sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:830
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 23, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Help Lady Mabel Porter untangle a mysterious case of bad blood!
Overall rating
5
/
5
SAIL AWAY INTO A MURDER MYSTERY
PostedOctober 23, 2025
sunnyglow
fromFloriography Need to get a Floriarium as a guide to understanding the meaning of flowers. Victorian England had the right idea in giving each flower a special meaning. Had an ex-boyfriend send me black lilies once. Wonder what that meant?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 pages
STORY: Return to the Roaring 20’s, the era of Agatha Christie and murder mysteries! You may not be dancing the Charleston, but you will be sashaying around the decks of a ship bound for Egypt. Play a lesser-known author/crime sleuth, Lady Mabel, as she solves the murder of Charles Harper, a heatless scoundrel. This man had many enemies and number of fellow travelers could have killed him. And coincidentally, all of them are on this ship! This is a whodunit which provides a plot with many twists and turns as you proceed on your voyage. Who killed Charles Harper? Many may be happy that he departed this life; however, who is the killer or, perhaps, killers?
ANALYSIS: Kudos to Elephant Games! This is a fantastic game, one of their best! And paraphrasing the game, it is truly “the cat’s meow.” To me, this is one of the best HOPA games offered this year. What a fantastic story! I thought I would know the killer from the beginning; however, as I progressed in the game, I changed my mind three or four times. The game is an easy play – it should appeal to everyone. The graphics are excellent. The pace is excellent, as is the length. The game has the same format as all other Elephant games; however, this one outshines anything they have produced this year.
MECHANICS:
Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
17 achievements.
Collect 26 puzzle fragments shaped like writing quills and 12 morphing objects related to Lady Mabel’s novels.
Secret Room which houses a jigsaw puzzle in which to use the puzzle fragments from the game.
5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and musical selections
Expedition room to revisit 27 scenes in case you missed any collectibles
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles
Secret Room which contains a jigsaw puzzle replayed at the end of the game.
17 achievements.
Collect 26 puzzle fragments shaped like writing quills and 12 morphing objects related to Lady Mabel’s novels.
Secret Room which houses a jigsaw puzzle in which to use the puzzle fragments from the game.
5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and musical selections
Expedition room to revisit 27 scenes in case you missed any collectibles
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles
Secret Room which contains a jigsaw puzzle replayed at the end of the game.
There are twenty-six (26) HOP scenes and twenty-five (25) puzzles. Fourteen (14) HOP scenes and thirteen (13) puzzles can be played upon the completion of the game. The HOP scenes are interactive. Elephant has added some new creative touches to their HOP scenes. In a fragment scene the player must move some of the items to a new a location so it matches the fragment shown. I have not seen any developer add this to the mix. The scenes include lists items, silhouette, fragment, rebus clues, sliders (I have not seen this in some time), and narrative.
The puzzles are easy. I did not find any which were challenging. I thought the maze puzzles were creatively designed and fit the theme of the story better than the other puzzles. I personally love maze puzzles in which the player must search rooms for items to be used to proceed through the maze.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Upon receipt of a card, Lady Mabel is off to discover who sent this card to her. As she investigates this case, she finds herself investigating many locations in London to discover who is truly behind her investigation. There is a surprise ending and the game abruptly ends! I believe this was done intentionally as a signal for future episodes of this series. There are nine (9) HOP scenes (many are mini-HOP scenes) and nine (9) puzzles. I must admit I was somewhat confused on what this chapter was about. However, the ending explained it well to my satisfaction. I thought it a nice sized bonus chapter, brilliantly designed, and worth of the Collector’s Editon designation.
SHOULD I PLAY OR SAIL AWAY? This game is first class all the way! I highly recommend this game. I feel this game may be better than the forthcoming MCF game which is out next month. Whoever wrote the script for this game, I congratulate them on providing a first-class whodunit in gaming. The game is rather like cruise, relaxing and enjoyable. Nothing is challenging in the game; the player cruises along with a nice, easy play. This is a game to be enjoyed just for the genre if nothing else. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series by Elephant. However, like an elephant who never forgets, don’t forget to provide the same quality as within this game. Many new series begin with a fantastic game, and then subsequent ones deteriorate in quality.
FOOTNOTE: If DO games reads any of these reviews, I would suggest they look at this game. This game is exactly the right length and has the right number of activities. Sometimes less is more and in this case, the is the “purrfect” game – truly the cat’s meow!
I recommend this game!
In a kingdom ruled by noble cats, betrayal purrs behind every curtain.
Overall rating
3
/
5
“CATRAVAGANZA”
PostedOctober 21, 2025
sunnyglow
fromPurrfic game for cat lovers. Their royal presence is back. I always think those who don't like cats were probably mice in a previous life.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 pages
STORY: Join “aristocat” Felicia and her roguish tomcat cohort, Diego, as they try to save King Leonard III and the kingdom of Castelia from an evildoer. These feline friends have a fiendish task ahead of them, analyzing a host of potential suspects. They will tag team throughout the game, each searching different locations to discover the reason for regicide. The kingdom consists of both felines and humans. Could a human be involved? This is a long game, so get ready for hours of searching, playing many puzzles and HOP scenes. Will this unlikely duo succeed? There are some scenes in which the duo faces some challenging fights.
ANALYSIS: This is not your normal HOPA game. First, it does not follow the format of other HOPA games offered on BFG. It is a mobile game which has been modified for PC and MAC. Many may not like it because it does not have many of the features seen in other HOPA games featured on this site.
There is no ability to replay HOP scenes or puzzles. There are no music selections, artwork, nor wallpapers. However, there is a strategy guide. As in their other games, the player must choose between two dialogues. If the player chooses the correct answer they receive a star. At the end of each chapter, there is a summary of the chapter and stars which have been earned are indicated.
There are 34 achievements. There is only one collectible, 140 knitted mice. There are usually two per scene. Once all are collected, you can play an extra HOP scene, “Top View of Castelia” which is featured at the end of the game. I found most easy to locate, some are hard to miss. I discovered only one glitch within the game. In the third chapter, there is a spot-the-differences HOP scene. There is a button to push which shows you the original scene. When I pushed the button, there was no scene. All I saw was a fan flapping back-and-forth. I just clicked the scene until all those “differences” were found. This one glitch did not deter my enjoyment of the game; however, it is again something which should have been remedied before this game was released.
I love cats; and was excited to play this “catravaganza.” However, I was disappointed, finding the game boring. As with other Domini games, it is too long for the simplistic storyline. After the first chapter, I was already bored playing this tedious game. Longer games, such as adventure games, have more action and unexpected surprises throughout the game. This lacks that excitement. This is another production line game for this developer. I would love to see them return to the masterful games they used to produce for BFG.
I found the graphics beautifully rendered. There are fifty-six (56) puzzles. Most of them can be played in either an easy or hard version of the puzzle. The puzzles are those seen in other games, but all are thematic and creatively designed. There are only sixteen (16) HOP scenes within the whole game. Many of the scenes are repeated; however, there is a wide variety of styles including lists of items, silhouette, fragments, rebus clues, cryptic clues, matching and spot-the-differences between two scenes.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Merchants are disappearing within Castelia. You are recruited by the King to discover what has happened to this group. Join Diego and Felicia and they tackle a nefarious group of evildoers called the Brotherhood of Midnight. They have been silent for ages so why are they active now? Discover the true intent of the evildoer in charge of this operation. I found this chapter a little more interesting than the main game. To me, there was a little more mystery in discovering the culprits and the mastermind. It is another long chapter, 30% of the game. There are four (4) HOP scenes and fourteen (14) puzzles. I felt the pace was better and the activities were good as well.
FINAL VERDICT: This is a decent puzzle intense game with a slow pace. If you are a puzzle aficionado, like me, you will like this game. The puzzles are decent and can be somewhat challenging if you choose the hard version. If you love HOP scenes, you will probably not like this game. If you love the format of games from other BFG HOPA developers, you may not like this game. To me this is not this developer’s best work and there are other games which I feel are better than this one. In my opinion, Domini needs to work on quality instead of quantity. The game is too long and would be better if half of the material from this game was deleted. I also dislike games which concentrate on social messaging.
I recommend this game!
Not every nightmare ends at dawn.
Overall rating
3
/
5
THE GLITCH WITCH STRIKES AGAIN!
PostedOctober 7, 2025
sunnyglow
fromHappy Halloween! Hopefully Domini Games will kidnap that Glitch Witch and stop her from destroying their usually fantastic games!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
WARNING! This game is filled with glitches. After a witch kidnapped Dan from the game, another witch, the glitch witch, escaped to play tricks on the players of this game. That sneaky little witch destroyed my gaming night! I was able to get into Chapter 2 before I ran into a glitch – one which would have required me to restart the game from the beginning. I could not continue further because I, oh stupid me, forgot to get a number in a haystack outside a high school. By that time, I had played eighteen (18) mini-games and six (6) HOP scenes. I also spent five (5) hours playing the game.
This is a long game with a great story. The HOP scenes are excellent as are the mini-games. All are decked out for Halloween with loads of pumpkins, candy, spiders and spooky, creepy scenes. Most of the puzzles have the option between being played in an easy or hard version. I truly want to know what happens poor Dan, kidnapped by that witch, but I will never know. I am now stuck in front of a high school waiting for the game to be fixed. Ugh! Who in their right mind wants to even think about high school days, let alone spend the rest of the game there Guess the developer is trying to provide games for the high school set. However, here in the USA, I do not think this game will appeal to our teens or even tweens.
HERE COMES THE LECTURE! Ahem! This problem with Domini Games is ongoing. The numerous glitches in this game should have been identified before this game was released. It seems they create their games rapidly and push them out the door before testing their product. I am angry as are others who purchased this game. However, I am certain BFG wanted this game out now for Halloween. Nevertheless, BFG should have their staff play these games before they are released. Now, they will be saddled with refunding money to their customers or waiting until those long awaited “fixes” are provided.
This game is a modified mobile game. It has been out since September for mobile devices. On other sites, there are numerous complaints about glitches – not only mine, but others which occur much later in the game. I believe the bonus chapter is a complete mess from the complaints I have read. Why hasn’t Domini fixed these issues? They should have been fixed before this game was released on BFG.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY: I would say you might buy the game if you read where glitches occur in the game, like mine, and be aware that you need to avoid missing items or not playing the game in the right sequence. However, there are glitches later in the game which require the developer to fix them. I would not purchase this game until it is fixed by the developer.
At one time, this developer was my favorite. I have loved their games; however, now, I feel they need to slow down and work on quality NOT quantity. Very sad to see this developer devolve into production line games.
I don't recommend this game.
Old friends reunite for Halloween, but Death has other plans!
Overall rating
5
/
5
MY MOTHER IS A WITCH!
PostedOctober 3, 2025
sunnyglow
fromHappy Halloween! Whether you are good witch like Glinda or a bad witch like the Wicked Witch of the West – may you have a magical night filled with lots of treats! Fly away - and don’t forget to let out your cat!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 35 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 35 pages
STORY: Grab your broom and tarot cards and spend Halloween with friends in your childhood village. Play Christine, who, with her husband, Mark ,are reuniting with childhood friends for a party at a spooky old witch’s house.
This abandoned old house becomes a haunting nightmare for its guests, when, it appears someone is trying to kill you, Christine. The suspects can only come from your old childhood gang. Everyone is a suspect, including your husband, Mark. Revenge is the theme of this year’s Halloween event. Spend a night fraught with danger. However, you will get help from a magical cat named Minerva. You cannot leave as there is no transport until morning. Will you survive? Who is the killer and what is the motive?
ASSESSMENT: Elephant’s yearly spookfest is another five-star hit for Elephant. It is more of a detective story than a ghost story. However, BFG is all decked for the holiday with pumpkins, skeletons, black cats (one with half a white face) spiders and cobwebs in every corner. If this game does not get you into the Halloween spirit, no other game will. The game may seem short to some players; however, I found it to be the right length. I hate playing long boring games with “filler.” The pace is good with a good detective story set with beautiful Halloween graphics.
There are twenty-two (22) HOP scenes and twenty-one (21) puzzles. Included are several mini-HOP scenes with a small number of items to be located. I found the HOP scenes creatively designed with most requiring combining items to create the item to be removed. Most of the scenes were either lists of items or silhouettes. There are a few matching scenes and fragment scenes and one with rebus clues. I found the puzzles easy to solve. Most are recycled puzzles seen in previous games but given a Halloween flourish. Both the HOP scenes and puzzles are thematic, adding to the Halloween spirit.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. Join the witch, Hilda, as she tries to contact her friend, Carolina, in the living world. It takes place a year before the events of the main game. Hilda has been dead for a long time and wants to cross the River Styx to leave the land of the living. However, her memory is muddled, and she does not remember much from her past. Help her uncover her past, what happened to friend, Carolina, and help find her cat and pass on her power to another future witch.
I loved this chapter better than the main game. This chapter helps explain the main game a little better and set the background for the main game. There are seven (7) HOP scenes and five (5) puzzles. The HOP scenes include some mini-scenes with a small number of items to be located.
MECHANICS:
Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
10 achievements.
Collect 25 puzzle pieces shaped like pumpkins.
Collect 12 Tarot Cards and 4 morphing objects
5 Wallpapers along with a screensaver and music.
Expedition Room to retrieve missing collectibles and a Secret room with a jigsaw puzzle.
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 Puzzles
10 achievements.
Collect 25 puzzle pieces shaped like pumpkins.
Collect 12 Tarot Cards and 4 morphing objects
5 Wallpapers along with a screensaver and music.
Expedition Room to retrieve missing collectibles and a Secret room with a jigsaw puzzle.
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 Puzzles
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? This is another holiday treasure from Elephant. If you wish to play a decent Halloween game, I recommend this one. In my opinion, it is not scary. It is more of a detective, mystery game. I was somewhat surprised by the ending in this whodunit. However, I was somewhat stunned by the motive. To me, the circumstances behind the motive made absolutely no sense to me; however, it did not detract from the enjoyment of playing this game. I was looking for a “reason” why the situation which caused the evildoer to commit this crime to be explained, but it never was. To me, it was a rather bizarre situation.
I recommend this game!
Take part in puzzles and mini-games in an adventurous new TV show!
Overall rating
5
/
5
SEEING 6 STARS FOR THIS GAME
PostedSeptember 4, 2025
sunnyglow
fromWonderful game. The first chapter confirms a problem which the owner of the doll factory shared with many other men. It is truly hard to find a living doll with a heart.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The reality show, “Artifact Seekers,” returns with three new episodes. Join other couples as you and your partner compete to win the competition. The three episodes are “The Doll Factory,” “Ancient Coast,” and “Festive Town.” You will be seeing stars in your eyes as you collect them in what I feel is a 6-star game. There are 5-star games and then, there are those rare ones in the constellation of games which deserve that extra star! This is one of them.
In my opinion, this is more of an adventure game than a HOPA game. It is a series of three mobile games combined into a PC game. Each chapter is a puzzle within itself. I have been waiting for this second game to appear on BFG. I love the story behind the game and the creative genius which went into creating this game. I hate playing mobile games, but knew BFG would probably offer the PC version, so I waited. This a game which should be played slowly, savoring all the magnificent puzzles and puzzle-like activities.
This game will not appeal to everyone on this website. If you like straight HOP games or HOPA games with a lot of hand holding, you probably will not like this game. However, if you love challenging puzzles and a little brain crushing entertainment, this one you may enjoy.
What are some of the differences between this game and other offered on BFG? First, there is no strategy guide. However, there are many videos online with walkthroughs for each chapter of the game. I cannot see having a strategy guide nowadays with so many videos available. Second, there are many collectibles, and many are difficult to locate. Some of the collectibles not identified in the “Statistics” section of the game. Some of them are morphing. Part of the puzzle behind this game is figuring out what some of the collectibles may be. I visited four scenes before I figured out what the other two collectibles were in the first chapter. Third, there is no bonus chapter. However, each chapter is as long as a regular game.
You cannot replay any of the puzzles and I have not seen any HOP scenes; however, I have not gotten very far into the first chapter. In the beginning you choose between 16 couples who you will be in the game. There are no wallpapers I could see. The “Statistics” section allows you to see the points you and your partner have accumulated and how many of the collectibles you have discovered.
I absolutely love this game. To me, this is 5-BN at their finest. Hopefully, BFG will offer more of these games in the future. This game made my day, my night and will keep me happy for at least another week. Thank you BFG and Five-BN for providing something a little more challenging. Hope my partner and I win the competition! If not, it will be his fault, and I will kick him to the curb!
Can you rescue Reflection Bay from a mysterious mind-controlling foe?
Overall rating
5
/
5
MYSTERY SOLVED: ELF DUG UP THE STRATEGY GUIDE IN THE MENU
PostedAugust 28, 2025
sunnyglow
fromAn extra mystery now solved with the Strategy Guide. Thanks to our fashionista, Elf, for digging it up for us!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 pages
Detective! The Mystery Trackers Order has sent you to seacoast town to solve a case of mind over matter. Your sidekick, Elf, joins you in this quest, digging up clues along the way. It seems a misguided person has taken over the town through mind control. Investigate the town and discover the party involved and the reason behind their actions.
I have only played a small part of this game; however, I am enjoying it. The story behind the game is well-written. The graphics and voiceovers are excellent as usual for this developer. My only complaint is the placement of the strategy guide. It may have been this game was rushed into production, with the guide being added at the end. I did not see it initially. However, one of our forum members discovered it, probably with the help of her Malamute, Ms. Dixie. I just bet that Ms. Dixie is a good bud of Elf.
So far, I have found the HOP scenes and puzzles well-constructed. There are variations of those seen in past games. Nevertheless, Elephant always create them to fit into the game’s theme and provides some creative touches in their makeup. To me, this is a worthwhile game and deserving of the Collector’s Edition classification.
MECHANICS:
Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
22 achievements.
Collect 12 figurines representative of past cases.
Collect 28 puzzle fragments for a jigsaw puzzle hidden in a secret room
5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and musical selections
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
28 Scenes
Cutie Elf as an assistant to dig holes and help retrieve evidence.
22 achievements.
Collect 12 figurines representative of past cases.
Collect 28 puzzle fragments for a jigsaw puzzle hidden in a secret room
5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and musical selections
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles.
28 Scenes
Cutie Elf as an assistant to dig holes and help retrieve evidence.
I recommend this game!
What happened to Anna Gray?
Overall rating
3
/
5
HALLELUIAH! WELCOME TO REFORMATION OF RICHARD GRAY
PostedAugust 8, 2025
sunnyglow
fromEven with his new debonair looks and reformed attitude, I liked the whimsical, chubby, bad boy Richard Gray better!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 pages
STORY: Join a reformed and contrite Richard Gray as he tries to save his daughter, Anna Gray, who has been kidnapped by an evildoer out to exact revenge against magic wielders. Anna’s hubby, Dorian, will join Richard in the battle against an ancient enemy of the Gray family. Along the way, get help from a powerful dark rat-like creature, Zephyrahn, who will aid you if the price is right.
ANALYSIS: Yawn! Be prepared for a snoozefest! To me, this is one of the most boring games I have played on BFG. This game is vastly inferior to the one released two weeks ago, “Detectives United, Vengeance from the Past.” I cannot believe this game received an “Editor’s Choice” designation. The game format is the same as in other Elephant games. I found the game slow-paced with not much of a story or plot. To me, the game lacks creative design. I found the activities inferior to those from the previous game with poorly designed puzzles and HOP scenes.
Let me add my voice to the others here who dislike the “newly revised” Richard Gray. I cannot imagine why this developer changed this light-hearted, “punny” Daddy Dearest character into a morose, remorseful penitent. This characterization gave the game an “ugh-ly” depressed atmosphere. Hopefully, our beloved developer will return the original Richard Gray to future games As the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
There are twenty-two (22) HOP scenes (many of which are mini-scenes with six or seven items) and thirty-two (32) puzzles. There are many mini-HOP scenes in this game. They lack creativity and most are junkpiles with lists of items or silhouette scenes. There are few fragment scenes in which the player searches areas within the scene which match the segments provided.
The puzzles are ones seen in other games. A maze puzzle is repeated three times within the game. It is used to retrieve magical artifacts for the big rat, Zephyrahn, to chow down. I found the puzzles easy.The collectibles include 12 figurines of the game characters, 12 morphing objects, and puzzle fragments (shaped like a skull). At the end the puzzle fragments are used to play a jigsaw puzzle hidden in the Secret Room.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 12 figurines of characters from the game and 12 morphing objects
• Collect 27 skull-shaped puzzle fragments to play a puzzle in the Secret Room upon completion of the game
• Expedition Room allows the player to return to scenes to retrieve collectibles
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 16 puzzles
• There are 28 scenes.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 12 figurines of characters from the game and 12 morphing objects
• Collect 27 skull-shaped puzzle fragments to play a puzzle in the Secret Room upon completion of the game
• Expedition Room allows the player to return to scenes to retrieve collectibles
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 16 puzzles
• There are 28 scenes.
BONUS CHAPTER: The chapter is a sequel. Join Damien Helsing, a character from the main game, as he attempts to stop a member of the Shadow Tribunal, Steel Avery, from her attempt to grab power for herself and her family. After spending a whole game devoted to the Helsing family, I was hoping for a better storyline. I did not care for this chapter. It does appear Elephant may be trying to flush out some new characters for future games by creating a new league, The Shadow Tribunal. This chapter is a continuation of the main chapter and the activities are the same. There are seven puzzles and seven HOP scenes. Half the scenes are searches for a small number of items.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY: If you liked the character of Richard Gray from the older BFG games, you probably won’t like this new adaptation. He does not even look the same. For me, after the recent Detectives United game, this one was a shock. I expected more from this “Editor’s Choice” game. However, it is always best to try these games yourself. Hopefully, Elephant will stop the reformation of Richard Gray and instead start the reformation of their games.
I don't recommend this game.
Can your all-star detective team crack the case in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
THE AGENCY TAKES ON A CATASCLYSMIC EVENT
PostedJuly 24, 2025
sunnyglow
fromWith James Blackthorn returning to Detectives United, along with Daddy Dearest, Richard Gray, all of us should feel safe from any cataclysmic event! Well - maybe not with Richard Gray hanging around!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 66 pages
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 66 pages
STORY: Experience a fantastic magical tour through a dilapidated old mansion in one of Elephant’s best games this year! Join the Detectives United team as they investigate a series of mystical events popping up in the city. The activity seems to be centered around the Brown Mansion, a rundown relic of the past, and one which Dorian was not allowed to visit as a child. Joining him will be his wife, Anna Gray, Gen-Z’s newbie, Ewan Florence, and the returning James Blackthorn. Explore the estate and discover the culprit behind events. Surprises are in store for Detectives United as it appears a new archnemesis may be brewing up trouble for them in the future.
ANALYSIS: I loved this game! To me, this is Elephant’s best game this year. The story is excellent. It has a good pace throughout and the graphics are excellent. Elephant has incorporated some new elements into their HOP scenes and puzzles as well. The collectibles are owl-shaped puzzle fragments and magical artifacts featured in previous Detectives United games. I found the puzzle fragments easy to locate but did have to look at the strategy guide to find some of the relics.
The player will play each of the detectives in the game. The wonderful news is that James Blackthorn returns in this game, and it appears that he will be back in subsequent games as well. Daddy Dearest Richard Gray also makes an appearance in the bonus chapter. He adds a little humor to the game as well.
There are twenty-three (23) HOP scenes. Fourteen (14) of these can be replayed at the end of the game. This also includes a number of mini-scenes which only have six or seven items to locate. These scenes are better than anything Elephant has provided lately. Many are puzzle-like and some of the items are not easy to locate. One of my favorite scenes is one in which cutouts are used to remove the items. However, some of the items need to be combined with other items within the scene. I found this scene a little perplexing, but fun to play. The other scene I enjoyed was one in which two items must be selected to create the item to be removed.
There are twenty-three (23) puzzles in the game. Thirteen (13) of these can be replayed at the end of the game. Some of the puzzles are a little challenging, which is something Elephant has not provided previously. There is one Rube-Golberg puzzle in the demo. This is also new for Elephant. I would love to see Elephant offer more of this type of puzzle. As with their other games, there are quite a few picture puzzles. However, I found some of these a little challenging as well.
BONUS CHAPTER: Join Anna Gray and her sidekick, Daddy Dearest Richard Gray, as they battle a new archnemesis for the agency. When Anna discovers her fellow detectives in a state of lethargic sleep, she goes back in time to discover the cause of this dilemma. Return to three time periods located within a cursed watch. She will need to venture to each one to stop the curse and return to the present. I loved this chapter. I was happy to see Richard back in a more humorous mood. There are seven (7) HOP scenes and six (6) puzzles. There are three picture puzzles. This is the only thing I disliked about this chapter. I feel there are too many picture puzzles. However, Elephant is known for having more of those within their games than other developers’ games. I do feel, as with the main game, this was a wonderful addition to the game.
SHOULD I STAY OR STAY AWAY? This is Elephant Games at its finest. It appears Elephant spent time in taking this game into a new direction. This game is more creatively designed than anything from this developer this year. This is a must have in my humble opinion.
Best of luck to Elephant Games. Hope to see more games like this one in the future! This game, to me, is worth more than the price of a collector’s edition game.
Something awaits beneath the glistening snow.
Overall rating
4
/
5
A HOT CHILLER THRILLER
PostedJuly 10, 2025
sunnyglow
fromNo snowy Mountain Darkness here – just hot sun filled days of summer in the Texas bayous
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 pages
With the hot days of summer upon us, cool down with a chiller thriller! Rick is back along with his team of paranormal investigators. When team member, Mia, receives an invitation from her friend, Miriam, the whole group is off to attend her grand opening of a mountain resort. At the grand opening, Miriam opens a gift which unleashes an evil entity, The Mountain Darkness. This entity possesses her body and soul. Now Rick and his team must work together to save Mia’s friend from complete possession from this entity. Dress warm and don’t forget to pack your book of rituals and handbook for the trip.
ANALYSIS: Rick is back! However, the fun-loving, quipster Rick is not! Again, we have a game which, to me, is dragged down by this “team.” I feel Rick does much better as a solo act. Please bring back the old light-hearted Rick. Joining Rick is dowdy Rachel, who returns as the main character in the bonus game. Mia and Daemon round out the crew and they add absolutely nothing to the game. To me, the game is bogged down by these extraneous characters. Despite the somber, aging Rick, I did enjoy this game. The game has a good pace, an excellent story and is filled with creatively designed puzzles and HOP scenes. To me, it is the perfect length for a HOPA game.
The format is the same as in Elephant’s other game. There are twenty-four (24) HOP scenes which include a series of mini-scenes which have searches for five or six items. There are lists of items, silhouette, and fragment scenes. Fourteen (14) of these can be replayed upon completion of the game. There are the same number of puzzles and thirteen (13) of these can be replayed. I found most of the puzzles easy. The collectibles are figurines of the game characters and puzzle pieces represented by “eyes” within the scenes. I found all easy to locate. The figurines are very large and impossible to miss in the scenes. The puzzle pieces are used to play a jigsaw puzzle within the Secret Room upon completion of the game. There is an Expedition Room in which scenes can be replayed if any collectibles are missing.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 18 achievements.
• Collect 12 figurines of the characters from the game and 26 puzzles fragments (eyes) to play a jigsaw puzzle in the Secret Room
• Expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to find missing collectibles.
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music.
• Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 18 achievements.
• Collect 12 figurines of the characters from the game and 26 puzzles fragments (eyes) to play a jigsaw puzzle in the Secret Room
• Expedition room which allows the player to return to scenes to find missing collectibles.
• 5 wallpapers along with a screensaver and music.
• Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 puzzles
BONUS CHAPTER: The Mountain Darkness returns in the sequel. Rachel leads the team in this episode. David Reed, the antique dealer who provided the gift vase to Miriam in the main game, is now having issues with his wife. It appears that the Mountain Darkness has affected his wife and he needs help to rid his wife of his entity. Joining Rachel is Rick; however, Rick is not a key player in this sequel. Join Rachel as she traverses around David’s neighborhood searching for information to destroy this entity. There are seven HOP scenes (with some mini-scenes) and the same number of puzzles. I found some parts of this chapter slow moving; filler thrown in to make the game longer. However, I felt some of the activities were much better than in the main game. I thought the puzzle which involves switching twenty people, so all are holding hands somewhat difficult.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? I like this game much better than the recycled mobile game from last week. This is pure Elephant Games at its best. To me, this is worth the price and time involved in the gameplay. Most of the activities are superb. I found some of the collectibles too large within the scenes. I also would love to see the “team” aspect of this game disappear and allow Rick to become the lighthearted, joke cracking playboy he was in his earlier games. To me, this is one of Elephant’s better games this year. Hopefully we don’t see them disappear into the mobile market.
I recommend this game!
A seasonal summer getaway with hidden objects around every corner!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A HOP GAME WHICH IS A DREAM COME TRUE
PostedJune 27, 2025
sunnyglow
fromLocation? My dream location would be to enter one of the beautifully illustrated scenes within this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What a beautiful game! This is the perfect game for a leisurely summer day. This game is filled with incredibly gorgeous graphics and relaxing music. I do not play many HOP games, finding most extremely boring. However, this game is a cut above other HOP games offered by this gaming site.
The game is a combination of a HOP game combined with a puzzle game. What I enjoy about this game is that the player has a choice between a series of activities played within one of eleven (11) different thematic locations. The activities include a HOP scene or a variety of puzzles. The puzzles include jigsaw puzzles (with a choice between fifteen to eight-four (84) pieces), torn pieces, switch puzzle, and a locked box. The music is relaxing and, to me, one of the best parts of the game. The player can choose between nine (9) selections of music.
The bonus content includes tile matching, crossword puzzles and solitaire games. There is a garden which adds plants and trees as you proceed in the game. There is also photo album with some incredibly beautiful pictures within it.
This is must-have for HOP game lovers and/or those who love beautifully rendered works of art. Not only are their games a cut above those from most developers, Atilla, the head of Mixo Games is a very nice person. He takes time from his busy schedule to interact with members of our forum and provide insight and help on the games he produces. He is always interested in our views on his games as well.
SHOULD I STAY OR STAY AWAY? There are only two HOP developers who I feel produce the best games for this genre. Mixo Games is one of those. This developer ‘s games are cut above the others offered by BFG. This game is another shining example of this developer’s excellence in game development. I recommend this game and hope this incredibly nice developer continues to offer more of his games in the future. Best of luck to Atilla and his crew and looking forward to the next game from them.
FINAL DREAM: With AI now involved in game development, I would love to see this developer create a HOPA game – perhaps one which reflects the Polynesian heritage reflected in many of their other games.
I recommend this game!