sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:812
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 6, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Take on villains, magic, and luck itself to prove that love conquers all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
56 of 117 found this review helpful
CAPTURING THE HEART OF PERFECT LOVE
PostedAugust 13, 2022
sunnyglow
fromAfter all the calamities this example of perfect love have experienced working in the theater, perhaps they should look for a safer line of work – their own reality show – "Finding Perfect Love with Franz and Beatrice!”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Is it true that love conquers all? For gambler, Dreyer Crowley, all his financial success in life he owes to “true love.” Unfortunately, it is not due to his own “true love;” but rather, the “true love” of others. His attention has focused on two actors, Franz and Beatrice, whose true love is so perfect, it rivals that of Romeo and Juliet – over even the angels up above! Now this deranged gambler is out to capture Beatrice’s heart (literally) to perform a ritual, offering it to Fortuna, the goddess who keeps Dreyer in a stash of cash. Join tag team sweethearts, Beatrice and Franz, as try to thwart this crazed villain’s continuous efforts to steal Beatrice’s heart!
Enjoy another well-designed game from DO Games. I found the storyline somewhat inane. Beatrice is captured, imprisoned, and then escapes at least three times within this game. Even Franz is captured twice! I felt this was a little excessive. I felt tempted to send the poor lovesick girl pepper spray. Nevertheless, I play HOPA games for the puzzles and HOP scenes and the ones in this game are superb. The format is the same as within their other games. Play the game your way! There is a choice to play most puzzles in either a hard mode or an easy one. This level of difficulty can be set in the menu, but it can be changed while playing the game. I love this feature as I love having a choice on the difficulty of playing each puzzle.
A nice addition from this developer is the extra footage within the game. As with the last two games from DO Games, the player has the choice to play additional footage if they wish. In the main game, the player can venture off into a greenhouse to learn more about Dreyer’s life. Later in the main game, the player can opt to visit a forester’s kitchen to bake an apple pie. In the bonus chapter, the extra footage involves visiting the afterlife with a ghost. All these extra scenes have one or two activities attached.
As in other games, Domini has three collectibles. There are morphing decorations and puppets. These two collectibles alternate between the scenes. Also collect playing cards which can be exchanged for items to outfit a “dress circle.” I have no idea what a “dress circle” is, but, to me, it looks an awful lot like a dressing room at a theater. I found some of the collectibles difficult to locate within the scenes. I would love to see DO Games make these collectibles easier to see within the scenes.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 39 achievements.
• Collect 15 puppets and 15 morphing decorations
• Collect 70 cards to exchange to provide items for a “dress circle.”
• 13 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 17 HOP scenes and 16 mini-games
• 39 achievements.
• Collect 15 puppets and 15 morphing decorations
• Collect 70 cards to exchange to provide items for a “dress circle.”
• 13 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 17 HOP scenes and 16 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: Who is behind all the fires and explosions at the theater where Franz and Beatrice are performing “The Phantom of the Opera?” Franz has been asked to investigate the cause of the calamities. Many of the actors have witnessed a masked phantom within the walls and mirrors of the theater. As Franz, save the theater, help the ghost, Erik, save your beloved Beatrice, and find evidence to imprison the culprit behind these crimes. I found this to be a nice addition to the game and worth the price of a collector’s edition designation. There are four (4) HOP scenes and eight (8) mini-games.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes, seventeen (17) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There is a variety of different styles of scenes. All are interactive and puzzle-like in design. They include the usual lists of items, silhouette, matching, and storybook scenes. Also within this game are scenes with morphing objects, rebus clues, and spot-the-differences. There is also a scene where items are to be placed within the proper location within the scene. My only complaint are the chains which appear if the player clicks too many times within the scene. I hate this and hope this developer will get rid of this nuisance.
MINI-GAMES: DO Games is the “puzzlemeister” of HOPA games. There are forty (40) puzzles within this game. My only complaint is that only sixteen (16) can be replayed. I wish there were more puzzles to replay and less HOP scenes. As in other games, most of the puzzles can be played in either a “hard” or “easy” mode.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MNI-GAMES FROM THIS GAME: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch gears within a pendant to create a picture. The hard version has more gears to switch, and the gears must rotate as well.
B. E/H Assembly puzzle. Press on organ keys with symbols on them in sequential order so that designs on a sheet of music are formed. The easy version has 5 designs to create and the hard version has 8. Designs light up when all the symbols have been pressed.
C. E/H. Paint/Strategy puzzle. Paint a picture so that adjacent fragments are not the same color. The hard version has more fragments to paint than the easy version.
D. E/H. Strategy Puzzle. On a chessboard, move colored chess pieces so no two of the same kind are in the same row and column. In the easy version the player switches the pieces. In the hard version, the player must click arrows at the bottom and left side which slides the pieces one space at a time.
E. Maze puzzle. Lead a horse down a path avoiding obstacles within your path. The player gets 3 lives before restarting.
F. E/H Switch puzzle. Put numbers on a clock in sequential order. The hard version gives the player only 5 moves.
G. E/H. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to create an image. The easy version has flower pictures. The hard version has pictures of star constellations. 3X
H. E/H, Connection puzzle. Connect two yellow gems on a checkers board grid by connecting all the blue ones. All gems must be connected and connections cannot be diagonal. The harder version hs more gems to connect.
I. E/H. Bats in the Belfry! Bullseye puzzle. Shoot balls of light to get rid of bats in a belfry. The harder version has bats flying faster thus harder to knock off.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. E/H Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move parts on a globe to create a map of Europe and Africa. The hard version has more sliders on the globe to move the pieces, making it more difficult
K. Sequence Puzzle. Place masks in the proper location based on clues on a sheet of paper.
L. Connection puzzle. Rotate pipe fragments so that water reaches all the circles within the grid. Use the red valve to turn on the water to see if all are connected.
B. E/H Assembly puzzle. Press on organ keys with symbols on them in sequential order so that designs on a sheet of music are formed. The easy version has 5 designs to create and the hard version has 8. Designs light up when all the symbols have been pressed.
C. E/H. Paint/Strategy puzzle. Paint a picture so that adjacent fragments are not the same color. The hard version has more fragments to paint than the easy version.
D. E/H. Strategy Puzzle. On a chessboard, move colored chess pieces so no two of the same kind are in the same row and column. In the easy version the player switches the pieces. In the hard version, the player must click arrows at the bottom and left side which slides the pieces one space at a time.
E. Maze puzzle. Lead a horse down a path avoiding obstacles within your path. The player gets 3 lives before restarting.
F. E/H Switch puzzle. Put numbers on a clock in sequential order. The hard version gives the player only 5 moves.
G. E/H. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to create an image. The easy version has flower pictures. The hard version has pictures of star constellations. 3X
H. E/H, Connection puzzle. Connect two yellow gems on a checkers board grid by connecting all the blue ones. All gems must be connected and connections cannot be diagonal. The harder version hs more gems to connect.
I. E/H. Bats in the Belfry! Bullseye puzzle. Shoot balls of light to get rid of bats in a belfry. The harder version has bats flying faster thus harder to knock off.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. E/H Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move parts on a globe to create a map of Europe and Africa. The hard version has more sliders on the globe to move the pieces, making it more difficult
K. Sequence Puzzle. Place masks in the proper location based on clues on a sheet of paper.
L. Connection puzzle. Rotate pipe fragments so that water reaches all the circles within the grid. Use the red valve to turn on the water to see if all are connected.
I recommend this game!
What is Richard up to? Pursue Anna’s missing father through time!
Overall rating
5
/
5
68 of 130 found this review helpful
GRANTING RICHARD GRAY’S FONDEST WISH
PostedAugust 11, 2022
sunnyglow
fromIs this the end of the Gray family drama? Richard Gray is one of my favorite gaming characters. Going to miss seeing his skull hanging around the inventory bar.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 pages
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 pages
Where is Daddy Dearest, Richard Gray? Zigzag back and forth through time and space as Anna Gray searches for her father Richard. Follow his trail to the 1930’s, the Middle Ages, and finally to China as you help her discover the true purpose of her father’s quest. As Anna, help your father get his fondest wish. Seldom seen, Anna’s mother, Anastasia helps her in her journey, hidden within a cameo sitting on the inventory bar. This family reunion may be the last, so enjoy this family’s last outing!
This is a somber game. Richard’s humor is replaced by a sad, somber demeanor. His humor is missing within this game. I did like the game for the most part; however, I found the story somewhat confusing. The player zigzags through several time periods in several locations as well. I needed to review my notes to figure out the relationship between the relics collected within this game. The story became more transparent, however, as I reached the final chapter.
There are two collectibles, screenshot fragments and pictures related to your investigation. If the player misses any collectibles within the game, they can search for them in the Expedition Room. As in their other games, Elephant provides a Secret Room which allows the player to return to the scenes to locate morphing objects. Upon completion of the game, players can also replay thirteen (13) HOP scenes and thirteen (13) mini-games in the Archives Room.
THE BEAUTY OF THE ORIENT! I truly enjoyed the beauty of the graphics within the chapter dealing with China. There are some beautiful scenes within this chapter and this beauty is reflected within the HOP scenes and mini-games as well. This was my favorite part of the game and must give kudos to Elephant Games for a beautiful story set against those gorgeous graphics.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 12 pictures related to your investigation,
• Collect 24 screensaver parts which complete a screensaver at the end of the game.
• 5 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Expedition Room – Allows the player to return to scenes to collect missing collectibles
• Archives Room – Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games
• Secret Room – Return to the scenes to locate morphing objects
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 12 pictures related to your investigation,
• Collect 24 screensaver parts which complete a screensaver at the end of the game.
• 5 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Expedition Room – Allows the player to return to scenes to collect missing collectibles
• Archives Room – Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 mini-games
• Secret Room – Return to the scenes to locate morphing objects
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. Play Detective Conrad Matthews as he tries to locate the Elusive Gang, a group of criminals who commit murders but leave no clues. Get some help from Richard Gray whose only desire is to spend some alone time with them to get information he needs for his quest. I found it a nice addition to the game. There are two Rube-Goldberg puzzles in this chapter. There are also almost as many mini-games as there is within the main game. There are nine (9) mini-games (some of which are part of a Rube Goldberg puzzle) and four (4) HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are not many HOP scenes nor mini-games within this game. There are thirteen (13) HOP scenes. There are also many mini-HOP scenes, in which the player locates only five or six items within the scene. The scenes are creatively designed and highly interactive. They include lists of items (some of which contain three scenes). There are silhouette scenes along with scenes in which fragments from the scenes must be located. There is one scene in which the player alternates between locating an item and placing an item into its proper location.
HOP SCENES: There are not many HOP scenes nor mini-games within this game. There are thirteen (13) HOP scenes. There are also many mini-HOP scenes, in which the player locates only five or six items within the scene. The scenes are creatively designed and highly interactive. They include lists of items (some of which contain three scenes). There are silhouette scenes along with scenes in which fragments from the scenes must be located. There is one scene in which the player alternates between locating an item and placing an item into its proper location.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-two (22) mini-games within this game, thirteen (13) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. I thought most of the puzzles were easy. I found none even moderately difficult. I did enjoy the paint puzzles which we rarely see in most HOPA games. I also enjoyed dressing the Chinese warriors in their proper warrior attire.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MNI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Battle the Knight! Locate symbols situated on the top left of the screen upon a knight’s armor within the time designated.
B. Origami puzzle. Fold a map so it discloses the route to where it leads.
C. Matching. Move leaves on a tree to match like fruit.
D. Paint Puzzle. Paint the faces of 4 masks based on clues upon the masks themselves.
E. Assembly puzzle. Dress Chinese warriors in costumes according to given diagrams
F. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens representing different times of the day and night placing them in chronological order. Tokens show sun and moon placements.
G. Rube Goldberg puzzle.
(1) Paint by Number. Paint a picture according to numbers assigned to sections of the picture..
(2) Jigsaw puzzle. Create a picture by placing fragments into position
(3) Picture puzzle. Click on slats until all, when combined, create a picture.
H. Map puzzle. Nab a criminal by using arrows to program your path. Reach the criminal in 6 moves. You must make a new move at crossroads or when hitting an obstacle. 3X
B. Origami puzzle. Fold a map so it discloses the route to where it leads.
C. Matching. Move leaves on a tree to match like fruit.
D. Paint Puzzle. Paint the faces of 4 masks based on clues upon the masks themselves.
E. Assembly puzzle. Dress Chinese warriors in costumes according to given diagrams
F. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens representing different times of the day and night placing them in chronological order. Tokens show sun and moon placements.
G. Rube Goldberg puzzle.
(1) Paint by Number. Paint a picture according to numbers assigned to sections of the picture..
(2) Jigsaw puzzle. Create a picture by placing fragments into position
(3) Picture puzzle. Click on slats until all, when combined, create a picture.
H. Map puzzle. Nab a criminal by using arrows to program your path. Reach the criminal in 6 moves. You must make a new move at crossroads or when hitting an obstacle. 3X
I recommend this game!
Gather your courage for this mystical journey to a distant world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
75 of 122 found this review helpful
HELP BRIDGE A WORLD ENGULFED IN SADNESS AND CHAOS
PostedAugust 4, 2022
sunnyglow
fromOpening a book can lead anyone to amazing new worlds!
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
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 48 pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 48 pages
You never know what secret worlds await you within books! Play Aurora who returns to a fantasy world after opening an old book buried away in a box. Return to Celestis, a city which you and former friend, Victor helped create. However, you soon discover the city is in peril as a curse has been placed upon the world. Sadness has permeated the kingdom causing an evil dragon to emerge. Artists cannot distinguish colors, people are scared and the bridges connecting the islands within this fantasy world, have been severed. Now, with the assistance of characters from this kingdom, discover what caused the curse and locate a remedy, all while reconnecting with old friends from the past, including a talkative fox.
I found this a delightful game to play with a good pace. There are many puzzles and HOP scenes within this game. It is a long game with a good storyline. However, due to the story behind the game, there are some very dark scenes, especially in the bonus chapter. I found it hard to navigate some scenes because of the extreme darkness of the scenes. You get a gimmicky cube which opens five (5) picture puzzles which you play throughout the game. Collect a token which opens up each puzzle.
Collect morphing roses and puzzles pieces. There are usually two of each per scene, but in the bonus chapter, some of the scenes have three (3) puzzle pieces. Because this is a dark game, (all the happiness is gone from the kingdom), I found it difficult to locate some of the collectibles, especially within the bonus chapter. At the end of the game, if you collect all the collectibles, you can play a game. I feel this game would be better if the player could create the jigsaw pictures instead of having the two scenes completed. The bonus game is a strategy game which can be played with either one or two players. Choose between characters Snake and Victor and try to accumulate more tokens than your opponent.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 26 achievements. Some have 3 parts.
• Collect 52 jigsaw pieces and 50 morphing roses collectibles (unlocks a bonus game)
• 6 wallpapers along with 7 screensavers, concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 19 HOP scenes and 12 mini-games
• 26 achievements. Some have 3 parts.
• Collect 52 jigsaw pieces and 50 morphing roses collectibles (unlocks a bonus game)
• 6 wallpapers along with 7 screensavers, concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 19 HOP scenes and 12 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Victor, Aurora’s friend from the main game. A totalitarian government has taken over Celestis and the surrounding islands. As Victor, try to save Celestis from a misguided authoritarian leader. This is a long bonus chapter chuck full of HOP scenes and mini-games. There are seven (7) HOP scenes and fifteen (15) mini-games. As stated previously, I feel the scenes in this chapter are too dark, especially in locating the collectibles. I had to use the strategy guide to help locate many of them. Also be warned that two of the scenes have three puzzles pieces instead of the normal two per scene.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-one (21) scenes, nineteen (19) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There are also some mini-HOP scenes with five of six items to be located. I found them creatively designed with a nice variety of different styles. They include the usual lists of items and silhouette. Also included are some storybook scenes in which the player locates items which are highlighted within a narrative within the scenes of some book. There are pattern scenes, in which the player must locate areas of the scene based on fragments of those scenes. I loved the rebus clues and there is even a scene with some cryptic clues.
MINI-GAMES: There are fifty-five (55) mini-games in this game! That is the most mini-games I have ever played in any HOPA game! However, again, the player can only replay twelve (12) of those mini-games. I cannot understand why this developer did not offer more of these for replay. Most of the puzzles are easy. Some of them are of moderate difficulty. However, did not find any which I would consider difficult. There are a few puzzles with can be played in either a casual or hard mode, but I did not see any after the demo.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE 55 MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Map puzzle. Lead Aurora and the fox to cells with their images on them dodging attacks by a serpent. Green cells can be used as cover. There is a hold button to wait out the attack in a safe place.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch 16 pieces on a puzzle board to restore an image.
C. Sequence puzzle. Play drums with symbols on them in the proper sequence.
D. Set the time on a clock by using dials and pressing on clock weights to move the dials.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch triangular pieces with those next to it to restore an image.
F. Card puzzle. Play against your opponent taking cards from the same column. There are 4 columns. At least one card may taken but at the end, you goal is to get the last card.
G. Switch puzzle. Ye olde book puzzle. Switch books to that their spines create a picture.
H. Fifth Cube Puzzle: Picture Puzzle. Switch slats to create an image
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Maze puzzle. Follow the fox thru a dark maze Using arrows
J. Fence in that spider. On a grid with hexagons, click on them to enclose an itsy bitsy spider so it cannot escape.
K. Map puzzle. Use arrows to move through a sentry’s house. Pick up supplies along the way
L. Sequence puzzle. Remove rods intertwined with each other in sequential order.
M. Switch puzzle. Switch feathers on a bird so the darkest feathers are o the top and the lightest ones are on the bottom
B. Switch puzzle. Switch 16 pieces on a puzzle board to restore an image.
C. Sequence puzzle. Play drums with symbols on them in the proper sequence.
D. Set the time on a clock by using dials and pressing on clock weights to move the dials.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch triangular pieces with those next to it to restore an image.
F. Card puzzle. Play against your opponent taking cards from the same column. There are 4 columns. At least one card may taken but at the end, you goal is to get the last card.
G. Switch puzzle. Ye olde book puzzle. Switch books to that their spines create a picture.
H. Fifth Cube Puzzle: Picture Puzzle. Switch slats to create an image
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Maze puzzle. Follow the fox thru a dark maze Using arrows
J. Fence in that spider. On a grid with hexagons, click on them to enclose an itsy bitsy spider so it cannot escape.
K. Map puzzle. Use arrows to move through a sentry’s house. Pick up supplies along the way
L. Sequence puzzle. Remove rods intertwined with each other in sequential order.
M. Switch puzzle. Switch feathers on a bird so the darkest feathers are o the top and the lightest ones are on the bottom
GLITCHY GLITCHY GLITCHY GOO! I was able to purchase this game by going into the my list of games and pressing the “buy” button there. Even got points off. But I must admit, I could not purchase it either from the front page blurb nor from the game itself when I exited and tried to press the “buy” button. It is a great game – just needs the glitches to be fixed! This is not the developer's fault - it is some glitches within the new system.
I recommend this game!
A mystery-filled ride to unknown cosmic shores!
Overall rating
4
/
5
98 of 182 found this review helpful
ALL ABOARD! ENJOY A FANTASTIC TRIP RIDING THE MOONTRAIN
PostedJuly 30, 2022
sunnyglow
fromThis game is a wonderful tribute to the developer, Chris from Dragonseye, who passed away recently. May he rest in peace and perhaps he is riding that Moontrain into eternity with Maximillian, the conductor.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME: Strategy Guide: 115 pages (My Time: 6 Hours)
All aboard for a fantastic new cartoon adventure game from Dragonseye! After being derailed along the way, with four previous attempts at playing this game, I can now state that with BFG’s Collector’s Edition, I was finally able to complete the game. BFG has provided a version which has fixed the glitches which were numerous when the game first came out. Luckily, I was able to ride this train all the way to its final destination!
Play a down-on-his-luck Detective Paw, who will soon face eviction if he does not rustle up some new business. When Max Vigor, the owner of the Mouse Circus, arrives on his doorstep, this detective is off to search for Max’s cousin Sam, the star attraction of his circus. He has been missing for years and Detective Paw is now the 33rd detective to try to locate this superb magician. Along with his assistant, Dr. Molly, Detective Paw will amble his way through the Moontrain, meeting many interesting characters who will aid him in his quest to find his cousin. This train is hiding many secrets which will be uncovered along the way.
This is a point-and-click adventure game which has many puzzle-like activities. The player will need to click on items throughout the scenes to uncover a silhouette picture of an item which will be used to interact with the item from the scene. Even if an item is used within the game, if there is no picture of the item at the top of the scene, the player cannot collect it. There are puzzles to be solved; however, the principal activity of the game is to click your heart out on items within each scene, then after a picture appears at the top of the screen, search for that item which interacts with those items within the scenes.
Throughout the game there are some HOP-like activities. To further the story of the game, the player will search story scenes searching for 3 items within each scene which must be placed in the proper location within the scene. These scenes are dark, a little too dark for me. I had some difficulty in locating the items and figuring out where they should be located. There are forty-four (44) gems to collect throughout the game. These gems can be traded for items to fill a detective case.
I feel the puzzles and puzzle-like nature of the game is of moderate difficulty. Many of the actual puzzles are ones seen in many HOPA games. However, I did have some difficulty solving the puzzles within the train car filled with bottles. However, if the player takes the time to assess the scene, I do believe most players can figure out what to do with those bottles. Nevertheless, I still found this a difficult scene and needed some help via a walkthrough to figure out what to do within the scene. For me, this was the most difficult scene within the game.
MECHANICS:
-Hint button and strategy guide
-Collect 44 gems which can be exchanged for items to fill up a detective’s case
-Answer quizzes about the game to produce 5 screenshots
-20 soundtracks along with concept art.
-Notebook with pictures of the game characters with descriptions of them
-Collect 44 gems which can be exchanged for items to fill up a detective’s case
-Answer quizzes about the game to produce 5 screenshots
-20 soundtracks along with concept art.
-Notebook with pictures of the game characters with descriptions of them
BONUS CHAPTER: There is a bonus chapter. Try to stop water from flooding the Moontrain. Return to scenes from the main game and search for items to stop the leak. Along the way meet some new characters, one of which is a giant who always wanted to visit Earth but had problems fitting into the train. I felt the bonus chapter was a nice addition; however, I felt the game did not really need the bonus content to be worthy of a collector’s edition.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? This is a fantastic game from Dragonseye. However, the player may encounter some glitches. I did find a glitch within the game – same glitch which was in the earlier version of this game. Be warned! After entering the train there is a scene where the player opens a door to the next compartment of the train. This door is opened by moving two men on a seesaw back and forth to open a grid with tiles which must be moved to uncover 3 numbers. Every time I played this scene, I had problems and had to restart this game. However, I found that if I moved the lever back-and-forth several times and waited, eventually I could get the squares to move by just clicking them. This was the only glitch I discovered, and with patience, I believe most players can get the door to open. I also believe the lever which moves the men back-and-forth on the seesaw needs to be centered in the proper position to work.
SHOULD I PLAY OR STAY AWAY? This is a fantastic game from Dragonseye. However, the player may encounter some glitches. I did find a glitch within the game – same glitch which was in the earlier version of this game. Be warned! After entering the train there is a scene where the player opens a door to the next compartment of the train. This door is opened by moving two men on a seesaw back and forth to open a grid with tiles which must be moved to uncover 3 numbers. Every time I played this scene, I had problems and had to restart this game. However, I found that if I moved the lever back-and-forth several times and waited, eventually I could get the squares to move by just clicking them. This was the only glitch I discovered, and with patience, I believe most players can get the door to open. I also believe the lever which moves the men back-and-forth on the seesaw needs to be centered in the proper position to work.
I recommend this game!
Race to prevent a bloody conflict between elves and vampires!
Overall rating
5
/
5
58 of 148 found this review helpful
DIP YOUR FANGS INTO A NEW VAMPIRIC DELIGHT: I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS NOT BLOOD!
PostedJuly 23, 2022
sunnyglow
fromI wonder if the artificial chemical concoction of fake blood served to the vampires in this game has the same effect as artificial food does on humans – can it cause blood clots or hardening of the arteries?
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: 84 pages
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 84 pages
Emerge yourself into another delightful game from Domini Games! The sleuth duo at the Magic City Detective Agency is back on another case, one they can really sink their teeth into. An envoy from the vampiric kingdom, Geoffroi, needs help locating one of the elders of the elf kingdom, Cornelius. To keep peace between the elf and vampire kingdoms, Cornelius developed an artificial blood serum which allows the vampires to satisfy their thirst for blood without victimizing others. However, now, this elf elder has disappeared and the supply of this serum is dwindling. With shortages, a bloodbath is looming - vampires are starting to attack elves and humans alike. Where is Cornelius and why did he vanish? Surprises await as to the culprits in this game.
Domini is my favorite HOPA developer, providing more game value for the money and this game is no exception. This vampiric jaunt is one of the longest games I have played from this developer. However, I was not bored, nor did I get tired of playing it! I found the stories in both the main game and bonus chapter intriguing and the pace excellent with many fun-filled activities throughout the game. There are many extras in this developer’s games which other developers do not provide. As always, Domini always adds some new element to their games, this time it is the search for fragments in a few of the HOPA scenes.
The gaming format is the same as in all this developer’s other games. There are three collectibles. They include morphing vampire amulets, plants, and vials of blood which can be exchanged at the end of the game to deck out a vampire’s chamber. I found all easy to locate. Hurrah! Domini has provided larger pictures in the strategy guide making it easier to see the location of those collectibles. This is a nice feature as the images in previous games have been so small it was impossible to see where the collectibles were located. As in the last game you have the option to add more supplemental game footage – this time it is meandering around a library to learn the history of vampires, and later in the game, in learning the history of a magical artifact. I would love to see this feature added to other developers’ games. You do have the option to opt out of the extra footage if you wish. The extra footage adds another HOP scene or puzzle.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 40 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing vampire amulets plus 15 plants
• Collect 70 bottles of blood to exchange for items to decorate vampire chambers
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 20 Mini-games
• 40 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing vampire amulets plus 15 plants
• Collect 70 bottles of blood to exchange for items to decorate vampire chambers
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 20 Mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a continuation from the main game. A mysterious chemical brew is being sold to vampires which are turning them into glass statues. Uncover the evildoer behind this serum and learn the reason for his or her madness. A tale of revenge is involved and you again as part of a detective duo must stop it. Continue collecting the collectibles. There are four (4) HOP scenes and ten (10) mini-games. This chapter is a wonderful addition to the main game. I felt the activities were equal in quality to those in the main game.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-one (21) scenes, all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. The scenes are very creatively designed. All are interactive and two of them have puzzles within the scene. As in previous games, the player can play a Match-3 game instead of the HOP scenes. These are some of the best HOPA scenes out there and all are somewhat puzzle-like. There are storybook scenes which further the story behind the game. There are lists of items, silhouette, and matching morphing objects. There are a few scenes in which the player searches for fragments to create an image. There is also a scene in items are provided which must be placed into the scene in the proper location.
MINI-GAMES: This game is puzzle-intense. There are thirty-eight (38) mini-games, twenty (20) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. As in other games, most of the puzzles can be played in either an easy or a hard mode. In this game, Domini spent more time in puzzle development than in creating HOP scenes. There are twice the mini-games as HOP scenes. Again, with so many wonderful puzzles within this game. I wish this developer had offered a few more to replay at the end of the game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MIND GAMES FROM THIS GAME (E = Easy; H = Hard)
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MIND GAMES FROM THIS GAME (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Domino puzzle. Switch pentagram-shaped tiles into position on a round grid so that sides which abut each other have the same symbols The hard version has one extra pentagram-shaped tile in the center, in which each side must match with each of the other 6 pentagram sides surrounding it.
B. Assembly puzzle. Place tokens with pictures on them so that each token is placed under one of 3 pictures which matches up with it thematically. There are path segments which must be switched to create paths to the pictures
C. E/H. Ye olde Fix-the-Net Puzzle. Place strands of rope onto a net with holes in it to create a complete net. The player only receives a specific number of ropes to fix the net. The harder version provides one more piece of rope and the net has more holes to fix.
D. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Click on columns of toys so that a space is created between the rows and columns which allows the rows to be removed. The easy version has one less column and one less row.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Click on digits in order from 1 to 10. Use arrows along the side of the grid to disclose the numbers. The grid is more complex in the hard mode.
F. E/H. Use arrows to move musical notes so they fit into their slots on a harp. The easy version has 6 notes, and the hard version has 8.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Assembly puzzle. Place animal tokens on a grid so that each row has either one color or one type of animal.
H. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch portraits so that the shape of each portrait matches the shadow beneath it. In the hard version. Two of the portraits are hidden by a shutter.
I. Gear puzzle. Switch gears until each is within its proper location and all mesh.
J. E/H. Ye olde book puzzle. Switch books on a bookshelf so the spines create a picture. In the hard version the player can only move one book at a time.
K. Mathematical puzzle. Connect wires to numbers on the bottom of a grid to according to a given clue
B. Assembly puzzle. Place tokens with pictures on them so that each token is placed under one of 3 pictures which matches up with it thematically. There are path segments which must be switched to create paths to the pictures
C. E/H. Ye olde Fix-the-Net Puzzle. Place strands of rope onto a net with holes in it to create a complete net. The player only receives a specific number of ropes to fix the net. The harder version provides one more piece of rope and the net has more holes to fix.
D. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Click on columns of toys so that a space is created between the rows and columns which allows the rows to be removed. The easy version has one less column and one less row.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Click on digits in order from 1 to 10. Use arrows along the side of the grid to disclose the numbers. The grid is more complex in the hard mode.
F. E/H. Use arrows to move musical notes so they fit into their slots on a harp. The easy version has 6 notes, and the hard version has 8.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Assembly puzzle. Place animal tokens on a grid so that each row has either one color or one type of animal.
H. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch portraits so that the shape of each portrait matches the shadow beneath it. In the hard version. Two of the portraits are hidden by a shutter.
I. Gear puzzle. Switch gears until each is within its proper location and all mesh.
J. E/H. Ye olde book puzzle. Switch books on a bookshelf so the spines create a picture. In the hard version the player can only move one book at a time.
K. Mathematical puzzle. Connect wires to numbers on the bottom of a grid to according to a given clue
I recommend this game!
A bone-chilling mystery that will leave you questioning everything!
Overall rating
5
/
5
93 of 198 found this review helpful
A FUTURE BRIDE WHO IS A REAL DOLL
PostedJuly 14, 2022
sunnyglow
fromAre you a parent to a son? As this game demonstrates - you just never know what kind of “ghoul” your son will bring home.
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
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 45 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 45 pages
Kudos to DO Games for another “phantasmic” spookfest! Enjoy a ghostly jaunt into the world of the paranormal as a detective with your own agency, Mystical Riddles. Your companions on these two haunts will be from the ghostly realm. In the main game, help a future mother-in-law discover why her future daughter-in-law gives her goosebumps and why she seems so cold to her. Although her son considers her as a real doll, mom is less impressed. In the bonus chapter, help a neurotic husband locate his wife. And if this hubby seems somewhat strange, there is a reason!
DO Games is my favorite HOPA developer, providing more game value for the money and this game is no exception. I loved the storylines in both the main game and the bonus chapter. I found the pace excellent with fun-filled activities throughout the game. There are many extras in this developer’s games which other developers do not provide. For me, I cannot wait to play the games from DO Games.
The gaming format is the same as in all this developer’s other games. There are three collectibles. They include morphing runes, dolls, and photographs which can be exchanged to outfit a boudoir at the end of the game. You get a gimmicky camera which takes photos of the world of the paranormal. Just push the button every time you see a glimmering light. As in the last game you have the option to add more game footage – this time it is meandering around a doll house and within the basement of a forest cabin. I love this new option within this developer’s games.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 44 achievements.
• Collect 15 dolls and 15 morphing runes.
• Collect 59 snapshots which can be traded to items to deck out a boudoir
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 18 Mind Games
• Gimmicky camera to take pictures of the paranormal
• 44 achievements.
• Collect 15 dolls and 15 morphing runes.
• Collect 59 snapshots which can be traded to items to deck out a boudoir
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 18 Mind Games
• Gimmicky camera to take pictures of the paranormal
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a different story than from the main game. Play the paranormal detective in solving yet another case. Help a husband locate his wife who is missing. Also, help a ghostly green hound from the underworld who is trying to collect a wayward soul. There are five (5) HOP scenes and seven (7) mind games (AKA puzzles). This chapter is a wonderful addition to the main game. I felt the activities were equal in quality to those in the main game.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-one (21) scenes, all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. The scenes are very creatively designed. All are interactive and two of them have puzzles within the scene. As in previous games, the player can play a Match-3 game instead of the HOP scenes. These are some of the best HOP scenes out there and all are somewhat puzzle-like. There are only two standard lists of items (which I find boring). There is a variety of different styles. There are scenes with cryptic clues, rebus clues, and matching. There are the usual storybook scenes with silhouetted items to be located. The player will also discover a scene in which items which are out of place must be identified, and once clicked, return to their proper position. For me, this developer’s HOP scenes are creative works of art.
MIND GAMES: There are thirty-three (33) puzzles, eighteen (18) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. As in other games, most of the puzzles can be played in either an easy or a hard mode. I love the phrase “mind games.” However, even the “harder mind games” are not terribly challenging. I only wish that this developer would provide more of these puzzles to be replayed upon completion of the game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MIND GAMES FROM THIS GAME (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Strategy/Physics puzzle. Set the value on shut off valves so that the pressure causes a ball to go from one end of a pipe to the other. The easy version has 5 valves and the hard has 6.
B. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Enter a code to open a chest by using pointers to select and place tokens into slots at the bottom of the grid in sequential order. The easy version has 3 tokens to place while the hard has 5
C. E/H. Maze Escape puzzle. Move through a maze choosing between 3 routes at the proper time to escape ghosts. 3X
D. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Place cutlery into position into a suitcase so all fit without overlapping. Easy version has an easier arrangement than the hard version.
E. E/H. Pant by Number puzzle. In this case, paint by symbol. Paint a picture with paints matching symbols within the scene. The hard version has symbols which morph in and out of the picture.
F. E/H. Maze puzzle. Move 2 minecarts to houses of the same color removing obstacles along the way. Alternate between the carts to remove obstacles to open paths. The hard version has more obstacles.
G. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Neat puzzle in which you guess 8 animals being portrayed by hand shadows. In the hard version, the animals are divided into segments; the player must click on all the animal segments to remove them.
H. Switch puzzle. On four tokens, each with 4 different colored segments, rotate the tokens to change the position of their segments until each of the four has segments of the same color.
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Map puzzle. Move 4 pieces of a tiara to their matching slots at the side of a grid. Move them on a 11 x 6 grid with rotating tree roots. Keep the pieces from hitting the tree roots while moving them to their slots.
J. E/H. Strategy puzzle. On a grid, press on squares with up to 5 dots on them to throw dirt on a fire. The dots indicate how many squares it can extinguish. The easy grid as 25 squares and the hard 36 squares.
B. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Enter a code to open a chest by using pointers to select and place tokens into slots at the bottom of the grid in sequential order. The easy version has 3 tokens to place while the hard has 5
C. E/H. Maze Escape puzzle. Move through a maze choosing between 3 routes at the proper time to escape ghosts. 3X
D. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Place cutlery into position into a suitcase so all fit without overlapping. Easy version has an easier arrangement than the hard version.
E. E/H. Pant by Number puzzle. In this case, paint by symbol. Paint a picture with paints matching symbols within the scene. The hard version has symbols which morph in and out of the picture.
F. E/H. Maze puzzle. Move 2 minecarts to houses of the same color removing obstacles along the way. Alternate between the carts to remove obstacles to open paths. The hard version has more obstacles.
G. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Neat puzzle in which you guess 8 animals being portrayed by hand shadows. In the hard version, the animals are divided into segments; the player must click on all the animal segments to remove them.
H. Switch puzzle. On four tokens, each with 4 different colored segments, rotate the tokens to change the position of their segments until each of the four has segments of the same color.
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Map puzzle. Move 4 pieces of a tiara to their matching slots at the side of a grid. Move them on a 11 x 6 grid with rotating tree roots. Keep the pieces from hitting the tree roots while moving them to their slots.
J. E/H. Strategy puzzle. On a grid, press on squares with up to 5 dots on them to throw dirt on a fire. The dots indicate how many squares it can extinguish. The easy grid as 25 squares and the hard 36 squares.
I recommend this game!
In this remastered classic, reawaken in that mysterious castle, and solve perplexing puzzles to escape!
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 65 found this review helpful
A CHORE AND A BORE:
PostedJuly 7, 2022
sunnyglow
fromWas stuck in a magic castle, but with the help of an escape button was able to safely get out of this castle and boring game.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A CHORE AND A BORE:
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter: Strategy guide is a scroll which rolls down to provide information. There is a scroll for each chapter.
Return to the magic castle for a dreadful revamped version of the original game. Join Sophia as she battles her way again through this castle to liberate goblins from the darkness. Along the way you might find yourself battling to keep yourself awake while playing this revamped monstrosity. Along the way, pick up more puzzles (mainly picture puzzles) for her to solve.
I found this game boring. I did not play the original game, but this remastered version seemed more like a patch job rather than an enhancement. If this developer was going to remaster the game, instead of throwing in dozens of additional puzzles and sprucing up the HOP scenes, he should have remastered the menu. I did not finish this game. It is a long game and with the wait time involving the hint and skip buttons, I just gave up. I did not play the Bonus Chapter so cannot comment on it. However, the player can play the bonus chapter without finishing the game.
IT’S THE MENU: Unlike current HOPA games, the menu is archaic. The player does not have the option to choose between three levels of difficulty. In addition, there is no ability to set the time for the hint button nor the skip button. I got tired of waiting for the hint button and skip button to reload. During the game I went out to get a snack and when I returned to the game, the hint button still had not recharged. However, I did like the scroll feature of the strategy guide. I found this much easier to use than the book-style guides created by other developers.
I found the game confusing to navigate as well. There is little direction as to procedures needed within the game. The player cannot replay HOP scenes nor any of the mini-games. However, you can play as many games of Goblin-jong (a form of mahjong) you desire. To do so, you must collect all the collectibles within the game, morphing fairies and Goblin-jong pieces. There are two each within each scene.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 66 shape shifting (morphing) fairies and 66 goblinjong tiles There are 2 of each in each scene
• 11 wallpapers along with concept artwork in the Dev Journal, music, and video sequences
• You get a magnifying glass for close up shots
• Goblinjong. Upon completion of the game you can play 24 additional puzzles of this game. You unlock a bonus puzzle for every two Goblinjong tiles found within the game
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 66 shape shifting (morphing) fairies and 66 goblinjong tiles There are 2 of each in each scene
• 11 wallpapers along with concept artwork in the Dev Journal, music, and video sequences
• You get a magnifying glass for close up shots
• Goblinjong. Upon completion of the game you can play 24 additional puzzles of this game. You unlock a bonus puzzle for every two Goblinjong tiles found within the game
HOP SCENES: There are very few HOP scenes. Most are puzzle-like and require some thought as how to locate items within the scenes. Most of the scenes have one to two puzzles within them. The ones I played were all lists of items and matching.
MINI-GAMES: Picture puzzles, picture puzzles and even more picture puzzle! I got so tired of playing picture puzzles – just one after another within this game. Half of the puzzles I played involved creating an image or a statue by place fragments into position. There are a lot of puzzles within this game. When I stopped playing, I had already played thirty-five (35) mini-games and had not even finished the game. In the beginning the puzzles are easy; however, as the player progresses, they become harder and there are more puzzles as well.
MINI-GAMES: BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES FROM THE GAME:
A. Mathematics puzzle. Switch numbered hexagons on 3 columns so that three rows of numbers when added or subtracted equal the number on the third column. 2 X
B. Picture puzzle. Place fragments into place to create a flowerpot.
C. Picture puzzle. On a 5 x 4 grid, click on 20 pieces, changing the image with each click until you find the proper fragments to create the picture
D. Picture puzzle. Click on the quarters of 4 circles until they form an image which matches up with those within a book.
E. Matching. Match up like- butterflies on a pond.
F. Sequence puzzle Click on taps of vats of 3 prime colors in the correct order to create the colors at the bottom of the tubes leading to them.
G. Mathematical puzzle. Click on a -3 glass and a +8 glass until you move the needle in the center between the 2 glasses to the green area of the dial.
H. Sequence puzzle. Take bottles of colored sand with mixed colors throughout and move back and forth so that each of the 5 bottles has one color of sand
I. Sequence puzzle. Play strings of a harp in the proper sequence.
J. Switch puzzle. Switch 5 gem-studded clusters and place in the proper numerical sequence.
K. Sequence puzzle. Click chimes in the correct order.
B. Picture puzzle. Place fragments into place to create a flowerpot.
C. Picture puzzle. On a 5 x 4 grid, click on 20 pieces, changing the image with each click until you find the proper fragments to create the picture
D. Picture puzzle. Click on the quarters of 4 circles until they form an image which matches up with those within a book.
E. Matching. Match up like- butterflies on a pond.
F. Sequence puzzle Click on taps of vats of 3 prime colors in the correct order to create the colors at the bottom of the tubes leading to them.
G. Mathematical puzzle. Click on a -3 glass and a +8 glass until you move the needle in the center between the 2 glasses to the green area of the dial.
H. Sequence puzzle. Take bottles of colored sand with mixed colors throughout and move back and forth so that each of the 5 bottles has one color of sand
I. Sequence puzzle. Play strings of a harp in the proper sequence.
J. Switch puzzle. Switch 5 gem-studded clusters and place in the proper numerical sequence.
K. Sequence puzzle. Click chimes in the correct order.
I don't recommend this game.
You won’t need to call her three times… She’s already here!
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 158 found this review helpful
BLOODY MARY, BLOODY MARY – BLOODY GOOD GAME
PostedJune 25, 2022
sunnyglow
fromMirror, Mirror on the wall, you are a danger to us all! Bloody Mary, Candyman, Ghosts, or Alice, you never know who is going to pop out of the mirrors within your own palace!
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: 50 pages (My Time: 9 Hours)
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 pages (My Time: 9 Hours)
Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, (Oops! not going to say that name a third time!) Don’t want Mary coming through my mirror to sweep me away into the Mirror World! However, I did enjoy watching the game characters go back-and-forth between Mirror World and the real world, dealing with ghosts and a crazed warlock. This game is a wonderful ghost fest, a spooky little adventure involving a novelist in search of inspiration for her novels. Help this famous writer learn the truth behind the legends by uncovering the true story and the actual evildoers behind those legends portrayed in both the main chapter and the bonus chapter.
Do Games, AKA Domini Games (or whatever their company name is nowadays) is my favorite HOPA developer. By whatever name, they produce fantastic games! I love their games because they provide more game for the money. This developer provides a longer game than other devs, with more puzzles, more collectibles, and even a choice in the difficulty of the puzzles. The player can also play an optional Match-3 game in lieu of the HOP scenes. No other developer provides the quality nor creativity of this developer. To me, this game is one of the best games Do Games has developed this year.
Speaking of creative new features, this developer has added a new one within this game. This game gives the player optional activities throughout the game. The player is asked if they would like to visit another location where another puzzle or activity is presented. The player can opt out if they don’t wish to engage in the activity. I love this new feature and hope they will continue to provide it. Other developers should check out this new feature as well.
As in other games, this developer has three collectibles. The collectibles are trapped ghosts and morphing writing supplies (for the most diligent writer). These two collectibles alternate between scenes. Bookmarks are collected throughout to exchange for supplies to deck out a writer’s office upon completion of the game. My only complaint is the miniscule size of the collectibles. I could not even recognize the writing supplies and could only find them if I waited to see them morph. They are too small in appearance as are some of the trapped ghosts. I found the bookmarks in some locations were hard to see as well, although most times, they were easy to locate.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 35 achievements.
• Collect 15 items from a writer’s desk and 15 trapped ghosts within mirrors
• Collect 70 bookmarks to exchange for items to deck out an office
• 11 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 20 mini-games
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 35 achievements.
• Collect 15 items from a writer’s desk and 15 trapped ghosts within mirrors
• Collect 70 bookmarks to exchange for items to deck out an office
• 11 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 21 HOP scenes and 20 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: Our renown writer from the main game is off to La Llorona (crying woman in Spanish) Recreation Center to investigate the legend of the ghostly figure, La Llorona. The Latin American legend does not match up with the story portrayed in this game, but I can understand why the developer took the story in a different direction. This story involves another ghost and an evildoer involved in her death. I liked this chapter and felt the activities were comparable to the main game. Continue collecting the collectibles. There are four (4) HOP scenes and eight (8) mini-games within this chapter. I feel it is a good addition to the game and worthy of a collector’s edition designation
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-one (21) scenes all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There is also a Match-3 game to play instead of the scenes. One of my favorite parts of this developer’s games are the creatively designed HOP scenes. While most HOPA games include boringly similar standard lists of items (ho-hum), Do Games provides new variations for their HOP scenes. All are interactive with some well-designed scenes. Many scenes are storybook in nature, providing information about the storyline. There are many search-and-replace scenes or placement scenes in this game. Either the player searches for the items and uses them back within the scenes or is given an item to place within the scene. My favorites are the rebus scenes and there are two of them within this game.
There are also matching scenes. However, my only other complaint concerning this game are the lock and chains which appear if you click too often within the scenes. Please Do Games – Stop locking the matching scenes. The matching scenes require clicking on objects to uncover the items which are to be matched. How can the player find where items are hidden if you can’t click on all the objects within the scene to find them?
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-three (33) mini-games, twenty (20) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. Most of the mini-games can be played in an “easy” mode or for more of challenge, a “hard” mode. Very few of the puzzles do not have this designation. There are no puzzles, in my opinion, which are brain busters. In this game, Do Games placed some mini-games within the HOP scenes which I feel makes them more enjoyable to play.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES FROM THIS GAME: (E = Easy H = Hard)
A. E/H. Maze puzzle. Choose between 3 paths at the right time to traverse and exit a maze in the woods while avoiding ghosts. 3X
B. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Move the body parts of a plastic figure to match that of a given diagram. The easy version keeps the diagram in front of the player while playing the puzzle; in the hard version, the diagram must be pulled up to reference it.
C. E/H. Domino puzzle. Move domino-type pieces so that the ends of dominoes which abut each other have the same symbol on them.
D. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch colored tokens and move them to slots of the same color by using gears to transfer them. The easy version has 4 colored tokens and the hard has 6.
E. E/H. Connection puzzle. Run wires between numbered boxes so the number of wires emanating from each box equals the number on the box. The easy version has smaller numbers on the boxes making it easier to solve.
F. E/H. Tangram puzzle. Fit all items into a box without overlapping the items. the easy version has added blocks into the box to help with assessing where different shaped items can be placed.
G. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Use machetes to clear a 10 x 7 (70 squares) grid of bushes. The easy version gives you 3 machetes and hard gives you 4. You cannot use a machete if you arrive at a place where there are no bushes in front of you to remove.
H. Chess puzzle. Using the “L” shaped moves of a knight, place 4 chess pieces on a square of the same color
I. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch sides of swallows and eagles using paths to guide them to the other side. Different birds cannot stand on neighboring squares. The easy version has 3 of each bird and the hard has 4.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. E/H. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces into position to create an image. The hard version has more pieces to place. (Optional puzzle within the museum)
K. E/H. Physics puzzle. Place billiard balls into the pockets on a billiards table. The hard version has more balls to pocket
L. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Zipline through the trees in this puzzle. Use switches to avoid obstacles in your path as you use ladders and walkways to maneuver between the trees.
M. E/H. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings on the front of a ring to create an open space. A latch will release when the gaps are produced.
N. E/H. Tangram puzzle. Place wires on a 6 x 5 grid (30 connectors) so that the complete grid is filled without wires intersecting each other.
B. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Move the body parts of a plastic figure to match that of a given diagram. The easy version keeps the diagram in front of the player while playing the puzzle; in the hard version, the diagram must be pulled up to reference it.
C. E/H. Domino puzzle. Move domino-type pieces so that the ends of dominoes which abut each other have the same symbol on them.
D. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch colored tokens and move them to slots of the same color by using gears to transfer them. The easy version has 4 colored tokens and the hard has 6.
E. E/H. Connection puzzle. Run wires between numbered boxes so the number of wires emanating from each box equals the number on the box. The easy version has smaller numbers on the boxes making it easier to solve.
F. E/H. Tangram puzzle. Fit all items into a box without overlapping the items. the easy version has added blocks into the box to help with assessing where different shaped items can be placed.
G. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Use machetes to clear a 10 x 7 (70 squares) grid of bushes. The easy version gives you 3 machetes and hard gives you 4. You cannot use a machete if you arrive at a place where there are no bushes in front of you to remove.
H. Chess puzzle. Using the “L” shaped moves of a knight, place 4 chess pieces on a square of the same color
I. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch sides of swallows and eagles using paths to guide them to the other side. Different birds cannot stand on neighboring squares. The easy version has 3 of each bird and the hard has 4.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. E/H. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces into position to create an image. The hard version has more pieces to place. (Optional puzzle within the museum)
K. E/H. Physics puzzle. Place billiard balls into the pockets on a billiards table. The hard version has more balls to pocket
L. E/H. Strategy puzzle. Zipline through the trees in this puzzle. Use switches to avoid obstacles in your path as you use ladders and walkways to maneuver between the trees.
M. E/H. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings on the front of a ring to create an open space. A latch will release when the gaps are produced.
N. E/H. Tangram puzzle. Place wires on a 6 x 5 grid (30 connectors) so that the complete grid is filled without wires intersecting each other.
I recommend this game!
Can you take on Goldilocks’ mantel and protect the kingdom?
Overall rating
5
/
5
88 of 144 found this review helpful
THE SPIRIT OF GOLDILOCKS RETURNS IN A “BEARY” GOOD GAME.
PostedJune 16, 2022
sunnyglow
fromWhat a wonderful surprise to see the return of Friendly Fox! My prayers have been with them during this difficult period and happy to see them creating their superb games again.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The spirit of Goldilocks and her bears return in this delightful, remastered classic. Play Goldilocks’ prince of a son as he discovers the truth about his past while fighting a force out to destroy his family. With the help of his mother’s ghost, he is off to save his father and his kingdom from being destroyed by an evildoer.
I could “bearly” contain my delight in playing this game. The game is much improved from the original classic. The graphics have been heightened and the sound quality is richer. More puzzles and HOP scenes have been added. This a long game and one which I enjoyed playing. Friendly Fox has added some creative touches to this game without altering the format from the original game.
Play two characters throughout the game. Play a human and then transform into a bear when bear strength is needed. As a bear you will you use your claws, your sense of smell, and your bite to traverse throughout the game. There are two collectibles, sprites, and morphing runes. I found both difficult to locate. Some of the sprites are blended into the scenes and are difficult to see. I found the morphing runes hard to locate because of their small size. Upon completion of the game, there is an additional picture puzzle which can be played if all the sprites are collected. It consists of two scenes where circular pictures fragments must be exchanged and rotated to complete the final pictures.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 29 achievements.
• Collect 76 sprites used to exchange for 5 larger sprites
• Collect 34 morphing runes
• If all 76 sprites are collected, another picture puzzle with two scenes is made available to play.
• 7 Wallpapers along with 5 screensavers, concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 15 HOP scenes and 18 mini-games
• 29 achievements.
• Collect 76 sprites used to exchange for 5 larger sprites
• Collect 34 morphing runes
• If all 76 sprites are collected, another picture puzzle with two scenes is made available to play.
• 7 Wallpapers along with 5 screensavers, concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 15 HOP scenes and 18 mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. The evildoer from the main game is out to revive his beloved once again. Play Goldilocks’ son who is now married to Sheridan from the main game. Their precocious child, Jenny, is lured by the evildoer to assist him in resurrecting his true love. Now you and you wife must save your daughter from this evildoer. I loved this chapter much more than the main game. This chapter is long, creatively designed, and well-worth the price of the collector’s edition. Collect the sprites but not the morphing runes. There are ten (10) HOP scenes and twelve (12) mini-games. There is one puzzle which can be played in either a casual or hard mode. There is an awesome HOP scene within a dollhouse in the inventory. This is the first game I have seen with a HOP scene within an inventory item.
HOP SCENES: I counted thirty-nine (39) HOP scenes within the game, fifteen (15) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game They are highly interactive and include lists of items, silhouette, and matching. Most of the scenes are reused for more than one search of items. There is a diary within the game and throughout the main game, items are searched within the pages of the diary to further the story behind the game. There are some beautiful scenes within this game. I particularly enjoyed searching for items on a stained-glass window (which is used twice for searches).
MINI-GAMES: There are forty-one (41) puzzles within the game, eighteen (18) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. Most of these puzzles are the original ones from the original game; however, there are new ones included as well. I found most of the puzzles of easy or moderate difficulty. There are three (3) puzzles which can be played in either a casual or hard mode.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Matching puzzle. Match up 5 keys with their proper keyholes
B. Assembly puzzle. Place gears where they belong according to size and shape
C. Switch puzzle. Rotate and switch hexagonal picture tiles until an image is created.
D. Round maze puzzle. Lead a ball in a circular maze to the center by rotating the grid back and forth.
E. Casual/Hard. Complete an image by dragging fragments to where they belong in a circular frame. The easy version has images on the fragments whereas, the hard does not – only shapes to go by.
F. Maze puzzle. Move through a dark maze lighting up paths as you proceed.
G. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a sequence of lighted skeletons
H. Arrange 3 rows and columns of a wind chime so no 2 of the same items are within the same row or column.
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Jigsaw puzzle. Place puzzle fragments onto a circular frame to restore an image
J. Switch puzzle. Switch zodiac symbols so they are in the proper location
K. Switch puzzle. Switch picture tiles for 5 pictures to restore the images of 5 of the game’s characters.
L. Casual/Hard. Assembly puzzle Rotate and place mirror shards back into position within the mirror. The hard version does not have a framework as to where to place the shards
M. Maze puzzle. Find your way through a labyrinth within a dungeon.
N. Switch puzzle. Using a rotating disk in the center of a grid to pick up and move tokens, move 8 tokens to their proper slots around this central disk.
B. Assembly puzzle. Place gears where they belong according to size and shape
C. Switch puzzle. Rotate and switch hexagonal picture tiles until an image is created.
D. Round maze puzzle. Lead a ball in a circular maze to the center by rotating the grid back and forth.
E. Casual/Hard. Complete an image by dragging fragments to where they belong in a circular frame. The easy version has images on the fragments whereas, the hard does not – only shapes to go by.
F. Maze puzzle. Move through a dark maze lighting up paths as you proceed.
G. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a sequence of lighted skeletons
H. Arrange 3 rows and columns of a wind chime so no 2 of the same items are within the same row or column.
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Jigsaw puzzle. Place puzzle fragments onto a circular frame to restore an image
J. Switch puzzle. Switch zodiac symbols so they are in the proper location
K. Switch puzzle. Switch picture tiles for 5 pictures to restore the images of 5 of the game’s characters.
L. Casual/Hard. Assembly puzzle Rotate and place mirror shards back into position within the mirror. The hard version does not have a framework as to where to place the shards
M. Maze puzzle. Find your way through a labyrinth within a dungeon.
N. Switch puzzle. Using a rotating disk in the center of a grid to pick up and move tokens, move 8 tokens to their proper slots around this central disk.
I recommend this game!
Time is running out when a killer targets a fellow detective!
Overall rating
5
/
5
99 of 216 found this review helpful
JUSTICE IS SERVED IN A WHODUNIT WITH A HEART-WARMING BONUS CHAPTER ON THE SIDE
PostedMay 26, 2022
sunnyglow
fromLocation? In a happy place to see a new HOPA game out today. Thank you BFG for bringing a smile to HOPA game lovers!
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
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 pages
The wait is over! After a brief hiatus from publishing new HOPA games, BFG has returned with an exciting psychological whodunit! Join sleuth, Dana Strange, and her partner as they investigate who is out to exact revenge against those who escaped punishment through the justice system. This game also comes with a heart-warming bonus chapter which I feel is better than the main game!
The game has the same format as most of the Elephant games. The collectibles include twelve (12) playing cards and forty-eight (48) puzzle pieces which are used to create four jigsaw puzzles upon completion of the game. I found the cards easy to locate; however, I found some jigsaw pieces well-hidden within the scenes. Most of the scenes have numerous collectibles within them. Since there are several within a scene, I had to return to the Expedition Room to see where I missed some of those jigsaw pieces. As in most of Elephant’s games, there is a Secret Room which provides more items to be located within the game scenes after completion of the game.
HOP SCENES: There are thirteen (13) HOP scenes, all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. Most are standard fare, most being lists of items or search and replace scenes. I love the search and replace scenes in which items must be found and returned to the scene in the proper location. There are numerous mini-HOP scenes (ones with only six or seven items to locate) within this game. There are as many mini-HOP scenes as the standard ones.
MINI-GAMES: For me, the mini-games are the best part of this game. The bonus chapter has several which are more like HOP scenes than puzzles. There are twenty-two (22) mini-games, including two (2) Rube-Goldberg puzzles.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 48 puzzles pieces for 4 puzzles
• Collect 12 playing cards
• 5 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 Mini-games
• Expedition Room taking the player back to scenes where missing collectibles can be collected.
• Secret Room returns to scenes within the game to search for more items within the scenes. The player is timed within this room.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 48 puzzles pieces for 4 puzzles
• Collect 12 playing cards
• 5 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 13 HOP scenes and 13 Mini-games
• Expedition Room taking the player back to scenes where missing collectibles can be collected.
• Secret Room returns to scenes within the game to search for more items within the scenes. The player is timed within this room.
BONUS CHAPTER: Jack Goldwin’s beloved Grandpa Ralph has died and left him an inheritance. However, what has he inherited? Grandpa has left Jack a key and being a lover of riddles and puzzle, he now expects his grandson to figure out where his inheritance is located. What does the key open? Does it open a safe with large stash of cash, or something even more valuable? Find out in this incredibly creative chapter. I loved this chapter more than the actual game. The HOP scenes and puzzles are much better than the main game. This chapter is worthy of a collector’s edition price. Continue to collect the collectibles. There are six (6) mini-games and four (4) HOP scenes. However, some of the puzzles are more like HOP scenes.
SPOILERS: THERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Checkers puzzle. A modified version in which you use white balls to defeat your opponent’s black balls. Landing your ball next to your opponent’s balls turns them to your color and vice versa. Win by filling up the 8 x 8 board (64 squares) with more of your colored balls than your opponent’s.
B. Strategy Lock puzzle. Enter a passcode to open a door lock by pressing the 3 given symbols. However, pressing down one symbol affects the others around it. Push buttons until the 3 which open the door are the only ones pushed down.
C. Rube Goldberg Puzzle.
(1) Switch puzzle. Switch 8 segments of a circular disk until an image is restored.
(2) Matching puzzle. Uncover 8 squares by pushing on them to match like-tokens
(3) Switch puzzle. Take the red square discovered in #2 and place it where it belongs then switch the positions of the colored squares so the 3 red ones are where the 3 blue tokens are and vice versa.
(4) Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate 5 circles so that they create a picture.
D. Assembly puzzle. Dress a samurai warrior in war attire. Choose items and put them into the proper position to create the warrior matching a given picture 3X
E. Connection puzzle. Match up nodes on the left with those on the right to create a circuit.
F. Rube Goldberg puzzle. Free your hands from being tied up.
1. Tracing puzzle. Move a knot across a string to release the string. There are 3 different colored strings.
2. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no sections overlap with each other.
3. Slider puzzle. Slide 4 colored knots to their like- colored spaces.
G. Maze puzzle. Lead a lab rat to a button at the end of a maze using 4 sets of control buttons to guide him on his path. You must open gates along the way.
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Map puzzle. Using a map, go to designated points and locate 3 symbols at each point within an underground part of a college.
I. Connection puzzle. Connect 9 pictures with thread. Each picture has the number of connections which must be made.
J. Search and replace puzzle. Locate items out of place within the scene and put them in the correct position (More like a HOP scene)
B. Strategy Lock puzzle. Enter a passcode to open a door lock by pressing the 3 given symbols. However, pressing down one symbol affects the others around it. Push buttons until the 3 which open the door are the only ones pushed down.
C. Rube Goldberg Puzzle.
(1) Switch puzzle. Switch 8 segments of a circular disk until an image is restored.
(2) Matching puzzle. Uncover 8 squares by pushing on them to match like-tokens
(3) Switch puzzle. Take the red square discovered in #2 and place it where it belongs then switch the positions of the colored squares so the 3 red ones are where the 3 blue tokens are and vice versa.
(4) Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate 5 circles so that they create a picture.
D. Assembly puzzle. Dress a samurai warrior in war attire. Choose items and put them into the proper position to create the warrior matching a given picture 3X
E. Connection puzzle. Match up nodes on the left with those on the right to create a circuit.
F. Rube Goldberg puzzle. Free your hands from being tied up.
1. Tracing puzzle. Move a knot across a string to release the string. There are 3 different colored strings.
2. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no sections overlap with each other.
3. Slider puzzle. Slide 4 colored knots to their like- colored spaces.
G. Maze puzzle. Lead a lab rat to a button at the end of a maze using 4 sets of control buttons to guide him on his path. You must open gates along the way.
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Map puzzle. Using a map, go to designated points and locate 3 symbols at each point within an underground part of a college.
I. Connection puzzle. Connect 9 pictures with thread. Each picture has the number of connections which must be made.
J. Search and replace puzzle. Locate items out of place within the scene and put them in the correct position (More like a HOP scene)
I recommend this game!