Rescue_helo's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:10,878
- Reviews Submitted:226
- First Review:December 8, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 25, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Sister's Secrecy: Arcanum Bloodlines
Ariel's twin sister, Belle, has been kidnapped and it's up to you to assist in her rescue!
Overall rating
3
/
5
60 of 72 found this review helpful
Decent but average
PostedJuly 20, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I wasn't too thrilled by what I saw in the demo.
Arcanum is a standard HOPA that gives you a choice between searching for hidden objects in the usual way or acquiring them via a Match 3 game.
The minigames are old classics and not difficult to complete. They seem to become a little more interesting towards the end.
Nothing new either as far as the adventure is concerned; it's very much the same stuff as what I have seen in many other games.
The visuals are fine, though sometimes a bit darkish, yet neat and pleasant to the eye.
Standard too are the intro and cutscenes. The music is not to be remembered as a masterpiece, but the voice-over is natural enough.
You can collect coins to buy items from the store, but these do not seem to have any relevance to the story or any action you have to take during gameplay..
3 game modes, some achievements to obtains as rewards, plus an integrated Strategy Guide which is in fact the walkthrough also available independently.
I suggest you take a sneak peek at it while playing the demo, and see how you like the game.
I do recommend this Sister's Secrecy mainly to beginners or players who want something classical and easy.
Arcanum is a standard HOPA that gives you a choice between searching for hidden objects in the usual way or acquiring them via a Match 3 game.
The minigames are old classics and not difficult to complete. They seem to become a little more interesting towards the end.
Nothing new either as far as the adventure is concerned; it's very much the same stuff as what I have seen in many other games.
The visuals are fine, though sometimes a bit darkish, yet neat and pleasant to the eye.
Standard too are the intro and cutscenes. The music is not to be remembered as a masterpiece, but the voice-over is natural enough.
You can collect coins to buy items from the store, but these do not seem to have any relevance to the story or any action you have to take during gameplay..
3 game modes, some achievements to obtains as rewards, plus an integrated Strategy Guide which is in fact the walkthrough also available independently.
I suggest you take a sneak peek at it while playing the demo, and see how you like the game.
I do recommend this Sister's Secrecy mainly to beginners or players who want something classical and easy.
I recommend this game!
Echoes of the Past: The Revenge of the Witch Collector's Edition
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
3
/
5
61 of 89 found this review helpful
Not bad
PostedJuly 19, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Not many truly negative things to say about this game whose quality is roughly the same as that of the other three in the series, although I found the very first one, Royal House of Stone, far superior in all respects.
The intro [although quite standard], cutscenes, voice-over, are good and the visuals nicely colored. I didn't pay much attention to the music which, like always runs in loops, but is never annoying.
No difficulty in the interactive HO Scenes, especially on the easiest of the 3 levels of difficulty as hints recharge almost immediately.
The "adventure", ie: the useful items and their application, is rather standard, quite easy, but is lacking in imagination. The Hint system also helps you find your way if you get stuck.
Quite a few minigames, not innovative but entertaining if not very challenging. I regreted to see that one [ the crystals] was repeated several times.
The CE includes the traditional SG and the minigames for replay.
The SG lets you play the first 2 chapters but gives no indication as to the rest.
All in all, a strong impression of déjà vu without any novelty.
Recommended mainly to gamers who are new to this type of HOPA
The intro [although quite standard], cutscenes, voice-over, are good and the visuals nicely colored. I didn't pay much attention to the music which, like always runs in loops, but is never annoying.
No difficulty in the interactive HO Scenes, especially on the easiest of the 3 levels of difficulty as hints recharge almost immediately.
The "adventure", ie: the useful items and their application, is rather standard, quite easy, but is lacking in imagination. The Hint system also helps you find your way if you get stuck.
Quite a few minigames, not innovative but entertaining if not very challenging. I regreted to see that one [ the crystals] was repeated several times.
The CE includes the traditional SG and the minigames for replay.
The SG lets you play the first 2 chapters but gives no indication as to the rest.
All in all, a strong impression of déjà vu without any novelty.
Recommended mainly to gamers who are new to this type of HOPA
I recommend this game!
Titanic's Keys to the Past
Help Lillian discover Titanic’s mysteries and get closer to unveiling the truth behind the disaster that took her great- grandmother’s life 100 years ago.
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
Better leave that Titanic where it is
PostedJuly 18, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Nothing worth of interest in this nth edition of a rehashed story.
The heroine visits the deep-sea museum where a replica of the Titanic has been built out of the remnants of the original ship, encounters a ghost, goes through a mirror and is teleported back in 1912.
From then on follows an endless succession of HO Scenes which are best played on Casual since the Hints recharge immediately, although none of these scenes are really difficult.
You have to find a countless number of tiny photo fragments, and this rapidly becomes highly tedious.
There is no "adventure" whatsoever, you just go from one HOS to another.
Puzzles/Minigames are lame, few and far apart and unskippable; switching to Match 3 instead is not a good idea as that is the worst of the kind I have seen.
Graphics are clear but basic.
A lot of reading to do, as the voice-over is non-existant.
6 minigames are accesssible via the Menu as extras, but they are not interesting either.
The main soundtrack isn't bad though........
A true 1.5 star game, which I rounded up to 2 out of generosity.
The heroine visits the deep-sea museum where a replica of the Titanic has been built out of the remnants of the original ship, encounters a ghost, goes through a mirror and is teleported back in 1912.
From then on follows an endless succession of HO Scenes which are best played on Casual since the Hints recharge immediately, although none of these scenes are really difficult.
You have to find a countless number of tiny photo fragments, and this rapidly becomes highly tedious.
There is no "adventure" whatsoever, you just go from one HOS to another.
Puzzles/Minigames are lame, few and far apart and unskippable; switching to Match 3 instead is not a good idea as that is the worst of the kind I have seen.
Graphics are clear but basic.
A lot of reading to do, as the voice-over is non-existant.
6 minigames are accesssible via the Menu as extras, but they are not interesting either.
The main soundtrack isn't bad though........
A true 1.5 star game, which I rounded up to 2 out of generosity.
I don't recommend this game.
Royal Detective: The Lord of Statues
Save the besieged alpine village of Martlet and rescue its residents from the mysterious living statues in this exciting Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
42 of 54 found this review helpful
Elephant strikes again... LOL... and does it right
PostedJuly 14, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Yes, another good release from this inventive developer, light-hearted in spite of a horrible three-headed monster, with plenty of nice features.
I can only sum these up, as one member already wrote a remarkably comprehensive well-structured review [take a look above] and I have no wish to repeat what she said.
I can only sum these up, as one member already wrote a remarkably comprehensive well-structured review [take a look above] and I have no wish to repeat what she said.
I simply agree with her on virtually every she said, that is:
- very good graphics, highly pleasant to the eye
- plenty of hints on Casual, which is good for me as I am not too good at HO Scenes, which in addition are not that easy as they look in this game
- 3 games modes, from Casual to Hardcore
- a good balance in the amount of HO Scenes - Adventure - Puzzles
- inventive puzzles and minigames
- nothing neither too difficult nor too easy; the game is just right for good fun with an overall decent challenge level that deserves a 3.5 rating [if we had decimals, that is]
- absence of repetitiveness
- plenty of locales to visit
- fluid navigation with a map and instant warping
- 7 chapters for the SE plus an extra one in the CE
- music isn't bad, comes up briefly at certain times to enhance a scene and is never annoying
- cute gnome, nice rooster [play the demo to see what they do]
- a fair amount of humor
- very good graphics, highly pleasant to the eye
- plenty of hints on Casual, which is good for me as I am not too good at HO Scenes, which in addition are not that easy as they look in this game
- 3 games modes, from Casual to Hardcore
- a good balance in the amount of HO Scenes - Adventure - Puzzles
- inventive puzzles and minigames
- nothing neither too difficult nor too easy; the game is just right for good fun with an overall decent challenge level that deserves a 3.5 rating [if we had decimals, that is]
- absence of repetitiveness
- plenty of locales to visit
- fluid navigation with a map and instant warping
- 7 chapters for the SE plus an extra one in the CE
- music isn't bad, comes up briefly at certain times to enhance a scene and is never annoying
- cute gnome, nice rooster [play the demo to see what they do]
- a fair amount of humor
A couple of restrictions though mainly regarding
- the "adventure" side: the "useful" objects and their application are rather standard and not overly original...well, that's what you should expect after playing 300+ HOPAs...LOL.
- the story which doesn't offer anything new nor truly exciting, although it is fairly solid and seems to unfold well, jugding by the demo [there again, that's the penalty for playing so many games !]
- the voice-over that doesn't sound natural
- the intro and cutscenes which are below what today's graphic cards can do.
- the "adventure" side: the "useful" objects and their application are rather standard and not overly original...well, that's what you should expect after playing 300+ HOPAs...LOL.
- the story which doesn't offer anything new nor truly exciting, although it is fairly solid and seems to unfold well, jugding by the demo [there again, that's the penalty for playing so many games !]
- the voice-over that doesn't sound natural
- the intro and cutscenes which are below what today's graphic cards can do.
I will probably settle for the SE, but I also recommend the CE to those who value all the additums it contains.
I recommend this game!
Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward
Enter the abandoned hotel and find your missing twin!
Overall rating
3
/
5
74 of 106 found this review helpful
Not at all outstanding by any means...
PostedJuly 14, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Oh, dear !...another game based on the supernatural with an abundance of skulls, skeletons, coffins, all wrapped up in a gloomyish package of crypts, swamps, derelict hotel and other similar welcoming locales that are meant to convey horror, even terror, yet fail to convince every step of the way. I haven't yet found a game that will chill me to death... LOL
Anyway....
In spite of all this, I found the graphics, cutscenes and voice-over interesting. The movies have been given an old-fashioned aura, the visuals are on the whole in line with that wannabe creepy atmosphere already mentioned, the voice-over is good, the music is okay and non-obtrusive though not worthy of a horror motion picture, and the colors not at all unpleasant despite their lack in brightness. None of them, alas, are good enough to really immerse the player, least of all to deserve an Oscar.
That set aside, the whirling black smoke [ie: the evil spirit] that destroys everything and shuts off the light was laughable.
The very first thing that started to fuel my interest was the first minigame: a variant of the Hanoi Tower that is not that easy to complete. I expected the rest of the puzzles to be of like standard. Well, they are much easier and less challenging, at least those in the demo of the CE [the one I played], since it lets you play only Day 1, ie: Chapter 1.
The second was how easy the HO Scenes were, so much so I didn't have to use one hint. I hate difficult HO Scenes !
The third and last one was the visit to the different locales. Plenty to see.
Unfortunately, my fun didn't last, my fuel tank depleted quickly.
I completed the demo is 40 mns exactly without rushing or skipping anything. So, how many hours of playtime does that give us ? Not sure.
Hopping from one location to another soon became tedious as you have a lot of backtracking to do, very often for very little, little picking up the paper notes... of which there are quite of few !... or the obvious "useful" items. I like complex adventures, but when I have to walk a lot I want a good reason as well as originality.
Finding and using these "useful" items is straightforward; some respond to some logic, others simply don't, like patching up a hole in a boat with... moss ! Yes. Other than that, the items are standard: crowbar, sledgehammer, etc... Same as in other games.
I am not sure the storyline made any sense. Apart from the fact that, once again, you have to "fight" the forces of darkness to save your brother ... how original !... I am at a loss to determine how well the plot unfolds or how exciting if finally is. Funny how these casual games always use the same theme and get you to "fight" without ever giving you a real sense of danger !
Conclusion ? The best is for you to try the demo and see how it tickles your fancy.
As to my recommendation, I am hesitant. I awarded that game 3 stars (rounded up) as I believe it can be enjoyed by gamers who haven't played lots of similar games, by fans of gloomy stories, as well as by those who are prepared to overlook all the imperfections, but that's as far as it goes.
As for me, Charles is not on my must-buy list.
Anyway....
In spite of all this, I found the graphics, cutscenes and voice-over interesting. The movies have been given an old-fashioned aura, the visuals are on the whole in line with that wannabe creepy atmosphere already mentioned, the voice-over is good, the music is okay and non-obtrusive though not worthy of a horror motion picture, and the colors not at all unpleasant despite their lack in brightness. None of them, alas, are good enough to really immerse the player, least of all to deserve an Oscar.
That set aside, the whirling black smoke [ie: the evil spirit] that destroys everything and shuts off the light was laughable.
The very first thing that started to fuel my interest was the first minigame: a variant of the Hanoi Tower that is not that easy to complete. I expected the rest of the puzzles to be of like standard. Well, they are much easier and less challenging, at least those in the demo of the CE [the one I played], since it lets you play only Day 1, ie: Chapter 1.
The second was how easy the HO Scenes were, so much so I didn't have to use one hint. I hate difficult HO Scenes !
The third and last one was the visit to the different locales. Plenty to see.
Unfortunately, my fun didn't last, my fuel tank depleted quickly.
I completed the demo is 40 mns exactly without rushing or skipping anything. So, how many hours of playtime does that give us ? Not sure.
Hopping from one location to another soon became tedious as you have a lot of backtracking to do, very often for very little, little picking up the paper notes... of which there are quite of few !... or the obvious "useful" items. I like complex adventures, but when I have to walk a lot I want a good reason as well as originality.
Finding and using these "useful" items is straightforward; some respond to some logic, others simply don't, like patching up a hole in a boat with... moss ! Yes. Other than that, the items are standard: crowbar, sledgehammer, etc... Same as in other games.
I am not sure the storyline made any sense. Apart from the fact that, once again, you have to "fight" the forces of darkness to save your brother ... how original !... I am at a loss to determine how well the plot unfolds or how exciting if finally is. Funny how these casual games always use the same theme and get you to "fight" without ever giving you a real sense of danger !
Conclusion ? The best is for you to try the demo and see how it tickles your fancy.
As to my recommendation, I am hesitant. I awarded that game 3 stars (rounded up) as I believe it can be enjoyed by gamers who haven't played lots of similar games, by fans of gloomy stories, as well as by those who are prepared to overlook all the imperfections, but that's as far as it goes.
As for me, Charles is not on my must-buy list.
I don't recommend this game.
Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward Collector's Edition
Enter the abandoned hotel and find your missing twin!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Not at all outstanding by any means...
PostedJuly 13, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Oh, dear !...another game based on the supernatural with an abundance of skulls, skeletons, coffins, all wrapped up in a gloomyish package of crypts, swamps, derelict hotel and other similar welcoming locales that are meant to convey horror, even terror, yet fail to convince every step of the way. I haven't yet found a game that will chill me to death... LOL
Anyway....
In spite of all this, I found the graphics, cutscenes and voice-over interesting. The movies have been given an old-fashioned aura, the visuals are on the whole in line with that wannabe creepy atmosphere already mentioned, the voice-over is good, the music is okay and non-obtrusive though not worthy of a horror motion picture, and the colors not at all unpleasant despite their lack in brightness. None of them, alas, are good enough to really immerse the player, least of all to deserve an Oscar.
That set aside, the whirling black smoke [ie: the evil spirit] that destroys everything and shuts off the light was laughable.
The very first thing that started to fuel my interest was the first minigame: a variant of the Hanoi Tower that is not that easy to complete. I expected the rest of the puzzles to be of like standard. Well, they are much easier and less challenging, at least those in the demo, since it lets you play only Day 1, ie: Chapter 1.
The second was how easy the HO Scenes were, so much so I didn't have to use one hint. I hate difficult HO Scenes !
The third and last one was the visit to the different locales. Plenty to see.
Unfortunately, my fun didn't last, my fuel tank depleted quickly.
I completed the demo is 40 mns exactly without rushing or skipping anything. So, how many hours of playtime does that give us ? Not sure.
Hopping from one location to another soon became tedious as you have a lot of backtracking to do, very often for very little, little picking up the paper notes... of which there are quite of few !... or the obvious "useful" items. I like complex adventures, but when I have to walk a lot I want a good reason as well as originality.
Finding and using these "useful" items is straightforward; some respond to some logic, others simply don't, like patching up a hole in a boat with... moss ! Yes. Other than that, the items are standard: crowbar, sledgehammer, etc... Same as in other games.
I am not sure the storyline made any sense. Apart from the fact that, once again, you have to "fight" the forces of darkness to save your brother ... how original !... I am at a loss to determine how well the plot unfolds or how exciting if finally is. Funny how these casual games always use the same theme and get you to "fight" without ever giving you a real sense of danger !
Conclusion ? The best is for you to try the demo, see how you like it, see if the preview of the rest of the game tickles your fancy.
As to my recommendation, I am hesitant. I awarded that game 3 stars (rounded up) as I believe it can be enjoyed by gamers who haven't played lots of similar games, by fans of gloomy stories, as well as by those who are prepared to overlook all the imperfections, but that's as far as it goes. And since it would seem, according to other reviewers, that the Bonus Chapter has nothing to do with the core game, the CE may not be worth it, considering also that:
- the SG is superfluous as you can draw your own map on a piece of paper
- the hint system is fine and the tasks are clear
- the overall quality of the game does not justify the extra expense.
Unless you love wallpapers...
As for me, Charles is not on my must-buy list.
Anyway....
In spite of all this, I found the graphics, cutscenes and voice-over interesting. The movies have been given an old-fashioned aura, the visuals are on the whole in line with that wannabe creepy atmosphere already mentioned, the voice-over is good, the music is okay and non-obtrusive though not worthy of a horror motion picture, and the colors not at all unpleasant despite their lack in brightness. None of them, alas, are good enough to really immerse the player, least of all to deserve an Oscar.
That set aside, the whirling black smoke [ie: the evil spirit] that destroys everything and shuts off the light was laughable.
The very first thing that started to fuel my interest was the first minigame: a variant of the Hanoi Tower that is not that easy to complete. I expected the rest of the puzzles to be of like standard. Well, they are much easier and less challenging, at least those in the demo, since it lets you play only Day 1, ie: Chapter 1.
The second was how easy the HO Scenes were, so much so I didn't have to use one hint. I hate difficult HO Scenes !
The third and last one was the visit to the different locales. Plenty to see.
Unfortunately, my fun didn't last, my fuel tank depleted quickly.
I completed the demo is 40 mns exactly without rushing or skipping anything. So, how many hours of playtime does that give us ? Not sure.
Hopping from one location to another soon became tedious as you have a lot of backtracking to do, very often for very little, little picking up the paper notes... of which there are quite of few !... or the obvious "useful" items. I like complex adventures, but when I have to walk a lot I want a good reason as well as originality.
Finding and using these "useful" items is straightforward; some respond to some logic, others simply don't, like patching up a hole in a boat with... moss ! Yes. Other than that, the items are standard: crowbar, sledgehammer, etc... Same as in other games.
I am not sure the storyline made any sense. Apart from the fact that, once again, you have to "fight" the forces of darkness to save your brother ... how original !... I am at a loss to determine how well the plot unfolds or how exciting if finally is. Funny how these casual games always use the same theme and get you to "fight" without ever giving you a real sense of danger !
Conclusion ? The best is for you to try the demo, see how you like it, see if the preview of the rest of the game tickles your fancy.
As to my recommendation, I am hesitant. I awarded that game 3 stars (rounded up) as I believe it can be enjoyed by gamers who haven't played lots of similar games, by fans of gloomy stories, as well as by those who are prepared to overlook all the imperfections, but that's as far as it goes. And since it would seem, according to other reviewers, that the Bonus Chapter has nothing to do with the core game, the CE may not be worth it, considering also that:
- the SG is superfluous as you can draw your own map on a piece of paper
- the hint system is fine and the tasks are clear
- the overall quality of the game does not justify the extra expense.
Unless you love wallpapers...
As for me, Charles is not on my must-buy list.
I don't recommend this game.
Grim Tales: The Wishes Collector's Edition
Be careful what you wish for... A deadly bargain has been made, and it's up to you to set things right before your nephew pays the terrible price!
Overall rating
2
/
5
30 of 47 found this review helpful
Easy, unexceptional and perfectly boring
PostedJuly 13, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The title of this review sums it all up: Grim Tales is probably a good game for beginners and players who don't want to fry their brain cells. But it will definitely be a great disappointment to most veterans and challenge lovers.
In addition to its being dead easy, and as if that wasn't enough, two highly helpful features have been implemented: the SG and a Hint System which is extraordinarily generous on Casual Mode.
After 10 mns of play on Casual I restarted from scratch and switched to the most difficult of the three play modes; things got a tee wee bit more interesting from then on.
After 10 mns of play on Casual I restarted from scratch and switched to the most difficult of the three play modes; things got a tee wee bit more interesting from then on.
However,
- I had no problem going through each HO Scenes almost at warp speed, although I have never been too good at that sort of search
- the puzzles are basic and unoriginal
- the "adventure" is straightforward and not at all exciting.
- all the items, those in the HO Scenes like the useful ones, are the usual type, identical to those you encounter in all other HOPA games. Here again I expected more originality from the devs.
I must say that after playing over 300+ of these games and demos I tend to be a lot more demanding: having to find keys game after game to open the obvious lock, or oil cans to use on padlocks or hinges, or bulbs to light up a dark area, etc... [ the list is a long one] inevitably generates boredom.as well as hopes for something different.
But the "something different" is not to be found here.
- the demo lets you play only Chapter 1. Not a good idea ! How can one decide whether a game is worth buying or not when no indication is given as to the quality and contents of the entire game ?
- the storyline is the same as what you have in many other similar games: you "fight" some sort of dark evil force to save someone... when you don't have to save the world....
- I had no problem going through each HO Scenes almost at warp speed, although I have never been too good at that sort of search
- the puzzles are basic and unoriginal
- the "adventure" is straightforward and not at all exciting.
- all the items, those in the HO Scenes like the useful ones, are the usual type, identical to those you encounter in all other HOPA games. Here again I expected more originality from the devs.
I must say that after playing over 300+ of these games and demos I tend to be a lot more demanding: having to find keys game after game to open the obvious lock, or oil cans to use on padlocks or hinges, or bulbs to light up a dark area, etc... [ the list is a long one] inevitably generates boredom.as well as hopes for something different.
But the "something different" is not to be found here.
- the demo lets you play only Chapter 1. Not a good idea ! How can one decide whether a game is worth buying or not when no indication is given as to the quality and contents of the entire game ?
- the storyline is the same as what you have in many other similar games: you "fight" some sort of dark evil force to save someone... when you don't have to save the world....
There remains the other bunch of artifacts: the graphics which are good though far below the norm of the possibilities of today's graphic cards, the soundtrack [average...], the cutscenes [ well...], and for the CE, the now traditional additums that more often than once do not add anything that justifies the selling price.
On this basis, I will refrain from recommending the CE. The SE might be seen by a number of gamers as worth 7 bucks + Tax but this Grim Tales is a no-buy for me, not even with a 2.99 price tag.
I don't recommend this game.
The Princess Case: A Royal Scoop
Help Lois Wheeler investigate The Princess Case: A Royal Scoop and find a kidnapper in this incredible Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
64 of 73 found this review helpful
The Princess Case: A Royal Flop
PostedApril 2, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
8 minutes of the demo was the maximum I could stand.
This Princess Case is the perfect example of what a casual game should never be like.
The HUD is basic, unpractical and worse than those that were the norm 20 years ago.
There is no artwork, just photos.
The intro and cutscenes are lame, with frozen looking protagonists popping up left and right of the screen and scripted "dialogues". No voice-over. No way to skip them completely; just keep clicking on the arrow to speed them up.
In those 8 minutes I was tasked with finding 20 magazines, the last 3 being the size of a PO stamp, and elimitating hotels on the map of Manhattan. Maximum excitement guaranteed !!!
Hints are limited to 3 [one reason why I quit so fast, I hate being restricted] throughout the game, if I read the instructions right.
I have no idea of what the puzzles look like, if there are any that is, but the image in the presentation showing a Match 3 is enough for me to have doubts as to the overall quality of any minigame the game might contain.
And not only is the music weird, but it is also unpleasant and irritating.
This Princess Case has nothing to offer. Do I need to mention that I recommend avoiding that game altogether ?
This Princess Case is the perfect example of what a casual game should never be like.
The HUD is basic, unpractical and worse than those that were the norm 20 years ago.
There is no artwork, just photos.
The intro and cutscenes are lame, with frozen looking protagonists popping up left and right of the screen and scripted "dialogues". No voice-over. No way to skip them completely; just keep clicking on the arrow to speed them up.
In those 8 minutes I was tasked with finding 20 magazines, the last 3 being the size of a PO stamp, and elimitating hotels on the map of Manhattan. Maximum excitement guaranteed !!!
Hints are limited to 3 [one reason why I quit so fast, I hate being restricted] throughout the game, if I read the instructions right.
I have no idea of what the puzzles look like, if there are any that is, but the image in the presentation showing a Match 3 is enough for me to have doubts as to the overall quality of any minigame the game might contain.
And not only is the music weird, but it is also unpleasant and irritating.
This Princess Case has nothing to offer. Do I need to mention that I recommend avoiding that game altogether ?
I don't recommend this game.
Mystery Trackers: Black Isle
Black Isle was supposedly abandoned after an earthquake but the truth is much more sinister! Join the Mystery Trackers and learn the truth!
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 80 found this review helpful
Not bad but without originality
PostedApril 1, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nancy Drew: Secret of Shadow Ranch
(69)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
One thing about this game I appreciated is the fact that all the HOs are not, on the whole, ludicrously tiny; some are even quite big and hence easy to find, others are best located by the Hints.
That said, all the HO Scenes are junkpiles, filled once more with objects that bear no relation with the context... a fork here, a harmonica there, and in between a spring, a spoon ... just name it.
The good thing is that there are not too many of these boring HO Scenes, a larger part being dedicated to finding key items and visiting locales.
Still, there is no originality in the nature of these key items: oilcan, bulb, ladle, keys...and naturally... skulls. I think one of these days I am going to play ONE game and save all the objects for all subsequent games since they all make you find the same thinggies !
Not that many puzzles either and those you have to solve 1] are rather simple, 2] do not require logic, just guessing and the error and trial method.
The artwork is good, neatly crafted, colorful and pleasant, the voice-acting decent although out of sync, tasks are listed, and navigation is made easy thanks to a map which allows you to teleport.
However you visit the same locations several times and that's a definite lack of variety. As regards the story, nothing new under the sun: a malevolent creature, a kidnapping... we've had that dozens of times.
I'll recommend this game because it is easy if not very interesting and only mildly challenging, and can be enjoyed by gamers who are new to casual games.
That said, all the HO Scenes are junkpiles, filled once more with objects that bear no relation with the context... a fork here, a harmonica there, and in between a spring, a spoon ... just name it.
The good thing is that there are not too many of these boring HO Scenes, a larger part being dedicated to finding key items and visiting locales.
Still, there is no originality in the nature of these key items: oilcan, bulb, ladle, keys...and naturally... skulls. I think one of these days I am going to play ONE game and save all the objects for all subsequent games since they all make you find the same thinggies !
Not that many puzzles either and those you have to solve 1] are rather simple, 2] do not require logic, just guessing and the error and trial method.
The artwork is good, neatly crafted, colorful and pleasant, the voice-acting decent although out of sync, tasks are listed, and navigation is made easy thanks to a map which allows you to teleport.
However you visit the same locations several times and that's a definite lack of variety. As regards the story, nothing new under the sun: a malevolent creature, a kidnapping... we've had that dozens of times.
I'll recommend this game because it is easy if not very interesting and only mildly challenging, and can be enjoyed by gamers who are new to casual games.
I recommend this game!
Hidden Mysteries: Royal Family Secrets
After discovering that the queen has been having a secret relationship you are sent away to Roanoke Island!
Overall rating
3
/
5
84 of 110 found this review helpful
Okay but not Earth-shattering
PostedMarch 30, 2012
Rescue_helo
fromLondon (UK) - French Alps
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Art of Murder: Secret Files
(18)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Another blend of HOG and pseudo "adventure", meant to be spooky but in fact rather morbid in several scenes with a profusion of skulls and bones.
The graphics are good, colorful, well crafted.
The HO Scenes are the usual stuff, loaded with useless items, interactive and rather messy.
Tasks are simple and traditional, with key items not very different from what we get in other games, and navigation from locale to locale made easy thanks to a map and a journal.
Puzzlewise, nothing out of this world, they are easy, far and few apart and not very interesting.
A game that doesn't offer anything new but which you might consider for a rainy day or if you like graveyards and skeletons.
The graphics are good, colorful, well crafted.
The HO Scenes are the usual stuff, loaded with useless items, interactive and rather messy.
Tasks are simple and traditional, with key items not very different from what we get in other games, and navigation from locale to locale made easy thanks to a map and a journal.
Puzzlewise, nothing out of this world, they are easy, far and few apart and not very interesting.
A game that doesn't offer anything new but which you might consider for a rainy day or if you like graveyards and skeletons.
I recommend this game!