sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:822
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 10, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you undo Neptune’s deadly curse in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
98 of 150 found this review helpful
CURSES! ANOTHER ISLAND HOLIDAY RUINED
PostedJune 3, 2021
sunnyglow
fromAfter playing this game I would like to know what happened to that “undying love” between King Charles and Ayrine?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 41 pages (My Time: 8 Hours)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 41 pages (My Time: 8 Hours)
OPINION: Enjoy a seafaring adventure loosely based upon the Hans Christian Anderson tale of “The Little Mermaid.” I loved the first part of this game. However, as the game progressed, the game became boring to me - mired down in the doldrums of repetitive stories and actions. The actions are the same throughout the main game. Sail from one sea monster to another attempting to return their hideous presence to their former human self. The sequence is the same. Find the monster, locate a magic pearl, give the pearl to Morgana (your storyteller helper), listen to her narrate a tale of woe about the character, play the same Match-3 game, then receive a token to return the monster to its former human self.
Curses! This whole island is cursed, and you will need to not only remove them from five characters but also locate and return an item which has a special significance to that person. By the end of the game, I was saying “Curses! How many more monsters do I need to save?” Yawn! I think this game would have been better if it were shorter or provided a little more variety in the gameplay.
One feature I did enjoy about the game is the side bar on the left which indicates how many collectibles are remaining within the scene. I do wish more developers provided this feature. The collectibles are morphing objects and game characters. Every scene has two of each. I found some were easy to locate; however, I did have problems locating a few of them. However, I enjoy a challenge and I found this a good thing. If the player locates all the characters, a map puzzle is made available to play upon completion of the game. The game has beautiful artwork. The soundtrack is the same one as in most of this developer’s games. I do hope this developer will develop a new theme song for their games.
STORY: Play Amber as she ventures off to celebrate Neptune Day on Sunshine Island with her brother, Adam. After years apart, both are excited at the reunion. This day celebrates the harmonious relationship between the sea dwellers and the inhabitants of the island. However, when the mermaid who forged the truce, Ayrine disappears, her sister mermaids believe she is dead and blame her death on the island’s residents. They have placed a curse upon the residents and since you are not a resident, you are their only hope in stopping this curse. Is Ayrine dead or is she missing? The answer rests with an evil denizen of the ocean, the Sea Witch, who has ensnared the whole island kingdom in her net of deceit.
VERDICT: This is a long game which I feel would be better if it were shorter. I did enjoy the game. I feel it is worth purchasing and playing. There are some fantastic HOP scenes and puzzles. However, to me, it is not outstanding. Sorry, but I do not feel this is worthy of an editor's choice award. There are some good features within this game; however, to me, there is a lot of filler - making the game longer through the same repetitive actions.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 18 achievements. (Some have 3 parts)
• 26 game scenes.
• Collect 52 morphing objects and 52 characters from the game. Every scene has 2 morphing objects and 2 characters.
• 8 wallpapers and 5 screensavers, along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Morgana a helper sea creature who will help you when you locate and give her a magic pearl.
• Replay 20 HOP scenes and 17 mini-games.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 18 achievements. (Some have 3 parts)
• 26 game scenes.
• Collect 52 morphing objects and 52 characters from the game. Every scene has 2 morphing objects and 2 characters.
• 8 wallpapers and 5 screensavers, along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Morgana a helper sea creature who will help you when you locate and give her a magic pearl.
• Replay 20 HOP scenes and 17 mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Adam, Amber’s brother, as he helps Davy Jones save his ship, the Flying Dutchman, from the ghost of Mary Reed, the ship’s former captain. Mary has been cursed by the Sea Witch and you, as Adam, must find a way to allow her to escape this curse. There are six (6) mini-games and nine (9) HOP scenes. I felt the pace dragged a little in this chapter. Nevertheless, with all the activities within this chapter, it is worthy of a collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-eight (28) HOP scenes, twenty (20) of which can be replayed at the end of the game. Some of these are what I consider mini-HOP scenes, which are searches for six or less items. I feel the best part of the game are the HOP scenes. They are highly interactive. They include the standard lists of items and silhouette scenes. There are also matching scenes, rebus clues, scenes in which items are to be replaced into the proper place within the scene. There is even a FROG in the bonus chapter! A few scenes have a mini-game within them as well.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-eight (38) mini-games, seventeen (17) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. There is a variety of different styles, and most are thematic. Some of the puzzles have the option to be played in either an easy or hard mode.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE A FEW OF THE 38 MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. Match 3 game. Fight a squid (Davy Jones) by filing up your bar with tokens before he does in 20 moves. (Same puzzle is played throughout the game)
B. Connection puzzle. Connect thread points with each other on an embroidery hoop without crossing lines.
C. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no parts intersect with each other.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces on a pocket watch to restore an image.
E. Checkers puzzle. Move colored gems on a magic wand, jumping over other gems to a free open space until all gems are in their matching slots.
F. Switch puzzle. On a circular grid switch tokens so that they are next to the two symbols which, when combined, create the image on the token.
G. Checkers puzzle. On a grid full of roses, have the roses jump over each other to a free space until only one remains.
BONUS CHAPTER:
A. E/H. Logic puzzle. Place colored fireworks into boxes as per written instructions.
B. Bullseye puzzle. Move 3 sliders into position to knock down a stalactite.
C. Maze puzzle. Find a way through a maze by choosing between 3 doors at each turn using a guide with symbols on it.
B. Connection puzzle. Connect thread points with each other on an embroidery hoop without crossing lines.
C. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so no parts intersect with each other.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces on a pocket watch to restore an image.
E. Checkers puzzle. Move colored gems on a magic wand, jumping over other gems to a free open space until all gems are in their matching slots.
F. Switch puzzle. On a circular grid switch tokens so that they are next to the two symbols which, when combined, create the image on the token.
G. Checkers puzzle. On a grid full of roses, have the roses jump over each other to a free space until only one remains.
BONUS CHAPTER:
A. E/H. Logic puzzle. Place colored fireworks into boxes as per written instructions.
B. Bullseye puzzle. Move 3 sliders into position to knock down a stalactite.
C. Maze puzzle. Find a way through a maze by choosing between 3 doors at each turn using a guide with symbols on it.
I recommend this game!
The oracle’s strange vision portends cataclysmic destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
145 of 230 found this review helpful
5-STAR PLUS SCI-FI ADVENTURE DESTINED TO BECOME THE BEST GAME OF THE YEAR
PostedMay 27, 2021
sunnyglow
fromI wish I may, I wish I might – I just wish we had more games like this one which came out tonight. Such a joy to play. This one is a classic!
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: 51 pages (My Time: 8 Hours)
OPINION: Amazing! Sensational! These two adjectives cannot fully describe the quality of this game! Kudos to 5-BN for producing a sensational sci-fi adventure, a HOPA game which is destined to become a classic. To me, this game is the best HOPA game produced this year. It is a puzzle-lover’s delight. And although there are fewer HOP scenes, the ones within this game are creatively designed and puzzle-like in nature. It is a lengthy game; however, for me, the time passed quickly due to its fast pace and the multitude of puzzles and HOP scenes.
The graphics are beautiful – a work of art. The story behind the game is a well-written sci-fi thriller. There are seven (7) different collectibles with at least two per scene. Most scenes have a morphing object. I found most of the collectibles were easy to locate; however, there are some which are well-hidden. There are five (5) picture puzzles which can be played upon completion of the game. There is also a bonus puzzle which has twenty (20) levels of play – each one increasing in difficulty.
FINAL VERDICT: This is one game you will not want to miss, especially if you love sci-fi or are an avid puzzle lover! If there was only one game, I could play this year, this would be the one. It is well-worth the full price for this game. It is an exceptional game which, in my opinion, is worth more than the price I paid for it.
STORY: Join Scarlett (AKA the Purple Fox) on an adventure to save the world from destruction. Time is of the essence as she must return an Ancient, Anum Kaytel, back to Eltay Island. Only he can stop the destructive energy within a volcano from destroying the entire world.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 30 morphing objects.
• Collect 8 manuscripts, 7 ravens, 8 crystals balls, 8 figurines, 7 compasses, and (12 shells in the bonus chapter).
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Replay 14 mini-games.
• Play 5 picture puzzles upon completion of the game.
• Upon completion of the game, play a block puzzle with 20 different games – each one increasing in difficulty.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 22 achievements.
• Collect 30 morphing objects.
• Collect 8 manuscripts, 7 ravens, 8 crystals balls, 8 figurines, 7 compasses, and (12 shells in the bonus chapter).
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Replay 14 mini-games.
• Play 5 picture puzzles upon completion of the game.
• Upon completion of the game, play a block puzzle with 20 different games – each one increasing in difficulty.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. It explains in more detail the beginning of the main game. Join the Archwitch from the main game and her aide-de-camp as they explore Eltay Island in search of sarcophagi and anything else related to the Ancients. It is a long chapter with three (3) HOP scenes and eleven (11) mini-games. Collect twelve (12) sea shells in this chapter. To me, it is fantastic bonus chapter.
HOP SCENES: There are fifteen (15) HOP scenes. They are puzzle-like in nature. They include standard lists of items and silhouette. The silhouette scenes are searches for items which, once located, are used back within the scene. Most of the scenes contain at least one mini-game and some of the scenes have two. They are highly interactive with some scenes having items well-hidden within the scenes.
MINI-GAMES: There are fifty-one (51) mini-games, fourteen (14) of which can be replayed at the end of the game. My only disappointment is that there are not more of these puzzles available to be replayed. I found the puzzles vary in difficulty with some extremely easy such imputing a code into a lock to extremely challenging. I found the last puzzle in this game somewhat difficult.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE 51 PUZZLES IN THIS GAME:
A. Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move fragments of the four card suit emblems (a spade, a club,, a diamond, and a heart) so the symbols are created on four circles.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch triangular pieces to restore a picture on a mosaic.
C. Assembly puzzle. Position parts of a bug according to a given diagram.
D. Checkers puzzle. Jump over tokens until only one remains.
E. Strategy puzzle. On a 5 x 5 grid calculate moves to move 5 fish tokens so they escape through holes in nets at the top and bottom of the grid. The fish travel up-and-down until they bump into another fish token or the sides of the grid.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch numbers on a clockface so all are in their proper position. There are 3 arrows on the clock, two which allow the number to move and one which switches the numbers between two spaces.
G. Assembly puzzle. On a 5 x 5 grid, place masks so that the colors and emotions on each one are not repeated in each row and column.
H. Maze puzzle. Find a path through an underground maze.
I. Connection puzzle. Rotate all connectors so that beams of light connect all of them within a grid.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. Mathematical puzzle. Place numbers into a 5 x 6 grid so the sum of the columns and rows equal the numbers listed at the top and sides of the grid.
K. Connection puzzle. Two for the price of one. Connect like-colored buttons on a grid without crossing lines. There are bridges within the grid to enable a line to go over it and another to go under it.
L. Assembly puzzle. On a hexagonal grid with hexagon shaped cells, use an arrow to fill in all tiles without running out of spaces nor retracing steps.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch triangular pieces to restore a picture on a mosaic.
C. Assembly puzzle. Position parts of a bug according to a given diagram.
D. Checkers puzzle. Jump over tokens until only one remains.
E. Strategy puzzle. On a 5 x 5 grid calculate moves to move 5 fish tokens so they escape through holes in nets at the top and bottom of the grid. The fish travel up-and-down until they bump into another fish token or the sides of the grid.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch numbers on a clockface so all are in their proper position. There are 3 arrows on the clock, two which allow the number to move and one which switches the numbers between two spaces.
G. Assembly puzzle. On a 5 x 5 grid, place masks so that the colors and emotions on each one are not repeated in each row and column.
H. Maze puzzle. Find a path through an underground maze.
I. Connection puzzle. Rotate all connectors so that beams of light connect all of them within a grid.
BONUS CHAPTER:
J. Mathematical puzzle. Place numbers into a 5 x 6 grid so the sum of the columns and rows equal the numbers listed at the top and sides of the grid.
K. Connection puzzle. Two for the price of one. Connect like-colored buttons on a grid without crossing lines. There are bridges within the grid to enable a line to go over it and another to go under it.
L. Assembly puzzle. On a hexagonal grid with hexagon shaped cells, use an arrow to fill in all tiles without running out of spaces nor retracing steps.
I recommend this game!
In The Wild Case, go on a first-person point-and-click adventure and explore a remote village located deep within a mysterious forest.
Overall rating
1
/
5
92 of 157 found this review helpful
A BEASTLY ADVENTURE SET IN RUSSIA
PostedMay 26, 2021
sunnyglow
fromRed eyes? Even my eyes turned red from reading all the dialogue within this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
STORY: You are off to a small mining town in Russia. Play Alexander Mikhailovich, a detective investigating the sudden appearance of red-eyed wild beasts who are menacing this town. The chairman of the town has contacted you because these beasts are attacking the townspeople. Now that the coal mine has been closed, the town is almost desolate with few villagers remaining. Could the abandoned coal mine hold the key to the appearance of these monsters?
OPINION. I love playing this developer’s HOPA games and was excited to see them venture into adventure games, another one of my favorite gaming genres. However, I absolutely hated this game. To me this game is a boring "snoozefest." The entire game consists of nothing more than running throughout the town and surrounding forest searching for inventory items. There are no voiceovers so the player must read every line of dialogue throughout the game and there is a lot of dialogue. In a nutshell, the player chats with the town residents and scampers back-and-forth between the scenes searching for one inventory item after another to satisfy some request by one of the game characters. Halfway through the game, I was completely bored and could not wait for the game to end.
The blurb for the game states there are puzzles to solve. Where? I found only one puzzle in this game – one involving a horseshoe which is used to open a door. The game does require strategic thinking to figure out where to go and what activities are needed to accomplish the required steps. However, it would have been a better game if the developer had included puzzles to add variety to the game, helping to break up the monotonous searches for inventory items.
For me, the graphics are depressing. The setting is a rundown town set against a depressing gray background highlighted with dark colors. I played the entire game in approximately four (4) hours which is short for an adventure game; however, for the price of the game, it is probably the right length. There are eighteen (18) achievements. I found the settings somewhat clunky. To get a windowed screen I had to disable the full screen and click on resolution to get the smaller screen. There is no strategy guide to reference while playing the game. However, there are You Tube videos which provide a walkthrough of this game.
FINAL VERDICT: “Nyet!” This is not an adventure game I recommend unless the player enjoys reading a massive amount of dialogue combined with endless searches for inventory items. All the activities are set in a depressing background of a desolate town with slum-like buildings. There are better adventure games out there. For me, it is not the price paid for the game which I regret, but rather, the time wasted playing it. And with all the fantastic adventure games out there, I do hope BFG will find better ones to offer in the future.
I don't recommend this game.
Can Camelot survive the wrath of the Green Knight?
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 173 found this review helpful
“THERE IS SIMPLY NOT - A LESS CONGENIAL SPOT” IN THIS CAMELOT
PostedMay 22, 2021
sunnyglow
fromNight and day I spent playing this long game about the Green Knight – all while listening to songs like “Stay the Night” by Green Day. Now it is time to call it a night!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 87 pages (My time: 12 Hours)
STORY: Be prepared for a long adventure! Pack your talismans, amulets, and grimoire and transport back in time to Camelot and the court of King Arthur. As a fledgling court mage, Bliss, you are off on your first assignment. The Green Knight, the keeper of nature, believes King Arthur abducted his wife. As a result, he has turned the king to stone. However, your mentor, Merlin, does not believe this is the case. He believes Arthur’s wayward sister and arch nemesis, Morgana, may be behind the abduction as part of a plot against the king. Can you locate the Green Knight’s bride and save the kingdom from his revenge? Paraphrasing the song from the musical, “There is simply not, a less congenial spot” as Camelot in this game.
OPINON: This is an action-packed game with a good storyline and plenty of activities to keep a player engaged. There is a combination of seventy-five (75) HOP scenes and puzzles in this game. The graphics well-portray medieval England. This game is long in comparison to those from other developers. To me, this game is better than this developer’s previous game, “Pride and Prejudice: Bloodlines.” There is more variety and creativity in the HOP scenes and puzzles. I feel the pace is better as well. However, I do not feel these HOP scenes nor puzzles are as creatively designed as in other HOPA games I have played. They are decent but not spectacular. I also did not discover any glitches or errors while downloading nor playing this game.
There is only one collectible, scrolls, which I found easy to locate within the scenes. There is a sidebar on the left side of the screen indicating how many scrolls are within a scene and how many you have collected. The player receives a gimmicky glove to fight off danger which is charged by finding spells throughout the game. There are no “extras” in this game. The player cannot replay HOP scenes nor mini-games. However, there are a small number of achievements which can be earned.
WHY 5 STARS? Some will wonder why I gave this game 5 stars if I had these small complaints. I am awarding this game 5 stars not because it is an outstanding game, but rather based on the improvement seen from the developer’s previous game offered on this site. I do hope that in future games, this developer will shorten their games and concentrate on providing more creatively designed HOP scenes and puzzles along with a provision to replay some those HOP scenes and puzzles. Hope to see more HOPA games from this developer in the future!
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 15 achievements.
• Collect 65 scrolls.
• 7 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• 44 Scenes within the entire game.
• Gimmicky magic glove charged by finding spells throughout the game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 15 achievements.
• Collect 65 scrolls.
• 7 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• 44 Scenes within the entire game.
• Gimmicky magic glove charged by finding spells throughout the game.
BONUS CHAPTER: “Invasion of the Monsters.” Monsters have invaded the castle and have captured King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin. They have also turned the knights into statues. You must now find a grimoire to stop them and return these monsters to the portal from which they came and seal it. Afterward, discover the culprit and his motives for releasing these monsters. Continue collecting he collectibles. There are nine (9) HOP scenes and sixteen (16) mini-games. This is a long chapter, well-crafted and worth the price of a collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES. There are thirty-six (36) HOP scenes. Unlike other BFG HOP games, the player cannot replay any of the scenes. They are varied in style and somewhat creatively designed. They include standard lists of items, matching, silhouette, replacement of items back into the scene, and a search for items to be used within the scene. This variety of scenes was not present within their previous game. I found them decent and varied but none which were outstanding.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-nine (39) mini-games. None can be replayed at the end of the game. The puzzles are variations of those seen in other games. There are some decent puzzles within this game. They are thematic. My only complaint is that I wish I could have replayed some of them. Perhaps in the future, this developer will make this provision within their games.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-nine (39) mini-games. None can be replayed at the end of the game. The puzzles are variations of those seen in other games. There are some decent puzzles within this game. They are thematic. My only complaint is that I wish I could have replayed some of them. Perhaps in the future, this developer will make this provision within their games.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE A FEW OF THE 39 PUZZLES FROM THE GAME:
A. Checkers puzzle. Exchange the positions of red and blue gems on a grid so that red gems are located where the blue gems are and vice versa. Gems can jump over each other if there is an open space available.
B. Connection puzzle. Move a pretzel through a maze so that all squares are covered without retracing steps.
C. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so they do not cross over each other.
D. Paint puzzle. Color segments of an image so no segments of the same color are next to each other.
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate 3 rings to restore an image of a dragon.
F. Math problem. Lead a blue dragon’s head and a gold dragon’s head to silver and gold tokens within a grid. You must plot the course, so both dragon heads land exactly on the tokens at the same time. The blue dragon moves 7 spaces, and the gold dragon moves 9 spaces.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Bullseye. Hit a monster once with a bola to kill him. Choose the right point on the monster to hit him.
H. Bullseye puzzle. Use a crystal scepter charged with energy to zap monsters within the castle.
I. Switch puzzle. Switch slats within a round shield to restore an image.
J. Sequence puzzle. Click on animals in a grid in sequence.
B. Connection puzzle. Move a pretzel through a maze so that all squares are covered without retracing steps.
C. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so they do not cross over each other.
D. Paint puzzle. Color segments of an image so no segments of the same color are next to each other.
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate 3 rings to restore an image of a dragon.
F. Math problem. Lead a blue dragon’s head and a gold dragon’s head to silver and gold tokens within a grid. You must plot the course, so both dragon heads land exactly on the tokens at the same time. The blue dragon moves 7 spaces, and the gold dragon moves 9 spaces.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Bullseye. Hit a monster once with a bola to kill him. Choose the right point on the monster to hit him.
H. Bullseye puzzle. Use a crystal scepter charged with energy to zap monsters within the castle.
I. Switch puzzle. Switch slats within a round shield to restore an image.
J. Sequence puzzle. Click on animals in a grid in sequence.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop Taleville’s newest criminal from destroying the city?
Overall rating
5
/
5
124 of 194 found this review helpful
BETTING ODDS ARE THAT YOU WILL LOVE THIS GAME!
PostedMay 20, 2021
sunnyglow
from“All My Godchildren.” After this series ends, Fairy Godmother along with Snow white, the Little Mermaid, Prince Leo and the Seawitch have been cast to star in their own soap opera set in Lagoon Island.
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: 43 pages (My Time: 6 Hours)
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 pages (My Time: 6 Hours)
STORY: Armed with your magic wand, head off to Taleville to solve another crime. Be certain to pack some sparkles in your ammo bag! As Fairy Godmother, use your magical ability to help your partner-in-fighting crime, Detective Goodwin, locate “Puss in Boots,” a two-bit gambler in need of a stash of cash to pay off his gambling debts. Instead of castles, this game will see you visiting casinos and the seamier side of Taleville.
OPINON: What a fantastic game! To me, this game is better than the collector’s edition offered last week. Domini is my favorite developer and to me, this is one of the best games they have produced this year. I love this detective series and the ingenious way the developer uses fairytale characters to set the story within these detective games.
OPINON: What a fantastic game! To me, this game is better than the collector’s edition offered last week. Domini is my favorite developer and to me, this is one of the best games they have produced this year. I love this detective series and the ingenious way the developer uses fairytale characters to set the story within these detective games.
This is an action-packed game with plenty of activities. I found no errors within this game – the game for me was an easy, smooth play. There are three collectables – morphing artifacts, photos, and poker chips used to purchase items for a Fairy Room. The player receives a gimmicky wand which is charged with sparkles before it is used. Most of the puzzles have the option to be played in either an easy mode for a more casual play or in a hard mode providing more challenge for those who wish it. As with other games, the settings for the puzzles can be set in the menu but can be changed while playing the game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 39 achievements.
• Collect 15 photos and 15 morphing artifacts.
• Collect 63 poker chips to outfit a Fairy Room.
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Gimmicky wand used throughout the game. Charge It with crystals you find within the scenes.
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 18 Mini-games.
• 39 achievements.
• Collect 15 photos and 15 morphing artifacts.
• Collect 63 poker chips to outfit a Fairy Room.
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Gimmicky wand used throughout the game. Charge It with crystals you find within the scenes.
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 18 Mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: Soap Opera Drama! Enter the soapy fairy tale world of Lagoon Island in which you, Fairy Godmother, have been invited to attend the wedding of the Little Mermaid and Prince Leo. Upon arrival, you discover that the bride-to-be’s father, King Newt, has been poisoned. Who could have done such a dastardly thing? As you investigate, enjoy all the drama of a fairy tale soap opera as you discover the culprit behind the crime. Enjoy this amusing melodrama as you compile evidence from the Sea Witch, Snow White, Prince Leo, and the Little Mermaid. I enjoyed this chapter immensely. There is some tongue-in-cheek humor throughout. There are five (5) HOP scenes and eight (8) mini-games. I loved the story in this chapter more than that in the main game. To me, this chapter is long and well-worth the price of a collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes, and all can be replayed upon completion of the game. I always enjoy Domini’s HOP scenes because they are so creatively designed. There is also a Match-3 game which can be played instead. The game includes standard lists of items and silhouette items. There are also some puzzle-like scenes using cryptic clues and rebus clues. There are scenes where items are located and returned to the scene to be used to collect other items. There is a beautiful mosaic scene featuring Alice in Wonderland with its characters in which mosaic pieces are placed into their proper positions. Another cleverly designed scene involves a globe in which countries and fragments of countries are placed within the globe.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-six (26) mini-games, eighteen (18) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. They are thematic and vary in design and variety. I was thrilled to see a marble popper game for a change. I do not believe I have seen this puzzle in a game for some time. However, the marbles move a little too slow for my taste!
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Map puzzle. Use a magnifying glass on a map to locate 4 types of leaves. In the hard version you locate them in order presented.
B. E/H. Switch puzzle. On a circular grid, switch two sets of symbols on two circular disks so that each set of like symbols is next to each other. The easy version only has 6 pairs of disks and the hard has 12 pairs.
C. Switch puzzle. Switch the locations of two sets of colored yarn so they are reversed so that the pink yarn is on the right end and the blue yarn is on the left end.
D. Connection puzzle. Rotate tiles on a 4 x 4 grid (16 tiles) so the path segments on the tiles connect in one continuous link.
E. E/H. Rope puzzle. Move light spheres so none of their rays overlap. The hard version has more lights to untangle.
F. Sequence puzzle. Remove interlocked bars in the proper sequence until all are removed.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Marble popper game. Shoot marbles onto a moving path of marbles to create chains of 3 or more to remove. Remove all the marbles before they reach the exit.
H. E/H, Moving tiles puzzle. In this case moving chains. Move colored chain segments on a circular grid so each chain is next to one which matches it in color. The hard version has a disk which covers one side at a time.
I. E/H. Connection puzzle. Connect sparkles in a line; however, you can only connect sparkles within the same row or column. The harder version has more sparkles to connect.
B. E/H. Switch puzzle. On a circular grid, switch two sets of symbols on two circular disks so that each set of like symbols is next to each other. The easy version only has 6 pairs of disks and the hard has 12 pairs.
C. Switch puzzle. Switch the locations of two sets of colored yarn so they are reversed so that the pink yarn is on the right end and the blue yarn is on the left end.
D. Connection puzzle. Rotate tiles on a 4 x 4 grid (16 tiles) so the path segments on the tiles connect in one continuous link.
E. E/H. Rope puzzle. Move light spheres so none of their rays overlap. The hard version has more lights to untangle.
F. Sequence puzzle. Remove interlocked bars in the proper sequence until all are removed.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Marble popper game. Shoot marbles onto a moving path of marbles to create chains of 3 or more to remove. Remove all the marbles before they reach the exit.
H. E/H, Moving tiles puzzle. In this case moving chains. Move colored chain segments on a circular grid so each chain is next to one which matches it in color. The hard version has a disk which covers one side at a time.
I. E/H. Connection puzzle. Connect sparkles in a line; however, you can only connect sparkles within the same row or column. The harder version has more sparkles to connect.
I recommend this game!
Can you save the world of Spirits from a dangerous adversary?
Overall rating
5
/
5
121 of 202 found this review helpful
DOMINI’S GAMING SPIRIT PRODUCES ANOTHER GREAT GAME!
PostedMay 13, 2021
sunnyglow
fromThis heart of this game reminds me of an old saying – “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
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: 47 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 47 pages
STORY: Journey to an enchanted kingdom where forest spirits provide harmony and balance to nature. Your uncle, a physician and renown inventor of prosthetics, wishes to check your artificial heart. However, while visiting your uncle, you learn that someone is killing these spirits, sapping them of their energy, but, for what purpose? The Guardians of Harmony have been blamed by the king for the murders since they have the knowledge of how to transform animals into monsters. However, while investigating, you discover this may not be the case. Be prepared for surprises as to the villain and the surprising motive behind the killings.
OPINION: Be prepared for a long journey, romping through the kingdom in search of the evildoer behind these murders. This is a long game. Domini always provides more game for the money and this one is no exception. I enjoyed playing the game; however, to me, it does not merit an editor’s choice award. I can think of other games from this developer which are better than this one. Nevertheless, I enjoyed playing this game and found it kept my interest.
Grab your sneakers as you will be traveling to-and-fro searching for inventory items. There are not as many activities as in other games from this developer. The collectibles are morphing inventions, spirited potions, and coins with which to purchase items for a laboratory. I found most easy to locate. The game has a good pace and I feel the story behind the game is decent. This is a puzzle-intense game! There are almost twice the number of puzzles in comparison to the HOP scenes. As in their other games, most of the puzzles have the option to be played in either an “easy” mode for a more casual play, or in a “hard” mode for a little more challenge for those who wish it. This can be set within the menu but can be changed while playing the puzzle.
I discovered one error while playing this game. When I play a game, I double-check to see if I have missed any of the collectibles. While checking the strategy guide for this game, I discovered the four (4) screenshots labeled “F” are missing and the lettering is not sequential. However, other than this minor error, I found no other errors in this game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 32 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing inventions and 15 spirited potions.
• Collect 70 coins to purchase items for a laboratory.
• Bestiary Book of spells to transform cursed monstrous animals back into their normal state.
• 15 Wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 20 mini-games.
• 32 achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing inventions and 15 spirited potions.
• Collect 70 coins to purchase items for a laboratory.
• Bestiary Book of spells to transform cursed monstrous animals back into their normal state.
• 15 Wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 20 mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: Play Phyllis, a Harmony Guardian from the main chapter. The kingdom is in chaos and the king has sent the captain of his guards to summon you to investigate. Nature is changing with plants mutating and changing color. When a hooded, unknown assailant tries to thwart your investigation with a bomb, you are off on an adventure to discover his identity and the reason for his desire to disrupt nature. It is a long chapter with five (5) HOP scenes and six (6) mini-games. I feel it is worthy of a collector’s edition designation. Continue to collect the collectibles throughout this chapter. To me, it is consistent in quality with the main game.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes, all of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. As in their other games, there is an optional Match-3 game which can be played instead of the scenes. Although Domini is best known for their puzzles, their HOP scenes are creatively designed. One of the elements I enjoyed while playing this game were the multiple scenes within many of the HOP scenes in which to locate items. There are the standard lists of items, silhouette, and storybook scenes. There is one slider scene with a slight variation in which the silhouette must be aligned with a silhouette within the scene to view the item before removing it. I loved the cryptic clues – searching for two items which are related in some way to the item to be removed.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-seven (27) mini-games, twenty (20) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. For once, Domini has provided more puzzles to replay than HOP scenes. As stated, most of these can be played in either an easy or hard version of the puzzle. There is a “Bestiary Puzzle” which is played when a monster must be vanquished and returned its normal animal state. There are four (4) of these within the game. However, after the demo, there is only one.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H, Assembly puzzle. Rotate a center gear and attach other gears based on the shape of the opening which matches up with each gear. The hard version has more gears to attach.
B. E/H. Block puzzle. Create a path to move a crown to its slot at the other end by rotating and moving sliders along the way. Select buttons to move sliders to create a path for the crown to move. The hard version has a longer path and more sliders to rotate to clear a path.
C. E/H. Mathematical puzzle. On a grid, slide 6 lines of musical notes so that the number of notes in each column matches the number listed at the bottom of the column. The easy version has 3 columns; the hard version has 6.
D. Strategy puzzle. Choose the correct stone or branch to climb up a cliff. Start over if you make a mistake.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Place 6 boat tokens with directional numbers written on them in sequence to plot a course for a ship to move across a body of water without any moves remaining. The harder version has a harder route to plot.
F. Tracing puzzle. Trace an image to unlock handcuffs.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch 4 tokens surrounding 4 circles so that each token matches the one in the center of the circle it surrounds. The hard version has less paths to move and switch tokens.
H. E/H Sequence puzzle. Cut vines in sequence to free a bridge. The hard version has more vines to cut.
I. E/H. Moving tiles puzzle. Move 3 flower petals on a circular grid avoiding obstacles in their path as they move to 3 empty slots. Arrows move at the same time the petals. If an arrow collides with a petal, you must restart. The harder version requires that the colored petals move to a same-colored slot.
B. E/H. Block puzzle. Create a path to move a crown to its slot at the other end by rotating and moving sliders along the way. Select buttons to move sliders to create a path for the crown to move. The hard version has a longer path and more sliders to rotate to clear a path.
C. E/H. Mathematical puzzle. On a grid, slide 6 lines of musical notes so that the number of notes in each column matches the number listed at the bottom of the column. The easy version has 3 columns; the hard version has 6.
D. Strategy puzzle. Choose the correct stone or branch to climb up a cliff. Start over if you make a mistake.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Place 6 boat tokens with directional numbers written on them in sequence to plot a course for a ship to move across a body of water without any moves remaining. The harder version has a harder route to plot.
F. Tracing puzzle. Trace an image to unlock handcuffs.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch 4 tokens surrounding 4 circles so that each token matches the one in the center of the circle it surrounds. The hard version has less paths to move and switch tokens.
H. E/H Sequence puzzle. Cut vines in sequence to free a bridge. The hard version has more vines to cut.
I. E/H. Moving tiles puzzle. Move 3 flower petals on a circular grid avoiding obstacles in their path as they move to 3 empty slots. Arrows move at the same time the petals. If an arrow collides with a petal, you must restart. The harder version requires that the colored petals move to a same-colored slot.
I recommend this game!
Can you keep this bewitching case from becoming your last?
Overall rating
4
/
5
147 of 207 found this review helpful
HELP A “FOX-Y“ LADY REUNITE WITH HER BEAU
PostedMay 6, 2021
sunnyglow
fromLocation: Flusstal Woods. Wandering these woods for a “spell” to help a “fox-y” lady return to her former self.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
5 Chapters Plus 2 Bonus Chapters – Strategy Guide: 29 pages (My Time – 8 Hours)
5 Chapters Plus 2 Bonus Chapters – Strategy Guide: 29 pages (My Time – 8 Hours)
STORY: Here comes the bride! Well not – yet! Which girl will make it down the aisle? You are off to visit your friend, Wolf in the town of Flusstal to attend the wedding of his son, Uwe, to a local girl, Ellie. However, upon entering Flusstal Woods, you are bombarded with black magic, being hurled at you by the witch Urusla. Meet a foxy lady, Agnes, a woman who was transformed into a fox by this evil witch. She is Uwe’s true love, but Ursula has erased his memory of her for her own nefarious purposes. This witch is out for revenge! Vanquish this witch's power as you help Agnes transform into her human form and reunite with her true love.
OPINION: Do not let the short strategy guide fool you. This is a long game, and one which I enjoyed playing for the most part. A lot of work went into creating it. I found it an easy play with a good pace throughout and did not experience any technical glitches or difficulties. However, I did find a few elements which I disliked about the game. However, this is a matter of personal preference on my part. There is a lot of travelling to-and-fro, searching for inventory items and fewer HOP scenes and mini-games than in most other HOPA games. I prefer to have more activities within a game.
I think the story is a little too complex for a HOPA game with too many characters and too much history. Less is more and I think that applies to this game. I got tired of reading the excessive number of stories and the history concerning this town. I think the game would have been better without the overabundance of characters and the numerous subplots and stories.
There are two collectibles - envelopes (some morphing ones) and jigsaw puzzle pieces. I found some of them difficult to locate and some of the envelopes did not look like envelopes to me. The same can be said for the jigsaw puzzle pieces. Some were difficult to see from the way they were positioned within the scene. I like the fact there is an indicator bar at the left of the screen which indicates how many of collectibles are within the scene and whether all have been collected. I wish more developers would provide this feature. There are two (2) bonus chapters; however, the second bonus chapter is just a mini-game to provide closure to the story behind the game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 15 achievements.
• Collect 20 jigsaw pieces to complete a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game.
• Collect 48 collectibles. (envelopes) – some are morphing.
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 12 HOP scenes and 9 mini-games.
• 15 achievements.
• Collect 20 jigsaw pieces to complete a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game.
• Collect 48 collectibles. (envelopes) – some are morphing.
• 10 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Replay 12 HOP scenes and 9 mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER 1: It is a prequel. Play a young Ursula before she became an evildoer. Wolf asks for her help to stop his dad from practicing black magic. As Ursula you are off to help Wolf locate a grimoire and hide it away in a cave so it can no longer be used for nefarious purposes. However, when you meet one of the original First Dwellers, an evil magician named Manfred, you will engage in some deal making with a surprising outcome. Continue collecting collectibles. There are nine (9) mini-games and two (2) HOP scenes. The chapter is short; however, it does add clarification to the main story. I feel the puzzles are more creatively designed this chapter than in the main game. To me this chapter is worthy of a collector’s edition classification.
BONUS CHAPTER 2: it is a sequel and provides closure to the game. Play the detective and finally end the black magic generated by the grimoire. There is only one activity – a puzzle which seals the grimoire so it can never be used again.
HOP SCENES: There are fifteen (15) HOP scenes plus numerous mini-HOP scenes with six (6) to eleven (11) items to be located. Twelve (12) of these can be replayed at the end of the game. They are interactive requiring the player to interact with each scene to remove the items. Most of the scenes are standard lists of items or silhouette. There are some matching scenes as well. Although there is not as much variety as in some other developers’ games, found them creatively designed. There is an optional Match-3 puzzle which can be played instead of the scene. My favorite scene involved searching for people and items within a model of the town of Flusstal.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-six (26) mini-games, nine (9) of which can be replayed upon completion of the game. They vary in style and difficulty. I feel most are on the easier side. I found none challenging. There is a Rube-Goldberg puzzle in this game. As the player enters a hall, he plays four (4) consecutive puzzles to reach the door to exit the hallway.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Tracing puzzle. Trace two letters on a locket to open it.
B. Match-3 puzzle. Connect 3 or more like-colored hands to turn the squares behind them light blue. Connections can be made vertically or horizontally. Tokens must be switched to create the connections. Game is complete when all the squares are turned light blue. Play this puzzle 3 times within the game.
C. Maze puzzle. Slide town landmarks along paths into their proper position based upon a map of the town.
D. Connection puzzle. Connect the dots on a bear as per a given diagram.
E. Balance puzzle. Move the detective across a bridge using a pole to maintain balance. Click on the bridge on the right or left to maneuver in that direction.
BONUS CHAPTER 1
F. Rube-Goldberg Puzzle
1. Lock puzzle. Press down 5 tumblers with a bobby pin. Release when they begin to shake.
2. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a given sequence with tiles on a floor by pressing down the tiles in the proper order.
3. Sequence puzzle. Deactivate electric rods as per a given sequence.
4. Block puzzle. Move blocks to create a path for a key to move from the left to a keyhole on the right.
G. Maze puzzle. Move a mouse through a maze in the dark collecting 3 leaves to remove beetles in your path.
B. Match-3 puzzle. Connect 3 or more like-colored hands to turn the squares behind them light blue. Connections can be made vertically or horizontally. Tokens must be switched to create the connections. Game is complete when all the squares are turned light blue. Play this puzzle 3 times within the game.
C. Maze puzzle. Slide town landmarks along paths into their proper position based upon a map of the town.
D. Connection puzzle. Connect the dots on a bear as per a given diagram.
E. Balance puzzle. Move the detective across a bridge using a pole to maintain balance. Click on the bridge on the right or left to maneuver in that direction.
BONUS CHAPTER 1
F. Rube-Goldberg Puzzle
1. Lock puzzle. Press down 5 tumblers with a bobby pin. Release when they begin to shake.
2. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a given sequence with tiles on a floor by pressing down the tiles in the proper order.
3. Sequence puzzle. Deactivate electric rods as per a given sequence.
4. Block puzzle. Move blocks to create a path for a key to move from the left to a keyhole on the right.
G. Maze puzzle. Move a mouse through a maze in the dark collecting 3 leaves to remove beetles in your path.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a maniacal murderer before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
116 of 181 found this review helpful
MURDER, MAYHEM AND EXCITEMENT AWAIT YOU IN PITTSBURGH
PostedApril 29, 2021
sunnyglow
fromHopefully, all the Michiganders will take a gander at all the University of Massachusetts banners on the buildings at Michigan University in the bonus chapter. Well at least they were not Ohio State nor were the campus chipmunks chomping on buckeyes.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 49 pages (My Time: 7 Hours)
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 49 pages (My Time: 7 Hours)
STORY: Detective! Travel to the exciting, crime infested city of Pittsburgh to investigate a copycat killer out for revenge. Two years prior, you apprehended a serial killer, Roderick Alcala, a twisted psychopathic who photographed his victims to capture their emotions before he killed them. Now a newbie detective, Darby, has contacted you for help. Recent killings resemble those of Alcala. Someone is out to exact revenge against those who they feel helped this killer escape the death sentence. Locate this avenger and discover an unlikely motive.
To me, this is a long, decent game plagued with a few errors throughout. To me, this is not Domini’s best work; however, even Domini’s less-than-perfect fare is better than many developer’s best games. I love murder mysteries and whodunits and felt this was a good play. The stories behind both the main game and the bonus chapter are well-written. The game has a good pace throughout. The player will spend time saving one murder victim after another in this game. I feel the graphics are excellent in portraying a decaying urban sprawl. Domini always provides more game for the money and this one is no exception.
There are the standard three (3) collectibles, morphing personal items, photographs, and tokens to purchase items for a boudoir. I personally love the sidebar which indicates if there is an inventory item within a scene. I found many of these difficult to locate. Some are well-hidden within the scenes. I had to check the strategy guide to locate some of them.
There are the standard three (3) collectibles, morphing personal items, photographs, and tokens to purchase items for a boudoir. I personally love the sidebar which indicates if there is an inventory item within a scene. I found many of these difficult to locate. Some are well-hidden within the scenes. I had to check the strategy guide to locate some of them.
TO ERROR IS HUMAN: This game was rushed into production. There are minor errors throughout this game. I have never seen this number of errors before from this developer. Nevertheless, they did not interfere with the enjoyment of this game – they are just oversights for the most part. First, there are sixty-one (61) tokens to collect not ninety-two (92). The beta had this number, and the sidebar still has that number listed. I found that I had sixteen (16) tokens remaining after I purchased everything for the boudoir. Perhaps that is not an error, but usually after everything is purchased, nothing remains.
However, I was happy to discover that instead of only fifteen (15) puzzles to replay (as indicated in the extras section at the beginning of the game) there are twenty-five (25). While searching through the extras section of the game, I found myself locked in the collectibles room and pressing the “X” did not exit me from that scene. I exited the game and restarted it, but it still did not fix that problem.
Although I am from Ohio and not really a University of Michigan fan, (boo!) I did get a chuckle in the bonus chapter that the pendants and signs on the buildings at “Michigan University” have the University of Massachusetts written on them instead! Well at least it is not Ohio State, nor did they have buckeyes on those trees in the pictures of the campus! But my “enquiring” mind would love to know why they changed it from one university to the other.
Although I am from Ohio and not really a University of Michigan fan, (boo!) I did get a chuckle in the bonus chapter that the pendants and signs on the buildings at “Michigan University” have the University of Massachusetts written on them instead! Well at least it is not Ohio State, nor did they have buckeyes on those trees in the pictures of the campus! But my “enquiring” mind would love to know why they changed it from one university to the other.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing personal items, and 15 photos.
• Collect 62 (not 92) tokens to exchange for items to place in a boudoir.
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• 29 cutscenes from the game
• Replay 17 HOP scenes and 25 mini-games.
• achievements.
• Collect 15 morphing personal items, and 15 photos.
• Collect 62 (not 92) tokens to exchange for items to place in a boudoir.
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences.
• 29 cutscenes from the game
• Replay 17 HOP scenes and 25 mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is another game. You are off to Michigan University (who has a penchant for University of Massachusetts pendants), to investigate a series of murders at a college campus. There is a killer on the loose, one who is seeking revenge for the actions of the mayor of the town. This is another great story despite the developer not quite certain if he is in Massachusetts or in Michigan. There are ten (10) mini-games and five (5) HOP scenes. Continue to collect the collectibles. It is a long chapter and well-worth the price of a collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES: There are seventeen (17) HOP scenes, all of which can be replayed at the end of the game. They vary in style and design. And although Domini is best-known for their puzzles, their HOP scenes are creatively designed. Included are the standard lists of items and silhouette. However, there are two of my favorites which are replacement scenes – searching for items and then using them within the scene to locate other items. There are also matching scenes, spot-the-difference scenes, and scenes with rebus clues. A thematic Match-3 game can be played instead of the scene.
X DOES NOT MARK THE SPOT! Returning in an encore performance are those dreaded “X”’s which appear if you click on the wrong item in a scene. Accompanying each huge X, is a dreadful sound indicating YOU ARE WRONG! Please Domini, make this an option in the menu setting. I, for one, absolutely hate seeing those X’s and listening to the nerve-wrenching sound accompanying them.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-one (31) mini-games, twenty-five (25) of which can be replayed at the end of the game. Most have the option to be played in an “easy” mode for a more casual experience, or in a “hard” mode providing more challenge for those who want it. The difficulty can be set in the menu at the beginning of the game; however, the difficulty can be changed while playing the game as well. There is also a Rube-Goldberg puzzle in the demo.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE NUMEROUS PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Play melodies on a piano in the proper sequence as per a given guide. The easy version has 3 and the hard version has 5.
B. E/H. Lock puzzle. Use lock picks to open a lock. Move the picks into the proper positions to release the tumblers. The easy version has 4 tumblers and the hard has 6 tumblers.
C. E/H. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide levers on a radio up-and-down, so each is positioned as per a given guide. In the hard version, moving one lever affects the others.
D. E/H. Maze puzzle. In the dark, move through a maze finding parts of a ladder to create the ladder to escape. The harder version has more ladder pieces to locate.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Find the proper sequence to push pieces of an item into the center of the grid to restore it. The easy version has only 4 pieces while the hard version has 8.
F. E/H. Rope puzzle. Untangle rays of light so none cross each other. Hard version has more lights and is a larger tangled string.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Maze puzzle: Go to the dining room in the college by selecting the correct paths to get there.
H. E/H. Chess puzzle. Move a knight on a chess board to get a shield and a sword. As you move, enemies will try to defeat you. Maneuver the board so you do not get caught and be forced to restart.
I. Sequence puzzle. Deactivate a bomb. Cut the wires in sequential order. In the hard version you are timed with only 30 seconds.
B. E/H. Lock puzzle. Use lock picks to open a lock. Move the picks into the proper positions to release the tumblers. The easy version has 4 tumblers and the hard has 6 tumblers.
C. E/H. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide levers on a radio up-and-down, so each is positioned as per a given guide. In the hard version, moving one lever affects the others.
D. E/H. Maze puzzle. In the dark, move through a maze finding parts of a ladder to create the ladder to escape. The harder version has more ladder pieces to locate.
E. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Find the proper sequence to push pieces of an item into the center of the grid to restore it. The easy version has only 4 pieces while the hard version has 8.
F. E/H. Rope puzzle. Untangle rays of light so none cross each other. Hard version has more lights and is a larger tangled string.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Maze puzzle: Go to the dining room in the college by selecting the correct paths to get there.
H. E/H. Chess puzzle. Move a knight on a chess board to get a shield and a sword. As you move, enemies will try to defeat you. Maneuver the board so you do not get caught and be forced to restart.
I. Sequence puzzle. Deactivate a bomb. Cut the wires in sequential order. In the hard version you are timed with only 30 seconds.
I recommend this game!
Can you rescue your children from a dangerous board game in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
166 of 252 found this review helpful
TRAVEL THROUGH LITERARY KINGDOMS IN ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR!
PostedApril 22, 2021
sunnyglow
fromOne of the characters asks, "Is the game finished?" Perhaps, but hopefully not this series. Hope to see more of this quality of game in the future.
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: 38 pages (My Time: 7 Hours)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages (My Time: 7 Hours)
Want to play a game? Be prepared to play one of the best HOPA games this year! Throw the dice and land in a game within a game, rich with activities, creativity, and a plethora of collectibles! For me, this is a classic. Seldom do I ever want to replay a game; however, this is one game I will keep on my classics list to replay in the future. I have been waiting anxiously to play this game and was not disappointed.
Play Zoe, a mother of three rambunctious children, who are transported into the game they are playing, with each one ending up in a different literary kingdom. Their friend Alex has brought the game to share with them; however, he alone escapes being transported into the game. Enter the game to save your children, traveling to Wonderland, Lilliputia, and Oz. Rescue them from the different perils they encounter in these kingdoms and hopefully, return them home safely.
For me, this is one of the best games produced this year -a masterpiece! The game is designed as board game with activities such as map and maze puzzles to emphasize that fact. This is a nice-sized game, a fabulous one which returns the player to the literary kingdoms from the previous games within this series. The pace is excellent with a plethora of creatively designed HOP scenes and puzzles. For once in a long time, I enjoyed playing a game which I would want to replay. I have not had that feeling about a game for years.
The graphics are breathtaking, and I found the story well-written. There are one-hundred collectibles, two within each scene. I love the sidebar on the left side of the screen which indicates how many collectibles are within each scene and how many have been collected. This feature makes it easy to see if any collectibles have been missed within a scene. Find all the collectibles and enjoy a fantastic puzzle which consists of creating a road to travel along a three-dimensional grid to reach a destination point. Very few developers have bonus games as well-designed as this one! I loved the charm bracelet in this game The player gets a charm bracelet which adds new charms as he/she traverses to the different literary kingdoms. There is a helper owl, Luna, who provides background information by telling the story behind the game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 26 achievements – some with 3 parts
• Collect 50 morphing objects and 50 figurines.
• 6 wallpapers and 5 screensavers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Helper owl named Luna who tells stories upon receiving amulets you collect within the game.
• Replay 16 HOP scenes and 16 mini-games.
• Collect charms for a charm bracelet as the game progresses.
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 26 achievements – some with 3 parts
• Collect 50 morphing objects and 50 figurines.
• 6 wallpapers and 5 screensavers along with concept art, music, and video sequences
• Helper owl named Luna who tells stories upon receiving amulets you collect within the game.
• Replay 16 HOP scenes and 16 mini-games.
• Collect charms for a charm bracelet as the game progresses.
BONUS CHAPTER: Finish what you start Jonathan! As Jonathan, you must finish the game or the boundaries between the literary kingdoms and the real world will collapse. Enter Speilland and try to stop Pinnochio from breaking through into the real world. Along the way, discover something surprising about Pinnochio. I found this an excellent addition to the game. It is set in the kingdom from this developer’s Christmas game. There are nine (9) mini-games and six (6) HOP scenes. It is a long chapter and well-worth the price of a collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes in the game, sixteen (16) of which can be replayed at the end of the game. There are also a few mini-HOP scenes with scenes with six (6) or less items to be located Wow! I am impressed by the creativity displayed within these HOP scenes. There is a wide variety of styles and they are all highly interactive. They include very few lists of items and silhouette. Most the scenes are varied including storybook scenes, matching scenes, and spot-the- difference scenes. There are quite a few of my favorites as well. I loved searching for items and then replacing them back within the scene. My favorite was a scene with a stained-glass window in which the player does not locate items but pieces with shapes and symbols from the window. There are some beautiful scenes in this game.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-five (35) mini-games, sixteen (16) of which can be replayed at the end of the game. In the demo, there are some puzzles which can be played in either “casual” or “hard” mode; however, after the demo, there are no more puzzles with that designation. Although this game is superior to many other developers’ games, I would have liked to have seen more puzzles offering both the casual and hard options of difficulty. There are quite a few map and maze puzzles which I enjoyed. Nevertheless, there are a variety of puzzles within the games from easy to moderately difficult. At the introduction of each new literary kingdom, the player plays a puzzle on a gaming board in which he must use numbered tokens to set up a path from the start to the finish of the board.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Maze puzzle. Move Zoe through a smoke-filled circular maze until she reaches the middle of the maze.
B. Map/Maze puzzle. Maneuver through a maze by collecting and using tools to clear the path for you to advance.
C. Sequence puzzle. Ring bells in the proper sequence based on given clues.
D. Gear puzzle. Place gears into a machine according to size and shape.
E. Weights and balances puzzle. Create a potion by adding ingredients in the proper sequence. Measure ingredients using 3 weights on a balance scale.
F. Mathematical puzzle. Move Dorothy to a castle at the other side of the board using 5 numbered space tokens.
G. Bullseye puzzle. Pick the correct trajectory to hit a lion with snowballs.
H. Origami puzzle. Fold a map so that a yellow brick road is connected to all its parts.
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Rope puzzle. Uncross chains by moving the chains using knobs.
J. Picture puzzle. Click on pieces of a picture to change the image and restore the picture.
K. Switch puzzle. Switch gears to create an image.
L. Slider puzzle. Slide colored screws so each one is placed within its like-colored slot.
M. Connection puzzle. Connect all flames within a grid.
B. Map/Maze puzzle. Maneuver through a maze by collecting and using tools to clear the path for you to advance.
C. Sequence puzzle. Ring bells in the proper sequence based on given clues.
D. Gear puzzle. Place gears into a machine according to size and shape.
E. Weights and balances puzzle. Create a potion by adding ingredients in the proper sequence. Measure ingredients using 3 weights on a balance scale.
F. Mathematical puzzle. Move Dorothy to a castle at the other side of the board using 5 numbered space tokens.
G. Bullseye puzzle. Pick the correct trajectory to hit a lion with snowballs.
H. Origami puzzle. Fold a map so that a yellow brick road is connected to all its parts.
BONUS CHAPTER:
I. Rope puzzle. Uncross chains by moving the chains using knobs.
J. Picture puzzle. Click on pieces of a picture to change the image and restore the picture.
K. Switch puzzle. Switch gears to create an image.
L. Slider puzzle. Slide colored screws so each one is placed within its like-colored slot.
M. Connection puzzle. Connect all flames within a grid.
I recommend this game!
Rampant fires could burn the Brussels Secret City to ashes!
Overall rating
5
/
5
148 of 223 found this review helpful
ALL FIRED UP FOR A NEW ADVENTURE IN A NEW SECRET CITY
PostedApril 15, 2021
sunnyglow
fromErgill, the fire drake, is so adorable. He really sets my heart on fire. However, can someone please tell me - What is the difference between a dragon and a fire drake?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 pages
STORY: Detective! Bid farewell to London and journey to the Secret City of Brussels. Fires are breaking out all over the city and the Fire Lakrians believe it may be the work of a fire drake, Ergill. Flammel, a Fire Lakrian, demands the fire drake be returned to keep the city safe. However, could there be other hidden motives involved? As you trek around this new hidden city, you will discover hidden tensions and animosity seething beneath the surface.
OPINION: Domini is my favorite developer, and this game is another fantastic example of their gaming craftsmanship. I was glad to see a new location and some new creatures within the new location. We finally meet some Merfolk, which I do not remember seeing in previous games. There are three collectibles: figurines, morphing props, and tokens which are exchanged to provide items to fill up a circus wagon. I love the indicator bar which lights up when a collectible is available within a scene. Again, as in previous games, the level of difficulty for the puzzles can be set to create an easy play or a more challenging one. The game is aflame in the fiery brilliance of bright colors along with Domini’s signature colors of plum purple and neon green. I found the pace excellent with many activities to keep a played actively engaged.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 39 achievements.
• Collect 15 figurines and 15 morphing props.
• Collect 70 tokens to exchange for items to deck out a circus wagon.
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 19 Mini-games.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• 39 achievements.
• Collect 15 figurines and 15 morphing props.
• Collect 70 tokens to exchange for items to deck out a circus wagon.
• 15 wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay 18 HOP scenes and 19 Mini-games.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Ramona, a Yotan from the main game. After the harrowing incidents from that game, Ergill, the fire drake, is now residing with you. He still needs training to keep his fire breathing in check. However, when a member of the Secret City Ministry, Solas, takes him into custody, you are off to save him. Your final test to become initiated as a Shaman rests in saving Ergill. I found this a nice addition to the game with a story which provides closure from the main game. Continue collecting the collectibles. There are five (5) HOP scenes and eight (8) mini-games.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes, all of which can be replayed at the end of the game. They are creatively designed and there are a variety of different types of scenes. There are the usual standard lists of items and silhouette; however, there are matching scenes, a cryptic clues scene, a spot-the-differences scene, and a scene in which items are removed based on a display of a small segment from them. One of my favorites is a silhouette scene in which sliders are used to match up the silhouette with the item to remove it.
X DOES NOT MARK THE SPOT! I have only one complaint about this game. Why on earth did Domini add BIG “X”s which pop up when mistakes are made in locating the hidden objects? If you make a mistake, a big “X” appears to indicate you ARE WRONG! And not only are you WRONG, you will be punished by listening to an annoying, ear cringing sound which accompanies the “X” as well. Please, Domini, to keep the sanity of your players, get rid of this feature. It is annoying!
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-seven (27) mini-games, nineteen (19) of which can be replayed at the end of the game. Most of the puzzles can be played in either a “hard” or “easy” version. This allows for an easy play or a more challenging play for those who want a little more difficulty in playing the puzzles. The difficulty for the mini-games can be set in the menu; however, the difficulty can also be changed while playing the puzzles.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO: (E = Easy; H = Hard)
A. E/H. Mathematical puzzle. Place fuses into position to that the sum of each pair equals the number written on a plate beneath them. The easy version has only 5 numbers; the hard version has 6.
B. E/H. Map puzzle. Fly a griffin through the sky avoiding obstacles in your path. You get 3 lives to lose in the easy version and only 1 in the hard version.
C. Lock puzzle. Enter a number code according to fingerprints on a safe.
D. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Plot a route to Antwerp for a motorcycle by pressing directional arrows in sequence. There are some arrows which have question marks, requiring to the player to choose the direction. The easy version has only 2 directions to ascertain; the hard version has 5.
E. Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move 4 pieces of a picture along tracks to create the complete picture. The pieces will move and rotate as they move along the tracks to the center of the grid.
F. E/H. Logic puzzle. Remove runes on a grid by using patterns with blue squares on them to remove them. Plot a course so none remain. The easy version has only two pattern pieces to use – the hard version has 3 which are more complex.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Transfer liquid between test tubes so each test tube has only one color of liquid. The hard version has more tests tubes to fill.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch sun and moon tokens so that the suns are on the top and the moons are on the bottom.
I. E/H. Alignment puzzle. Place colored beads into position by sliding them up and down until each bead is next to its given color featured at the side of the grid. The harder version has more beads to position.
J. E/H. Connection puzzle. Switch statues so that all connect with orbs between their hands. The easy version has 8 statues; the hard version has 12.
B. E/H. Map puzzle. Fly a griffin through the sky avoiding obstacles in your path. You get 3 lives to lose in the easy version and only 1 in the hard version.
C. Lock puzzle. Enter a number code according to fingerprints on a safe.
D. E/H. Sequence puzzle. Plot a route to Antwerp for a motorcycle by pressing directional arrows in sequence. There are some arrows which have question marks, requiring to the player to choose the direction. The easy version has only 2 directions to ascertain; the hard version has 5.
E. Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move 4 pieces of a picture along tracks to create the complete picture. The pieces will move and rotate as they move along the tracks to the center of the grid.
F. E/H. Logic puzzle. Remove runes on a grid by using patterns with blue squares on them to remove them. Plot a course so none remain. The easy version has only two pattern pieces to use – the hard version has 3 which are more complex.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. E/H. Assembly puzzle. Transfer liquid between test tubes so each test tube has only one color of liquid. The hard version has more tests tubes to fill.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch sun and moon tokens so that the suns are on the top and the moons are on the bottom.
I. E/H. Alignment puzzle. Place colored beads into position by sliding them up and down until each bead is next to its given color featured at the side of the grid. The harder version has more beads to position.
J. E/H. Connection puzzle. Switch statues so that all connect with orbs between their hands. The easy version has 8 statues; the hard version has 12.
I recommend this game!