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:
Uncover the mysterious past of a sleepy seaside village and find your missing son in Whispered Secrets: The Story of Tideville!
Overall rating
5
/
5
130 of 225 found this review helpful
Relaxing and Fun Game From New Developer - Review of Entire Game
PostedNovember 3, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Story: You take on the role of recently widowed, Clarice and move to a small fishing town Tideville with your son Tim who has been kidnapped by a mad scientist and with the help of Tim's friend, Rudy, will try to solve the mystery and find her son.
8 chapters
2 play modes: Regular/Expert: I played Expert mode and there are no sparkles not even for HOS (hidden object scenes) but there are black bar tips up at the top of the screen.
Journal which holds story and puzzle clues
Voice Overs
No map
15 crystals you find throughout the game to help you save Tim.
HOS: There are quite a few scenes to this game. Found by word list. They are interactive. You can also play match 3 and switch between the two at any time during the game.
Puzzles: Not a whole lot of puzzles to this game. Most of them are swap the pieces to form a picture, rotate the rings/circles. Also some solved by clues in your journal just to name some.
HINT/Skip charge up: I can't comment on the hint for this game cause I didn't use it one time for anything. The skip does take about a couple of minutes.
Main game length: About 6 hours. May be more/less for you.
Undecided between the SE and CE?
You still find the crystals in the SE version and there are no achievements in the CE version.
Integrated strategy guide. I didn't use it but checked it out and it stays where you last left it.
Bonus Chapter: The main game does come to a satisfactory conclusion as the bonus chapter is not needed for this. The bonus chapter you have to save the townspeople from the mad scientist. This does have scenes from the main game but also opens up some new areas. It also looks like this may be continued which I sure hope so but the bonus chapter also has a satisfactory ending as well so a continuation is not needed to finish up the bonus chapter.
Bonus time: Just about an hour. May be more/less for you.
My overall impression:
I purchased the CE version when they came out and don't regret doing so but I do hope that if the developer decides to continue this they put some achievements/collectibles in their next offering.
For this being a new developer I think they did a pretty good job though with this game. For the most part I found this to be a pretty easy game but sometimes I like an easy game and just like to relax.
I don't think the demo time does this game justice cause after the demo this game opens up to quite a few locations. There's some traveling back/forth to this game. Yes pretty easy as I mentioned but I did notice on a few locations I really had to take my mouse and go over the area pretty thorough to come across using an inventory item and/or picking up something.
The graphics for me were superb as I had no problems with them and the two boys Tim and Rudy are so cute. Just adorable. I will say as far as the HOS go a few scenes a bit on the dark side and even Sanford & Son junkyard pile but I located most pretty easily and the few I had trouble with I just played match 3 as I like match 3. It also didn't bother me there are a lot of HOS to this game as after all it is a hidden object game so that's what I would expect to find in the game.
It also didn't bother me that there aren't a lot of puzzles to this game as I'm not a huge fan of these.
I also had no problems with the voice overs. They were well done as far as I'm concerned. I also enjoyed the story while yes it's been done before.
Overall, this is getting a 5 star rating from me as I really enjoyed this game and about 7 hours total was long enough for me as I pretty much played this straight through.
Thank you Big Fish and a job well done by the developer here.
Thank you Big Fish and a job well done by the developer here.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Explore the vastness of a ship lost in time, what mysteries will you uncover amidst its Mayan idols, menacing sea creatures, and exotic treasures? Find out in this exciting new Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game on the open seas!
Overall rating
5
/
5
108 of 201 found this review helpful
What A Fabulous Game - A lot Going On Here - Review Of Entire Game
PostedNovember 2, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Story: You end up on an ghost galleon and have to rescue a young boy, and your partner who have disappeared along with getting free from the poacher.
6 chapters
4 modes, casual, normal, hard and custom. Custom is where you can set it to the level of difficulty you want: hint/skip charge up, sparkles/no sparkles for HOS (hidden object scenes), click penalty. I played custom mode.
There are Voice overs
MAP: You get a short while after playing which will show where you are/things to do and you can also use it to travel back/forth locations.
JOURNAL: Keeps track of notes/story along with some puzzle clues how to solve them.
HOS: They are interactive. Found by word list. Instead of finding objects you can play mahjong and you can switch back/forth at any time.
Puzzles: Some of the usual run of the mill along with some new ones I've never seen before anyway.
Main game length: 4 hours 22 min. May be more/less for you.
Undecided between the SE and CE version?
BONUS CHAPTER: This is not needed to get the "rest of the story" to the main game as this comes to conclusion without leaving you hanging. The bonus chapter is story "before" the disappearance of the young boy and your partner.
There's also 32 humming birds, 44 morphing objects, pieces to an artifact, and calendar to find while playing. You can also earn awards for completing HOS with no hints, achieving mini games, etc. Whether or not these "extras" are in the SE I'm not sure since I bought the CE but I did check the blog walk through for the SE version here and saw no mention of them so I'm willing to say no that these extras aren't available to the SE just the CE version.
Also includes an integrated strategy guide.
Bonus length: 1 hour 25 minutes. May be more/less for you.
My overall impression:
As I mentioned I purchased the CE when that came out and don't regret doing so.
Wow! What an amazing game as I was hooked to this right from the get go and held my interest to the very end.
The graphics/artwork to this game are superb. I'm just in awe of this game. The story while yes it's been done before but very well told. The voice overs are just excellent.
This game just has so much to do/places to go. A nice balance of HOS, adventure, and puzzles in my opinion. I'm also so glad there is a map which I found to be very helpful.
I also liked that you can switch between HOS and mahjong at any time during the game along with earning the awards. I didn't earn them all but most of them. I also felt the game was long enough.
Another feature I really liked is how this game keeps track of your playing time for the main game and the bonus. I would like to see this in games to come.
The only small complaint I do have about this game but not enough to bring the rating down but I noticed in the bonus chapter I couldn't turn off the sparkles for the HOS.
Overall a 5 stars from me. Thanks Big Fish and developer for an awesome game here.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
81 of 120 found this review helpful
By Far One Of The Best I've Played - Review Of Completed Game
PostedOctober 30, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Story Line: Rescue fiance' from the deepest parts of the ocean along with discovering the downright spine-chilling secrets hiding and forgotten in the underwater city.
3 modes, casual, advanced, expert. I played advanced mode
Journal: Keeps track of story and tasks.
Map: You get shortly after starting the game. In advanced mode does show where you are and areas of interest where there are task to be completed however can't use it to travel back/forth. At least it didn't work for me.
HOS: 22 locations. All found by word list and are interactive. You can also switch at any time during the game between finding items and playing dominoes.
Puzzles: 17 mini games/puzzles and the usual run of the mill: Rotate rings, swap pieces, etc.
Hint: Can be used outside of HOS as it will direct you where to go until you get there. Also quick on charge up.
Skip: Also pretty quick as it's less than a minute.
There's also achievements to be earned such as not using hint, no skip of puzzles, etc.
My overall impression:
Wow! This game is just fabulous as the graphics along with cut scenes are top notch especially for being under water as I found them to be very clear even for the HOS scenes as I had no difficulty.
The voice overs and characters are just excellent. A very well done here.
This game is also downright spine-chilling and eerie and I definitely mean this in a great way.
The story is also very well told as I was hooked to this right from the get go and held my interest till I got to the end.
This looks like it was suppose to be a CE as there is a bonus chapter which was also well done
I also love playing dominoes so I switched back/forth between finding objects and playing dominoes.
This also has a nice balance of HOS, adventure the traveling back/forth and puzzles.
Just one small criticism here: I wish I could of used the map to travel back/forth.
Game length: About 6 hours for me as I used the hint a couple of times and also skipped a couple of the puzzles. May be more or less for you.
Overall a definite 5 stars from me. Thank you Big Fish and developer. I sure hope to see more like this game and from this developer. Just WOW!
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Unearth your forgotten childhood memories to reveal the secret of the ancient labyrinth.
Overall rating
5
/
5
43 of 49 found this review helpful
An Excellent Choice For The Halloween Season
PostedOctober 28, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Story: You take on the role of Derrick (now an adult) who is still traumatized by his childhood due to the disappearance of six children while playing at a Celtic Labyrinth so you seek out the help of a psychiatrist who recommends you return back to the scene of where it happened at the Sullivan River Summer Camp to try and rescue them.
3 play modes - I played advanced mode. No sparkles but does show black bar tips up at the top of the screen.
There is voice-over
There is a journal and also a map that you can use to travel back/forth.
HOS (hidden object scenes): I counted 22 scenes for the main game. All found by word list and are interactive.
HINT: I can't comment on how fast it charges up this time around as I only used it one time for the whole game but I can say it's helpful if you're not sure where to go/do next as it will lead you there until you get to where you need to be.
Puzzles: Some of the same seen in many games such as rotate rings however came across a few different ones I've never seen before anyway. Most I found pretty easy however I did skip a few of these as I'm not a fan of the puzzles and can be skipped in less than a minute.
My overall impression:
I purchased the CE version when that was released and I don't regret doing so.
What a great game for the Halloween season since that is just right around the corner with this spooky, eerie game. I was hooked to this right from the get go and held my interest to the very end as I did not stop playing until I got to the end.
I can sure tell there was some time and thought put into this game. The graphics, HOS, music, voice overs along with the story being told. I sure welcomed a whole different setting than the usual mansion and car crash theme and well this here was absolutely flawless for me and just something different. Also a lot of places to go and things to do.
Game length: 5 hours for me. May be more or less for you.
Undecided between the SE or CE version of the game?
The bonus chapter is not needed to complete the main game here however without giving anything away the bonus chapter does have a continuation that never occurred to me. I felt like I had a complete main game here without it as for me the bonus was a bonus.
This also does start off from where you left off in the main game however opens up to all new locations. As for HOS only 6 scenes. There's also some puzzles of course.
There's also trophies to be won and the strategy guide.
Bonus length: For me was an hour. May be more/less for you.
Overall, 5 stars from me! Thanks Big Fish and developer for an excellent game here.
As always, definitely give it a whirl and decide for yourself. Just because I enjoyed it doesn't mean you will be I sure hope so!
I recommend this game!
Mysteriez
Try your hand at fine art in Mysteriez, an incredible Hidden Object game! Master the gameplay and progress through the levels.
Overall rating
1
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
Hey Big Fish Are You For Real Here? Cut This Off And Definitely Pull The Plug Already
PostedOctober 16, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This review is based on the 1 hour demo.
OMG! Now I've seen the Big Fish here release a few stinker games but this one takes the cake.
I do my best to give a game a fair chance as I played the whole one hour demo time and well there's not much here to report as this is an hour of my life I won't get back here.
Game Play:
Finding the numbers 1 through 40. Numbers 1 to 20 at the top of the screen and numbers 21 through 40 at the bottom of the screen. One scene after the other. There is no hint button. This is also timed as you are given 5 minutes for each scene. Wrong clicking results in a 10 second penalty for each one and even when I did find some of the numbers I was still penalized. This game also doesn't take them out of the scene once found as it just darkens out the numbers at top/bottom of screen. At the end of each scene will show you the ones you didn't find. There are also points to be earned but nothing is done with these points.
There is no story or mini games to this game. This is it folks at least the hour I played of this. Just find the numbers 1 through 40. The most I ever found in a scene was 35 out of the 40. I kept hoping this game just might redeem itself and get better but I'm afraid its a no go.
Truth be told well this game deserves no stars but the Big Fish doesn't have a no star rating.
Now this just may get more exciting after the trial time but I'm not spending my money, game credits or punch code coupons to find out. This definitely gets the stop madness, cut off and pull the plug rating. This game is so awful that I noticed the Big Fish doesn't even have a forum set up for this game at least while I'm writing my review here as I got an Oops page. Oops is right! I think you need to send this game back as it's not done yet!
Sorry Big Fish and developer but this game is awful. This just seems as it was slopped together overnight. No variety and no point to this game unless you are into how fast you can find the numbers which I'm not. Enough said.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Let's get farming in this unique Hidden Object farming simulator hybrid! Harvest the perfect crop, sell it at the market and search the farm for treasures!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
A Good Game Has Its Pros And Cons - Review Of Complete Game
PostedOctober 14, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Story: You take on the role of Floyd who takes out a loan with the bank to pay off Dahlia's (wife) medical bills by entering his farm into the "top 50 contest' so need to do upgrades to the farm.
No choice of play mode
Some voice overs
There's also what looks like an eye at the top right hand side of the screen where you can look at the farm as a whole and there is also some scrolling to see some areas to this game.
HOS (hidden object scenes): There's a grand total of 20 scenes which will open up over time as you play the game. All found by word list.
HINT: There's a bird in the cage down at the bottom and charges up pretty quick and then you have to click on the item in the list for the bird to find it. Also if it's been a minute or so and you haven't found an item in the scene it will "auto find" it for you by "sparkling" the item in the scene.
PUZZLES: Sudoku, mining, spider web, fix the pipes, find the 3 keys by playing "5 chance" card game, jig saw to unlock gate and also find the animals that have escaped the farm.
SKIP: You can skip puzzles immediately if you have the money to do so and the amount increases as you move along in the game.
TO EARN MONEY:
*Find gems in the HOS scenes
*Do quest which is up at the top.
*Buy/plant/harvest crops.
*Buy animals/feed them/harvest what they produce.
*Buy blueprints to upgrade farm.
*47 trophies - The more trophies = more money.
*Find gems in the HOS scenes
*Do quest which is up at the top.
*Buy/plant/harvest crops.
*Buy animals/feed them/harvest what they produce.
*Buy blueprints to upgrade farm.
*47 trophies - The more trophies = more money.
There's also 20 wallpapers
My overall impression:
THE PROS:
*The graphics are really good.
*Enjoyed the story along with the quirky characters.
*Get to name the dog.
*See your name in the dialogue.
*Shows your progress of where you're at in the top 50.
*Voice overs what there were a well done here.
*The many upgrades and different ways to earn money.
*Trophies even though I didn't earn them all but most.
*Wallpapers as I even have one on my computer of this game..
*Enjoyed the story along with the quirky characters.
*Get to name the dog.
*See your name in the dialogue.
*Shows your progress of where you're at in the top 50.
*Voice overs what there were a well done here.
*The many upgrades and different ways to earn money.
*Trophies even though I didn't earn them all but most.
*Wallpapers as I even have one on my computer of this game..
THE CONS:
*While the graphics are really good however the HOS some of the gems to find were way too tiny along with some of the items.
*The HOS also go into a repetitive loop as I don't mind going back to the same locations so much but at times having to find the same items and most of the time in the same spot.
*Voice overs would of been used through out the game as I would of loved to hear these quirky characters speak.
*Puzzles the same ones through out the game as I think there could of been more variety here. While I'm not really a fan of the puzzles I did start out doing them all except for the mining one as I could never get that but just became too repetitious for me so just skipped them.
*The HOS also go into a repetitive loop as I don't mind going back to the same locations so much but at times having to find the same items and most of the time in the same spot.
*Voice overs would of been used through out the game as I would of loved to hear these quirky characters speak.
*Puzzles the same ones through out the game as I think there could of been more variety here. While I'm not really a fan of the puzzles I did start out doing them all except for the mining one as I could never get that but just became too repetitious for me so just skipped them.
GAME LENGTH: It took me a day to complete playing it on/off for an hour or so at a time. I would of probably played this all the way through but needed a little break from it cause of the repetition.
Overall, I'm actually right in between 3 and 4 stars for this game as it started out really great but then went into a repetition mode with the HOS and puzzles as I mentioned. Why I'm giving 4 stars is mainly because of the many upgrades, quest and trophies. I also enjoyed the story.
Thanks Big Fish and developer for a good game here.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
In a peaceful small town, an unknown killer has taken the life of a teenage girl. Who would want to kill Amy, the most popular girl in class?
Overall rating
1
/
5
54 of 68 found this review helpful
Girls With Secrets Will Have to Remain With Secrets Hey Big Fish Cut This Off
PostedOctober 10, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I usually do reviews on the whole game unless I'm not buying which happens to be the case here so this is based on the 1 hour trial time.
Story: You are out to find out who killed Amy the most popular teenage girl in the class.
Chapters: Since there is no walk through (not needed) I'm not sure but I completed almost 2 chapters during the trial time.
2 play modes - The only difference is the easy mode takes 2 minutes and the classic mode is 3 minutes for charge up. There are no sparkles to this game. I usually play a harder mode in games but for this game I played the easy mode since the only difference was charge up of the hint/skip.
There is a note pad down at the bottom along with a compass which is the map.
No voice overs
HOS (hidden object scenes): A total of 17 scenes and I completed 15 of them in the hour. All found by word list. They're not Sanford & Son junkyard as I located most pretty easily however a few are really tiny and/or blended into the scene. Also a few I had to click just so for it to recognize my clicking on it taking 2 to 3 times for it to register or sometimes even having to use the hint.
There is no inventory or 'wandering around" at all to this game at least what I've played of it.
Puzzles: I only came across 3 during the demo time: Rearrange the wine glasses/books to reach a metal box, switch on the lights in the correct order, and a lock picking.
There's also achievements.
My overall impression:
I usually don't mind games with a lot of HOS overall for the game but I do like some variety as well. To give you an idea though of how much "variety" this game has well if you've ever played the Mystery PI games well there's a lot more going on in those than this game here. I also like to play the Mystery PI games every once in a while when I want a break from harder games.
The characters did pop up a few times throughout the trial but not a whole lot of "story" in my opinion just off on another mission to search for items.
The music also grated on my last nerve as it must only change when you get to a new chapter cause if you are in a chapter its the same music for that chapter. Just goes in a loop.
As for the map while it's not needed at least for the hour I played this game nor did I use it but I did check it out. If you do click on the map well it will bring up a box and tell you that you will lose the progress you've already completed? I'm inserting that alien emoticon from the Big Fish pond here! What? I've never read such nonsense in all the games I've ever played such as this. Why would you lose your progress? Sorry but that's absurd.
I also never earned any "achievements" during the trial and I must say with other games I've played while I didn't earn them all but at least earned a few of them or sometimes even most of them. Even the Mystery PI games you earn points and achievements.
Now this game here just might get more exciting after the hour demo but I'm sorry to report but this is definitely a no go for me and gets the 1 star stop madness, cut off, and pull the plug rating as I'm not paying $6.99, using a game club credit or punch code coupon to find out. Truth be told well I wouldn't finish this game for free as this would cure insomnia.
Sorry Big Fish and developer but this game is dreadful and needs to go back to the drawing board and spiced up here just a bit as I didn't have a problem with the story line itself even though yes it's been done before but this game needs more variety and story telling to it.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover the mysterious past of a sleepy seaside village and find your missing son in Whispered Secrets: The Story of Tideville!
Overall rating
5
/
5
103 of 110 found this review helpful
Relaxing And Enjoyable Game From A New Developer - Review Of Entire Game
PostedOctober 7, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Story: You take on the role of recently widowed, Clarice and move to a small fishing town Tideville with your son Tim who has been kidnapped by a mad scientist and with the help of Tim's friend, Rudy, will try to solve the mystery and find her son.
8 chapters plus a bonus chapter
Integrated strategy guide which only shows the first 2 chapters during the demo. I didn't use it but checked it out and it stays where you last left it.
2 play modes: Regular/Expert: I played Expert mode and there are no sparkles not even for HOS (hidden object scenes) but there are black bar tips up at the top of the screen.
Journal which holds story and puzzle clues
Voice Overs
No map
15 crystals you find throughout the game to help you save Tim.
HOS: There are quite a few scenes to this game. Found by word list. They are interactive. You can also play match 3 and switch between the two at any time during the game.
Puzzles: Not a whole lot of puzzles to this game. Most of them are swap the pieces to form a picture, rotate the rings/circles. Also some solved by clues in your journal just to name some.
HINT/Skip charge up: I can't comment on the hint for this game cause I didn't use it one time for anything. The skip does take about a couple of minutes.
Bonus Chapter: The main game does come to a satisfactory conclusion as the bonus chapter is not needed for this. The bonus chapter you have to save the townspeople from the mad scientist. This does have scenes from the main game but also opens up some new areas. It also looks like this may be continued which I sure hope so but the bonus chapter also has a satisfactory ending as well.
Main game time: Close to 6 hours.
Bonus time: Just about an hour.
Bonus time: Just about an hour.
Depending on your game play may be more or less for you.
My overall impression:
Well for this being a new developer I think they did a pretty good job with this game. For the most part I found this to be a pretty ease game but sometimes I like an easy game and just like to relax.
I don't think the demo time does this game justice cause after the demo this game opens up to quite a few locations. There's some traveling back/forth to this game. Yes pretty easy as I mentioned but I did notice on a few locations I really had to take my mouse and go over the area pretty thorough to come across using an inventory item and/or picking up something.
The graphics for me were superb as I had no problems with them and the two boys Tim and Rudy are so cute. Just adorable. I will say as far as the HOS go a few scenes a bit on the dark side and even Sanford & Son junkyard pile but I located most pretty easily and the few I had trouble with I just played match 3 as I like match 3. It also didn't bother me there are a lot of HOS to this game as after all it is a hidden object game so that's what I would expect to find in the game.
It also didn't bother me that there aren't a lot of puzzles to this game as I'm not a huge fan of these.
I also had no problems with the voice overs. They were well done as far as I'm concerned. I also enjoyed the story while yes it's been done before.
Overall, this is getting a 5 star rating from me as I really enjoyed this game and about 7 hours total was long enough for me as I pretty much played this straight through.
Thank you Big Fish and a job well done by the developer here.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Explore the vastness of a ship lost in time, what mysteries will you uncover amidst its Mayan idols, menacing sea creatures, and exotic treasures? Find out in this exciting new Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game on the open seas!
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
What A Fabulous Game - A Lot Going On Here - Review of Entire Game
PostedOctober 7, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Story: You end up on an ghost galleon and have to rescue a young boy, your partner and the poacher that were with you have disappeared as well.
6 chapters plus a bonus chapter.
4 modes, casual, normal, hard and custom. Custom is where you can set it to the level of difficulty you want: hint/skip charge up, sparkles/no sparkles for HOS (hidden object scenes), click penalty. I played custom mode.
Integrated Strategy Guide - Stays where you last left it..
There are Voice overs
MAP: You get a short while after playing which will show where you are/things to do and you can also use it to travel back/forth locations.
JOURNAL: Keeps track of notes/story along with some puzzle clues how to solve them.
HOS: They are interactive. Found by word list. Instead of finding objects you can play mahjong and you can switch back/forth at any time.
Puzzles: Some of the usual run of the mill along with some new ones I've never seen before anyway.
There's also 32 humming birds, 44 morphing objects, pieces to an artifact, and calendar to find while playing.
You can also earn awards for completing HOS with no hints, achieving mini games, etc.
BONUS CHAPTER: Is "back story" to the main game here and opens up to some new locations from the main game. You also still find the humming birds, morphing objects along with the awards as well. I thought this was very well done and put together.
Main game length: 4 hours 22 minutes
Bonus length: 1 hour 25 minutes.
Bonus length: 1 hour 25 minutes.
Depending on the mode you chose and your game play you may get more, less, or about the same amount of time for game length.
My overall impression:
Wow! What an amazing game as I was hooked to this right from the get go and held my interest to the very end.
The graphics/artwork to this game are superb. I'm just in awe of this game. The story while yes it's been done before but very well told. The voice overs are just excellent.
This game just has so much to do/places to go. I'm also so glad there is a map which I found to be very helpful.
I also liked that you can switch between HOS and mahjong at any time during the game along with earning the awards. I didn't earn them all but most of them. I also felt the game was long enough. Another feature I really liked is how this game keeps track of your playing time for the main game and the bonus. I would like to see this in games to come.
The only small complaint I do have about this game but not enough to bring the rating down but I noticed in the bonus chapter I couldn't turn off the sparkles for the HOS.
Overall a 5 stars from me. Thanks Big Fish and developer for an awesome game here.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Track a mad man across time and investigate a gristly murder from the past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
65 of 86 found this review helpful
I Have Already Caught This And Added To My Collection Review Of Complete Game
PostedOctober 5, 2012
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a HOPA (hidden object, puzzle, adventure). Definitely more on the adventure side and the screen also scrolls in some areas and while there is no map but does have arrows giving you direction on which way to go. I played in the hardest mode.
The story: You take on the role of Angelica Weaver and find yourself traveling through time (present day Chicago and London 1888) in order to solve the mystery of the murders which becomes a cat and mouse game with a dangerous Killer.
3 play modes: Casual, Advance, Expert.
There is a journal along with the goals down at the bottom.
HOS (hidden object scenes) are interactive. Most found by word list. Items in blue are hidden from sight; items listed in green describe objects with a clue rather than just giving its name. There's also a few scenes find so many of an item or match up the pairs.
HINT: Available by charge up only which is pretty slow only in the casual/advance modes you can find dream catchers to use for hints. This has been turned off for the expert mode. Also hint is helpful outside of the HOS as it will show arrows directing you exactly where to go and what to do from the inventory.
Puzzles: Seemed to be very few at first but as I moved along more puzzles which ranged from very easy, some fun ones (and I'm not a fan of these) to some downright annoying like trying to move the pin ball along to unlock the chain on the door just to name one and the skip for puzzles in expert mode is 10 minutes. Casual is 3 minutes and advanced is 5 minutes.
The SE version here you also collect badges to unlock an unlimited HO scenes at the end and these you will find everywhere and I do mean everywhere.
My overall impression:
I purchased the CE when that was released and don't regret doing so as it was worth it for me. Plus I don't mind extending my wallet to developers who put a lot of time/thought into their games such as this developer to keep encouraging them to bring me great games.
The long cut scene which starts the game had me hooked right from the get go even with the bobble head lady character as it first she kinda annoyed me as well but the more I played she didn't bother me like some other game players. This cut scene especially along with some others in the game just excellent. Very well done here.
The voice over and graphics are excellent for me as well. I also loved traveling through time present day Chicago and London 1888..
I also liked that while this has HOS and puzzles but more adventure and in the expert mode there were no black bar tips as it just brought up a wrench and I would have to figure out what to do, what inventory goes there but I'll admit I did get hung up a couple of times and also skipped a couple of the puzzles.
I just thought the story was very well told, very intriguing and kept me well informed all the way, as to what is happening and how it is all piecing together. I really did feel like I had a satisfactory ending to the main game that is until I played the bonus chapter in the CE as I wasn't expecting that at all. For me and I do stress the FOR ME this is where the surprising true ending to the game really came.
Game Length: For me this was a game I really took my time with and did not rush at all but I did use the hint a couple of times and skipped a couple of the puzzles. Main game was 6 hours for me. The bonus chapter was about 2 hours. Depending on your game play you may get more or less than this.
Overall there was just way more I LOVED about this game and definitely outweighed a couple of annoyances so I can't help but give this 5 stars and it was also a long game for me that kept my interest as I played this pretty much straight through so I feel I definitely got my monies worth.
Thanks Big Fish and developer for an excellent game here. I sure hope to see more like this one. This ROCKS!
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!