mrssharon's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.7
- Helpful Votes:828
- Reviews Submitted:49
- First Review:January 5, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 9, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The fate of the magical world is in your hands – free it from evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Very Nice Soothing Game (Based on Demo)
PostedAugust 8, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Although the game started off with a sad story, it proceeded with very beautifully visual and soothing game play. The music was also very soft and lovely, so if that kind of atmosphere puts you to sleep, this is probably not your game.
I found the little helper kind of irritating, but overlooked that because of the visual and sound quality overall.
I liked the puzzles and found none were over-the-top challenging. There was a lot of back and forth but then the transporter map was useful for that.
I dont see much point in the collecting of little critters, but it does give you more to do in the game.
While I can't say it was a knock my socks off game, it was a breath of fresh air. Not sure it is CE worthy, but I would definitely purchase the SE version when it is released.
I recommend this game!
A letter offers new information about Elizabeth just as Lynn's powers have awakened. Help her overcome the darkness before it's too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Nice Change of Pace
PostedJune 27, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I was in the middle of a puzzle and my demo time ran out. No!!!
That is how engrossed I was with this game. It started with the background of the previous game (which I thought was a tad too long) and moved into the basic game play which gradually became more involved game play.
The graphics were okay, not great, but that didn't detract from the game for me. I figured it is what it is. The actual game itself was very intriguing so I hardly noticed the graininess others have mentioned. I will say the developers might have done better with them since they put so much into the appearance of the characters.
The constant ocean sounds were a bit off-putting, but again, the game played very well so I can overlook that.
The HOS were just difficult enough to challenge me and it was nice to have a choice between that and a memory game in order to complete them. And as you may have guessed, the puzzles were not a slam dunk and I was very pleased with them. Some were rather easy, others not so much.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game, the extras like morphing objects, and the achievements. The imp was weird looking but useful.
Try for yourself, as always, but I think this one is a winner.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the true murderer as you investigate a haunted house!
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 22 found this review helpful
On the Fence with This Edition
PostedJune 20, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Not sure this game is CE worthy. I have played a number of the others in this series and felt they were hard enough to earn a better rating than this game. I usually average the rating and this would actually be a 3.5, if that were possible.
The puzzles here were rather easy, as were the HOS. Nothing too exciting, in my opinion.
The graphics were good (and the same as the rest of the games in this series). The music was just a little different and I felt it did enhance the mood of the game.
However, for me, in order to purchase a CE, I really want a game where I can use my brain and solve harder puzzles. I also don't need the garden, which I am assuming is an "extra". The demo ended before I could do anything with it, so it may prove to be a nice addition, just have no way of knowing....
Try for yourselves, as always.
The gates to another world will open soon! You can stop the impending disaster - if you track down the stolen runes!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 23 found this review helpful
Not Much of a Challenge
PostedMay 9, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
There wasn't much I liked about this game in the demo which I played for 22 minutes before deleting it.
The voice overs were awful; the lips came nowhere near syncing with the words. The main female character had a pleasant voice and it almost had the sound of being concerned about her missing grandpa, but not quite.
The man who was to settle her in gave a flimsy excuse why he couldn't see her to her room and then departed. His lips didn't sync with the dialog, either.
The hidden object scenes were fairly decent as far as finding item, but I didn't care for the graphics. Too dark and lots of reddish tones. Additionally, they seemed a bit fuzzy. Also, I don't care for the way the characters were drawn. They were stiff and emotionless.
The puzzles (and calling them puzzles is being nice) were way too simple. No challenge at all. Aim this, make that a shape... all done in about 5 steps.
The storyline left a lot of questions about what the real mission was, and there was a lot of dialog that didn't address anything. Game progression was very easy in spite of that. Find a needed item, use the needed item.
I did't use the hint, strategy guide or map, they simply were not necessary to figure out what to do next.
No real excitement, no real challenge, no buy for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Help Sophia uncover the secret behind the Curse of Laroche Palace and rescue the Royal Family from their magical slumber.
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 16 found this review helpful
Nothing to Get Excited About
PostedMay 7, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played 28 minutes of the demo and stopped. First of all because I was stuck (that almost never happens to me) and second I couldn't stay awake.
The music was very soft and lulling, although I did find it appropriate for the atmosphere of the story.
The graphics were not very good, in my opinion. Colors were nice, but not enough to make the graphics better.
The cursor was erratic and dragged a lot. Hard to click the OK when you received an item.
The hint outside of HOS was totally useless. I went from scene to scene and always got the "nothing to do here" message. So that begs the question, if not here, then where? No walkthrough or guide makes it difficult to progress.
All in all, if you don't get stuck it may be an okay game, just not for me.
I don't recommend this game.
A wonderful story of the citizens of Joyville. Can you change their destiny? You will see – nothing is impossible.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
The Good, The Bad, The Unusual
PostedMay 1, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The good:
Nice graphics, music, puzzles, and game play. The graphics were colorful and pretty; in the style of the previous PuppetShow games. The music was soft background-style and was appropriate to the game. The puzzles were challenging enough to be interesting but not so hard as to frustrate. The game play was fairly logical and not hard to figure out what to do next.
The bad:
Awful voice-overs and the item list.
The voice-overs were among the worst I've ever had the misfortune to hear. The opening scene when Felicia tells you what has happened was like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard. Arrgh! The actor who did her voice was most definitely not a child and the falsetto, squeaky tone was too phony to be believable. The actor who who did the newspaper boy's voice didn't sound much better.
The item list unfolding like a fan is a royal pain. Yes, you can lock it now, but then you lose a big chunk of the scene. I much prefer the list to be either at the top, or better still, the bottom of the screen.
The unusual:
The puppet helper.
After you acquire the puppet helper you have to name him. What??? Okay, so since he yelled "Geronimo" each time you sent him on a task, guess what his name was? I can see the advantage of having the puppet helper. When things are out of reach, you don't have to hunt for a broken ladder to repair. That was a nice change.
All in all, the game is good, in my opinion, and if you can get past the voice-overs, it is quite entertaining. I do feel like many of the other reviewers that this series is getting old and needs to be put to rest.
I recommend this game!
A wonderful story of the citizens of Joyville. Can you change their destiny? You will see – nothing is impossible!
Overall rating
2
/
5
36 of 48 found this review helpful
Not Much to Jump Up & Down About
PostedMarch 28, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played for 40 minutes and really wanted to like the game. I thought the previous games in the series were much more of a challenge, but now we've got so many it just too repetitious. Really been there, done that!
There are a few different puzzles, but nothing that is very taxing. The interactive HOS are nothing special and you revisit them at least a couple times.
The music is dreary, to say the least, and the voices for the children were ridiculous as was their behavior. I thought the graphics were fine with nice colors, but my rating has more to do with the sound/voices.
The interactive map was extremely annoying, asking each time if I was sure I wanted to navigate there. It's not like you click things by accident and are transported to a different story...
I wasn't excited at all about the storyline. This was just not very appealing to me and I couldn't see that it would get any better.
Newcomers to Puppetville may feel differently, so be sure to try the demo first.
I don't recommend this game.
The Order’s most closely-guarded secret sleeps deep beneath the ancient Spanish streets. What lies within this mysterious box?
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 20 found this review helpful
Could Have Been Better
PostedMarch 27, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Had it not been for the obvious clues (like how to arrange the books, and the solution to the puzzle on the wall next to it, for example) this might have been a good game. As it is, it has way too much hand-holding and directives.
I will say that although I felt there was too much dialog, some of it was well done. The woman's face as she read the note had quite a lot of expression.
As for the map... why bother with having it? It only showed the rooms that you had been in but nothing else.
I couldn't find anything that really excited me about the game. I played 17 minutes of the demo before uninstalling.
Possibly this would be a good choice for a very casual gamer. Check out the demo for yourself, everyone likes different flavors!
I don't recommend this game.
Discover the secrets of your family’s past on a mystical island!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Lots Going on Here
PostedMarch 24, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I finished the demo with 6 minutes to spare. Can't decide if I hate it, like it, love it, or somewhere in between. It kind of feels like 3 or 4 games in one, so there's a lot to keep track of and if you don't have an organized mind or take notes, it would be easy to get off-track.
I thought the graphics were very good although I did have a hard time finding some of the items in the HOS. I didn't get the hang of the word game, but did understand what was intended. I just couldn't figure out the mechanics of unscrambling the letters. No big deal, though, since I didn't want to take too much time so I could get more of a feeling of the rest of the game play.
There was an extreme amount of dialog and cut scenes and that got very annoying very quickly. There must be a better way to get the point across without all the story telling. And the fact that a non-optional tutorial was needed to explain the amulet and time travel to the "other" HOS kind of puzzled me. I like to attempt to figure out a game and then ask for a hint if needed.
The music was appropriate and didn't overpower the game.
Even though there was an interactive map, it took me a while to figure out that to use it, you have to click the location and then it pulls up a set of pictures to show where action is needed, etc, instead of just showing it on the big map.
I think maybe this would be a fine game once purchased and you have the element of not enough time due to it being a demo removed.
Someone in the Order has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five! Only Sarah can prevent the Order’s destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Lots to Like
PostedMarch 17, 2013
mrssharon
fromSouthern Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played 56 minutes and then the demo concluded. I was surprised at how long I'd played; seemed like it flew by.
The music was very mood-setting and reminded me of the music from a number of movies involving Templars and artifacts. Loved it! The voice acting was equally good, with actors actually using the right amount of emotion, etc... didn't sound like they were reading from a script.
The graphics left a bit to be desired. As other reviewers have said, the HOS items are very hard to see. Sometimes because the scene is too dark, other times because the colors are too similar, and some items were fairly small. The puzzles I encountered were not overly-difficult, but they were good.
I liked the pace of the game and progress was very logical. Finding what you needed was never too far away and when you were done with an area, the access was closed off. Liked that very much. No thinking, "Did I miss something there?"
Can't comment on the map or strategy guide as I didn't use either. Hints do recharge fairly quickly.
I believe this is a well-done game and would definitely suggest trying the demo.
I recommend this game!