sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:821
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 27, 2025
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Status:
Can you prove your innocence after a string of magical burglaries?
Overall rating
5
/
5
139 of 264 found this review helpful
CINDERELLA EXPOSE – A FRACTURED FAIRY TALE WITH A SHATTERED GLASS SLIPPER
PostedNovember 21, 2019
sunnyglow
fromA golden moment from childhood is remembering a song from “Cinderella” –“Someday, My Prince Will Come.” For this Cinderella, better add the words ‘with a stash of cash” at the end of the title..
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
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 pages
OPINION: Ever wondered what the real story is behind all those sugary sweet fairy tales you read as a child? Join Fairy Godmother as she dishes the dirt on those squeaky-clean characters from Fairy Tale Land. With the wave of magic wand, enjoy the first of a promising new series which explores the real story behind Cinderella. When the Glass Slipper, an anonymous bank robber, appears in Fairy Tale Land, Fairy Godmother is accused as the perpetrator. Grab your slightly fractured magic wand! Help Fairy Godmother clear her name and locate the true culprit.
Kudos to Domini Games! This is the best new series in some time! I found the story behind this fractured fairy tale well-written with some tongue-in-cheek humor. It deviates from the run-of-the-mill fairy tale games from other developers. Verdict? I loved it! There are no pretty-in-pink princesses in this game; instead, the characters are more modern and are strikingly different from their fairy tale persona. This is a fantastic game for adults and children alike. I found the graphics better than in past games. Gone is the overuse of neon green and blinding purple within the scenes. With the number of activities within this game, the pace keeps the player actively involved!
The collectibles are shoes and morphing household objects. There are also moonstones which can be exchanged to purchase items from the Potions Shop. I found the shoes and morphing objects easy to locate. I had difficulty locating some of the moonstones. Some of them are well-hidden within the scenes. Domini provides an easy-to-see indicator on the inventory bar to show if there are collectibles within the scene.
There are not as many HOP scenes and mini-games as in previous games from this developer. There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes and twenty-seven (27) mini-games. Seventeen (17) of each can be replayed at the conclusion of the game. Both are creatively designed. This developer still provides the option for many of the puzzles to played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode. The HOP scenes are varied, and the scenes are interactive. Besides the usual list of items and silhouette scenes, there is a replacement scene, a pattern scene, a spot the differences scene along with a few matching scenes. A Match-3 game can be played in lieu of the HOP scenes.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Eighteen (18) achievements.
• Collect fifteen (15) 15 morphing household items and fifteen (15) shoes
• Collect fifty-three (53) moonstones to purchase items in the Potions Shop
• Ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay seventeen (17) HOP scenes and seventeen (17) mini-games
• Eighteen (18) achievements.
• Collect fifteen (15) 15 morphing household items and fifteen (15) shoes
• Collect fifty-three (53) moonstones to purchase items in the Potions Shop
• Ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay seventeen (17) HOP scenes and seventeen (17) mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is another story. Play Fairy Godmother. After receiving a message from a panic-stricken Charlotte (from the main game), you are off to Talesville to investigate the disappearance of her grandmother, Amanda. Find out the reason for her disappearance while uncovering some rather shocking secrets about sweet “ole” Grandma! I found this chapter a nice addition to the game. It is a long chapter and worthy of a collector’s edition designation. There are nine (9) mini-games and six (6) HOP scenes.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Mathematical puzzle. Throw 3 darts at numbers on a dartboard which, when added together, total 61
B. Easy/Hard. Maze puzzle. Guide an arrow through a maze hidden within the walls of a safe. Rotate the dial on the safe to change the direction the arrow is pointed. Then move it using a central arrow on the safe’s dial to direct it down the path. The arrow must reach all 3 tumblers of the safe. The easy version has only 2 tumblers instead of 3
C. Easy/Hard Connection puzzle. Rotate 4 tiles on a grid so that like-colored tokens are connected to each other. Moving one affects the others. In the easy version you merely switch the four tiles to set up the connection.
D. Physics puzzle. Calculate the rate of speed of 3 golf balls and hit them accordingly so they land on their designated holes at the same time.
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles on a 3 x 3 grid to restore an image
F. Switch puzzle. Exchange the position of fish and duck tokens on a grid. Move to empty spaces until all tokens are exchanged.
G. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles with images of wolves and moons on them until all are in the proper location.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch batteries on a grid so that the sum of their numbers equals a number between them on the grid.
I. Picture puzzle. Rotate a circular grid and place pieces within it to restore an image
B. Easy/Hard. Maze puzzle. Guide an arrow through a maze hidden within the walls of a safe. Rotate the dial on the safe to change the direction the arrow is pointed. Then move it using a central arrow on the safe’s dial to direct it down the path. The arrow must reach all 3 tumblers of the safe. The easy version has only 2 tumblers instead of 3
C. Easy/Hard Connection puzzle. Rotate 4 tiles on a grid so that like-colored tokens are connected to each other. Moving one affects the others. In the easy version you merely switch the four tiles to set up the connection.
D. Physics puzzle. Calculate the rate of speed of 3 golf balls and hit them accordingly so they land on their designated holes at the same time.
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles on a 3 x 3 grid to restore an image
F. Switch puzzle. Exchange the position of fish and duck tokens on a grid. Move to empty spaces until all tokens are exchanged.
G. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles with images of wolves and moons on them until all are in the proper location.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch batteries on a grid so that the sum of their numbers equals a number between them on the grid.
I. Picture puzzle. Rotate a circular grid and place pieces within it to restore an image
I recommend this game!
Can you right the wrongs of the past to save your world?
Overall rating
4
/
5
103 of 193 found this review helpful
THIS GAME IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH
PostedNovember 16, 2019
sunnyglow
fromChronos should consider turning the Graveyard of Time into a resort and spa. He can naturally turn back the hands of time without the pain and expense of plastic surgery.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 pages (My time: 6 hours)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 pages (My time: 6 hours)
OPINION: Find yourself in a precarious situation as you hover between life and death in the Graveyard of Time! Help Chronos, the Keeper of Time, restore order between the two worlds as you both battle Hecate, a misguided priestess from the Temple of Time. In her attempt to restore the life of her mortal lover, she has stolen the Chronometrum, the keeper of soul crystals. Stop her before she destroys the souls by using them to perform a ritual to resurrect her lover.
This game is a nice addition to the series. Déjà vu? The theme is similar as others within the series; go back in time to change the future by saving some person from death. Although the theme is hackneyed, the game is well-designed. It is beautifully illustrated. I especially loved the jungle scenes within the second chapter of the game. The scenery is unique and seldom seen in other HOP games. It is refreshing to see something other than airy fairy tale kingdoms or dark, ghost infested haunts. With the large number of mini-games and HOP scenes, the game has a good pace as well.
There are an equal number of HOP scenes and mini-games. There are thirty-six (36) HOP scenes and thirty-eight (38) mini-games. Approximately half of each can be replayed at the end of the game. The number given for the HOP scenes includes scenes with a small number of items (5 or 6) to be located. The scenes include lists of items, silhouette, pattern scenes, and matching. Each of the scenes is highly interactive. Some of the scenes also have puzzles within them. My favorite scene is one in which cutouts are placed within the scene against an unrelated background to create an animal. This is one scene I wish other developers would use within their games.
The puzzles vary in style and difficulty. There is one Rube-Goldberg puzzle which is the first puzzle within the game. I would have loved to have seen more of this style of puzzle within the game. There are a few puzzles which can be played in either a hard or easy mode. There is also a repetitive Match-3 puzzle which is played at the end of the three (3) chapters devoted to each of Hecate’s victims. There are many picture puzzles within the game. It seems to be a new trend with the current crop of HOP games. Personally, I am tired of one third of the puzzles in recent games being picture puzzles.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Twelve (12) achievements.
• Collect twenty-four (24) hourglasses – each containing colored sand to color a given picture
• Collect twenty-six (26) skulls. All the collectibles are easy to locate.
• Eight (8) wallpapers and six (6) screensavers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay fifteen (15) mini-games and eighteen (18) HOP scenes
• Twelve (12) achievements.
• Collect twenty-four (24) hourglasses – each containing colored sand to color a given picture
• Collect twenty-six (26) skulls. All the collectibles are easy to locate.
• Eight (8) wallpapers and six (6) screensavers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay fifteen (15) mini-games and eighteen (18) HOP scenes
BONUS CHAPTER: It is another story. Play Bernadette. Arriving at a campground which is in flames, you save the life of a young girl, Ginger. Unfortunately, you perish in the flames while saving her life. Upon arrival at the Graveyard of Time, Chronos informs you that you should not have died. Go back in time before the fire, untangle the threads of time, and alter the future. There are seven (7) HOP scenes and seven (7) mini-games. To me, this chapter does not match in quality to that of the main game. I feel that the mini-games and HOP scenes are not as creatively designed as those from the main game. It seems as if this chapter was tacked on. It has little or no relation to the main chapter. At the end, however, you make a choice concerning your future!
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Mahjong puzzle. Remove all stone pieces as in the game mahjong
B. Checkers puzzle. Use a green spider to jump over and remove red spiders until none remain on the grid. 3X each increases in difficulty
C. Match 3 puzzle. Match up 3 or more of 4 same colored stones to remove them. There are quite a few to remove in each instance. In the first instance - remove 22 blue, 72 orange, 49 red and 76 yellow. Creates a beautiful gemmed tiger in the first puzzle. (Used 3 times in the game)
D. Maze puzzle. Move a boat through water while avoiding obstacles in its path.
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a sequence of notes on a flute to lull a snake to sleep.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch halves of cars, planes, and bikes to create 4 of each within their designated location. Switch between scenes and use a holding area to switch pieces from one section to another
G. Whack-a-Mole puzzle. In this case, whack-a-Spikey-the-dog. As images pop up within the scene, click on the featured pooch 5 times to get him to come to you.
B. Checkers puzzle. Use a green spider to jump over and remove red spiders until none remain on the grid. 3X each increases in difficulty
C. Match 3 puzzle. Match up 3 or more of 4 same colored stones to remove them. There are quite a few to remove in each instance. In the first instance - remove 22 blue, 72 orange, 49 red and 76 yellow. Creates a beautiful gemmed tiger in the first puzzle. (Used 3 times in the game)
D. Maze puzzle. Move a boat through water while avoiding obstacles in its path.
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Sequence puzzle. Repeat a sequence of notes on a flute to lull a snake to sleep.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch halves of cars, planes, and bikes to create 4 of each within their designated location. Switch between scenes and use a holding area to switch pieces from one section to another
G. Whack-a-Mole puzzle. In this case, whack-a-Spikey-the-dog. As images pop up within the scene, click on the featured pooch 5 times to get him to come to you.
I recommend this game!
Can you rescue your daughter and save both realms in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
123 of 230 found this review helpful
GO UNDERGROUND TO SOLVE THIS CASE
PostedNovember 14, 2019
sunnyglow
from“Tie a pink ribbon around the old oak tree;” in this game - the Tree of Wishes. Wrap that ribbon around your finger to remind yourself to support the fight against Breast Cancer and bring those wishes home to those afflicted
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: 52 pages (My time: 4-12 Hours)
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 52 pages (My time: 4-12 Hours)
OPINION: Princess! Enter a portal to the Underground World to rescue your kidnapped daughter, Aurora. Steeped in fairy tale magic, this game will transport you into a magical kingdom in which you are a perceived as a villain. Missing your younger days of excitement as a detective, this excursion will help you relive those days by battling Thalia, the misguided ruler of this world. Save the fairy tale world as you battle to save your daughter.
This is a fairy tale delight with a well-written magical tale accompanied by beautiful graphics. It is a fairy tale come-to-life. This is a fantastic family game and one which should delight adults and children alike. To me, this is the best game from this series to date. It is an easy breezy game with creatively designed HOP scenes and puzzles. Most of the puzzles are easy. I found none which were challenging. It is a colorful romp through a fairy tale kingdom with pretty princesses, elves, nature spirits, and talking stone statues and one brimming with magic. My only complaint is that the game is snail-paced in some parts. I believe this is due to the lack of activities and the repetitive back-and-forth movement between scenes. However, not an aficionada of this genre of games, for me, it could also be the lack of more challenging puzzles.
The collectibles are jigsaw puzzle pieces which provide four puzzles to play at the end of the game. Collect morphing objects and characters from the game as well. I found most easy to locate; however, I found the puzzle pieces well-hidden within the scenes. Be on the lookout! There are quite a few collectibles within each scene. Some of the scenes have five or more collectibles within them.
There are and even number of HOP scenes and mini-games. There are twenty (20) HOP scenes plus two (2) mini-HOP scenes - ones with small number of items to be located. The scenes are interactive and beautifully designed as well. Most of the scenes are lists of items or silhouette. However, there are also matching and storybook scenes with highlighted items to be located. My favorite was in the bonus chapter in which the player alternates between searching for an item and replacing an item back within the scene. There are twenty-two (22) mini-games. Most are easy. There are quite a few picture puzzles, a nice touch for this genre of game.
MECHANICS:
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Twenty-0ne (21) achievements.
• Collect twelve (12) characters from the game.
• Collect twenty-six (26) morphing objects
• Collect forty-eight (48) puzzles pieces for 4 jigsaw puzzles which are played at the end of the game
• Fourteen (14) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay thirteen (13) mini-games and twelve (12) HOP scenes
• Twenty-0ne (21) achievements.
• Collect twelve (12) characters from the game.
• Collect twenty-six (26) morphing objects
• Collect forty-eight (48) puzzles pieces for 4 jigsaw puzzles which are played at the end of the game
• Fourteen (14) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay thirteen (13) mini-games and twelve (12) HOP scenes
BONUS GAME: It is a sequel. Aurora, Princess’ daughter, has contacted you concerning her distraught mother. She needs your help in locating a special device, the Reedpipe, from the Underground World. This device will reanimate the Princess’ statues. You are off to the Underground World to search for this device while battling Dryad, the spirit of the Tree of Wishes, who will thwart you in your attempt to do so. This is a nice addition to the game and is of the same quality as the main game. For me, it is worthy of a collector’s edition designation. There are six mini-games and six (6) HOP scenes plus one mini-HOP scene. I feel both are better than those from the main game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces into position on an interwoven flower design
B. Switch/Sequence puzzle. Switch tokens on a circular diagram so that the life cycle of a flower is revealed in sequential order from beginning to end.
C. Picture puzzle. Switch slats on shutters to restore two images.
D. Ye old block puzzle. Move blocks up-down-and sideways to create a path for a scroll to move from left to right on a grid.
E. Match-3 game. Match up 3 or more of your colored tokens (in 3 different colors) to fill 3 tubes before your opponent does.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Sew a seam. Using an arrow button, sew a seam around a piece of cloth.
G. Map puzzle. Plot a course for a hot air balloon while avoiding obstacles in its path. Use arrows to chart the course. If you hit an obstacle – you crash land.
H. Assembly puzzle. Create an image by using arrows to increase and decrease the size of the pieces plus rotate and move them.
B. Switch/Sequence puzzle. Switch tokens on a circular diagram so that the life cycle of a flower is revealed in sequential order from beginning to end.
C. Picture puzzle. Switch slats on shutters to restore two images.
D. Ye old block puzzle. Move blocks up-down-and sideways to create a path for a scroll to move from left to right on a grid.
E. Match-3 game. Match up 3 or more of your colored tokens (in 3 different colors) to fill 3 tubes before your opponent does.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Sew a seam. Using an arrow button, sew a seam around a piece of cloth.
G. Map puzzle. Plot a course for a hot air balloon while avoiding obstacles in its path. Use arrows to chart the course. If you hit an obstacle – you crash land.
H. Assembly puzzle. Create an image by using arrows to increase and decrease the size of the pieces plus rotate and move them.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your friends from their family’s tainted past?
Overall rating
5
/
5
82 of 165 found this review helpful
A GAME WHICH WILL WRAP YOU IN ITS TENTACLES
PostedNovember 9, 2019
sunnyglow
fromThe “crowning” glory for this game are the Cecaelia (half human—half octopus) – one of each gender. Very scary indeed! These creatures are “armed” and dangerous and best kept at “arms’ “ length
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: 42 pages (My time: 7 hours)
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 pages (My time: 7 hours)
OPINION: Be prepared for a tale of mystery and intrigue. As Detective Rossa Smith, you are off to an island at the bequest of its ruling family, the Livingstones. For forty (40) years, the family has been plagued with inexplicable deaths and murders. Could these deaths be tied to the vengeful ghost of Anna Livingstone, a member of this family who was banished? Like the octopus featured within it, this game will grab you within its tentacles, engaging you in a multitude of activities until the end.
This is another fantastic game from Mad Head. The story is well-written and has been changed somewhat from the beta version. It has an excellent pace with a multitude of well-designed HOP scenes and puzzles. There is a gimmicky seashell which sits at the side of inventory bar. When an item is placed within the shell, it vomits purple ooze which clears to provide needed information about that item and its relevance to the story. There are a few times in which you are given options as to what activity to pursue. However, your choice does not change the outcome of the game.
The collectibles are morphing objects and fish. I found most difficult to locate. The developer has them well-hidden within the scenes. You can replay the HOP scenes but not the puzzles at the end of the game. With so many excellent puzzles, personally, I would rather replay the puzzles than the HOP scenes. Hopefully Mad Head will offer this option in future games. There is an extra HOP scene and jigsaw puzzle provided at the end of the game. All collectibles must be found before playing the extra HOP scene.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-five (25) HOP scenes in the game. Most of them are lists of items and all of them have a morphing object within the scene. There are also several mini-HOP scenes throughout the game with searches for a small number of some item – usually five or six items. There are silhouette scenes along with matching scenes. There are a couple of pattern scenes in which items are located from either a distinct pattern or segment of the item itself. My favorite is a pattern scene in which bolts of cloth are identified by their pattern.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-nine (39) puzzles. They are creatively designed and vary in difficulty. There are some very easy ones as well as some which are somewhat challenging. There are repetitive puzzles throughout the game. One of the puzzles is tied to the use of the gimmicky, vomiting seashell. After placing an item within the shell, a jigsaw puzzle must be solved before giving information about the object. There is also a repetitive storybook puzzle in which items must be located and placed into the proper position within the scene. It is used to give more detail about the story behind the game.
MECHANICS:
• Five (5) levels of play including a customized version.
• Eleven (11) achievements (some with 3 parts).
• Collect fifty-six (56) morphing items and thirty-two (32) fish
• Four (4) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Gimmicky magical seashell which vomits out purple ooze when given a sample of something. Investigates and provides needed information about the item
• Ultimate HOP scene (must locate all collectibles to access it)
• Jigsaw puzzle which can be played at the end of the game
• Eleven (11) achievements (some with 3 parts).
• Collect fifty-six (56) morphing items and thirty-two (32) fish
• Four (4) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Gimmicky magical seashell which vomits out purple ooze when given a sample of something. Investigates and provides needed information about the item
• Ultimate HOP scene (must locate all collectibles to access it)
• Jigsaw puzzle which can be played at the end of the game
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel and another story. Play Lily, a travel agent who is interested in the Livingstone curse. On board a cruise ship, two lovebirds find themselves in trouble when one of them is possessed by an ancient spirit. One member of the couple, Liam, is possessed by this ancient spirit, becoming an octopus. After kidnapping his partner, Mia, both embark on a roller coaster island excursion under the water. There are nine (9) puzzles and six (6) HOP scenes. The story has some humorous elements and is well-worth the collector’s edition designation. Continue to collect the collectibles.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Connection puzzle. On a grid with 54 squares, connect 6 pairs of like-colored gems with lines. Every square in the grid must be used in the connections.
B. Maze puzzle. Move each of three dolls a different number of squares to fill up every space on a grid with 30 squares.
C. Variation of a domino puzzle. Removal puzzle. Place 15 domino styled pieces (with differing or same flowers on each end) upon a flowered 30 square grid so the board is cleared of all flowers
D. Chess puzzle. On a mini-chess board, maneuver a knight using “L” shaped moves to remove a queen which is next to it. The board provides the optional moves available to you.
E. Storybook puzzle. Search and replace items into their proper position within a book. (Repetitive puzzle within the game)
F. Shell puzzle. Jigsaw puzzle. Create a picture related to the story (Repetitive puzzle within the game)
G. Moving Tiles/Gear puzzle. Move tiles around a grid (some with gears on them) to create a path for a gear on the left to connect to a gear on the right with connecting gears in between
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Bar removal puzzle. Remove bars by clicking on them and using valves to release them.
I. Connection puzzle. Connect two sets of pipes by rotating segments of them within a grid.
J. Moving tiles puzzle. Move gold tokens from the bottom row to the top row by maneuvering them around three rows of tokens. A token can only be moved to a matching token.
B. Maze puzzle. Move each of three dolls a different number of squares to fill up every space on a grid with 30 squares.
C. Variation of a domino puzzle. Removal puzzle. Place 15 domino styled pieces (with differing or same flowers on each end) upon a flowered 30 square grid so the board is cleared of all flowers
D. Chess puzzle. On a mini-chess board, maneuver a knight using “L” shaped moves to remove a queen which is next to it. The board provides the optional moves available to you.
E. Storybook puzzle. Search and replace items into their proper position within a book. (Repetitive puzzle within the game)
F. Shell puzzle. Jigsaw puzzle. Create a picture related to the story (Repetitive puzzle within the game)
G. Moving Tiles/Gear puzzle. Move tiles around a grid (some with gears on them) to create a path for a gear on the left to connect to a gear on the right with connecting gears in between
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Bar removal puzzle. Remove bars by clicking on them and using valves to release them.
I. Connection puzzle. Connect two sets of pipes by rotating segments of them within a grid.
J. Moving tiles puzzle. Move gold tokens from the bottom row to the top row by maneuvering them around three rows of tokens. A token can only be moved to a matching token.
Can you save your friend and escape from Acorn Hospital in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
102 of 199 found this review helpful
AN EXICITING NEW LOOK FOR GRANDMA – A FACELIFT IN GAMING DESIGN
PostedNovember 7, 2019
sunnyglow
fromA facelift in design! GrandMA! Kudos on your new look in game design! Smoothing out some of the wrinkles from past games, you have provided some fresh new ideas!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter and Hidden Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 pages (My Time: 6 Hours)
OPINION: Wow! What a fantastic game! Hands down, this is the best game to date from our sweet GrandMA. To me, it is worth its salt – something you will need plenty of while playing this game! You will be throwing quite a bit of salt at creepy ghostly hands from creatures grasping at you. Travel back in time to the post World War II era. At the bequest of your friend, Cathy, investigate mysterious events happening at the Acorn Hospital, an asylum operated by the crazed doctor, Harry Jules. Investigate his obsessive research involving his wife, Arabella. Lurking behind the scenes is Arabella herself, will provide guidance in dealing with her husband’s insanity.
GrandMA has modernized her look with this game. Some new creative touches have provided a much-needed facelift for their HOP scenes and puzzles. Some fresh new concepts in game design also give this game a fresh new look This developer has provided a choice of actions which result in multiple outcomes for the game. Throughout the game, the player will have between two to three choices in responses or handling a situation. This is one game which I will replay to witness those different outcomes.
The story is well-written. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged as he/she snoops around this creepy hospital. The collectibles are herbs, figurines of the characters from the game and morphing objects. I found the figurines and morphing objects easy to locate. However, I found the herbs somewhat difficult to find. They are well-hidden within the rafters of this spooky hospital. It requires some sleuthing to locate some of the collectibles.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty (20) HOP scenes plus eight (8) mini-HOP scenes. My favorite scenes were the interactive scenes in which items are located and then used within the scene to discover other items. Most of the scenes are lists of items or silhouette. The mini-HOP scenes are lists of items – most containing six (6) items to be located. A Match-3 game can be played in lieu of the scenes. There are morphing objects within some of the HOP scenes as well.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-three (23) mini-games. They vary in difficulty. Some of the puzzles have the option to be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode. My favorite puzzle was playing checkers with a mannequin. I also enjoyed a puzzle in which gas is moved through flasks using 8 stoppers to direct the flow.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Fifteen (15) achievements.
• Collect twenty (20) figurines and twenty (20) morphing objects
• Collect 52 healing herbs
• Ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes and twelve (12) mini-games
• Fifteen (15) achievements.
• Collect twenty (20) figurines and twenty (20) morphing objects
• Collect 52 healing herbs
• Ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes and twelve (12) mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. Return to World War II. Play the doctor, Harry Jules, as he battles a fire engulfing the hospital. Help the doctor try to save his wife, Arabella, and the soldiers residing there, as they try to escape the burning building. There are four (4) HOP scenes and five (5) mini-games. Continue collecting all the collectibles within this chapter. It is of the same quality as the main game and worthy of a collector’s edition designation.
HIDDEN CHAPTER: This little whodunit is NOT to be missed! Just exquisite! Return to 1939 as you sleuth a hospital in search of clues and evidence involved in the death of Dr. Lewis Horton. Uncover clues as you examine the scenes locating evidence to discover who was the mastermind behind his murder. At the end of this chapter, after listening to the statements of all witnesses and examining the evidence, identify the killer and provide the evidence to substantiate your claim. There is no assistance from some fictional detective. You are on your own! However, if you make a mistake and choose the wrong culprit, you can go back and try again. Hopefully we will see more of this type of activity from this developer and others as well.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Facelift in a puzzle! Switch puzzle. Switch puzzles pieces to restore a picture. In this case, the pieces are jigsaw in nature and must be switched with like pieces.
B. King me! Easy/Hard options. Checkers. Play checkers and defeat a mannequin.
C. It’s a gas! Connection puzzle. Awesome puzzle in which you must move gas through flasks using 8 stoppers to direct the flow.
D. Stay within the lines! Connection puzzle. Create connections between matching colored tokens without crossing lines. All cells must be used.
E. Symbolic gesture! Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings so that the symbols on them create the two symbols in the middle of the grid.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Put out the fire! Sequence puzzle. Put out a fire by choosing the numbered tokens in sequential order based on the number of connections it has with other tokens. 2X
G. “A-maze-ing!” Maze puzzle. Move a key from the top to the bottom of a maze
H. The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree! Switch puzzle. Slide and rotate pictures of the Acorn family members to create a family tree.
I. TKO! Sequence puzzle. Follow the sequence to knock out Captain Harwell. Fill up your tube before he does with punches. 3X
B. King me! Easy/Hard options. Checkers. Play checkers and defeat a mannequin.
C. It’s a gas! Connection puzzle. Awesome puzzle in which you must move gas through flasks using 8 stoppers to direct the flow.
D. Stay within the lines! Connection puzzle. Create connections between matching colored tokens without crossing lines. All cells must be used.
E. Symbolic gesture! Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings so that the symbols on them create the two symbols in the middle of the grid.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Put out the fire! Sequence puzzle. Put out a fire by choosing the numbered tokens in sequential order based on the number of connections it has with other tokens. 2X
G. “A-maze-ing!” Maze puzzle. Move a key from the top to the bottom of a maze
H. The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree! Switch puzzle. Slide and rotate pictures of the Acorn family members to create a family tree.
I. TKO! Sequence puzzle. Follow the sequence to knock out Captain Harwell. Fill up your tube before he does with punches. 3X
I recommend this game!
A family reunion at the Sweet 18 hotel turns into a night of terror!
Overall rating
4
/
5
25 of 75 found this review helpful
CHECK INTO THE SWEET 18 HOTEL FOR A FAMILY REUNION (MINUS THE FAMILY)
PostedOctober 31, 2019
sunnyglow
fromWhat happened to the Blackthorne family? Perhaps they are still waiting until the last minute to book the last room at the cheapest rate. At least it stopped a family squabble around the reception desk as to who got the lowest rate
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
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: 41 pages (My time: 5 hours)
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 41 pages (My time: 5 hours)
OPINION: Welcome to the Blackthorne family reunion! However, where is the family? Join the early arrivals, brothers John and James Blackthorne, as they investigate the reunion site - the dark, spooky Sweet 18 Hotel. Help this brother duo tackle an obsessed, vengeful ghost as you wander the dilapidated halls of this ghost infested haunt.
I found this game a sweet Halloween treat! It provides a spooky atmosphere with dark, abandoned rooms and hallways filled with black wispy ghosts. It is a decent addition to the series. The game consists of the protagonist, John, wandering through the hotel searching for his Uncle Samuel, periodically saving his brother James from some rascally ghost. I enjoyed this ghostly brew, nevertheless, I did feel the pace dragged somewhat toward the end of the game. The lag time I believe may be the result of not enough activities combined with back-and-forth pacing between rooms in search of inventory items.
The collectibles are morphing objects, morphing statues of the game characters, and picture pieces to create four pictures. I found all easy to locate. There is a secret room which is opened at the end of the game. Search for items by returning to scenes from the game. The same item is searched for within more than one scene. Receive achievements for the time it takes to complete the search plus receive a special achievement if no hints are used.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Eighteen (18) achievements.
• Collect twenty-six (26) morphing objects
• Collect fourteen (14) morphing character figurines
• Collect twenty (20) picture pieces for four (4) pictures
• Ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay fourteen (14) HOP scenes and thirteen (13) mini-games
• Eighteen (18) achievements.
• Collect twenty-six (26) morphing objects
• Collect fourteen (14) morphing character figurines
• Collect twenty (20) picture pieces for four (4) pictures
• Ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay fourteen (14) HOP scenes and thirteen (13) mini-games
HOP SCENES: There are only fourteen (14) HOP scenes and all can be replayed at the end of the game. There are also some “mini-HOP scenes” with a small number of items to be located. Most are lists of items or silhouette - variations of ones seen in past games. However, there is one which I found rather unique and creatively designed. It is a matching scene in which related items on shards of glass are matched, both relating to an item listed on a list of items.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-five (25) mini-games. To me, they are the best part of the game. There is a nice array of easy as well as more difficult puzzles. Enjoy a blast from the past with a variation of the “Frogger” video arcade game. Also making a comeback from the past is the “River Crossing Puzzle.” This variation uses grim reapers to help people to cross the river (as in the River Styx?).
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Can’t get enough of this haunted hotel? Make a return visit at the bequest of your Uncle Samuel. Uncle Samuel is having nightmares concerning Caroline, a character from the main game. She is asking for his help. Now both of you must confront a ghostly concierge, out for revenge for past events. It is a nice addition to the game and worthy of a collector’s edition designation. There are six (6) mini-games and six (6) HOP scenes. I found the mini-games better in this chapter than in the main game.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Get into the Halloween spirit! Physics puzzle. Mirror puzzle. Angle mirrors to reflect a beam of light to hit a ghostly spirit
B. Pop a cork. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate wine bottles so that the colored corks on the bottles match a given design.
C. Ribbit! Frogger returns! “Ye olde” arcade puzzle. First cross a field by avoiding ghosts, pumpkins, and skulls. Then leap onto logs to cross a river.
D. Time for Halloween! Mathematical puzzle. Set 3 given times on a clock. Set each of 3 weights on the clock into the proper position. Then, pull a chain to see if the clock has the right time as given. Each weight moves the clock a different number of minutes
E. Vanishing Act! Matching puzzle. Remove all tiles from a grid by moving and matching them. Once they match, they disappear. Rid the grid of all tiles.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. The Grim Reaper! “Ye olde River Crossing Puzzle.” Switch the position of people and grim reapers using a boat to transport them across water. A grim reaper cannot be left alone with a person on water or on land (and in life as well!)
G. Staff Meeting! Matching puzzle. Place tags into the right slots to identify people and then their responsibilities as staff of the hotel.
B. Pop a cork. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate wine bottles so that the colored corks on the bottles match a given design.
C. Ribbit! Frogger returns! “Ye olde” arcade puzzle. First cross a field by avoiding ghosts, pumpkins, and skulls. Then leap onto logs to cross a river.
D. Time for Halloween! Mathematical puzzle. Set 3 given times on a clock. Set each of 3 weights on the clock into the proper position. Then, pull a chain to see if the clock has the right time as given. Each weight moves the clock a different number of minutes
E. Vanishing Act! Matching puzzle. Remove all tiles from a grid by moving and matching them. Once they match, they disappear. Rid the grid of all tiles.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. The Grim Reaper! “Ye olde River Crossing Puzzle.” Switch the position of people and grim reapers using a boat to transport them across water. A grim reaper cannot be left alone with a person on water or on land (and in life as well!)
G. Staff Meeting! Matching puzzle. Place tags into the right slots to identify people and then their responsibilities as staff of the hotel.
I recommend this game!
Help Emma dig through the poisonous pieces of this family mystery and solve the case! Play Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises Collector’s Edition!
Overall rating
5
/
5
105 of 210 found this review helpful
FAMILY DRAMA CAN BE MURDER
PostedOctober 26, 2019
sunnyglow
fromJumping the shark? Located on a burning yacht engaged in target practice with sharks jumping out of the water. Could this be another in a long line of reality shows?
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: 50 pages (My time: 6 hours)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 pages (My time: 6 hours)
OPINION: Planning a Murder Mystery Weekend? Consider this fantastic whodunit! Play a detective off to help her partner solve a murder case, one involving family drama. The story is well-written, full of suspense and surprises as it unfolds the story behind the crime. It is an action-packed adventure filled with numerous activities to be performed within a wide variety of locations.
The game consists of investigating various locations and collecting evidence by taking photos with a cell phone. Analyze these photos by placing them into their proper locations on an evidence board. Assumptions will be made from the evidence and will lead to further sleuthing in other locations. Within most scenes, there are two collectibles, morphing presents and playing cards. One scene has more than two collectibles. They are easy to locate, practically jumping out from the scenes.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-four (34) mini-games with eight (8) which can be replayed at the end of the game. Many of the puzzles are physical in nature and provide an action-packed, realistic element to the game. There is one, a variation of a Match-3 game, which is used repeatedly throughout the game, used to battle criminals. There are also several other puzzles involving a physical activity such as scaling up a cliff or escaping danger by sailing a boat past obstacles. Being an aficionada of nonogram (griddler) puzzles, I was delighted this developer included one within this game!
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) HOP scenes with eight (8) which can be replayed at the end of the game. Most of the scenes are either lists of items or silhouette scenes. Most of the scenes have a morphing object. The scenes are creative in design and interactive. Items in the scenes must be manipulated in some way to uncover the items to be removed.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. Play a Coast Gard officer off to save the characters from the main game the night of the storm which wrecked their yacht. The quality is equal to that of the main game. I feel the puzzles and HOP scenes are better designed that those of the main game. There are ten (10) mini-games and five (5) HOP scenes. The player is given the choice between two puzzles to play to navigate a boat. This is something new I have not seen before and feel it is a nice touch. It is a chapter worthy of a collector’s edition designation.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Twenty-four (24) achievements.
• Collect thirty-two (32) cards
• Collect twenty-nine (29) morphing gifts
• Sixteen (16) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Phone camera to collect evidence
• Replay eight (8) mini-games and eight (8) HOP scenes
• Twenty-four (24) achievements.
• Collect thirty-two (32) cards
• Collect twenty-nine (29) morphing gifts
• Sixteen (16) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Phone camera to collect evidence
• Replay eight (8) mini-games and eight (8) HOP scenes
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Strategy puzzle. Scale up a cliff by choosing the proper holes in which to place support rods If you choose the incorrect hole, you will fall. – and even worse – start over! 3X
B. Nonogram (AKA Griddler) puzzle. Create an image by filing in spaces within a grid according to numbers on the sides of the rows and at the top of the grid.
C. Picture puzzle. Rotate triangular shapes to restore an image.
D. Variation of a Match-3 game. Match up 3 or more of your symbols to fill up tubes. If you have no moves, then you must match up those of your opponent. If the tubes are filled up for your opponent, your tubes will empty. (Used several times within the game)
E. Storybook. Like a HOP scene. Search for items in highlighted letters or associated with it. Use items within the scene and interact with them to locate all items. (Used several times within the game)
F. Multiple step. Picture puzzles. (1) Jigsaw puzzle. Place jigsaw pieces into position to restore an image. (2) Switch puzzle. Switch picture fragments to restore an image (3) Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to restore an image
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Choice between two puzzles (1) Map puzzle. Maneuver the boat while avoiding obstacles or (2) Connection puzzle. Connect dots in one solid line without retracing steps.
H. Mathematical puzzle. Move a dial two or three spaces clockwise or counterclockwise to land on given symbols in the order in which they are given.
I. Map puzzle. Move a boat 1 space at a time on a grid avoiding storm clouds which can move 2 spaces. Reach the port.
B. Nonogram (AKA Griddler) puzzle. Create an image by filing in spaces within a grid according to numbers on the sides of the rows and at the top of the grid.
C. Picture puzzle. Rotate triangular shapes to restore an image.
D. Variation of a Match-3 game. Match up 3 or more of your symbols to fill up tubes. If you have no moves, then you must match up those of your opponent. If the tubes are filled up for your opponent, your tubes will empty. (Used several times within the game)
E. Storybook. Like a HOP scene. Search for items in highlighted letters or associated with it. Use items within the scene and interact with them to locate all items. (Used several times within the game)
F. Multiple step. Picture puzzles. (1) Jigsaw puzzle. Place jigsaw pieces into position to restore an image. (2) Switch puzzle. Switch picture fragments to restore an image (3) Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to restore an image
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Choice between two puzzles (1) Map puzzle. Maneuver the boat while avoiding obstacles or (2) Connection puzzle. Connect dots in one solid line without retracing steps.
H. Mathematical puzzle. Move a dial two or three spaces clockwise or counterclockwise to land on given symbols in the order in which they are given.
I. Map puzzle. Move a boat 1 space at a time on a grid avoiding storm clouds which can move 2 spaces. Reach the port.
A trio of masks could bring about an era of nightmares!
Overall rating
5
/
5
115 of 189 found this review helpful
OPEN A PANDORA’S BOX OF SPOOKY HALLOWEEN FUN!
PostedOctober 24, 2019
sunnyglow
fromWith a father who is the king of the vampires and a mother who is a banshee, does that make the protagonist in this game a “scream queen?”
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: 48 pages (My time: 6 hours)
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 48 pages (My time: 6 hours)
OPINION: Get into the Halloween spirit by donning a mask. Well, perhaps not in this game! Behind the masks are three (3) evil spirits trying to resurrect the Boogeyman. Packed inside this developer’s trick-or-treat bag is a fantastic holiday game to while away the cool autumn nights. This “spookfest” is all dressed up for Halloween replete with ghosts, ghouls, zombies along with some infamous characters from the world of horror. The game is chock full of Halloween items throughout. No tricks from my favorite developer. Playing this game was a definite treat!
This game should appeal to the whole family. It has a good pace with plenty of varied activities. There are three collectibles, all of which I found easy to locate. Collect morphing figurines. Collect sixty (60) coins with which to purchase fourteen (14) items for a trophy room. Collect fifteen (15) pages from the “Book of Monsters.” There are three indicators on the inventory bar which light up when there is a collectible within the scene.
HOP SCENES: The eighteen (18) HOP scenes are thematic – filled with yummy Halloween eye candy. All can be replayed after the game is completed. I found the scenes varied and creatively designed. Every scene contains a different format for locating the items within the scenes. Some of the scenes contain two different scenes in which to search for the items. As in their previous games, the developer provides a Match-3 game to be played in lieu of the scenes.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-nine (29) mini-games. Twenty (20) of these can be replayed at the end of the game. All have the option to be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode. A great deal of work went into designing this seasonal delight.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. Play the son of Seymour Olsen. After you gift your wife with the Pandora’s box, it is stolen by a misguided man. He wishes to cure his daughter of her nightmares and fears by using it to summon the Boogeyman. The chapter if of decent length and worth the price of a collector’s edition. There are seven (7) mini-games and five (5) HOP scenes. Continue to collect the collectibles within the game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Thirty-three (33) achievements.
• Collect fifteen (15) morphing figurines
• Collect fifteen (15) pages from the Book of Monsters
• Collect sixty (60) coins to purchase items for a trophy room
• Twenty (20) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes and twenty (20) mini-games
• Thirty-three (33) achievements.
• Collect fifteen (15) morphing figurines
• Collect fifteen (15) pages from the Book of Monsters
• Collect sixty (60) coins to purchase items for a trophy room
• Twenty (20) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes and twenty (20) mini-games
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO – ALL HAVE THE OPTION TO BE PLAYED IN AN “EASY” OR “HARD” MODE
A. Don’t get steamed! Maze puzzle. Romp through a maze, turning off all steam valves in your path.
B. Skin and bones! Assembly puzzle. Create a bird out of bones and then add rune stones as per a given diagram. Rotate the bones to fit the diagram and then add the stones.
C. Bridge the gap! Tangram puzzle. Place pieces from a bridge into position to restore the bridge.
D. Fill ‘er up! Strategy puzzle. Fill in all spaces on a hexagonal shaped grid using a token. The token will continue to fill in spaces until it hits the side of the grid or a filled cell. You cannot retrace steps.
E. You old bat! Assembly puzzle. Place vampire teeth into position within a bat’s mouth.
BONUS CHAPTER
F. Geared up for Halloween! Gear/Domino puzzle. Place gears on a grid so that symbols on the gears match up with the gears next to them.
G. Moonlight Madness! Switch puzzle. Switch tokens on a circular grid to complete a lunar cycle as per a given diagram.
H. Lift me up! Maze puzzle. An interesting application in which levers are used move an amulet to the top of a vat of water. Move the amulet to areas where there are openings in which to move it to the top.
I. Split personality! Assembly puzzle. Use two dials to point to the two symbols which comprise a larger symbol. Then use another dial to point to the number of that symbol within the grid.
B. Skin and bones! Assembly puzzle. Create a bird out of bones and then add rune stones as per a given diagram. Rotate the bones to fit the diagram and then add the stones.
C. Bridge the gap! Tangram puzzle. Place pieces from a bridge into position to restore the bridge.
D. Fill ‘er up! Strategy puzzle. Fill in all spaces on a hexagonal shaped grid using a token. The token will continue to fill in spaces until it hits the side of the grid or a filled cell. You cannot retrace steps.
E. You old bat! Assembly puzzle. Place vampire teeth into position within a bat’s mouth.
BONUS CHAPTER
F. Geared up for Halloween! Gear/Domino puzzle. Place gears on a grid so that symbols on the gears match up with the gears next to them.
G. Moonlight Madness! Switch puzzle. Switch tokens on a circular grid to complete a lunar cycle as per a given diagram.
H. Lift me up! Maze puzzle. An interesting application in which levers are used move an amulet to the top of a vat of water. Move the amulet to areas where there are openings in which to move it to the top.
I. Split personality! Assembly puzzle. Use two dials to point to the two symbols which comprise a larger symbol. Then use another dial to point to the number of that symbol within the grid.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your friends from the Painted World in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
115 of 230 found this review helpful
COLOR ME DISAPPOINTED - A LONG BRUSH WITH BOREDOM
PostedOctober 17, 2019
sunnyglow
fromHope this developer returns Morty the chat cat to the Paint World. Also hope all legal contracts for future games in this series will include a “no cat claws” provision.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide:48 pages (My Time: 6 Hours which seemed like forever!)
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide:48 pages (My Time: 6 Hours which seemed like forever!)
OPINION: Detective! Jump into the world of art, or in this case, the Painted World. Enter a long game, one which will see you hopping from picture to picture in the search for a magic brush. Help a former client locate her missing husband. kidnapped into this world by a misguided, power- hungry madman.
Speaking of misguided, what has happened to this developer? This game does not come close to the excellence seen in their previous ones. I was shocked! Paint me disappointed. Although the game is long, it is devoid of activities. The pace grinds down at the end – snail paced as it crosses the finish line. There is a great deal of filler. In my opinion, some of this game should have been cut. I would rather play a shorter game which has a good pace than one with a lot of time filler. Nevertheless, there are some great features in this game.
There are three thematic collectibles, morphing paintings, stamps, and coins to purchase items for a study. I found them easy to locate. There are three pots of paint which open when there is a collectible within a scene. There is an option to replay some of the HOP scenes and mini-games. However, I wish the developer had offered more of the mini-games to be replayed.
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) of the most creative HOP scenes I have played. For me, the HOP scenes are the best part of the game. Each scene encompasses a new type of HOP scene. I loved playing a new style of HOP scene from this developer in which pictures with holes within them are placed on the scene to create the item to be removed. Quite ingenious! There is a scene with cryptic clues and there is one with rebus clues. There are also the usual lists of items, matching, storybook, search and replace, and silhouette scenes.
MINI-GAMES: There are twenty-seven (27) mini-games. Most have the option to be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode. The majority of the mini-games have the option to be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode. They are well-designed as usual for the developer.
THE CHAT CAT: Help! No! Tell me it isn’t so! Hopefully, this developer is not planning on including “helpers” in their future games. Morty is a purple annoyance with blue and green eyes. He talks throughout the game making snarky remarks. He pounces about, retrieving items, catches mice (in one scene), claws posts, and is a pain in the neck. Unfortunately, from comments within the game, it appears he may be returning for an encore performance in the future. I love cats, have one as a pet -but don’t want to see a cat nor any helper within a HOP game.
BONUS GAME: It is a sequel and another story. Help Scarlett Dubois deal with a ghostly presence at the Modern Museum of Art. For me, this chapter is not as good as the main game. There is time filler in this chapter as in the main tame. There are seven (7) mini-games and five (5) HOP scenes. In my opinion, these activities are not as good as those in the main game. Continue to collect the collectibles. Morty the cat is your sidekick in this chapter as well . Unfortunately, this chatty cat talks even more in this chapter.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Thirty-seven (37) achievements.
• Collect sixty-five (65) coins to purchase items for a study
• Collect fifteen (15) morphing portraits
• Collect fifteen (15) postcards
• Five (5) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• A purple helper cat named Morty with bi-colored eyes.
• Replay fifteen (15) mini-games and eighteen (18) HOP scenes
• Thirty-seven (37) achievements.
• Collect sixty-five (65) coins to purchase items for a study
• Collect fifteen (15) morphing portraits
• Collect fifteen (15) postcards
• Five (5) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• A purple helper cat named Morty with bi-colored eyes.
• Replay fifteen (15) mini-games and eighteen (18) HOP scenes
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SAMPLES OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO: (E/H -Easy, Hard)
A. E/H. Switch puzzle. Switch the numbers on a clock so each number is in the proper location. Use arrows at the top (and at the bottom for the easy mode) to switch numbers.
B. E/H Domino puzzle. Place tiles (as in dominoes) into position so that both ends of each domino match the ones abutting it.
C. Multiple step. (1) Paint by Number. Paint sections of a picture by coloring numbered sections matching those on colored pencils. (2) Assembly puzzle. Rotate pieces of a picture into position to restore it.
D. E/H Pattern puzzle. Rotate prongs emanating from tiles so they match the pattern given on a diagram.
E. Matching puzzle. Match up tiles until all are removed
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. E/H Moving tokens puzzle. Move 4 colored tokens to their same colored slots using clunky levers. (Found this a little frustrating). Tokens will continue to move until they hit an obstacle.
G. Connection puzzle. On a grid with honeycomb shaped cells, use a dragon to fill in all the squares of the grid. The dragon continues to move in the grid until it hits an obstacle. You cannot return to any cell twice.
B. E/H Domino puzzle. Place tiles (as in dominoes) into position so that both ends of each domino match the ones abutting it.
C. Multiple step. (1) Paint by Number. Paint sections of a picture by coloring numbered sections matching those on colored pencils. (2) Assembly puzzle. Rotate pieces of a picture into position to restore it.
D. E/H Pattern puzzle. Rotate prongs emanating from tiles so they match the pattern given on a diagram.
E. Matching puzzle. Match up tiles until all are removed
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. E/H Moving tokens puzzle. Move 4 colored tokens to their same colored slots using clunky levers. (Found this a little frustrating). Tokens will continue to move until they hit an obstacle.
G. Connection puzzle. On a grid with honeycomb shaped cells, use a dragon to fill in all the squares of the grid. The dragon continues to move in the grid until it hits an obstacle. You cannot return to any cell twice.
I don't recommend this game.
A visit to a childhood home uncovers unreal memories!
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 201 found this review helpful
A HAUNTING TALE OF TWO CHILDHOOD FRIENDS
PostedOctober 12, 2019
sunnyglow
fromIt is 1980’s week at BFG. Another game reliving the ghosts of the 1980’s. Instead of burning their house down, too bad this family did not boogie oogie on down to town and call the “Ghostbusters.”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
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: 6 1/2 hours)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 pages (My time: 6 1/2 hours)
OPINION: Return to the 1980’s in a hauntingly beautiful, surrealistic game. Play Danielle, the childhood friend of Joanne. Traumatized by a fire to her childhood home, resulting in the death of her parents, Joanne has asked you to help her sort out her memories. The game revolves around zigzagging through time, visiting five dates in the 1980’s. Using Joanne’s mother’s diary, piece together your relationship with Joanne as a child and discover her parents’ antagonism toward you.
To me, this is a fantastic game for the Halloween season and one of the better ones from this developer. The game has a well-written story, one which weaves a ghostly ambiance from pieces of shattered memories. For the most part, the game has a good pace. Nevertheless, I feel the game becomes tedious in a few places. I believe this is due to the lack of dialogue and back-and-forth activity between scenes.
The collectibles are the usual signs as in all this developer’s games. Souvenirs are collected from the scenes at the end of the game. I found most easy to locate; however, some the souvenirs do require some interaction within the scene to locate them. I believe this is the first time this developer has included a gimmick in a game. You receive a diary in which to change dates; however, it is not used often in the game. I am not fond of gimmicks and hope this is not a new trend for this developer.
There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes. The player can replay fourteen (14) of them. Most have morphing objects. I found some difficult to locate within the scenes. Most of the scenes are lists of items. Usually I find this very boring; however, most of the scenes are creatively designed. There are some incredibly beautiful scenes in this game. There are also clever devices used in which to locate the items. In one, feathers of a peacock must be switched to combine two halves of an item to be removed. My favorite is a replacement scene in which constellations based on animals are placed in the proper position on a star map.
There are twenty-three (23) puzzles within the game. They vary in style and difficulty. There is some creative design in their makeup as well. An excellent example is a three-dimensional connection puzzle in which flags from countries are connected on a cube. I have problems at times figuring out how to solve some of the puzzles from this developer. For one of the puzzles, to their credit, this developer provides an illustration on how to solve one of the more complex puzzles in this game. Hopefully, we will see more of this from not only this developer but others as well.
BONUS CHAPTER: As Danielle, relive the story of how you arrived at the manor. As you repair and stitch together your torn memories, locate and repair your tattered teddy bear as well. There are five (5) HOP scenes and five (5) puzzles. Three of the puzzles are the same puzzle – a variation of a block puzzle which increases in difficulty. It is a decent chapter and provides more detail to clarify the story from the main game.
MECHANICS:
• Four (4) levels of play including a customized version.
• Thirteen (13) achievements.
• Collect thirty-four (34) signs
• Collect fourteen (14) morphing objects within the HOP scenes
• Collect twenty (20) souvenirs – collected after the game is completed
• Eight (8) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay fourteen (14) HOP scenes and twenty-one (21) puzzles
• Get a gimmicky diary in which to place dates.
• Thirteen (13) achievements.
• Collect thirty-four (34) signs
• Collect fourteen (14) morphing objects within the HOP scenes
• Collect twenty (20) souvenirs – collected after the game is completed
• Eight (8) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences
• Replay fourteen (14) HOP scenes and twenty-one (21) puzzles
• Get a gimmicky diary in which to place dates.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Circular jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces located in a circle around a stain-glass picture into position to restore it.
B. Tic-Tac-Toe puzzle. Beat a squirrel by either getting three lady bugs in a row before he does or prevent the squirrel from getting three in a row. In other words try for a scratch game.
C. Connection puzzle. Place 8 batteries onto a grid so that each cell within the grid receives power. Cells turn green when they are connected to the battery.
D. Paint by numbers. Paint a picture by matching up colors with numbers
E. Connection puzzle. Connect flags on a cube according to a diagram. Rotate the cube to connect the flags.
F. Maze puzzle. Navigate a vent system of a house while overcoming obstacles in your path. Use items within the vent system to help you in your quest to get to the end.
G. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so it does not cross itself.
H. Assembly puzzle. Overlap papers with pieces of an image until the create the entire image of a vine
BONUS CHAPTER
I. Block puzzle. Variation of this puzzle. Release red squares inside blocks by moving the blocks until openings allow the red squares to be released. Used 3 times in the bonus chapter. Increases in difficulty
J. Sequence puzzle. Open a bookcase by raising the books in sequential order. The raised books must have a matching symbol with the one raised before it.
B. Tic-Tac-Toe puzzle. Beat a squirrel by either getting three lady bugs in a row before he does or prevent the squirrel from getting three in a row. In other words try for a scratch game.
C. Connection puzzle. Place 8 batteries onto a grid so that each cell within the grid receives power. Cells turn green when they are connected to the battery.
D. Paint by numbers. Paint a picture by matching up colors with numbers
E. Connection puzzle. Connect flags on a cube according to a diagram. Rotate the cube to connect the flags.
F. Maze puzzle. Navigate a vent system of a house while overcoming obstacles in your path. Use items within the vent system to help you in your quest to get to the end.
G. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so it does not cross itself.
H. Assembly puzzle. Overlap papers with pieces of an image until the create the entire image of a vine
BONUS CHAPTER
I. Block puzzle. Variation of this puzzle. Release red squares inside blocks by moving the blocks until openings allow the red squares to be released. Used 3 times in the bonus chapter. Increases in difficulty
J. Sequence puzzle. Open a bookcase by raising the books in sequential order. The raised books must have a matching symbol with the one raised before it.