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:
Dark things bubble to the surface when the past invades the present!
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 61 found this review helpful
Well Done!
PostedJanuary 23, 2013
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one of the best SE offerings there has been in a while.
I felt the element of urgency when playing the demo, which I played to the end of the hour. Hard to get that in some of the games I've played recently. I need to know what happened to the boy and Ann! It feels very tragic!
The music is very fitting; soft and almost sad. The graphics are clear enough to find hidden objects which is a bonus. Nothing dark and dreary yet.
The voice overs were fine. I'm very happy they didn't make the lips move. That drives me nuts, especially since they don't usually look like a mouth that is really speaking.
I didn't use the map since everything seemed fairly obvious and no too much back and forth. The hint does recharge very quickly.
I definitely like the pace of the game. This is a definite "yes" for me. I don't usually give 5 stars, so that's saying a lot!
I recommend this game!
Dupin needs your help solving the mystery of the gold bug. Crack the codes and follow the clues to one man’s obsession with an old legend.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Not CE Quality
PostedJanuary 11, 2013
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I felt the game was not CE quality. It didn't have any real mysterious feeling to it which you would expect from a Poe story.
The music and graphics were very acceptable and the voice-overs are getting better. With computer generated graphics being what they are today, I don't understand why they can't get the lips to move with the way the words are spoken. If you noticed carefully, Dupin's facial expressions were were quite subtle but they were appropriate and added feeling. So often, what is lacking (and there is no way around it because it's animation) is body language. So for having a quick lift of the eyebrow to show skepticism or surprise, I applaud the devs for that.
The HOS and mini games were by far too easy but may be just right for some players. I feel I want a challenge, not just something to pass the time.
And could someone explain why some of the characters who don't even know Dupin keep giving him keys or puzzle pieces or whatever? Would you give a key to an employee and say "Here, give this to a stranger because it may help them."? A bit too convenient. What happened to searching for these items?
I won't say I don't recommend this game because it is nicely done, but you don't have to be a brainiac to play it.
Be sure to demo, that always helps me make up my mind.
I recommend this game!
A terrible legend has become reality. The legend of a terrifying creature returned from hell.
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 26 found this review helpful
Not What I Expect in a CE
PostedJanuary 6, 2013
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
So if the graphics are good and the music fits, what's not to like? Plenty.
(I generally try the demo in the casual mode, but even then I expect some challenge.)
The puzzles were so easy, I could do them in my sleep!
Everything you need to do is either sparkled or has the outline highlighted. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. With only 2 game modes to play, what's a girl to do?
And my biggest peeve is present in this game, too. Are you kidding? Gramophones and vinyl records? Get real! Keep the items in the game true to the period of the game. What is so hard about that?
So what IS a girl to do? Well, this girl is going to pass.
I don't recommend this game.
The family saga continues when your nephew Brandon encounters the mysterious Stone Queen in a lonely mountain town.
Overall rating
3
/
5
25 of 33 found this review helpful
Not Impressed Enough
PostedJanuary 3, 2013
mrssharon
fromWashington, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Looks like I'm pretty much in the minority here. I wasn't very impressed with the game. Graphics were fine, HOS items not too difficult to find, but there was a lack of urgency. If the daughter is so ill, get a move on! I also found it rather odd that after the Stone Queen turned people to stone, which is pretty mean-spirited, you could revive them with a... flower?? Well, at least that's original. Not enough zip to this one, definitely not a CE purchase for me.
Is it just a high fever or something much worse? One doctor's house call is about to become an investigation!
Overall rating
1
/
5
16 of 24 found this review helpful
Pretty Bad
PostedJanuary 3, 2013
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Aside from all the backtracking and been-there-done-that theme, the two biggest peeves of mine are: 1. having to visit a HOS more than once with all the same objects in place, and 2. finding objects that don't fit the era of the game setting. I recall seeing some very modern toenail clippers and pruning shears. Keep it consistent with the era, please!
The scenery was pleasing,nice color and the music wasn't objectionable. But because the storyline was SO not unique, I found the game very dull. Perhaps it livens up after the demo, but I'm not enticed to buy.
The scenery was pleasing,nice color and the music wasn't objectionable. But because the storyline was SO not unique, I found the game very dull. Perhaps it livens up after the demo, but I'm not enticed to buy.
I don't recommend this game.
The Missing: Island of Lost Ships
After setting out to search for your missing friend, you find yourself trapped on the mysterious Island of Lost Ships.
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
Not up to Snuff
PostedDecember 31, 2012
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I will have to be in the minority here. I don't feel this is a very interesting game. No excitement, no sense of urgency to save your "friend" who just happens to want an ancient artifact that probably doesn't rightfully belong to him. The puzzles were quite easy and the HOS were just okay. I did feel the graphics were nice and the music was suitable, but those two things don't make up for the lack of pizzazz. This was a slow moving game and not for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Reality Show: Fatal Shot Collector's Edition
After a man is murdered on a hit reality TV show, you are called in to uncover the truth behind the crime.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Not Overly Exciting
PostedDecember 23, 2012
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played the entire demo and while I thought the game was okay, I wasn't overly impressed.
The music was eerie, as it should be. The voice-overs were good. I'm pleased they didn't try to sync with the characters' lips.
Most of the puzzles were not really puzzles, just exercises to move things around, so not at all a challenge. And when it indicated I needed 4 of something and allowed me to start with only 2 and then the other 2 items appeared, that was really confusing. I kept going back looking for the 2 items I didn't have yet.
Since I only played the demo, I couldn't figure out if the storyline became more developed. Was this a typical problem with the contestants or just this one? Hard to tell. At any rate, playing blind during the demo was a put off.
The graphics were good enough and the scenes bright enough so searching wasn't difficult.
I won't recommend this game. It needed more excitement. I mean, really, if your husband dies and you go to the police, wouldn't you be rather hysterical? Yes, the wife was tearful, but not extremely emotional. The game just wasn't up to snuff.
I don't recommend this game.
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Surprised by the Game
PostedDecember 13, 2012
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I beta tested this not long ago. At the time, I felt it was a little too easy, but at that time I had tried it in casual mode. I just finished the demo in advanced mode and that makes a difference but not in how easy the puzzles are, and I feel they are fairly easy. I do like the reverse HOS, at least I don't have to squint to read the list!
I don't recall seeing the camera in the beta version, it is a nice little addition for those who like to have achievements.
I originally thought the game would be kind of cheesy being a Cinderella story, but when she got in the fairy godmother's carriage, well, I was surprised by what happened.
I like the graphics. The lovely colors are a nice change. But graphics alone don't make or break the purchase for me. The story line has to draw me in. I have to admit I want to see how it plays out.
I think there is the potential for this to be a good game, but I also am not impressed with the bonus content; music, wallpapers, etc. I do like when there is extended game play, but there is no way of knowing how long or how relevant it is to the story, so that makes me reluctant to buy the CE and so will probably wait for the SE.
I recommend this game!
Louis the Clown and Mr. Dudley are back in an all-new adventure! Travel through the dark corners of history's most famous fairytales to rescue children trapped in a frightening netherworld!
Overall rating
2
/
5
32 of 45 found this review helpful
Lacking Good Interaction
PostedDecember 12, 2012
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I played Weird Park: Broken Tunes and liked it very much. If I recall correctly it had puzzles as well as HOS. (It has been a while since I played it, so it might not have.) I have not come across any puzzles in this game, Weird Park: Scary Tales, but lots of HOS. Too many in my opinion. That takes the challenge out of it for me, and makes it more of a seek and find game. Might as well not have a storyline.
I also had difficulty in getting the inventory window to open and when it did open it didn't want to stay open long enough for me to get the item I needed. If I was able to get the item, it didn't really work well unless I hit just the right spot. I don't think this is a technical issue with my computer since it is only 6 months old and has a good video card, etc.
So, for me, that takes the fun out of the game and replaces it with frustration. I felt the pace of the game was slow. I wouldn't go as far as saying it was boring, but it didn't hold my attention very well.
The HOS were dark and it was difficult to see/find some of the items, but overall the quality of the graphics was good.
Because of the inventory bar issue, I gave up on the game after about 30 minutes, so I can't honestly say if the game gets better. Since I liked the first game in the series, this one is a real disappointment for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Charles Dexter Ward summons you to the island of Pawtuxet to stop a revenant from murdering the townspeople.
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 28 found this review helpful
Just Ordinary
PostedDecember 9, 2012
mrssharon
fromWashington, Utah
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
There was nothing special about this game. I didn't feel that the graphics were beautifully done, or sharp or crisp, just ordinary.
I thought the voice overs were not done very well. Someone said they had no emotion in them. I disagree, they had too much and sounded exaggerated and forced, almost like the actor was reading them instead of acting them.
The puzzles were quite easy and the HOS were no real challenge.
I found the music to be not very appealing and was put off by it the moment the game opened to allow me to select my settings.
Overall, this game did not pull me in. For me, it seemed like a chore and was irritating.
I keep waiting for the game that just sweeps me away. I am going to be very old before that happens at this rate.
I don't recommend this game.