collectibles and morphs, or all the art/music/screensaver stuff, as I usually don't, you can wait for the SE. But the bonus chapter actually finishes the story, so I'd recommend you buy the CE.
I've tried several different jigsaw games, but this one is by far the best. I won't repeat what other reviewers have said about how easy it is to play--and I mean ease of game play, not easy puzzles. You can control the number and size of pieces, so you can make the puzzles as hard or easy to solve as you want. The images are all high quality, as many others have said. But the best feature of this game IMO is the game support provided by the game devs. They are on upgrade number 7 (2017) and provide numerous free puzzle packs on their website for game owners. You can also buy additional puzzle packs if you want. I don't know of any other jigsaw games that offer such continuing support. Don't let the fact that the game was originally offered many years ago discourage you from buying it. It is well worth the money. If you love jigsaws, be sure to buy this game.
Paranormal Files is one of my favorite series, and I bought this one without even trying it out first. So far, I'm not disappointed. I hesitated because of all the negative comments about how difficult it is to find the collectibles, but went ahead and bought it anyway. I have had no difficulty with scenes being too dark, but then I ADJUSTED MY GAMMA HIGHER in the options before I started. This appears to be an option that few people use. I am 70 and have some vision difficulties, so I have been doing this for years. It makes a huge difference in lightening shadows without losing too much color or details with too much brightness. The brightness control does not give you the same results. So all of the complainers with "tired eyes" and who "can't see details in the shadows" only need to make one simple adjust that is available when you set your options.
The Incredible Dracula games are fun and funny. I enjoy the storylines, the humor, and the unique features (like Blood Donald's, etc). But all of the pop-ups drive me crazy in this game. They are too big, too intrusive, and there are way too many of them. Far too often they block the exact area where I'm playing and I have to wait for them to disappear before I can continue. Plus the items to be picked up are far too difficult to click on, and frequently require two or three clicks before they are checked for pickup. I found myself having to go back multiple times to click again when my first one or two clicks did not take. All of this really detracts from the enjoyment of the game. I love all the unusual features of this game and the humor is great. I mean, where do you see a Princess kick or head butt an obstacle? DEVS, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION to this in future--make those pop-ups smaller, less frequent, and less intrusive.