sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,068
- Reviews Submitted:758
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:September 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A sizzling take on the classic tale of greed, yearning, and redemption.
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 159 found this review helpful
THE ‘FROG’ PRINCE HAS GRANTED YOUR WISH FOR A MAGICAL GAME
PostedNovember 1, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game has taught me three important lessons. (1) Don’t play with matches, (2) be careful what you wish for, and (3) be wary that underneath Prince Charming may be a frog – warts and all!
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: 51 Pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 51 Pages
STORY: Detective! - you are off to Funen, an island off the coast of Denmark to investigate a case of arson. Fires are appearing all over the village; however, no trace of a fire is seen afterward. People trapped within the burning building are missing; however, no bodies have been found. It is as if the body is engulfed by the flames. The only clue is that a girl selling matches has been spotted near the crime scenes. Rumor is that she is a witch who grants wishes. However, is that true or just a myth? Find yourself switching between the worlds of illusion and reality in search of the answers to solving this case. Be careful what you wish for! You may get it in this game!
OPINION: Our FROG princes have created another opalescent, gem-like masterpiece in their Dark Parable series. This game has a touch of magic brought to life by the magic wand wielded by the genius of this developer. This is an old school style gem which displays master craftsmanship. You don't find many games like this any longer! The game is of decent length and has a good pace with plenty of activities and action to keep the player engaged. The graphics are incredibly beautiful with gem-encrusted inventory items which look like fine jewelry. The parable behind this game is excellent. There are hand-drawn scenes packed with fairy tale characters. There is a moral behind this gaming parable which makes it a great game for the whole family.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are thirteen (13) achievements. Collect twenty (20) morphing objects and twenty-eight (28) picture pieces to open five (5) parables in the main game and two (2) in the bonus chapter. I found some of the morphing objects somewhat difficult to locate. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with casual art and music and video selections. You can replay seventeen (17) puzzles and twenty (20) HOP scenes. In the main chapter the parables are: “The Little Match Girl,” “The Star Coins,” “The Ominous Beauty,” “The Forest Witch,” and The Second Prince’s Revenge.” In the bonus chapter they are “Fire of Youth” and “The King’s New Clothes.”
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. The misguided Match Girl is off to visit King Oberon to try to save the kingdom. She is out to make her missing grandmother proud of her. The old king wants to be restored to his youth, but at what price? It has four (4) FROG scenes and four (4) puzzles. The bonus chapter is not very long, but I feel the story is excellent and provides more detail on the background for the main chapter.
HOP SCENES: They are all FROGS – producing incredibly beautiful jewel-encrusted inventory items. Most of them are emblems of some type. There are twenty (20) FROG scenes in the game.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-one (21) puzzles within the game. The puzzles are creatively designed. They vary in difficulty and there are some puzzles within this game which provide three (3) variations of the puzzle, each increasing in difficulty. There are some multiple-step ones as well.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME SAMPLES OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Multiple step: (1) Rotate zodiac symbols with markings along the outside of each symbol so that the markings match up with those on the symbol next to it. (2) On an astrolabe, rotate the signs which match those in the first part of the puzzle, so they are both oriented in the same direction. 3X
B. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles into place so that each row has tokens matching the one along the side of the grid.
C. Sequence puzzle. On a grid, turn off lights so all are off. Clicking on one light affects the others which surround it, either turning it off or if it is off, turning it on. 3X Increases in difficulty
D. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a bow with those on a monster
E. Connection puzzle. Rotate seven (7) tokens, each with four designs on them, so that matching ends are the same.
F. Maze puzzle. Move a token from beginning to end by logically stepping on the correct tiles. If you step on the incorrect tile, you are sent back to the beginning.
G. Physical puzzle. Keep the pointer on a symbol as it moves around the screen. 3X
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Toggle pieces of a picture until they fit together to reconstruct a picture.
I. Connection puzzle. Switch foods so that a twisted path leads from the food item to what it is made from.
J. Connection puzzle. Connect all dots on a mirror without retracing steps.
K. Pipe puzzle. Interconnect all pipe segments so they connect to each other.
B. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles into place so that each row has tokens matching the one along the side of the grid.
C. Sequence puzzle. On a grid, turn off lights so all are off. Clicking on one light affects the others which surround it, either turning it off or if it is off, turning it on. 3X Increases in difficulty
D. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a bow with those on a monster
E. Connection puzzle. Rotate seven (7) tokens, each with four designs on them, so that matching ends are the same.
F. Maze puzzle. Move a token from beginning to end by logically stepping on the correct tiles. If you step on the incorrect tile, you are sent back to the beginning.
G. Physical puzzle. Keep the pointer on a symbol as it moves around the screen. 3X
BONUS CHAPTER:
H. Toggle pieces of a picture until they fit together to reconstruct a picture.
I. Connection puzzle. Switch foods so that a twisted path leads from the food item to what it is made from.
J. Connection puzzle. Connect all dots on a mirror without retracing steps.
K. Pipe puzzle. Interconnect all pipe segments so they connect to each other.
I recommend this game!
Can you catch the kidnapper in time to save your brother?
Overall rating
2
/
5
61 of 123 found this review helpful
A TEDIOUS CAT-AND-MOUSE PURSUIT
PostedOctober 27, 2018
sunnyglow
fromBy the end of the demo for this cat-and-mouse pursuit through a maze of murder and mayhem, I was searching for the exit to escape this ‘cheesy’ game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter
OVERVIEW: Get prepared to deal with a homicidal maniac, Professor Long! After your brother is kidnapped along with other students at a university, you are off to investigate. This serial killer has specifically asked for you to be assigned to this case. You know each other, but who could this crazed killer be? Get ready for a cat-and-mouse pursuit as the killer baits you with information concerning the disappearances – all on tapes attached to the victims. Time is of the essence as you scout out the location for each victim. He has informed you that your brother will be last on his list. Hopefully you can save him in time!
OPINION: Even with the element of suspense, I found this is a boring old-school game. It has a good storyline but is poorly constructed. I found the demo snail-paced and tedious. The graphics are lackluster, reminiscent of those from games produced years ago. There are very few puzzles and HOP scenes. The HOP scenes are standard lists of items with little creative design. This could have been a fantastic game with more creativity, more puzzles and more HOP scenes. You spend most of your time running to-and-fro collecting evidence from each of the victims and then analyzing it, usually with some puzzle incorporated into the analysis.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are fourteen (14) achievements. Collect twenty-five (25) handprints. There are nine (9) wallpapers along with casual art, music and video sequences. You can replay fifteen (15) puzzles.
GIMMICKS: I hate gimmicks and this game has two. You receive a pair of special glasses to investigate the crime scenes. You also have an investigation room run by your assistant, a student who analyzes evidence for you. These are both connected to the inventory bar.
HOP SCENES: There are only four (4) in the demo and three (3) of them are lists of items. They are all cutter-cutter variations of each other. After putting on those gimmicky glasses, a HOP scene will pop up with a list of items to locate. After locating an item within the scene, you will be given information concerning the scene of the crime. By the end of the demo I dreaded seeing another HOP scene with a list of items to locate.
PUZZLES: There are only four (4) puzzles within the demo as well. They are variations of standard ones seen in other games. They are better designed than the HOP scenes; however, there are not enough of them to make this game interesting.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE THE FOUR (4) PUZZLES FROM THE DEMO:
A. Maze puzzle. Move a metal ball through a maze using arrows to navigate it. You will only be able to see a small portion of the maze at a time.
B. Matching puzzle. Match up 9 footprints with those in a photo.
C. Assembly puzzle. Analyze a photo. Reconstruct a photo by choosing the proper responses for gender, age, face shape, eye shape and color, nose shape, lips, eyebrows, and hair.
D. Matching puzzle. Locate a victim by matching up sine waves on a monitor on the left side of the screen with those on the right. Using a drone to pinpoint the victim, the closer the lines are to each other, the closer you are to the site where the victim is located.
B. Matching puzzle. Match up 9 footprints with those in a photo.
C. Assembly puzzle. Analyze a photo. Reconstruct a photo by choosing the proper responses for gender, age, face shape, eye shape and color, nose shape, lips, eyebrows, and hair.
D. Matching puzzle. Locate a victim by matching up sine waves on a monitor on the left side of the screen with those on the right. Using a drone to pinpoint the victim, the closer the lines are to each other, the closer you are to the site where the victim is located.
I don't recommend this game.
All Hallow’s Eve - a night for tricks, treats... and terror!
Overall rating
5
/
5
113 of 183 found this review helpful
UNMASK A KILLER AT A HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY
PostedOctober 25, 2018
sunnyglow
fromHappy Halloween! This game proves that it’s ‘murder’ to deal with family and friends during the holidays.
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: 36 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 Pages
OVERVIEW: As Halloween approaches - get ready for a Halloween costume party, EIPIX-style! As the new Mrs. Stratford, Regina, you are hosting a Halloween party with your fun-loving twin sister, Marianne. However, when you switch identities at the party, your twin disappears. Murder and mayhem will be on bill for tonight’s entertainment as a masked maniac is on a rampage. You, as well as others, believe you are seeing the ghost of Caroline, your husband, Eliot’s first wife. A note from Caroline indicates that she is out for revenge against your husband. Is the ghostly presence of Caroline behind your sister’s disappearance and the murder of several guests, or is there a living person involved?
OPINION: This is another frightfest to get you into the Halloween spirit. For me, this is one of the best EIPIX games to appear lately. This is a fantastic murder mystery with a well-written gaming script. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep you busy as you romp around the mansion searching for clues as to the identity of the evildoer. The scenes are all decked out for Halloween oozing with pumpkins along with witches, skulls, and other Halloween paraphernalia. Kudos to EIPIX for a frightful little Halloween romp! This whodunit will keep you in suspense to the very end!
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are eleven (11) achievements. Collect thirty-five (35) witches and eleven (11) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. After the game, collect twenty (20) souvenirs. I found most easy to locate. You must locate all the collectibles to search for the souvenirs. You can replay seventeen (17) puzzles and fourteen (14) HOP scenes. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with casual art and music and video selections.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is neither a sequel nor a prequel. It is a segment of the game not addressed within the main game. Play Marianne in this game. To reveal more would spoil the entire game. I was disappointed in this chapter. I found it a boring time-filler with very little action. It is slow-paced consisting of Marianne meandering around the scenes without any communication with any of the other characters until the end of the game. There are only three (3) HOP scenes which are lists of items and only four (4) puzzles within this chapter. For me, this extra chapter is not worth the extra price of the game.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty (20) scenes within this game. The scenes are a vast improvement for EIPIX. There are some creatively designed ones which I will replay. They include lists of items and silhouette scenes in some ingenious settings. There are no storybook scenes which elated me as I have grown weary of these. There are a few scenes in which you must rotate items within the scene to connect two halves to complete an item to be removed. My favorite scene is one in which you must rotate potion jars to combine two halves of an object to be removed. There is a search-and-replace scene in which the player must search for items on three scenes as seen through a keyhole and then replace them back into the scene. In another you use a variety of colored lenses to search for items in different scenes.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are excellent as well! There are twenty-one (21) puzzles within the game. The are varied in style and difficulty. There is no choice in the difficulty of the puzzles; however, there is one maze puzzle in which you are asked if you wish help or not. There are a couple of logic puzzles which I enjoyed playing.
SPOILERS: HERE IS A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Line ‘em’ up! Logic puzzle. Move coins on a grid so all are placed according to given coded directions. You must decipher this code to assess where each coin is located.
B. Place your bet! Pumpkin race. Place pumpkin shaped carriages on a track to locate the fastest three (3).
C. Itsy Bitsy Spiders. Lead two spiders to the top of a web by maneuvering the lines upon the web to help them reach the top. Pull on a cord to check your work.
D. A-maze me, you old bat! Maze puzzle. Lead a bat through a 3-dimensiontal maze which moves up, down, and sideways using arrows to guide its path. When you reach the end of the cube, by pressing an arrow, it will open a new side to continue the maze.
E. Help or no help! Maze puzzle. Move through a labyrinth from beginning to end using a map. You can decide to get help or not with the map.
F. Domino Puzzle. Place dominoes in a grid so that each end matches up with the domino next to it.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Feet of clay. Assembly puzzle. Two-step puzzle. First assemble a family crest and then color it in with colored clay according to a given diagram.
H. You light up my life. Connection puzzle. With only eight (8) matches, connect torches to create a path from start to finish.
B. Place your bet! Pumpkin race. Place pumpkin shaped carriages on a track to locate the fastest three (3).
C. Itsy Bitsy Spiders. Lead two spiders to the top of a web by maneuvering the lines upon the web to help them reach the top. Pull on a cord to check your work.
D. A-maze me, you old bat! Maze puzzle. Lead a bat through a 3-dimensiontal maze which moves up, down, and sideways using arrows to guide its path. When you reach the end of the cube, by pressing an arrow, it will open a new side to continue the maze.
E. Help or no help! Maze puzzle. Move through a labyrinth from beginning to end using a map. You can decide to get help or not with the map.
F. Domino Puzzle. Place dominoes in a grid so that each end matches up with the domino next to it.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Feet of clay. Assembly puzzle. Two-step puzzle. First assemble a family crest and then color it in with colored clay according to a given diagram.
H. You light up my life. Connection puzzle. With only eight (8) matches, connect torches to create a path from start to finish.
I recommend this game!
Researching the cause of a mysterious supernatural epidemic will have wildly unpredictable consequences...
Overall rating
5
/
5
131 of 205 found this review helpful
OPEN A PORTAL TO A FANTASTIC SCI-FI GAME. ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR
PostedOctober 20, 2018
sunnyglow
fromAs an initiate to the world of HOP games, I cannot wait to put my gaming hand on my mouse -opening the portal to the other worlds those games provide!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE MAIN GAME
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages
OVERVIEW: Get ready for an out-of-this world sci-fi adventure! With the opening of a new exhibition at a well-known museum, an egg, enclosed within a showcase, explodes, spreading a contagion to all who attend the event. Now, the virus has gone world-wide with disastrous consequences. However, there may be a cure for the disease, the Heart from the Tree of Might. Now, as Diana, you are off on an expedition to locate this ancient cure. Find yourself traveling through portals to other worlds in your quest to learn more about the Tree of Might. Your own world will be turned upside down when you discover the sinister motive for locating the Tree of Might and the reason for your involvement. Through the Gates of the World you go – off on a breathtaking adventure!
OPINION: What a fantastic sci-fi game! I almost did not purchase this game because the demo gave me a different impression of the story behind this game than what it turned out to be. The game is so much better after the demo. The graphics, HOP scenes, and puzzles are stellar. The graphics are beautiful with a hodgepodge of artifacts from the Ancient Egyptian, Indian, and Norse civilizations blended into the scenes from these worlds. There is plenty of action in this game and a variety of activities. This game became much more interesting after I realized it was a sci-fi adventure. Seldom do I ever replay a game – but this is one which I will replay. It is incredibly well-designed and one of the best games I have played this year! This is truly a masterpiece of sci-fi adventure.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are twenty-two (22) achievements. Collect thirty (30) morphing objects. Collect seventy-three (73) items (7 horses, 8 elephants, 7 butterflies, 30 necklaces, 12 rabbits -in the bonus chapter, 8 cobras, 12 manuscripts). There are eight (8) wallpapers along with casual art, music and video sequences. You can replay twenty-five (25) mini-games and seven (7) puzzles.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a prequel. Play Soren, a character from the main game. Before he begins his adventure beside Diana, he must overcome his fear. He is given a bracelet from a sorceress to fight off evil spells: however, he must conquer his fear through some trials depicted in this chapter. I started this chapter but have not completed it. It is a long chapter and appears to have the same excellent quality as in the main game. You collect twelve (12) rabbits as the collectibles.
HOP SCENES: There are twelve (12) in the main game. There are not many in this game, but they are creatively designed and highly interactive. There are both lists of items and silhouette. Most are search and replace in which you search for an item and then use it within the scene. There are scenes in which you are given items to replace within the scene as well. Some of the scenes have puzzles within them. My favorite is one in which you search for items on a celestial globe. However, as an added twist, you must rotate two circles to unite two halves for some of the items before removing them.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-six (36) just in the main game. This is a puzzle lover’s dream game! They are varied in style and difficulty. Some of the puzzles are easy but most are of medium difficulty. There are some challenging ones as well.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES FROM THE MAIN GAME:
A. Rope puzzle. In this case lighted stars. Untangle them so no light rays emanating from the stars intersect.
B. Marble Maze puzzle. Click a super-fast rotating marble when it approaches on opening to lead it through a maze to the center of the circular grid.
C. Locate the differences. In this case, locate the similarities between two completely different pictures.
D. Sequence puzzle. Light up all crystals on a stone. Clicking on a stone lights up all those surrounding it as well as turning off those which are already lit.
E. Sequence puzzle. Move 5 statues of Nagas, placing them into proper position to turn on ten (10) fountains.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch petals on a flower so that each petal is in its correct position. You can only switch petals which are connected by a line between them.
G. Ye old three pole puzzle. Move parts of three Valkyrie warriors among three different poles to dress them in their appropriate attire.
B. Marble Maze puzzle. Click a super-fast rotating marble when it approaches on opening to lead it through a maze to the center of the circular grid.
C. Locate the differences. In this case, locate the similarities between two completely different pictures.
D. Sequence puzzle. Light up all crystals on a stone. Clicking on a stone lights up all those surrounding it as well as turning off those which are already lit.
E. Sequence puzzle. Move 5 statues of Nagas, placing them into proper position to turn on ten (10) fountains.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch petals on a flower so that each petal is in its correct position. You can only switch petals which are connected by a line between them.
G. Ye old three pole puzzle. Move parts of three Valkyrie warriors among three different poles to dress them in their appropriate attire.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your hometown from dangerous monsters in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
171 of 253 found this review helpful
A HALLOWEEN FUN-FILLED GAME WHICH IS A MONSTROUS SUCCESS!
PostedOctober 18, 2018
sunnyglow
fromA big THANK YOU to BFG for all the “phantastic” Halloween HOP games this year! After playing this game, I am hiding the old family photo albums in case some family member was a monster in real life.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE MAIN GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 61 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 61 Pages
OVERVIEW: Are you ready for a Halloween monster mash-up? You will be dealing with monsters of all shapes and sizes in this game. As an aspiring medical student at a prestigious medical school, you return home to visit your father for Halloween. With the disappearance of your mother, you are concerned about your father. However, this visit will be anything but a peaceful visit with dear old dad. You will discover family secrets when monsters begin invading your hometown. A doll, Harlequin Harvey, is spearheading this invasion to release the Headless Horseman, the master of all the monsters. With camera in hand, you are off to Witches Hill to stop the disturbing clown doll and the Headless Horseman. This will be a family affair. Along the way you will get help from family members, past and present.
OPINION: Trick or treat? My favorite developer has delivered an excellent Halloween treat! What a fantastic Halloween delight! This is a LONG game all decked out in Halloween attire, with bats, pumpkins, ghosts and monsters. The story is well-written. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged. Monsters are everywhere in this game and the creepy harlequin doll, Harvey is reminiscent of the clown “It” from the novel by Stephen King. Domini always provides more game for the money with long games filled with plenty of collectibles, choice in difficulty of the puzzles, and creatively designed puzzles and HOP scenes. To me, this game is worthy of the collector’s edition designation. Hopefully, Domini will continue this game series as a Halloween tradition.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are thirty-three (33) achievements. Collect seventy-one (71) film rolls which, when collected, allow you to purchase items for a boudoir. Also collect fifteen (15) newspaper scraps and fifteen (15) photos of monsters. I found the collectibles easy to locate and there is an indicator bar which alerts you if there are collectibles within the scene. You can choose the level of difficulty for the puzzles in the beginning menu. You can replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes and twenty-two (22) puzzles. There are fourteen (14) wallpapers plus the usual casual art, music and video sequences.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. It is the week after Halloween and now you must return to college. A present given to you by your father is stolen. Now you must retrieve it before it leads to dire consequences for mankind.
HOP SCENES: There are fourteen (14) in the main game. I am impressed with the HOP scenes, which are creatively designed and interactive. This game does not have many lists of items. Most of the scenes are storybook scenes with highlighted items or silhouette scenes. There is a rebus scene and a search-and-replace scene as well. There is one I have not seen before. It is a well-designed HOP scene in which you must complete tasks by searching for items to complete these tasks. You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: This is a puzzle-lover’s dream game! There are twenty-nine (29) just within the main game. There is a wide variety of them as well. My only complaint is that I wish there were more puzzles available to replay. Most puzzles can be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode.
PUZZLES: This is a puzzle-lover’s dream game! There are twenty-nine (29) just within the main game. There is a wide variety of them as well. My only complaint is that I wish there were more puzzles available to replay. Most puzzles can be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Deal the deck! Sequence/Mathematical puzzle. On a card table, place cards into proper position based on clues from the cards already on the table. 4X
B. Ye old stacking puzzle. Move a series of pieces between three poles so that the pieces which are placed in the middle pole follow a diagram etched into the pole.
C. Rock, Paper, Scissors. Beat the computer. Play this game with a skeleton to win.
D. Ye old cell puzzle. Turn on all cells within a grid. Clicking on a cell will light all cells surrounding it as well. However, it will also turn off cells which are already lit.
E. Paper witch dolls! Switch puzzle. Switch clothing among various witches to provide an outfit for a central witch according to a given diagram.
F. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate and switch buttons with prongs at the end so that the prongs are positioned as per a given diagram. Prongs on one button will transfer to another when the prong abuts that button.
B. Ye old stacking puzzle. Move a series of pieces between three poles so that the pieces which are placed in the middle pole follow a diagram etched into the pole.
C. Rock, Paper, Scissors. Beat the computer. Play this game with a skeleton to win.
D. Ye old cell puzzle. Turn on all cells within a grid. Clicking on a cell will light all cells surrounding it as well. However, it will also turn off cells which are already lit.
E. Paper witch dolls! Switch puzzle. Switch clothing among various witches to provide an outfit for a central witch according to a given diagram.
F. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate and switch buttons with prongs at the end so that the prongs are positioned as per a given diagram. Prongs on one button will transfer to another when the prong abuts that button.
I recommend this game!
A powerful artifact is stolen, threatening to shatter time itself.
Overall rating
3
/
5
71 of 132 found this review helpful
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN THIS GAME
PostedOctober 13, 2018
sunnyglow
fromStealing time? I need the Hourglass of Time to add more hours to the day to get things done!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Detective Antman! The Hourglass of Time has vanished! You are off to Tempoville, called out of retirement to handle this case by Count Von Mart, the current keeper of this artifact. Count Von Mart is a member of a secret order sworn to protect it from falling into the wrong hands. Whoever possesses the hourglass can drain energy out its victims, allowing the perpetrator to gain immortality. An unlikely source may be behind its theft and this culprit seems to have a diabolical scheme for its use along with two other artifacts. You must hurry! You have one night to stop this evildoer!
OPINION: This game may appeal to those who like this series; however, I found it snail-paced and did not purchase it. The graphics are beautiful. This developer provides breathtaking scenes within their games. Nevertheless, gorgeous graphics do not create an enjoyable game. From the storyline to the activities, the game is a cookie cutter variation of the others in this series. The baying wolves and barking dogs return in this game and to me, are distracting. I like to play games with sound, but the animal noises were so irritating, I could not wait until the demo ended.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are eighteen (18) achievements. Collect twenty-six (26) morphing objects (gargoyles) which allow you to receive items to add to a fort. I found the ones in the demo easy to locate. There are nine (9) wallpapers, seven (7) screensavers along with the usual concept art, music and video selections. You can replay ten (10) HOP scenes and twelve (12) puzzles.
HOP SCENES: The demo contains storybook scenes, silhouette scenes, and lists of items. Some of the scenes are multiple-step with two different ways to locate items. There are two mini-HOP scenes in which the player searches for a small number of one item. My favorite scene is one in which the player searches for items based on their patterns.
PUZZLES: The puzzles vary in style and difficulty. Most are easy, and a variation of ones seen in other games. I do not feel that any of them were innovative nor creatively designed. They are all standard fare. I have listed them below.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE PUZZLES FROM THE DEMO:
A. Sequence puzzle. Push tiles into the center of a door until all remain in the center. Pushing one affects the others
B. Assembly puzzle. Choose a symbol from each of three different rings, which, when combined, create a given symbol.
C. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate four (4) rings to restore an image.
D. Map puzzle. Find your way through the streets of the town avoiding obstacles until you reach the exit.
E. Match-3 puzzle. (Within the previous puzzle) Match up 3 or more barrels in any direction to remove them until none remain. D and E go together
F. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a statue.
G. Sequence puzzle. Press symbols on a door in proper sequence as per a given code. F & G go together.
H. Rotating tiles puzzle. Click on tiles upon two plaques so they match two images on a sword.
I. Assembly puzzle. Rotate parts of a key to match those on a keyhole. Click “Try” to test your results.
J. Battle scene. Multiple step. (1) Matching. Match up images hidden under shields. (2) Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces back into place to reassemble a shield. (3) Matching. Same as the first matching with the exception that the shields move clockwise after you match up two shields.
K. Assembly puzzle. On a book case switch books on two shelves so that the symbols on the two books from the top and bottom shelves create the symbol in the center between the two books.
L. Connection puzzle. Connect all dots on a grid without retracing steps.
B. Assembly puzzle. Choose a symbol from each of three different rings, which, when combined, create a given symbol.
C. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate four (4) rings to restore an image.
D. Map puzzle. Find your way through the streets of the town avoiding obstacles until you reach the exit.
E. Match-3 puzzle. (Within the previous puzzle) Match up 3 or more barrels in any direction to remove them until none remain. D and E go together
F. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a statue.
G. Sequence puzzle. Press symbols on a door in proper sequence as per a given code. F & G go together.
H. Rotating tiles puzzle. Click on tiles upon two plaques so they match two images on a sword.
I. Assembly puzzle. Rotate parts of a key to match those on a keyhole. Click “Try” to test your results.
J. Battle scene. Multiple step. (1) Matching. Match up images hidden under shields. (2) Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces back into place to reassemble a shield. (3) Matching. Same as the first matching with the exception that the shields move clockwise after you match up two shields.
K. Assembly puzzle. On a book case switch books on two shelves so that the symbols on the two books from the top and bottom shelves create the symbol in the center between the two books.
L. Connection puzzle. Connect all dots on a grid without retracing steps.
I recommend this game!
When your world and the supernatural realm collide, can you survive?
Overall rating
5
/
5
135 of 202 found this review helpful
A WONDERFUL HALLOWEEN TREAT TO PUT INTO YOUR BAG OF GAMING GOODIES
PostedOctober 11, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game creates a whole new venue for Halloween parties. Instead of haunted houses and bobbing for apples, how about entering the astral plane and bobbing in-and-out of other dimensions?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME:
3 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 Pages
3 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 36 Pages
OVERVIEW: Big Sis Jen! Get prepared for the ultimate Halloween fright night! When your parents leave on a trip during Halloween, you are left home to babysit your little sister, Mary. You are planning a fun-filled experience with her. However, your fun-filled evening will be anything but fun. While playing, Mary discovered a black book in your back yard – one containing Delilah, a witch out for revenge. After you read her a story from this book, Delilah pops out kidnapping Mary, taking you both into a nightmare world. Now you are off to to the astral plane to save your little sister and to discover the reason Delilah kidnapped her.
OPINION: This is a wonderful Halloween spookfest. This game should get you into the holiday spirit. It is decorated with skeletons, bats, ghosts, carved pumpkins, cobwebs, and, of course, an angry witch. The story is excellent. The pace is as well with plenty of activities to keep you busy. The main game is short; however, the bonus chapter is long. You will be running to-and-fro searching for inventory items. I thought the back-and-forth motion throughout the game a little excessive. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful addition to this series. If you are not in the Halloween spirit, this game will get you into the mood.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are twenty (20) achievements. Collect thirty-one (31) fragments to complete four (4) newspaper photos along with twelve (12) Halloween characters and twenty-four (24) morphing objects. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with concept art and music selections. You can replay sixteen (16) HOP scenes and fourteen (14) puzzles which are hidden in a secret room.
BONUS GAME: It is a sequel. While sleepwalking, your sister walks through a wall, returning to the nightmare realm of the dream world. This time she will meet her alter ego who will stop at nothing to keep her in this world. The chapter is long and in my opinion worthy of a collector’s edition designation. There are ten (10) puzzles and six (6) HOP scenes in this chapter. I feel the chapter is equal in quality to the main game.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are thematic and full of Halloween decor. There are twenty-two (22) scenes in this game, which include four (4) mini-HOP scenes in which you locate a small number of items. Most are lists of items and silhouette. There are some storybook scenes and some with morphing objects. There are a few multiple-step ones as well. Most are standard fare; however, there are two which I felt were unique. In one, you must rotate circles to connect two halves of an item before removing it. In another, you must place the other half of a symbol into a grid to remove it. Once it is removed the scene will rotate hiding some of the symbol halves to be matched.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-five (35) puzzles within the game. The puzzles vary in difficulty. There is an assortment of different styles; however, most of these puzzles have been seen in other games. In my opinion, the puzzles increase in difficulty after the demo. Nevertheless, there are some easy ones as well.
SPOILERS: HERE IS A SAMPLING OF PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Jigsaw puzzle. Rotate and place pieces back into position to create a map.
B. Matching puzzle. Match up images under bats until all the bats disappear.
C. Search puzzle. Use a magic glass to locate 5 hidden symbols within a scene.
D. Matching puzzle. Using two (2) sliders, slide a silhouette of a symbol onto the actual symbol to remove it. (I have seen this as a HOP scene in other games)
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. However, you may work on only one-quarter of the image at one time.
F. BONUS CHAPTER: On a sliding grid, place a series of red and green tiles into the proper location as per a given code. Use arrows on a red dragon and a green dragon to move them and change their color as well.
G. BONUS CHAPTER: Beat the computer. Skipping stones puzzle. In this case, you will remove Halloween symbols. Remove three or more to fill up a power grid. You must beat the evildoer by getting your three (3) power cells filled before he does.
B. Matching puzzle. Match up images under bats until all the bats disappear.
C. Search puzzle. Use a magic glass to locate 5 hidden symbols within a scene.
D. Matching puzzle. Using two (2) sliders, slide a silhouette of a symbol onto the actual symbol to remove it. (I have seen this as a HOP scene in other games)
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. However, you may work on only one-quarter of the image at one time.
F. BONUS CHAPTER: On a sliding grid, place a series of red and green tiles into the proper location as per a given code. Use arrows on a red dragon and a green dragon to move them and change their color as well.
G. BONUS CHAPTER: Beat the computer. Skipping stones puzzle. In this case, you will remove Halloween symbols. Remove three or more to fill up a power grid. You must beat the evildoer by getting your three (3) power cells filled before he does.
I recommend this game!
Some evils are too sinister to keep contained for long...
Overall rating
4
/
5
83 of 126 found this review helpful
BEWARE A “PLAGUE” OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES ANIMAL SERENADES
PostedOctober 6, 2018
sunnyglow
fromHopefully, in the future, AMAX will take those howling and screeching behind-the-scene animal actors and put them out to pasture.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME:
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter - Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter - Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
OVERVIEW: Detective! You are off to a small village during the Carnival of the Black Cube. The Black Cube seemingly protects the village from an ancient evil. You have been contacted by David Campari, a collector of amulets and artifacts. Now that he has purchased the Black Cube, he feels he and his wife, Allegra, are in danger. His greatest fear is realized when masked thieves attempt to steal it but are thwarted. Unfortunately, during the skirmish, the seal is broken on the cube and an evil entity, the Chosen One, escapes possessing the body of Allegra. Now a group of villagers, the Children of the Dawn want to burn her in a sacrificial offering and place her ashes within this cube to placate Plague, a destructive monster who brings sickness in his wake. A deal has been made; this evil entity wants her soul before dawn! Can you save Allegra and stop the sacrifice?
OPINION: This is a decent, but not outstanding game. It should appeal to those who like this series. I have mixed feelings about this game. I found the storyline confusing and the story seems to change throughout the game. For me, it was difficult assessing who all the evildoers are in this game. I am still trying to ascertain who the “Master” is. To me, it is a mismatched hodgepodge of ever-changing storylines stitched together with a host of evildoers. Nevertheless, the graphics are beautiful as usual. I do like the activities within this game. There are some creatively designed HOP scenes and puzzles. I do wish, however, that AMAX would get rid of the howling wolves, barking dogs, and screeching cats. I found the animal sounds distracting and annoying. The background noises spoiled the game for me.
MECHANICS: There are the usual four (4) levels of play including a customized version. Collect twelve (12) amulets. You will be given history concerning these amulets within the “room” in which they are kept. Collect coins to purchase items used in the game. There are eighteen (18) morphing objects (roses) to collect. You can replay thirteen (13) puzzles and sixteen (16) HOP scenes. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video cutscenes.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is s sequel. A peddler from the main game has contacted you. He sold amulets promising riches and success to those who purchased them. However, shortly after possessing them, those who purchased them became wooden statues. David Campari designed them; however, the power source for the amulets is for you to discover. It is a long chapter, well-worth the extra money for the collector’s edition. There are eleven (11) puzzles and seven (7) HOP scenes. There are no collectibles within this chapter.
HOP SCENES: There are seventeen (17) HOP scenes within the game. There are also several mini-HOP scenes within the bonus chapter in which the player searches for a small number of items. There are the usual lists of items, silhouette items, and storybook scenes with items to be found listed in highlighted letters. There is a replacement scene in which the player must place items in the proper location. There is also a “find the differences” scene in the bonus chapter. There are a few multiple-step ones in which the scenes change from one form of HOP genre to another.
FAVORITE HOP SCENE: There is one HOP scene which I found very creative. It is a scene with a large rock with symbols upon it. You must remove the symbols with a pickaxe. You are given symbols at the bottom of the screen and must choose the two symbols on this rock, which, when combined, produce the given symbol.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-three (33) puzzles within this game. The puzzles are excellent! For me, this was the best part of the game. There is a wide variety of puzzles which vary in difficulty as well. There are three puzzles in which you can choose between playing them in a “casual” or “hard” mode.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Sequence puzzle. On a skull with letters written upon the top of it, light up only the letters than spell “PAIN.” Lighting up one letter lights up others as well.
B. Alignment puzzle. On a rock with an image etched into it, move and rotate four projections (shadows) so that the projections match up with the image on the rock. Use arrows to rotate the projections as well as sliders to move them. There are also “plus” and “minus” buttons to increase and decrease their size.
C. Map/Sequence puzzle. Plot a path to move your horse through town to an excavation site by placing six (6) markers in proper sequence. Then, press Start. If chosen in the proper sequence, the horse will arrive at the designated location. Do not land on obstacles or you start over.
D. Assembly puzzle. Slide four cutters on a lathe to cut six (6) boards as per given instructions.
E. Jigsaw puzzle. Create a bridge! Now take those boards and place them into proper position so they interlink to create a bridge.
F. BONUS CHAPTER: Switch puzzle. Switch halves of a series of lock tumblers so they mesh together. Press on “check” to see if they align correctly.
G. BONUS CHAPTER: Assembly puzzle. Rotate sections of a path in a grid to create a path for a key to move from the top to a keyhole at the bottom.
B. Alignment puzzle. On a rock with an image etched into it, move and rotate four projections (shadows) so that the projections match up with the image on the rock. Use arrows to rotate the projections as well as sliders to move them. There are also “plus” and “minus” buttons to increase and decrease their size.
C. Map/Sequence puzzle. Plot a path to move your horse through town to an excavation site by placing six (6) markers in proper sequence. Then, press Start. If chosen in the proper sequence, the horse will arrive at the designated location. Do not land on obstacles or you start over.
D. Assembly puzzle. Slide four cutters on a lathe to cut six (6) boards as per given instructions.
E. Jigsaw puzzle. Create a bridge! Now take those boards and place them into proper position so they interlink to create a bridge.
F. BONUS CHAPTER: Switch puzzle. Switch halves of a series of lock tumblers so they mesh together. Press on “check” to see if they align correctly.
G. BONUS CHAPTER: Assembly puzzle. Rotate sections of a path in a grid to create a path for a key to move from the top to a keyhole at the bottom.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a crazed kidnapper in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
123 of 188 found this review helpful
MEET AND GREET ASPIRING AUTHOR RON PARKS IN ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR!
PostedOctober 4, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThere is a lesson to be learned from playing this game - Keep up with your correspondence!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME:
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 Pages
OVERVIEW: As the famed horror novelist, Marcia Clay, you have an extensive fan base. While you are off on a book tour, your daughter, Joan, is off on a road trip with friends. However, you will find yourself in your own horror story, Marcia, when your daughter’s car breaks down and she is kidnapped by “your biggest fan,” a demented aspiring author named Ron Parks. This deranged fan is now sending you messages and clues as to where your daughter is located. In this cat-and-mouse game, you must follow his exact instructions to locate and rescue your daughter and her friends. Experience some twists and turns on this wild goose chase. However, you will get some needed assistance from some “ghost writers.” You are off to the ghost town of Rose Bay. Time is of the essence. Can you stop this psychotic serial killer?
OPINION: Kudos to EIPIX! What a superb psychological thriller! This is a long game steeped in suspense and oozing with ghosts! In my opinion, this is one of the best psychological thrillers I have played this year. This game is a vast improvement from recent games from this developer. This game should appeal to those who love this genre of games. This is not one for children; the macabre element within this game is intense. The graphics ooze with creepiness. The ghostly ambiance of the ghost town, Rose Bay, with its dilapidated buildings, add to this chilling tale. This is not as scary as it is macabre. The physical appearance and personality of the unhinged Ron Parks add to the overall unsettling feeling while playing this game.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are thirteen (13) achievements. Collect thirty-six (36) ghosts and sixteen (16) morphing objects. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with concept art, video cut scenes, and music selections. Collect twenty (20) souvenirs at the end of the game. You can replay fourteen (14) puzzles and thirteen (13) HOP scenes.
BONUS CHAPTER: It Is a sequel. You, as Marcia Clay, return to Rose Bay after receiving a letter from an unexpected source. It appears that the final chapter is not yet completed on Rose Bay. There are five (5) puzzles and four (4) HOP scenes in this chapter. I found it of decent length and worth the extra money for the collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty (20) HOP scenes in the game. They are standard fare seen in other games. I found one which is somewhat unique. Silhouette items to be located are placed on a lazy susan with six different shelves which must be rotated to locate all the items. There are two (2) scenes with morphing objects and one with rebus clues (which is a type of HOP scene I enjoy). Most of the others are straight lists of items or silhouette scenes with some interactivity. There are a few storybook scenes with items highlighted in colored letters. You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES. There are twenty-eight (28) puzzles within the game. I enjoyed playing the puzzles more than the HOP scenes. There are not many puzzles in the beginning of the game; however, toward the end, there is an avalanche of them. They vary in difficulty and style, with most being of middle difficulty with a couple which I found difficult. For once, I found the directions easy to follow. I like the twist EIPIX took in modifying the “Queens 8” puzzle. EIPIX revamped this old chestnut, bringing it into the computer age with a board set on a computer screen using tokens instead of chess pieces. Quite clever and unique!
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Pinball wizard! Connection puzzle. On an arcade-type pinball machine, use four (4) arrows to maneuver a ball to an exit slot, hitting bumpers along the way. If you miss a bumper to stop the ball, it will go out of the grid and you must restart!
B. Connection puzzle. On a grid, create a path by rotating tokens with arrows upon them so that all arrows are connected while avoiding “X’s” in the path.
C. Let’s go bowling. Bullseye puzzle! Strike bowling pins with two balls, clicking on a bar to build up strength, then clicking on the ball when a green circle is centered to knock down the pins. You get two chances to remove all the bowling pins.
D. Mathematical puzzle. Move a latch along a scratched path choosing a number on a grid at the side. The latch will move that many spaces. You will need to calculate how many squares you need to go forward and backward to reach the end.
E. Sequence puzzle. Pop balloons in a specific order to keep a level centered in the middle of the screen. If you choose the wrong balloon, the level will dip causing you to start over.
F. BONUS CHAPTER: Connect-the-Dots. Connect dots on a home security device. In this case you will need to choose the correct dots in the proper order so that all dots are visited once.
G. BONUS CHAPTER: Queens 8 puzzle. In this case, place tokens (not queens) onto a computer screen so that there is only one token in each row and column.
B. Connection puzzle. On a grid, create a path by rotating tokens with arrows upon them so that all arrows are connected while avoiding “X’s” in the path.
C. Let’s go bowling. Bullseye puzzle! Strike bowling pins with two balls, clicking on a bar to build up strength, then clicking on the ball when a green circle is centered to knock down the pins. You get two chances to remove all the bowling pins.
D. Mathematical puzzle. Move a latch along a scratched path choosing a number on a grid at the side. The latch will move that many spaces. You will need to calculate how many squares you need to go forward and backward to reach the end.
E. Sequence puzzle. Pop balloons in a specific order to keep a level centered in the middle of the screen. If you choose the wrong balloon, the level will dip causing you to start over.
F. BONUS CHAPTER: Connect-the-Dots. Connect dots on a home security device. In this case you will need to choose the correct dots in the proper order so that all dots are visited once.
G. BONUS CHAPTER: Queens 8 puzzle. In this case, place tokens (not queens) onto a computer screen so that there is only one token in each row and column.
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the secrets behind the Giants' attacks in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
67 of 126 found this review helpful
PREPARE FOR A “GIANT” STORM IN A GAME WITH AN “ARKFUL” OF FUR BABIES
PostedSeptember 27, 2018
sunnyglow
fromBefore the storm hits this town, bringing the giants with it, I am preparing an ark for the numerous animals within this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter:
OVERVIEW: Jack is back – “Jack in the Beanstalk” that is! Play Jackie Grant. Since childhood your brother Edward has always had an avid interest in botany. During an expedition he discovered magical beans, which, as in the classic fairytale, allow vines to grow, reaching a kingdom in the sky, the Cloud Kingdom. Now storms are brewing in the town of Etherfall, bringing with them the giants from this kingdom. Stolen by the original Jack, they want their treasure back. The town’s mayor may possess information relating to these missing treasures. Now, locate your brother and search for and return the missing treasures to these giants. Failure to do so will culminate in disaster befalling this town.
OPINION: The gaming story is a literary adaptation of the childhood tale, “Jack and the Beanstalk.” This is a great game for children or those who are looking for an easy-breezy game. The graphics are reminiscent of a fairy tale book with colorful, picture-perfect scenes. Watch your step! This game is loaded with “cutesy,” adorable fur babies including cats, ducks, porcupines, and cows. I found some of the puzzles interesting, but I developed a sugar rush from all the “cuteness” in this game. I do not care for fairy tale games nor games with animal helpers, so this will be a pass for me. It is a decent, but not outstanding, fairy tale delight.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version of the game. There are twenty-four (24) achievements. Collect fifty-six (56) cats and an unknown number of morphing objects. There are sidebars to indicate how many collectibles are within each scene and if you have collected them all. I found them easy to locate. There are ten (10) wallpapers plus four (4) screensavers. There are also concept art, music selections, and video sequences. You can replay eighteen (18) puzzles and seventeen (17) HOP scenes.
GIMMICKY HELPER: Basil the Cat (which looks remarkably like Puss N’ Boots) is the helper in this game. He is the guardian of the cursed object chest. He will help you destroy curses from these objects if you bring him a crystal. He sits at the left side of the inventory bar – sleeping. He lights up when you need his services. Each time you need his skills, you will play a Skipping Stones puzzle to get a crystal.
HOP SCENES: There are five (5) in the demo and they have that magic touch of cuteness many children and adults will love. They are thematic incorporating a variety of animals within the scenes. The ones in the demo include a multiple-step one in which the player searches for animals along with a list of items. In one, you roll over a porcupine (with adorably cute socks) to search for items. Gimmicky glasses aid you in searching for hidden symbols within a picture. Finally, a talkative parrot indicates what items need to be located within a scene.
HOP SCENES: There are five (5) in the demo and they have that magic touch of cuteness many children and adults will love. They are thematic incorporating a variety of animals within the scenes. The ones in the demo include a multiple-step one in which the player searches for animals along with a list of items. In one, you roll over a porcupine (with adorably cute socks) to search for items. Gimmicky glasses aid you in searching for hidden symbols within a picture. Finally, a talkative parrot indicates what items need to be located within a scene.
PUZZLES: Most of the puzzles are easy with a few which are of middle difficulty. They vary in style with many which are thematic. I have seen variations of these puzzles in other games.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE THE PUZZLES FROM THE DEMO:
A. Bar removal puzzle. Maneuver feathers blocking a path so that a key can pass to a keyhole.
B. Weights and Balances puzzle. Place weighted marbles under five bean stalks to cause them to grow. As you add the weighted marbles, the stalks will grow. A light will turn green if the exact amount of weight is added. It will remain red if not enough weight or purple if too much weight.
C. Skipping stones. Remove three (3) or more colored stones from a grid. A number is assigned for each color marble you must remove. You have only a specific number of turns to get the exact number of tokens for each color. (Use this every time you need to break a curse on some stolen object)
D. Assembly puzzle. Move clock hands on a clock pointing each one based on a given list of numbers. The hands are segmented and can be maneuvered into different positions but can only move a certain number of spaces around the clock.
E. Sequence puzzle. On a grid, move bears into their proper slots. They move along a path and must be moved sequentially for them to end up in their proper location.
F. Same as C
G. Mathematical puzzle. Move plates with daisies and seeds upon them so that the number next to these items in the center of the grid is the same as the ones displayed.
H. Sequence puzzle. Remove tokens by choosing them in a specific given sequence until none remain.
I. Matching. Place the correct picture into the proper location on a town edict.
B. Weights and Balances puzzle. Place weighted marbles under five bean stalks to cause them to grow. As you add the weighted marbles, the stalks will grow. A light will turn green if the exact amount of weight is added. It will remain red if not enough weight or purple if too much weight.
C. Skipping stones. Remove three (3) or more colored stones from a grid. A number is assigned for each color marble you must remove. You have only a specific number of turns to get the exact number of tokens for each color. (Use this every time you need to break a curse on some stolen object)
D. Assembly puzzle. Move clock hands on a clock pointing each one based on a given list of numbers. The hands are segmented and can be maneuvered into different positions but can only move a certain number of spaces around the clock.
E. Sequence puzzle. On a grid, move bears into their proper slots. They move along a path and must be moved sequentially for them to end up in their proper location.
F. Same as C
G. Mathematical puzzle. Move plates with daisies and seeds upon them so that the number next to these items in the center of the grid is the same as the ones displayed.
H. Sequence puzzle. Remove tokens by choosing them in a specific given sequence until none remain.
I. Matching. Place the correct picture into the proper location on a town edict.
I recommend this game!