sportygal2009's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:8,859
- Reviews Submitted:221
- First Review:November 12, 2011
- Most Recent Review:November 28, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Something’s driven everyone away from Linden Shades.
Overall rating
4
/
5
34 of 38 found this review helpful
Good Game Play Not Eerie/Creepy Enough - Review Of Completed Game
PostedJune 8, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
HOPA (Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure)
Story: Your news editor sends you off to Linden Shades to look around a now long ago abandoned orphanage rumored to be haunted by the red hooded boogeyman The editor had once investigated the story but never had a chance to bring it to any conclusion cause he ended up getting assigned a different case.
7 Chapters, 20 achievements, collectibles: 37 crayons, 12 letters of the alphabet, 16 toys along with 7 cassette tapes to be found with the back story that you find/earn throughout the main game.
I play all my games running on PC Windows 7 64 bit and this had widescreen for me. Filled my 20 inch monitor just fine. No tech issues.
There are live actors in some cut scenes, otherwise voice overs.
There are 3 modes of play. Regular, Expert, Insane. I tested out before I started actually playing. The easier two modes have sparkles/black bar tips, hint/skip quick on charge up. The Insane mode is really slow. Hint also helpful outside of HOS on all modes. If you are not in an area where there is something to do a portal box will come up and just click there and it will take you. You can switch between modes at any time during the game. I played on Insane mode and didn't use hints/skips once I actually started playing the game.
Journal: This is the typewriter down at the bottom. Click on that and inside you will also find Objectives, Evidence, as well as the Strategy Guide which stays where you last left it.
Map: Is transporter and shows where you are on the map for all play modes along with objectives which also pop up on the screen however the 2 harder modes don't show active task indicator at least it didn't for me.
HOS: Found by word list and very interactive here and there are quite a few scenes. I didn't find these to be Sanford & Son junkyard. I thought these were very well done. I had no problem here locating anything. I will say the collectibles weren't always so easy to locate as some for me were very well hidden or blended into the scene especially the crayons along with the toys.
Puzzles: The usual run of the mill found in many games just to name a few: Get the cats and snails from one side to the other, get the emblem out of the maze, slider puzzle, etc. The challenge varied for me. Usually in most games I at least skip a couple however didn't skip any in this game.
My overall impression:
This story line itself I had no problem with. I definitely found intriguing. I was immediately drawn in by the graphics, cut scenes, live actors and was all prepared to get an eerie, creepy, suspenseful story about the red hooded boogeyman and an orphanage that was suppose to be haunted as I found this to be very well done but after this point I didn't get this feeling at all from this game.Just wasn't what I expected at all. Oh and no I don't mean doom and gloom. Just no eerie, creepy, suspenseful feel to me.
I was on the fence with this one after the demo time but with the sale to get it for $8.99 I thought I would see where this game would end up going and well I just didn't get the eerie/creepy suspenseful feeling from this game I expected to. I think the developer could of worked on this a bit more. Truth be told I had the "who was the boogeyman" figured out well before I reached the half way point in the game.
I must say though I did enjoy the game play as this has a lot to offer here. While this is HOS heavy so may not appeal to some however still found a nice balance of puzzles and adventure as there are a lot of places to go and things to do. Also quite a few achievements/collectibles to earn/find along with hours of game play, well at least for me anyway. I did use the map occasionally but not much.
The main game does come to a satisfactory conclusion. The bonus chapter is not needed. The bonus chapter has some scenes from the main game along with some new. HOS are also interactive with a good number of puzzles. As for eerie, creepy, suspenseful feeling none to be had by the bonus chapter either.
CE extras: Strategy guide, Gallery with art, Concept art
Replayable cut scenes, music, making of, and replayable HOS and puzzles.
Replayable cut scenes, music, making of, and replayable HOS and puzzles.
Main game: This was definitely long enough for me. Almost 7 hours no hints/skips used.
Bonus chapter: This was just under an hour for me. No hints/skips used.
Overall a 4 stars from me. I thought the story could of been worked on a bit more otherwise I would of gave this 5 stars. The hours of game play, achievements/collectibles and getting it for $8.99 instead of $13.99 saved this game otherwise I would of rated it 3 stars at best and waited for the SE. Thanks Big Fish and developer. A good game just needed to work on the story more in my opinion.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Return to the House of 1,000 Doors to save mankind from annihilation!
Overall rating
4
/
5
37 of 41 found this review helpful
The Cobras Have Taken Over World Wide - Review Of Completed Game
PostedJune 7, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure which is the 3rd in this series. It is not necessary to play the other 2 in this series. This stands alone on it's own.
Story: You take on the role of Kate once again but this time you are saving the world from giant cobras that are turning the world into ashes. You're rescued by an unknown young man who takes you to the House of 1000 doors. He's unconscious however can still help you with a mental connection.
There is a widescreen/full screen option: I had to click the widescreen one for it to fill my 20 inch monitor and graphics were stretched just a bit
6 chapters where you also find 40 morphing objects throughout the main game.
2 play modes - Casual/Expert: I played expert mode. No sparkles but there are black bar tips. Hint/Skip charge up in about a minute. Hint is also helpful outside of HOS.
Journal: Keeps track of notes along with some puzzle clues.
Map: Is transporter and shows where you are, where there are things to do and if there are any morphing objects in that location as you will see an "eye" on the map if there are any. Once found the "eye" will disappear.
HOS: Some found by word list and some scenes you have to put the items back into the scene. I didn't always find these to be too easy as some objects look a bit like the background along with the "sun beam" light distraction . Some scenes a bit on the Sanford & Son junkyard pile side. I also found some of the "put back in the scene" a bit tricky. I did use a few hints here.
Puzzles: The usual run of the mill found in many games but just to name a few: Pull the ropes in the correct order, swap the pieces to form a picture, slider puzzle, etc. Level of difficulty varied for me. If you are a puzzle lover however will more than likely be easy for you. Skipped a few of these.
My overall impression:
This definitely seemed more adventure to me than HOS and puzzles but I really liked the balance. I also loved the map and so glad it was available to use.
I definitely could of done without the snakes (more like giant cobras) but they didn't really bother me too much as they looked giant cartoon type cobras. I still found the story very intriguing and played this straight through. I also liked the characters the usual ones Kate, Gabriel, Simon and the boy. The voice overs well done.
The graphics along with the cut scenes I thought could of been better as for me they were stretched just a bit to get the game to fill my screen. Then the sun beam light shining through even on some of the HOS. Not bad but definitely not great. If there are going to be anymore House of 1000 Door games which I hope but please improve this.
I do have a one more criticism about this game and that is once a close up of the area has been completed (the magnify glass) to examine an area and/or use the inventory I wish it wouldn't of popped back up again. There is no need for that since there is nothing to do there. Sometimes it closed like it was suppose to and sometimes not. This should only pop up if there is indeed something to do. When it did close on it's own there was also a small delay in doing so.
As for the ending this wrapped up quite nicely for me. You may or may not agree. Bonus chapter not needed in my opinion.
Bonus Chapter: There are some new areas in the game to explore but some are the same as the main game. The HOS are also interactive along with the "put back into the scene." I really thought this was well done and felt like a "bonus" chapter to me.
Other CE extras:
Strategy Guide
9 wallpapers
20 cut scenes
10 music tracks
20 mini games
4 puzzles
9 wallpapers
20 cut scenes
10 music tracks
20 mini games
4 puzzles
Main game: 6 hours using some hints/skips but not a lot. I also located all 40 morphing objects.
Bonus Chapter: 1 hour 45 minutes: No hints. Skipped a couple of puzzles.
Overall 4 stars from me. Thanks Big Fish and developer for a very good game here and definitely long enough for me. More than glad to add this to my collection with the other House of 1000 Doors games.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Track down a missing detective and fight an evil curse!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 14 found this review helpful
Started Great Turned Into A Flop - Review of Completed Game
PostedJune 3, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Story: You take on the role of Missy who gets a call from her friend John who gets wrapped up with a Shaman and an enchanted map and must be saved.
9 chapters plus a bonus chapter
3 play modes: Casual, Advanced, Hard: Sparkles in casual and advanced mode. Black bar tips in all play modes. Hint/Skip pretty quick on charge up as I played Casual mode since there were sparkles and black bar tips in advance mode. Hard mode no skip or hint
.
Journal: Keeps notes and clues for some puzzles.
.
Journal: Keeps notes and clues for some puzzles.
Map: Is not transporter however will show where you are, where you've been and areas that need visited. Also if you hover over the circles on the map it will show the task(s) that need completed.
HOS: There are lots of scenes. Found by word list and are interactive. There's also a few scenes where you use your inventory in the scene to get an item needed. Very interactive here. Some of these on the dark side along with Sanford & Son junkyard.
Puzzles: Some the usual run of the mill found in many games however some different ones that I haven't came across anyway. While I'm not a fan of these I was able to do most of them but for me were challenging.. Actually earned the doing 10 without skipping achievement award. For the puzzle lovers will be easy I'm sure.
You also find 50 scorpions which weren't always easy to locate. Be sure to look everywhere along with 18 achievements to be earned which are all a part of the main game. None to be found/earned in the bonus chapter.
CE extras:
Bonus chapter
Strategy Guide
9 puzzles
4 HOS
8 music tracks
Bonus chapter
Strategy Guide
9 puzzles
4 HOS
8 music tracks
My overall impression:
I've played the CE and well I'm going to have to go against the majority of the raving reviews I've read for this game.
The story started out very intriguing but once I got past the demo time I found it very disjointed and not making much sense.
The graphics for the most part I found to be nice, crisp and clear however once I got past the demo time and more into the game some areas quite dark especially for some of the HOS. I thought the voice overs were pretty good no problem here.
The game play I found challenging at times even playing on the easiest mode which is good and I liked that and while it had a lot of HOS still had a nice balance of puzzles and adventure to it. but could of used a map. The map provided pretty much useless in my opinion since it's not transporter.
Bonus Chapter:This is an epilogue and leaves much to be desired. It starts in the right place-back at the mansion but needs some explanation how the game took the leap from where it ended in the main game to how the bonus chapter starts off with what has happened here. Just very disjointed and bonus chapter doesn't address it in my opinion. Also not very many scenes and most are from the main game. Only a couple new scenes. Very few HOS which are not interactive and hardly any puzzles for you puzzle lovers out there.
Main game: 6 hours with some hints and skips but not very many.
Bonus Chapter: 30 minutes which is a record for me. I usually spend an hour if not longer here. No hints or skips used here.
Your game play may be more/less than this.
Bonus Chapter: 30 minutes which is a record for me. I usually spend an hour if not longer here. No hints or skips used here.
Your game play may be more/less than this.
Overall sorry Big Fish and developer but I'm going against the majority raving reviews for this game and this is getting 3 stars from me. Started out great and turned into a big flop in my opinion. The only reason I rated it this high was because I enjoyed the game play (except for bonus chapter), along with finding the scorpions and trying to earn the achievements which I did earn most and found all the scorpions but I also expect a story that makes some sense and not so disjointed as this one.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Track down a missing detective and fight an evil curse!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Started Great Turned Into A Flop - Review of Completed Game
PostedJune 3, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Story: You take on the role of Missy who gets a call from her friend John who gets wrapped up with a Shaman and an enchanted map and must be saved.
9 chapters plus a bonus chapter
3 play modes: Casual, Advanced, Hard: Sparkles in casual and advanced mode. Black bar tips in all play modes. Hint/Skip pretty quick on charge up as I played Casual mode since there were sparkles and black bar tips in advance mode. Hard mode no skip or hint.
Journal: Keeps notes and clues for some puzzles.
Map: Is not transporter however will show where you are, where you've been and areas that need visited. Also if you hover over the circles on the map it will show the task(s) that need completed.
HOS: There are lots of scenes. Found by word list and are interactive. There's also a few scenes where you use your inventory in the scene to get an item needed. Very interactive here. Some of these on the dark side along with Sanford & Son junkyard.
Puzzles: Some the usual run of the mill found in many games however some different ones that I haven't came across anyway. While I'm not a fan of these I was able to do most of them but for me were challenging.. Actually earned the doing 10 without skipping achievement award. For the puzzle lovers will be easy I'm sure.
You also find 50 scorpions which weren't always easy to locate. Be sure to look everywhere along with 18 achievements to be earned which are all a part of the main game. None to be found/earned in the bonus chapter.
CE extras:
Bonus chapter
Strategy Guide
9 puzzles
4 HOS
8 music tracks
Bonus chapter
Strategy Guide
9 puzzles
4 HOS
8 music tracks
My overall impression:
Well I'm going to have to go against the majority here. The story started out very intriguing but once I got past the demo time I found it very disjointed and not making much sense.
The graphics for the most part I found to be nice, crisp and clear however once I got past the demo time and more into the game some areas quite dark especially for some of the HOS. I thought the voice overs were pretty good no problem here.
The game play I found challenging at times even playing on the easiest mode which is good and I liked that and while it had a lot of HOS still had a nice balance of puzzles and adventure to it. but could of used a map. The map provided pretty much useless in my opinion since it's not transporter.
Bonus Chapter:This is an epilogue and leaves much to be desired. It starts in the right place-back at the mansion but needs some explanation how the game took the leap from where it ended in the main game to how the bonus chapter starts off with what has happened here. Just very disjointed and bonus chapter doesn't address it in my opinion. Also not very many scenes and most are from the main game. Only a couple new scenes. Very few HOS which are not interactive and hardly any puzzles for you puzzle lovers out there.
Main game: 6 hours with some hints and skips but not very many.
Bonus Chapter: 30 minutes which is a record for me. I usually spend an hour if not longer here. No hints or skips used here.
Bonus Chapter: 30 minutes which is a record for me. I usually spend an hour if not longer here. No hints or skips used here.
Your game play may be more/less than this.
Overall sorry Big Fish and developer but I'm going against the majority raving reviews for this game and this is getting 3 stars from me. Started out great and turned into a big flop in my opinion. The only reason I rated it this high was because I enjoyed the game play (except for bonus chapter), along with finding the scorpions and trying to earn the achievements which I did earn most and found all the scorpions.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Investigate a painter's mysterious disappearance and solve a chain of cold blooded murders in this chilling Hidden Object game.
Overall rating
1
/
5
7 of 13 found this review helpful
From The Big Fish Attic - Review Based On Demo
PostedJune 3, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Story: You take on the role of Detective Cayce to find the missing artist Mr. Willsingham.
2 play modes: Both had sparkles for HOS along with black bar tips. The only difference is the hint takes a little longer on the hard mode and puzzles are supposedly harder so I just played the easier mode.
No journal or map.
No voice overs as there are subtitle boxes that you read and click through. Some of the dialogue is read from the bottom of the screen. There is sound and music to the game.
There is some "adventure" to this game meaning you do have to explore the areas carefully as everything you need isn't so obvious at times.
HOS: I came across 5 during the demo. Found by word list. I wouldn't consider these interactive as for some of them which are not highlighted by a different color like they are in some games but anyway you just have to open up something like a box or move something out of the way. I also thought these were Sanford & Son junkyard piles. I used a couple of hints here.
Inventory: When you find some of the items they do combine and do that automatically.
Puzzles: I only came across one during the demo and that was just to get an arrow to move face direction West. No problem there.
Hint/Skip: Charge up quick. Hint is also helpful outside of HOS. You do have to keep pressing it until you are where you need to be.
My overall impression:
Well I'll start by saying I'm usually into the detective type of games and also don't mind the find missing person while yes it's been done many times along with some games that even appear to be a little dated however this game must of definitely been sitting up in the Big Fish attic of games and just now dragged out and dusted off. I haven't played the other Detective Agency games as I see this has a 3 in the title of it but if they are anything like this one I'm glad I missed them.
In one area in the game outside of the house there are two orange directional arrows showing which ways you could go however I found shortly into the game you could also go in other directions so I didn't understand the necessity of them two orange arrows as those were the only areas I saw them in the game my downloaded version here anyway.
The graphics for me were just dreadful. Too dark in some areas along with a washed out and grainy look to them.
The story line I had no problem however I felt no sense of urgency to find Mr. Willsingham. At first I couldn't hear the sounds in the game very well so had to adjust it within the game and well the sounds and music didn't seem to fit the missing person theme at least for me. I just found them downright annoying. When I realized there were no voice overs which didn't take long well I cut this off.
The game play I just found to be very clunky and no it's not the computer here as my computer handles the rest of Big Fish games just fine. Trying to use inventory was just clunky and weird. I had to try several times for a couple of the scenes so the item in inventory could finally be used. Oh and fishing pole scene it never would accept the fishing pole as it told me either I still needed one or it was a bad idea. Well I'm gonna have to insert that alien emoticon from the pond here.
Overall I'm sorry Big Fish and developer. I appreciate the effort here by the developer however this game is dreadful and needs to go back to the Big Fish attic. There's just nothing about this game that gave me the impression I should continue past the demo. I did play until the demo time ran out cause I thought it just might redeem itself and get better but no it didn't so Mr. Willsingham will just have to stay missing as far as I'm concerned. I also wouldn't purchase this at the $2.99 price or even use a coupon code that was ready to expire. Sorry but 1 star is the best I can do for this. This is definitely a no go for me.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Dark Dimensions: City of Ash Collector's Edition
A dark dimension has fallen over Phoenix Hill, turning its residents into volcanic ash. Help them rise from the ashes.
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 12 found this review helpful
I'm Afraid Another No Go For A Collector's Edition - Review Based On Demo
PostedJune 1, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
HOPA (Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure)
Story: The townspeople of Phoenix Hill, a mining community, have all turned to ash after an apparent volcanic eruption so of course you have to help the townspeople rise from the ashes.
Chapters: Only shows the first 2 in the strategy guide so not sure how many there are.
3 play modes: Casual, Advanced Hard. I played Advance mode but checked out the 2 other modes of play. There is black bar info for all, no hints or skips in hardest, sparkles only in casual .
Collectibles in main and bonus game -- perhaps well hidden, I only came across 1 in the demo, then again there are only 15.
Journal
Voice overs
Widescreen: This did fill my 20 inch monitor however graphics do appear to be a bit stretched.
Map: You get shortly into the game and has 28 locations and they unlock as you move forward in the game. It is also transporter, has all the names of the locations, and shows where you are but doesn't state if there is anything to do or not.
HOS: All found by word list and are interactive (an extra step involved to complete some of them).
Puzzles: The usual run of the mill found in many games. I came across nothing really new here. They do have an info button to get more info on how to complete them if needed.
Hint/Skip: Very slow on charge up for advance mode. Hint is helpful outside of HOS. You don't have to wait for it to charge up outside of HOS but you do have to keep pressing the hint until it takes you were you need to be.
CE extras:
Strategy Guide: Not bookmarked but well executed.
Bonus Chapter
Collectibles display
The usual fluff such as wallpapers
Strategy Guide: Not bookmarked but well executed.
Bonus Chapter
Collectibles display
The usual fluff such as wallpapers
My overall impression:
I'm sorry but this just didn't grab my attention. This game just didn't WOW me.
The graphics for some areas for me were crisp and clear while some other areas a couple of the HOS scenes appear to be drab/washed out. The HOS a little on the Sanford & Son junkyard but not too bad some scenes. Graphics also appeared to be stretched as I mentioned.
The puzzles I came across were very easy as I didn't need to skip them.
The story line is good but not gripping for me. The characters and voice overs OK along with the music as I found neither annoying but nothing that really stands out.
There's just nothing extra for me that I can justify paying $13.99 for. A smile and wink to the Big Fish and developer here: Finding 15 collectibles which are also found in the main game, wallpapers which I will admit to using some wallpapers but not a must have for me and the other fluff I don't use sorry but doesn't cut it. Truth be told I won't even buy the SE version when that gets released. I appreciate the effort by the developer here however just no WOW here for me that I must buy this game. CE or SE version.
Overall the best I can do for this is 3 stars. Sorry Big Fish and developer but I'm afraid this is a no go for me.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Welcome to Top Secret Finders. Your first mission is to save a small town, uncover the truth about a government conspiracy and stop the villain in his tracks!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Hey Big Fish - More Like This Please - Great Game Review Of Completed Game
PostedMay 31, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
HOPA (Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure)
This is a Sci-Fi mystery. You take on the role of Sarah Blake a part of a secret division of the FBI investigating archives of highly classified paranormal activity. You must save a small town and uncover the truth about a government conspiracy.
5 Chapters
2 play modes - I played advanced mode does have sparkles along with black bar tips.
Journal: Keeps track of notes, has some puzzle clues for solving some of the puzzles. There is also a map inside the journal. It will only show you where the transmitters are located that you need to find in town. It is not transporter, doesn't show where you are or where there are things to do.
HOS: There are quite a few scenes to this game. All found by word list and are interactive. I didn't find these to be too Sanford & Son junkyard. Some areas I found a little too dark. Only had to use a couple of hints here and outside of HOS.
Puzzles: The usual run of the mill found in many games: Slider puzzle where you have to match the pieces to their correct spots, connect the wires, turn lights on in sequence, reassemble papers, etc. I did skip a couple of these.
Hint/Skip: Takes a few minutes for charge up. Hint is excellent outside of HOS if you do need to use it as it brings up a portal box hit the GO button and you are there.
My overall impression:
Well I must start by saying I'm not sure how I missed this game when it was first released but kinda glad I did as I got it today for the $2.99 daily deal price.
I was hooked to this right from the get go and didn't stop playing this until I got to the end. The storyline I thought was excellent and very well told.
The graphics I found to be quite nice especially considering the setting a run down town so kinda grey and dreary a times. I do however think they could of been just a little bit sharper for HOS scenes.
The voice acting I thought was good but could of been better and also has live acting as opposed to animated was somewhat flawed, but I never found it annoying. The lip sync seems way off though.
I just thought this game had a nice balance of HOS, puzzles and adventure with lots of places to go and stuff to do. This game for some reason the sparkles and black bar tips didn't really bother me. I was just really into this game.
As for game length: This was long for me as it took me between 6 and 7 hours and that's with using a couple of hints for HOS, a couple for outside of HOS and skipping a couple of the puzzles. Your game play may be more/less however.
Overall 5 stars from me. Just way more that I loved about this game than I didn't along with hours of game play and getting it for $2.99. What a great deal. Can't really ask for too much more. Thanks Big Fish and developer. I hope to see more like this game.
I recommend this game!
With your carriage broken, and a wolf nearby, you must find shelter. What awaits you in the village just ahead?
Overall rating
2
/
5
41 of 59 found this review helpful
Far From Wowed Me - Too Mundane For Me - Based On Demo
PostedMay 31, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
HOPA (hidden object puzzle adventure)
There are 6 chapters
3 play modes: Casual, Advance, Expert: I played advance mode.
There is a journal that has puzzle clues and a "task" tab along with a lamp that you can use for dark corners. You get these shortly into the game.
There is widescreen at least for me as it filled my 20 inch monitor just fine.
There are voice overs.
No map
HOS: Found by word list and they are interactive.
Inventory: You can lock or unlock the inventory to either stay visible at all times or disappear until needed.Some objects you find that are moved to the Inventory list have a blinking red eye above them. You can't use those objects on anything else, but you will be able to either do something with them or find something within that object after doing certain things.
Puzzles: The usual run of the mill found in many other games. I came across nothing new here.
Hint/Skip: I can't comment cause I didn't use them.
My overall impression:
This game being heavy on adventure isn't what bothered me just that I thought the tasks to complete were very mundane. While there are no sparkles but way too many black bar tips for advance mode. I did check out the expert mode and for those of you who don't like black bar tips well they are there however no sparkles and the hint/skip are disabled can't use them. This is why I played advance mode cause I do like to have the hint/skip in case needed but as I mentioned for this game I didn't use them.
The graphics for me were just dreadful. I don't mind graphics a little dark for a game that is suppose to be eerie/creepy however way too dark even with the little lamp provided and too much blue and gray colors for me. This was way overdone.
The HOS what few I did while the graphics are dreadful but to my surprise I didn't have a problem locating anything and the puzzles I didn't come across too many and those were pretty easy.
I also thought the story could of been jazzed up a bit. I also usually enjoy voice overs but what little there were during the demo far from wowed me. This game just didn't give me the "eerie/creep" feeling it was meant to and everything I had to do in this game during the demo time just very mundane.
Overall sorry Big Fish and developer but the best I can do for this game is 2 stars. This far from wowed me and not as good as the other 2 games as I loved those. I wouldn't even purchase this at the $2.99 or use a coupon code. Again, I'm sorry but I'm afraid this is a no go for me.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Seven gnomes wait in silence, holding a secret. Take up the hunt if you dare, and find the path to the Chamber of Fortune.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Seven Little Gnomes - I Liked It - Review Of Completed Game
PostedMay 29, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Story: You just became the owner of a run down house and take on the venture of the previous owner trying to decipher the riddles and clues to find the 7 gnomes. One clue leads to the next gnome along with finding the gold that was hidden on the property many years ago.
3 play modes: Casual, Advanced, Hard. I played advanced mode and there is an option to turn off sparkles however I still had sparkles for the HOS.
Journal: Keeps track of notes and some puzzle clues. Also up at the top keeps track of your game play time.
There is no map.
There is widescreen at least for me as this filled my 20 inch monitor just fine.
There are voice overs.
HOS: There are quite a few scenes. All found by word list and there is a little interaction but not much.
Puzzles: Most of them the usual run of the mill found in many games however I came across some unique ones that I've never seen before anyway.
Hint/Skip: Takes a few minutes to charge up. Hint is helpful outside of HOS as you only have to click on it once and it will direct you to where you need to be until you get there along with show you what needs to be done. On the skip for puzzles it will also add 15 minutes to your playing time.
There is also 36 morphing objects to find.
My overall impression:
I really enjoyed this game and found myself engrossed in it immediately The story made me think of Agatha Christie's "10 Little Indians" but 7 gnomes used for this story..
The graphics for me were just fine. I had no problem with them but did find some areas on the dark side which is what I would expect with an eerie/creepy setting with the run down house.
I also thought the voice overs were really good however thought there could of been just a bit more.
The HOS while there are quite a few scenes and some visited several times which I don't mind as after all this is a hidden object game and some I would even consider Sanford & Son junkyard however I only needed a couple of hints here. I do wish these would of been more interactive.
The puzzles to my surprise since I'm not really a fan of the puzzles but some I found to be quite fun especially the fish in the pond one. I did skip a couple however.
I did run into a glitch in the game where I had to restart under a different profile but after that little difficulty but I did get hung up a couple times where to go/do next and while there is no map I found the hint to be very helpful.
While some of the HOS were visited more than once I still thought this game had quite a few different locations to go to. I also liked the balance of HOS, puzzle and adventure though I will say some won't because like I said there are quite a few HOS.
I did like how the game keeps track of your play time and finding the morphing objects. I found them all. Most were easy to locate while a few not so obvious to me anyway.
There are just a few things I really didn't like about this game and that is once a close up of the area has been completed (the magnify glass) to examine an area and/or use the inventory I wish it wouldn't of popped back up again. There is no need for that since there is nothing to do there. Sometimes it closed like it was suppose to and sometimes not. This should only pop up if there is indeed something to do. Also I don't like how the game adds 15 minutes to your play time. I just wish all developers would put a hint/skip with no waiting and let the game player decide when they need to use it as it doesn't have to be used. This should be up to the game player. After all they are the ones playing the game.
As for game length about 6 hours for me. May be more/less for you.
Overall a 4 stars from me. Thank you Big Fish and developer for a very good game here. I hope to see more from this developer.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
The evil Alura is back, and this time she’s attacking your homeland!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
A Very Good Game However Not CE Worthy - Review Based On Hour Demo
PostedMay 26, 2013
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Story: You take on the role of a prince on a mission to save the witch and to take back your homeland.
This game has 5 chapters plus the Bonus chapter.
There are 3 gameplay modes: Casual, Advanced, Hard. You can change at any time during the game. I played the hard mode.
There is voice-over.
There is widescreen at least for me. No problem filling my 20 inch monitor.
There is a journal.
Transporter map that shows where you are and where there are things to do.
CE extras: Strategy Guide: I didn't use it but checked it out and stays where you last left it. There's also wallpapers and sound tracks.
HOS: There's a bit going on here. Some found by word list or silhouette, placing some back into the scene, find so many of an item along with some interaction to them.
Puzzles: The usual run of the mill found in many games as I didn't come across anything new here.
Hint/Skip: Since I played the harder mode slow on charge up. I only used it twice for the HOS. No comment on its helpfulness outside of HOS since I didn't use it for this part. I also didn't skip any of the puzzles.
My overall impression:
I have not played the others in this series, but had no trouble following the plot. It was obvious I was missing some back story, but didn't feel like I needed to play the others in this series to follow along.
The graphics to this game I found to be just beautifully done. I also liked the characters and thought the voice overs were very good. I had no problem with them. The story line is also good.
I thought the game what I've played of it had a nice balance of HOS which I found to be very well done as I didn't find them to be Sanford & Son junkyard piles, puzzles and adventure (traveling back/forth). I also had no problem with the map mentioned in some reviews.
For playing this in the hard mode however too easy as there are some black bar tips telling you what you need to do. I didn't come across any sparkles however.
Overall 3 stars from me. While this is a good game but since this is a collectors edition and I'm paying twice as much well I expect all the bells and whistles with it so to speak like the collectibles, achievements, morphing objects, etc. This definitely would of made the game even more interesting. Should be there for a CE as I hold CE versions to a higher standard than SE games and my reason I deducted 2 stars and rated it 3 stars.
Thanks Big Fish and developer but I won't be buying the CE. I'll await the SE version plus I'd like to see if the SE is actually the complete story cause I won't support buying the CE and the so called bonus chapter be to "get the rest of the story." The bonus chapter I expect to be that a "bonus" chapter.
As always definitely give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.