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:
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
1
/
5
15 of 27 found this review helpful
This Was Torment Alright! What A Snooze Fest
PostedAugust 3, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETE DEMO TIME
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: Sorry but the graphics are nothing special. WAY too much pink and purple and quite grainy in some scenes. No it's not my computer. Everything is up to date here. While I enjoy cut scenes but this game has way too many. Most unnecessary. I didn't find the characters interesting at all. The voices especially the female downright annoying.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: I played Custom Mode. The only thing that seemed to work here is the hint/skip charged up within seconds. I appreciate that though I didn't use them in this game. I still however had objectives pop up, either black bar tips stating what needed to be done or given hints or sometimes an annoying comment "I need to explore my options." There is also a map. I didn't even look at it and I only looked at the strategy guide to see how many chapters. Only shows 2 chapters.
HOS: These are done in three stages. You do one scene and immediately off to the next and found by silhouette or word list. There is also a morph in each one. I usually enjoy HOS. I'm a fan of these. While I'm not into eye strain well these are so large they can't be missed along with stating what needs to be done the interaction of them. I'm also not a fan of morphs in my HOS. Sorry but I didn't much care for these.
PUZZLES/MINI GAMES; While not being a fan of these the ones I came across during the demo were quite simple. I didn't skip any of them.
STORY LINE; This is the 3rd in this series and hopefully the last. The first is The Tree of Life. The second is The Living Mountain. I never played the first two games so no comment there. This one seems to stand alone. I just found this very slow moving and a downright boring snooze fest. Professor Burns will just have to stay in peril with the fairies in fairyland. I will not be saving him. I also came across a little purple animal that needed to be fed. I must say I was quite surprised it didn't become my helper. Animal helpers may or may not be past the demo time.
FUN FACTOR; Sorry Eipix and Big Fish but this game is dreadful and 1 star is the best I can do for this. Truth be told I think the Eipix here along with some other developers need to slow it down just a bit. What I mean here is there are a lot of betas out. Seem to be concentrating more on QUANTITY than QUALITY. The majority on the horizon and upcoming are nothing more than rehashes of previous games - sequels. Could you please put your time and talent into more adult games so I can rate you higher and recommend you next time? ENOUGH with the pink and purple graphics, cutesy/not so cutesy animal helpers, and the travel through black cloud smoke portal to the fairyland games. No I didn't come across any animal helpers during the demo but just letting you know Eipix I've had quite enough of these too from other developers.
CE EXTRAS:
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide (shows 2 chapters)
41 Flower Collection (unlocks after bonus chapter)
18 Achievements
10 Wallpapers
12 pictures
Making Of (unlocks after you finish the game)
32 Play Puzzles (these unlock as you move along in the game)
17 Find Objects (these unlock as you move along in the game)
Lore Book (unlocks after you finish the game)
Souvenir Room (unlocks after you finish the bonus chapter)
Movies
Music
3 HOS from Eipix previous games that you find in this game to active them.
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide (shows 2 chapters)
41 Flower Collection (unlocks after bonus chapter)
18 Achievements
10 Wallpapers
12 pictures
Making Of (unlocks after you finish the game)
32 Play Puzzles (these unlock as you move along in the game)
17 Find Objects (these unlock as you move along in the game)
Lore Book (unlocks after you finish the game)
Souvenir Room (unlocks after you finish the bonus chapter)
Movies
Music
3 HOS from Eipix previous games that you find in this game to active them.
I don't recommend this game.
Your investigative report on the Weeping Woman of San Cristobal turns personal after you witness a kidnapping. Is the legend true?
Overall rating
5
/
5
167 of 177 found this review helpful
Weeping Tears Of Joy - FINALLY- A GREAT SOLID GAME - REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedJuly 27, 2014
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
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME FEATURES:
Game opened in widescreen for me
Inventory locks
Choice of cursors
Transporter map that you get a little into the game.
Journal: Has your tasks and notes to help you along.
4 modes of play including Custom which I found to be a little different here though. You get .the choice of how your Hint works. You can have it tell you exactly what to do or just give you a nudge along. No sparkles. Modes of play can be changed during play as well as Custom choices.
Game opened in widescreen for me
Inventory locks
Choice of cursors
Transporter map that you get a little into the game.
Journal: Has your tasks and notes to help you along.
4 modes of play including Custom which I found to be a little different here though. You get .the choice of how your Hint works. You can have it tell you exactly what to do or just give you a nudge along. No sparkles. Modes of play can be changed during play as well as Custom choices.
6 Chapters. CE extras listed at the end.
HOS; Interactive word list with some puzzles thrown in. Graphics nicely done here. I enjoyed these. I had no difficulty finding/doing anything.
PUZZLES/MINI GAMES: I'm not a fan. Less the better. Has nothing to do with being too hard or too easy I'm just not a puzzle/mini game person for the most part. Having said this: These varied in challenge for me. I did skip a few of these. Some the usual run of the mill with a different twist on them to fit the theme of the game (Mexican festival) and a few I haven't seen before. There's also an info button and some have a reset button on them. The skip is very quick on charge up in custom mode.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: I really LOVED the graphics. Vibrant, colorful. The Mexican festival theme. These displayed just stunning, crisp and clear on my computer screen. They fit the game here right along with the characters/voices that are very well done - Latino accents.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: I played the custom mode and loved it. Game play for me was pretty easy for the most part right along with the "adventure" side though not always linear. The skulls while I located them all I didn't think they were always easy to locate. The morphing flowers I didn't have any trouble locating these
STORY LINE: I was so engrossed in this game. I was hooked to this from the get go and held my interest to the end. Some twist and turns to the story. This was also well integrated into the game play. The main game also came to a conclusion for me. I didn't feel the bonus chapter was needed. Bonus chapter is a new story. All new locations. None are from the main game. I enjoyed this as well and was surprised by the ending though it does come to conclusion.
MY PLAY TIME: Main game 3 hours. Bonus Chapter 1 hour and 15 minutes. May be more or less for you of course. I didn't use any hints, map or strategy guide but I did skip some of the puzzles as I said. Game length was just fine and right for me. I don't need for a game to go on for many hours.
FUN FACTOR:.While this game was pretty easy for the most part this was a breath of fresh air for me and fun compared to what Big Fish has been releasing lately. A HUGE KUDOS to you here Gunnar Games: While I encountered a few animals very briefly but NONE of them became my helpers for the game along with NO fairies, NO purple and pink hazy/foggy graphics. I also had no tech issues.Overall 5 stars from me. Thanks Gunnar Games and Big Fish for a great game..
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
CE EXTRAS:
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide
16 Achievements
25 Skulls
25 Morphing Flowers
6 Wall Papers
9 Concept Art
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide
16 Achievements
25 Skulls
25 Morphing Flowers
6 Wall Papers
9 Concept Art
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Forbidden Garden Collector's Edition
Your parents always told you to stay away from the mysterious maze behind their house…. and you’re about to find out why.
Overall rating
1
/
5
77 of 108 found this review helpful
Yet Another Series Ruined With Cutesy Animal Helpers
PostedJuly 24, 2014
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
1
/
5
This is the 3rd game in the series. The first is Sable Maze: Sullivan River. The second is Sable Maze Norwich Caves. This Forbidden Garden game here definitely stands alone. This is NOTHING like the first two games in this series so if you haven't played the first two games it is not necessary before playing this game here.
Game Features:
3 play modes: Casual, Advanced, Hard (hint/skip disabled) and can be changed during game play. I played Advanced because I like to have hint/skip available just in case needed. I didn't use them in this game. No sparkles however still had black bar tips stating what needed to be done.
3 play modes: Casual, Advanced, Hard (hint/skip disabled) and can be changed during game play. I played Advanced because I like to have hint/skip available just in case needed. I didn't use them in this game. No sparkles however still had black bar tips stating what needed to be done.
Shortly into the game you get a cutesy animal helper that stays with you. You will also encounter more animals but only one stays with you at least during the demo anyway.
HOS: I only came across 3 scenes in the demo. Highly interactive. I enjoyed these. I had no problem here. If you don't feel like doing the HOS you can play match 3.
INVENTORY: I had quite a few that had a plus sign by them. These require more action to them to use them.
MINI GAMES: What I came across during the demo I wouldn't call them puzzles. I'd call them mini games. I didn't find these challenging at all. I played Advanced mode and was shown where to put the pieces.
MAP: I didn't use it but checked it out. This is transporter and shows where you are and if there are any task. Also shows your trophies, notes and goals, collections, achievements, and Bestiary which shows all the animals you come in contact with. Gives info on them. Their likes/dislikes Replay of cut-scenes.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: Sorry but I don't care for these kind of graphics. I'm not into fantasy with the pink and purple. These are also very cloudy/foggy looking. I also didn't care for the characters or voices at all.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: I'll keep this short and to the point: What challenge? I had black bar tips stating what needed to be done. Please do a CUSTOM MODE for your next game offering.
STORY LINE: You are a soon-to-be bride who comes home to marry your fiance. He is suddenly taken hostage by a mysterious woman who takes him into a portal within a hedge maze you were warned by your parents so of course you and your "cutesy" animal helper have to save him. Well sorry but I couldn't get into this at all with the silliness Yet another game you will have to excuse me while I YAWN here.
FUN FACTOR: This game is very busy with a lot to do but just way too simple and cutesy for me I didn't have much fun at all with this game. NOTHING like the first two games. Sullivan River is my favorite of the series. I rated both of those 5 stars.
Sorry Daily Magic and Big Fish but 1 star is the best I can do for this game and I could care less about this mysterious maze. I won't be finding this missing fiance and rescuing him. This series is now ruined with the release of this Forbidden Garden game for me. The first two games didn't have this silliness.. Very disappointed. Definitely not CE worthy or even SE worthy for me when that is released. I do however look forward to your next game offering. Hopefully it won't be ruined with cutesy animal helpers.
CE EXTRAS:
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide shows the first 3 chapters
18 Achievements
Jewelry Collection - (3) Peacock Collection, (3) Mystical Orchid Collection, (3) Sapphire Flower Collection, (3) Red Drops Collection, (3) Emerald Lady Collection, and (3) Mabs Magenta Collection.
Match 3- 8 Levels
(5) Wall Paper
(16) Concept Art
(31) Developer Diary
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide shows the first 3 chapters
18 Achievements
Jewelry Collection - (3) Peacock Collection, (3) Mystical Orchid Collection, (3) Sapphire Flower Collection, (3) Red Drops Collection, (3) Emerald Lady Collection, and (3) Mabs Magenta Collection.
Match 3- 8 Levels
(5) Wall Paper
(16) Concept Art
(31) Developer Diary
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Save your daughter from a mysterious mirror-hopping monster!
Overall rating
2
/
5
36 of 55 found this review helpful
Sorry Mad Head And Big Fish But What A Snooze Fest
PostedJuly 19, 2014
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
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: I read a review in the Big Fish forum after I finished the demo of this game that made me smile and LOL about the pink and purple appealing to the female fishies. Well as you can see from my user name "gal" I'm definitely female. I don't much care for "pink and purple" graphics either. Sorry but the graphics just aren't to my liking/taste. Way too overdone for me. Now the characters look quite realistic. The voices and lip-synch a very well done here.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: 3 play modes plus a Custom Mode. I chose custom mode which seemed to only work for the hint/skip (15 second charge up) and the map (only showed where I was, nothing else) for me though I didn't use them in this game. I still had objectives pop up on the screen, some black bar tips giving me hints on what needed to be done. The only thing I found a bit challenging about this game were the HOS. I did like these. The puzzles/mini games while I'm not a fan of these which has nothing to do with being too hard or too easy I'm just not a puzzle/mini game person for the most part but the ones I came across during the demo I had them solved with just a few clicks of the mouse. I also saw in the forum it being mentioned about no skip button. This is in the bottom left hand side of the screen.
STORY LINE: Well lets see here: Yet another rehashed and way overdone: Mirror and book worlds, spells and have to save the missing child from a monster. Sorry but you'll have to excuse me while I YAWN here. I just couldn't get into this story. One HUGE plus in the Mad Head's favor here at least during the demo time anyway I didn't come any "cutesy" or not so "cutesy" animal helpers.
FUN FACTOR: Sorry Mad Head and Big Fish but 2 stars is the best I can do for this. I just found this game downright BORING and the game play too "all over the place" for me. Once again the "extras" have taken over the game and story. They no longer do anything for me to enhance the story or game play. I now just find them a huge distraction but for those interested in the extras well as usual Mad Head here does an excellent job of providing these. There are LOTS of extras to be had here so if you like this game I'd definitely get it sometime this weekend with the sale Big Fish has going on. As for me, well I'll definitely pass on the CE here and even the SE when that is released. I do however look forward to Mad Head's next game release. Just may be a winner and a purchase for me.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself!
I don't recommend this game.
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait Collector's Edition
A father returns home to find his children missing - all but one, who refuses to say a word...
Overall rating
1
/
5
56 of 139 found this review helpful
Just Who Is Your Target Audience Here? Based On Demo
PostedJuly 17, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Well lets see here. The description of this game says it's suppose to be a "chilling" HOPA (hidden object puzzle adventure) but then I read further and it says A charming Kitty Playroom for your feline ally. REALLY Daily Magic??? As my title says: Just Who Is Your Target Audience Here? Sorry but "chilling" and "charming Kitty Playroom = Don't Go Together.
Oh yes shortly into the game you get a "cutesy" cat Mr. Jenkins that stays with you. A little further into the demo I came across a beaver that helped out but then left. Now whether or not there are any more "cutesy" animal helpers well sorry but I'm not playing any further to find out.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: Sorry but I didn't much care for the graphics. They were just OK. Nothing to write home about. I usually prefer and enjoy most voices to games but sorry to report I found these downright annoying. Actually made me cringe. I felt no sense of urgency to find the missing children especially from the lead female character. They also appeared very stiff with no mouth movement.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: I'll keep this short and to the point. 3 play modes. I hope to see a CUSTOM MODE from the Daily Magic their next game offering. While I had no sparkles on middle of the road mode but still had an overload of black bar tips for most things. I didn't play the hardest mode because I like for hint/skip to be available just in case needed. Oh there is also a map which I didn't use. The hint is either directional or a box comes up to transport you to area you need to be in.
STORY LINE: Yet another rehashed one having to do with portraits and missing children. I could of overlooked this and still been into it if it was indeed "chilling" and if wasn't for the characters. Just dreadful. No sense of urgency. Story all over the place for me not making much sense and then the "cutesy" animals thrown in well I couldn't stay focused on this.
FUN FACTOR: The only two things I enjoyed about this game were the HOS. Lots of interaction here with some "mini games" thrown into them. I'm not really one much for puzzles/mini games but I did find a few of these while on the easy side interesting but there are some of the usual run of the mill as well. Sorry Big Fish and Daily Magic but I'm truly disappointed. I sure enjoyed the Sable Maze games along with a few others. Sorry but 1 star is the best I can do for this. I do however look forward to Daily Magic's next game offering. I truly hope I can rate higher next time. I sure hope you aren't jumping on the bandwagon with the other developers with these "cutesy" or otherwise animal helpers. If so well I'll have to add you to the no demo/no buy list.
As always give it a whirl and decide for yourself. This may be just right up your alley and what you are looking for especially if you don't mind or like "cutesy" animal helpers. As for me a definite no go here for the CE and the SE when that is released.
CE Extras:
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide shows 1st 3 chapters during the demo
Bonus Match 3 - 8 levels
Developer Diary
16 Concept Art
Kitty Play Room (you also find coins for this)
Achievements
NO collectibles
6 Wall Papers
Bonus Chapter
Strategy Guide shows 1st 3 chapters during the demo
Bonus Match 3 - 8 levels
Developer Diary
16 Concept Art
Kitty Play Room (you also find coins for this)
Achievements
NO collectibles
6 Wall Papers
I don't recommend this game.
Fly to Paris to cover the opening of Paris's hottest new restaurant, Le Roi Soleil! Help discover who murdered the restaurant's famous chef!
Overall rating
4
/
5
72 of 85 found this review helpful
Death On The Seine: Who Murdered The Famous Chef? Completed Game
PostedJuly 15, 2014
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
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME FEATURES:
Widescreen (well at least for me I had no problem here)
Inventory you can lock if you choose to.
Choice of cursors
3 play modes - Regular, Advanced and Expert that can't be changed during play. However I did notice when I exited the game to purchase and come back to it, my game play was saved but I had to select again which mode I wanted to play the game in. It didn't save it for me. Black bar tips still in Expert mode. I didn't come across any sparkles for the HOS. The hint/skip take 90 seconds for charge up.
Journal: Has objectives and notes but objectives do pop up on the screen.
Map: This comes shortly into the game which shows 'Action' and 'Here'. The scenes are also named.
Widescreen (well at least for me I had no problem here)
Inventory you can lock if you choose to.
Choice of cursors
3 play modes - Regular, Advanced and Expert that can't be changed during play. However I did notice when I exited the game to purchase and come back to it, my game play was saved but I had to select again which mode I wanted to play the game in. It didn't save it for me. Black bar tips still in Expert mode. I didn't come across any sparkles for the HOS. The hint/skip take 90 seconds for charge up.
Journal: Has objectives and notes but objectives do pop up on the screen.
Map: This comes shortly into the game which shows 'Action' and 'Here'. The scenes are also named.
GAME PLAY: IHOG (Interactive Hidden Object Game) with a few simple puzzles/mini games thrown in. There is no "adventure." The majority of the game must use the map to get anywhere. You are even told when it's time to move on. The map glows. Even in the Expert mode what I played.
HOS: All scenes except for one is find by interactive word list and visited twice. Some scenes I'd even consider Sanford & Son junkyard. A few items on the small side. The one scene is find 6 green and 6 red apples. I didn't have much difficulty here. I enjoyed the HOS but then I like HOS. Only a couple of hints used here.
PUZZLES/MINI GAMES: Very few. Quite simple. Nothing I haven't seen before. Usual run of the mill. I didn't skip any of them.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: The graphics for me were quite good. I thought they fit the theme of the game. There's quite a bit of dialogue but can be skipped. I didn't skip any of this. I read everything. I quite enjoyed the dialogue exchange between the characters especially with their humor at times. Having said this... I do think some well done voice overs would of added so much more to this game especially when the characters mouths move. Yes I prefer for characters to talk especially if their mouths will be moving. I won't deduct any stars this time around for this since this is a SE but I do hope the developer here addresses this. That I find a bit annoying. It makes me think there is something wrong with the sound in the game.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: I didn't rate this poor because of the no "adventure" to this game which i usually prefer. Every once in awhile I don't mind playing games like this that are mostly map driven but here we go again: Why bother having 3 play modes if the hardest is going to have black bar tips stating what needs to be done along with being told when it's time to move on and the map glows when it's time to move on? My star deduction is here. I hope this developer does a custom mode and have it apply to the game for their next game offering.
STORY LINE: I quite enjoy "whodunit" type of games and this for me was a bit different than what Big Fish usually releases along with a different setting. I was hooked to this from the get go and held my interest to the very end.
FUN FACTOR: Overall this gets 4 stars from me. I quite enjoyed the 3 hours I spent playing this which seemed longer. The game length was just right for me. This was well worth the use of my coupon code. If I wouldn't of had one I would of paid $6.99. If this would of had voice overs and no black bar tips, just a bit more challenging I would of rated this 5 stars.
Thanks Big Fish and Developer for a very good game. I hope to see more like this from this developer. I also THANK YOU for NO animal helpers. Much appreciated.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Find magician Andy Fox and his assistant, who vanished into thin air!
Overall rating
4
/
5
56 of 63 found this review helpful
What A Pleasant Surprise A Nice Stand Alone SE - Review Of Completed Game
PostedJune 18, 2014
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
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: While I enjoyed traveling through the portals my one and only criticism here is the bright flashing light. Other than this I really enjoyed this and really liked the graphics. The dialogue while there is a lot at times especially the very beginning of the game (didn't bother me though) I was very impressed with the characters. I thought the voices were excellent. A couple of these characters made me LOL when I got more into the game past the demo time The music seemed fitting to the game. No star deductions here but I hope this developer thinks about this for their next game that bright flashing light.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE:This for me is just a standard HOPA. That's fine. The hint is quick to charge up and directional outside of HOS. There is a journal. There is no map which may bother some people but not me. The game play pretty linear for the most part for me anyway. There were a few objects I needed to pick up outside of HOS that weren't always so obvious. I also had to go back a few scenes a couple of times. The HOS are just standard word list with slight interaction. The puzzles I'm not a fan. Less the better. Having said this: These in this game I found downright annoying as I had a hard time executing them because they had to be done just so - cursor in the exact spot. Thank goodness for the quick skip button. I skipped most of these. I won't count off for puzzles/mini games since I'm not a fan of these and I was able to skip them rather quick However,this developer does lose a star in regards to play modes since they are not new and have been making games for quite awhile: In the hardest mode I still had black bar tips, glints on some areas of interest, and sparkles on the HOS. Please do a custom mode for your next game offering and have it actually apply to the game. I prefer no sparkles/no black bar tips, no glints, and a quick hint/skip button charge up in case needed. In other words I like to decide when/if I need help in the game. Oh and please don't put the menu bar up at the top left hand corner. That was well hidden for me. I found that by accident when I clicked on an object in a HOS scene as it was right by the menu bar and then the menu bar dropped down but it actually took me out of the game when I clicked on it. Please put that at the bottom where it's visible. Reading the Big Fish forum I see a couple of people had trouble here as well.
Story Line: While definitely nothing "new" to this story but I still found it interesting. It held my interest from beginning to end. I didn't stop playing until I reached the end.
Fun Factor: Overall this gets 4 stars from me. Yes this does have some flaws but for me this is A LOT better than those so called "CE" games Big Fish has been releasing lately. I enjoyed the 5 hours I spent playing this game for the most part. This was worth the use of my coupon code. If I wouldn't of had a code I would of paid $6.99. Thanks Big Fish and developer. More like this PLEASE and I also THANK YOU for NO animal helpers. Much appreciated.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself!
I recommend this game!
The runestone that has protected the town of Neverville for centuries has disappeared. Now, the evil necromancer Grimhall is threatening its people. Can you save them from this grim fate?
Overall rating
3
/
5
14 of 18 found this review helpful
Started Out Very Promising Then Poof! Review Of Completed Game
PostedJune 16, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Game Features:
3 play modes: Normal/Hard/Detective - Can't be changed during playing. Must create a new profile. I tested all of these before I actually started "playing the game" and for me: All modes have sparkles/black bar tips. Hint charges at a snails pace in all modes but if you click on it outside of HOS a box will come up telling you what to do and you can click if you want it to transport you to the area you need to be in.
3 play modes: Normal/Hard/Detective - Can't be changed during playing. Must create a new profile. I tested all of these before I actually started "playing the game" and for me: All modes have sparkles/black bar tips. Hint charges at a snails pace in all modes but if you click on it outside of HOS a box will come up telling you what to do and you can click if you want it to transport you to the area you need to be in.
This game says something about "achievements." I came across no achievements. I'm not sure what that is all about?? No big deal for me since I'm no longer a fan of this fluff. All I want now from a game is a good/great story and game play with characters that talk.
You can skip HOS and puzzles except for in Detective mode.
Inventory doesn't lock but stays down until you click on it.
There is no map or journal.
HOS: All found by word list. No interaction. Scenes are visited twice. The graphics nicely done here however a few objects were a bit too small for me so I did have to use a few hints here.
PUZZLES/MINI GAMES: I'm not a fan. Less the better. I prefer games more on the adventure/HOS side. More adventure though. Having said this: These for me in this game were tedious and boring. Not a 'puzzle/mini game" day for me. I skipped most of these.
Adventure Side: For me while there was some back/forth I found this to be pretty lite. I had no problem with the game not having a map. I never got lost in this game especially with the black bar tips. I didn't use the hint here. I only used the hint before I actually "started playing the game" as I mentioned. Just to see what it would do. A test.
Visual/Sound Quality: I really liked the graphics/artwork. While the characters are unanimated and wooden appearance still a well done here especially the voices - excellent. The music seemed fitting to the game. This game also says you "come across many characters" in the Big Fish blurb for this game. Well I didn't come across "many characters" only a total of 4 and one being the lead character "Valerie" so I'd hardly consider that "many" in my downloaded version of this game.
Level Of Challenge: At first this developer didn't ring a bell with me so I had to search and I have played a couple of their games in the past that I enjoyed. I see from their home page they have been making games since 2007 so I'm deducting a star in regards to the play modes. Why have 3 play modes if all are going to be the same in regards to sparkles/black bar tips. Sorry but this developer should know better. They've been around for awhile.Please do a custom mode in your next game offering. I prefer no sparkles/no black bar tips and a quick hint/skip button just in case needed.
Story Line: While definitely nothing "new" to the story I started out being really intrigued and wanted to see where it would take me but that just seemed to fizzle out and go poof after the demo time. This here meaning while it did come to conclusion but ended way too abrupt for me. I do think this developer here could of put a bit more effort into the story. So this is my reason for the "poor" rating here. Not the story line itself just that I thought more effort could of been put into the story.
My Play Time: This was about 3 hours for me and that was skipping most of the puzzles.May be more or less for you of course.
Fun Factor: Overall I give this 3 stars. This for me started out to be a very promising game. I was so excited to see a SE released that wasn't part of a CE but then just fizzled out and went poof as I said. My problem wasn't the game length I just think more effort could of been put into the story especially from a developer who has been around since 2007 at least according to their home page. Also too many puzzles for me. I'm glad I used a punch card code for this. This in my opinion is worthy of that or the daily deal/catch of the week $2.99 price. Not anymore than this. Just an OK time passer game in my opinion.
Thanks though Big Fish and Developer. Not a bad game but not great either. Oh and a great big smile and wink to the developer here: I do thank you for NO animal helpers. Much appreciated. Yes please keep those out. Enough of those already!
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Find your sister and escape from a terrifying haunted house!
Overall rating
3
/
5
34 of 41 found this review helpful
An OK Time Passer Game - Review of Completed CE
PostedJune 15, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'll start by saying this is the 2nd in the series of the Tales of Terror. The first is Tales of Terror; Crimson Dawn. This game here definitely stands alone. If you haven't done so there is no need to play the first in the series before playing this game.
6 Chapters
JOURNAL: Holds notes/some puzzle clues
MAP: You get this a little into the game however I didn't even look at it but from my reading after I completed the game is a transporter one.
MAP: You get this a little into the game however I didn't even look at it but from my reading after I completed the game is a transporter one.
GAME PLAY; HOPA: For me the puzzles/mini games and HOS were well balanced but I thought the "adventure" side could of been just a bit more.
HOS: All found by word list with some slight interaction. I did come across one scene find the matching pairs. Each scene visited twice.
PUZZLES: The usual run of the mill. Nothing I would consider new. I'm not a fan. Less the better. Having said this. These weren't hard at all for me.
VISUAL/SOUND QUALITY: The graphics I thought were good. The live actors were top notch for me. Actually the best I've ever come across in a game that used live real actors. I thought they were excellent. A kudos to the developer here.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: Here we go again. 3 play modes and the only difference between the harder two modes is the hint/skip are disabled in the hardest mode. Neither have sparkles (thank you) however both overloaded with black bar tips stating what needs to be done in the game. Since this developer isn't new here I deducted one star just for this and I will every time I see this in a game. I hope they do a CUSTOM MODE for their next game offering. I prefer no sparkles, no black bar tips. I like to figure out for myself FIRST. If I can't that is what the hint/skip are for. Please let me decide when I need "help" in the game. ANNOYING!
STORY LINE: Well this started off with promise for me but after the demo went down the hill. Sorry but I thought this story was lame. I do think the developer here could of came up with a much better story than this one. I don't particularly like spiders (no phobia though) but I know some do have a phobia: If you have a spider phobia well a few in this game are pretty huge. The main game came to a conclusion for me and was 3 1/2 hours.
Fun Factor: Overall 3 stars from me. An OK time passer game. With the exception of the 'black bar tips" and could of been just a bit more on the "adventure" side I enjoyed the game play. I also thought there could of been more effort put into the story especially the bonus chapter. This is one game I wish I would of purchased with a coupon code or daily deal/catch of the week price $2.99. I did rate the CE 3 stars as well but didn't and still don't recommend that and I even got it on sale $9.99. That was too much in my opinion.
CE Extras:
Bonus Chapter: For me was very short. Only about 1/2 hour. This didn't really add anything to the game for me and while coming to conclusion but ends very abrupt.
Strategy Guide: While this wasn't really an "issue" for me but when the CE was released some people had one. Some didn't so you may or may not get one here.
Achievements which are performance based, 46 collectible hearts to find, 8 wallpapers and 8 concept art.
Bonus Chapter: For me was very short. Only about 1/2 hour. This didn't really add anything to the game for me and while coming to conclusion but ends very abrupt.
Strategy Guide: While this wasn't really an "issue" for me but when the CE was released some people had one. Some didn't so you may or may not get one here.
Achievements which are performance based, 46 collectible hearts to find, 8 wallpapers and 8 concept art.
As always, give it a whirl and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
Twenty years ago, the children of Greystone were taken by a mysterious fog - only you escaped. It’s time to find out why...
Overall rating
3
/
5
32 of 60 found this review helpful
Feedback For Mad Head Games And Big Fish - Based On Demo
PostedJune 13, 2014
sportygal2009
fromSouth Bend, IN
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality: I had no problem here. I thought the graphics/artwork just stunning. Nice crisp and clear. I also liked the characters - realistic. Voices excellent. Lip sync right on.
Level Of Challenge: I do thank you for providing me a custom mode where I could set the hint/skip to quick charge up though I didn't use them in this game along with no sparkles indicating HOS or anything else so thank you for that however I still had quite a few "black bar tips" telling me what needed to be done in the game. Could you please find a way to turn this off? I do like to try and figure out for myself first, if I can't that this what the hint/skip is for. The HOS/HOPS I had no problem here. These were well done. I liked these. Puzzles/Mini games: I'm not a fan of these. Less the better. I prefer more on the adventure/HOS side. More adventure though. Having said this: I had no problem here either. I was able to get through them with just a few clicks of the mouse. I didn't have to "skip" any. The "adventure" side since this is suppose to be a HOPA game I thought could of been just a bit more challenging. Inventory I used pretty much right away or I didn't have to travel too far. Also as I said being told what needed to be done in the game. I never got "lost" in the game. I didn't use the map or strategy guide.
Story Line: While yes there is definitely nothing "new" to the story and even with the lack of challenge I still felt somewhat immersed in the game in this regard and wanted to see where the story would take me especially with the couple of "special features" added to this game. This being the "Karma Meter" that I could choose my answers when interacting with some of the characters. I also really liked the "special powers" such as the ice melt and the translator.
Fun Factor: Well I'm sorry to say but I'm going to have a seat on the minority bench and the reason is for a game that is suppose to be "eerie/creepy" I don't understand the need for a "cutesy" animal helper that I not only had to rescue from the well but NAME it? With all due respect here: Just who is your target audience? The people who like "eerie/creepy" games or "cutesy"? Please pick on. Sorry Mad Head but this is where you lost me with this game. Just like some others on here I've had quite enough of "cutesy" animal helpers that seem to have to be added to almost every game. I just have a hard time staying immersed in a game that is suppose to be "eerie/creepy" with a "cutesy" animal helper.
I also want to be clear here: I do NOT hate animals. I like animals. I have had dogs and cats for pets during my lifetime. I'll also take this a step further and say I play Farmville 2 on face book. Lots of "cute" animals there BUT they fit the game. It's a farming game. So see I do LIKE animals. I just don't like "cutesy" animals in games that are not "cutesy" such as this. Please keep the "cutesy" animals/helpers in games that are "cutesy." This isn't it. When I want to play an "eerie/creepy" game I do NOT want "cutesy" animals.
From my reading of someone who has completed the game this "cutesy" animal is supposedly only used about 4 to 5 times. Well I don't care if it's only used ONCE. Please... ENOUGH with the "cutesy" animals already in games they don't fit. I do NOT have to "overlook" this. People have the right to say they liked/loved this game and the "cutesy" animal helper well I along with others have the right to say we don't care for this.
So overall you get 3 stars from me which is a very generous rating from me I did research you here meaning I did come across your home page and according to that you've been making games since July 2011 so almost 3 years.. I did really like some things about this game as I mentioned. I usually rate games lower than this that have these "cutesy" animals where they don't fit the game. I will say though if I see this from you again you will be seeing a 1 star review from me and I don't care how good/great "the rest of the game is". A smile and wink to you here: Don't think you can sneak this in the back door meaning past the demo time I'm not like the majority of the reviewers on here. I don't do 5 star or even 4 star demo reviews. All of mine are based on completed game so if I like your next game well enough to purchase it and come across this "cutesy" nonsense in a game that is supposed to be "eerie/creepy" well that 4 or 5 star rating I was thinking of giving to you will be shot right down to a 1 star.
Oh and yes there are a lot of extras. The ones I've mentioned along with achievements/collectibles/morphs among other extras and well truth be told I think some developers and Mad Head here seems to be following the way getting so wrapped up into the "extras" and "cutesy" animal helpers that the challenge (game play) and "eerie/creepy" story gets sent to the waste side.
Sorry Mad Head and Big Fish but my wallet will not be supporting this by purchasing the CE or even the SE when that comes out as I don't want to encourage anymore of these "cutesy" animal helpers being added to games where they don't belong. I do however look forward to Mad Head's next game release. I truly hope I can rate you higher and recommend you next time. I'm also truly disappointed compared to your last game I played and reviewed Cadenza. That received 5 stars from me. Since November 2013 this is the only game I've rated 5 stars. So if you Mad Head and you Big Fish want to see more 5 star reviews from me well you need to step it up here.
I don't recommend this game.