sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:815
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 25, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you find the truth hidden behind the castle walls?
Overall rating
5
/
5
196 of 258 found this review helpful
FAMILY CAN BE MURDER! A "PHANTASTIC" WHODUNIT!
PostedMarch 14, 2019
sunnyglow
fromAfter the success of this game, the Mason family will be starring in their own television sitcom, “Family Can be Murder.” Mary, as the “ghostwriter” for this light-hearted romp, will detail all the murder it can to be live at the Mason estate.
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 Chapters – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapters – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages
OVERVIEW: After receiving a letter from your friend Lord Abel Mason, you are off to his estate to help solve the murder of his wife, Mary. Mary’s sister, Giselle is seen as the likely culprit; however, she pleads innocence. With a host of suspects on Mason’s estate, you will have a daunting task figuring out the culprit behind her death. Sleuth around the estate and gather evidence to locate Mary’s killer.
OPINION: This is an excellent whodunit. It is a long game with a well-written story. It is fast-paced with plenty of activities. Most of the activity centers around collecting evidence which is placed in an evidence box and then analyzed. I found the scenes well-illustrated with a more muted color scheme. This game should appeal to beginning as well as experienced players with the puzzles and the HOP scenes providing variety in both style and difficulty.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are fifteen (15) achievements. Collect twenty (20) puzzle pieces and twenty (20) morphing skulls. Collect fifty-two (52) sins cards representing the seven deadly sins. There are indicator bars which indicate if there are one or more collectibles within the scenes. You can replay twelve (12) HOP scenes and eleven (11) mini-games. You must locate all the sins cards to unlock the hidden chapter. There are nine (9) wallpapers along with concept art, music and video sequences.
EVIDENCE BOX: There is an evidence box to place evidence collected within the game. Background information is given after a series of items are collected. That information is provided via a video which provides more details about the case. After the video, a photo is provided to place over Mary’s ghost to banish her from the scene.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Nicholas is possessed by the previous owner of the estate. Search for the reason behind this possession and deal with the perpetrator. There are six (6) puzzles and three (3) HOP scenes along with a couple of mini-HOP scenes. The chapter is long with some creatively designed HOP scenes and mini-games.
HOP SCENES: There are fourteen (14) HOP scenes within the game along with several mini-HOP scenes with a small number of items to locate. Although there are few HOP scenes, every HOP scene is creatively designed with an array of different formats. A Match-3 game can be played in lieu of the scenes. In the bonus chapter there is a scene which is unique. The scene contains several books in which multiple pages must be flipped in order to locate the items. In addition, the pages of several of the books must be flipped to the proper page, which, when combined, create an image to be removed. It is a new format for a HOP scene which is well-designed. I found this a challenging scene to play.
MINI-GAMES: I loved the mini-games within this game! There are thirty-two (32) of them. They vary in difficulty from extremely easy to moderately difficult. The developer included a couple in the demo which can be played in either a “hard” or “easy” mode. After the demo, this option is not available for the remaining puzzles within the game. There is a Rube-Goldberg mini-game at the end of the main game. I found this mini-game well-designed with three creative puzzles.
SPOILERS: HERE IS A SAMPLE OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Map puzzle. Plot a route to escape a dungeon by clicking on directional arrows. Upon completion, the character will proceed via the plotted route. There are a limited number of moves within this puzzle.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch 15 pots on a grid so that each one is placed according to color and content. The color is given at the top and the content is given at the sides of the grid.
C. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate and move tokens so that they match up by color and content with images along the sides of a heart-shaped grid.
D. Switch puzzle. On a grid with 3 women on one side and 3 men on the other, slide the figures to open spaces, switching the positions of the men and women
E. Rube-Goldberg mini-game. (1) Tangram puzzle. Place odd-shaped parts of a shield into position so that all pieces fit within the shield (2) Circular maze puzzle. Move a token through a rotating circular maze – through open slots until the token reaches the center. (3) Match-3 puzzle. Match up two or more like-tokens to remove them until a score of 20 is reached.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Maze puzzle. Traverse a dark maze picking up statues to open doors all while avoiding obstacles.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of two gems placing them in the proper position for each gem.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch 15 pots on a grid so that each one is placed according to color and content. The color is given at the top and the content is given at the sides of the grid.
C. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate and move tokens so that they match up by color and content with images along the sides of a heart-shaped grid.
D. Switch puzzle. On a grid with 3 women on one side and 3 men on the other, slide the figures to open spaces, switching the positions of the men and women
E. Rube-Goldberg mini-game. (1) Tangram puzzle. Place odd-shaped parts of a shield into position so that all pieces fit within the shield (2) Circular maze puzzle. Move a token through a rotating circular maze – through open slots until the token reaches the center. (3) Match-3 puzzle. Match up two or more like-tokens to remove them until a score of 20 is reached.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Maze puzzle. Traverse a dark maze picking up statues to open doors all while avoiding obstacles.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of two gems placing them in the proper position for each gem.
I recommend this game!
Enter an immersive world in the clouds and restore balance to your civilization!
Overall rating
2
/
5
121 of 207 found this review helpful
SKYLAND - THE HEART OF A BORING GAME
PostedMarch 9, 2019
sunnyglow
fromThose bleating stubborn old goats (who will not allow you to collect them), remain within this game to give you this message: This is a “baa-d” “baa-d” game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME:
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 48 Pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 48 Pages
OVERVIEW: You are off to the penal colony, Nightingale, accompanied by your sister, Adriane, and your Uncle Leo. Drones have been spotted draining the life essence from humans and then encasing them in a crystal. The kingdom Seer has informed you that a tortured mind is behind this chaos – one who has turned evil. However, who could that evildoer be? Is it the recently escaped prisoner, Bel de Sole or some other person? And what is this evildoer doing with the energy he or she collects? The fate of mankind rests upon your shoulders! Time is of the essence!
OPINION: To me, this game does not demonstrate the quality of a collector’s edition game. It reminds me of a Hollywood B movie. On the plus side, the graphics are phenomenal and well-depict a technologically advanced civilization. The story is excellent with a twist at the ending as to the culprit behind the drone attacks. Nevertheless, I found the game slow-paced and boring. There is little dialogue within this game. The game consists of running to-and-fro collecting inventory items in one scene to use in yet another scene. I got tired of trekking back-and-forth between the various scenes.
There are not many puzzles nor HOP scenes. The game is simplistic, lacking the creativity seen in other developers’ games on this site. And please inform me how to retrieve those collectible goats? According to the strategy guide there are goats to collect. However, when you click on the goat it will just bleat at you and not allow you to collect it. In addition, some of those collectible goats are not featured in the strategy guide. I don’t recommend this game. I could not wait for it to end. To me, this is one of the worst games this year.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are sixteen (16) achievements. Collect twenty-nine (29) morphing zeppelins. There are six (6) wallpapers along with concept art, music and cutscenes. Replay thirteen (13) HOP scenes and twenty-two (22) mini-games. You get a gimmicky gauntlet to fight off enemies by playing a series of mini-games
BONUS CHAPTER: It is called “Apprentice at Heart.” It is a sequel. People from the kingdom are now trying to recover from the destruction from the drones. However, the drones continue to materialize out of nowhere attacking and terrorizing the citizens. You must now deal with them before disaster befalls the city. I found this chapter very short and as boring as the main game. There are four (4) mini-games and four (4) HOP scenes (all straight lists of items). There are no collectibles within this chapter; however, the gimmicky gauntlet accompanies you.
HOP SCENES: They are a disappointment. There are only fifteen (15) HOP scenes in the entire game. There are also three mini-HOP scenes in which you collect six (6) pieces of some item. After the demo, almost all the scenes are straight lists of items or silhouette. They lack creativity and many contain high-tech junk piles.
MINI-GAMES: They are a disappointment as well. There are twenty-two (22) mini-games and all are easy – too easy for my taste. Many of the puzzles are golden oldies rehashed from older games. Every time you engage in some battle, you must use a gimmicky gauntlet and play a puzzle. There are six (6) of these within the game. The gauntlet puzzles vary somewhat, with all based on some type of rune or symbol. Most also have two to three instances of the same puzzle, increasing in difficulty.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES WITHIN THIS GAME:
A. Sequence puzzle. Rotate three valves until all are centered in the green area of their perspective meters. Moving one valve affects the others.
B. Ye Olde Pipe puzzle. Rotate and connect pipes so that water flows from the spigot to a fire at the other end of the grid.
C. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore an image
D. Gauntlet puzzle. Connection puzzle. Place runes into position so they don’t overlap each other. 3X
BONUS CHAPTER:
A. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so none intersect with each other.
B.C. Connection puzzle. Move a drone along a path full of gems, so that all gems are visited without retracing steps.
D. Connection puzzle. Connect pairs of tokens with a line so that all pairs are connected without crossing paths.
B. Ye Olde Pipe puzzle. Rotate and connect pipes so that water flows from the spigot to a fire at the other end of the grid.
C. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore an image
D. Gauntlet puzzle. Connection puzzle. Place runes into position so they don’t overlap each other. 3X
BONUS CHAPTER:
A. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so none intersect with each other.
B.C. Connection puzzle. Move a drone along a path full of gems, so that all gems are visited without retracing steps.
D. Connection puzzle. Connect pairs of tokens with a line so that all pairs are connected without crossing paths.
I don't recommend this game.
Only you can stop the crystals raining down on Tar and stealing energy.
Overall rating
5
/
5
151 of 239 found this review helpful
A MAGICAL GAME PROVIDING AN ANTIDOTE FOR THE WINTER DOLDRUMS
PostedMarch 7, 2019
sunnyglow
fromI love this developer’s games! Domini Games always provides more gaming value for the money spent!
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: 53 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 53 Pages
OVERVIEW: The Tar Empire is once again in peril. After 700 years, the flying elven kingdom has returned, inflicting humans with a deadly plague. As a healer of the Medico Imperium, you must find an antidote to save your kingdom. With an impending battle re-emerging between the elves and humans, you must not only find an antidote, but also find the party responsible for the conflict. Confront an evildoer who will stop at nothing to destroy mankind and the elf kingdom to rule the Tar Empire. Can you defeat this evildoer and bring peace between both kingdoms?
OPINION: I LOVE Domini games. I always feel I get more game for the money than from some other developers. Although this is not my favorite series from this developer, this is an outstanding game! The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep a player involved in the game. The story is well-written. The graphics are realistic, although I wish Domini would tone down the overuse of purple and neon green in their games. Most of the game centers on diagnosing illnesses and then creating antidotes for those illnesses.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are twenty-one (21) achievements. Collect fifteen (15) cards which deal with illnesses, fifteen (15) morphing elven artifacts, and fifty (50) metal leaves used to purchase items for your laboratory. There is a bar at the side to indicate if there are one or more collectibles within a scene. I found the items easy to locate. As in all their games, Domini provides an option to play the puzzles in either an “easy” or “hard” mode within the menu. There are ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art and music and video sequences.You can replay seventeen (17) HOP scenes and twelve (12) mini-games. In this game you have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of not only the HOP scenes, but the mini-games as well. This is a new feature I have not seen before in any other HOP game.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a different story. Surprisingly, I like this story better than the one from the main game. Play Jarolia, another healer within the realm. You are off to save the Elven people from an evil elf healer, Il Lydia. She is out for revenge, turning all the elves into nocturnal creatures, night elves, making them her servants. I feel this chapter is worth the extra money for the collector’s edition. You continue to collect all the collectibles within this chapter. There are nine (9) mini-games and five (5) HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) of some of the most creative HOP scenes I have played in some time. They are very interactive and vary in design. They include scenes with only morphing objects. There is one with sliders in which you must align two silhouettes to remove an object. There are rebus clues, storybook scenes with items which must located and then returned to their proper location. There are very few straight lists of items. However, even within the lists of items, there are creative touches within the scenes. Some of the scenes have puzzles within them.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-three (33) mini-games within this game. This includes seven (7) Rube Goldberg mini-games which contain three (3) puzzles each. You will play a Rube-Goldberg puzzle with each diagnosis you make. In lieu of the puzzles you can play a Match-3 game instead. Most of the puzzles have the choice to be played in either a “hard” or “easy” mode. You can change this designation while playing the game even if you have opted for one or the other within the menu.
SPOILERS: THESE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Diagnostic mini-game: (1) Switch puzzle. On a grid, switch tokens so they are placed in the same row as a matching one at the side the grid. (2) Assembly puzzle. Move four hands attached to a skeleton so that each hand is placed squarely on an imprint of a hand at the sides. The hands are jointed. (3) Variation of the bar removal puzzle. Move green gems within a grid to create a path so that a red gem can move from the left to the right side of the grid.
B. Itsy Bitsy Spider. Sequence puzzle. On a grid move colored spiders up-and-down until they are situated in a row with a matching colored gem. Moving one spider affects the others.
C. Maze puzzle. Lead a griffin through a maze to the elven castle using the wind power of tornadoes to guide it through the paths. Avoid falling rocks as you cross.
D. Beat the computer. Move your tokens so you end up with more tokens than the evildoer. Jumping over them or abutting them changes them to your color and vice versa.
BONUS CHAPTER
E. Connection puzzle. Connect stars with lines so that the number of each star matches the lines emanating from it.
F. Sequence puzzle. Put out 4 fires using buckets of water. All flames must be extinguished at the same time
G. Mathematical puzzle Move a horse to the middle of a grid by pressing numbered buttons indicating the direction and number of steps you can proceed. You must not land on obstacles in your path.
H. Logic puzzle. Place flower seeds in a row so that there are at least three of the same type of flower in each row and column.
B. Itsy Bitsy Spider. Sequence puzzle. On a grid move colored spiders up-and-down until they are situated in a row with a matching colored gem. Moving one spider affects the others.
C. Maze puzzle. Lead a griffin through a maze to the elven castle using the wind power of tornadoes to guide it through the paths. Avoid falling rocks as you cross.
D. Beat the computer. Move your tokens so you end up with more tokens than the evildoer. Jumping over them or abutting them changes them to your color and vice versa.
BONUS CHAPTER
E. Connection puzzle. Connect stars with lines so that the number of each star matches the lines emanating from it.
F. Sequence puzzle. Put out 4 fires using buckets of water. All flames must be extinguished at the same time
G. Mathematical puzzle Move a horse to the middle of a grid by pressing numbered buttons indicating the direction and number of steps you can proceed. You must not land on obstacles in your path.
H. Logic puzzle. Place flower seeds in a row so that there are at least three of the same type of flower in each row and column.
I recommend this game!
The Abomination threatens to erase all worlds from existence!
Overall rating
4
/
5
85 of 149 found this review helpful
THE ABOMINATION OF WRITER’S BLOCK
PostedFebruary 28, 2019
sunnyglow
from“Writer’s block” can take on other meanings other than the one in this game. It can also refer to blocking out overexposed plots and locations along with hackneyed characters from one’s novels.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages
OVERVIEW: Enter the literary world where the characters from a book series struggle to keep their world, Ballard, from being destroyed. Play Anea, an adept who has been given the responsibility to save this world. The Abomination is encroaching on all four (4) realms comprising this world. Once the last realm, Inspiria, is destroyed, the world of Ballard will cease to exist. You are off to visit the fifth realm, where the Author, the Creator of your world resides Only he can save it from this Abomination. However, due to personal problems within his own life, the Author has other plans for this world he created. Will you be able to save your world from the Grand Finale, the End of Realms?
OPINION: I found this game better than the previous ones in the series. The story is ingenious. It is based on the conflict an author faces in discontinuing a series and the characters within that series. The graphics are colorful, and beautifully portray the four (4) realms which comprise the world of Ballard. The game is action-packed as you travel to a different realm with each new chapter of the game. There is a great deal of time spent in locating ingredients to create eight (8) spells which are used frequently within the game. This is a nice easy breezy game. Most of the puzzles are easy, although there are a few which are moderately difficult.
MECHANICS: There are five (5) levels of play including a customized version. There are eleven (11) achievements. Collect thirty-two (32) morphing objects within the game and fifteen (15) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. You also collect twenty-nine (29) fiery comets. I found some of the collectibles difficult to locate. There are four (4) wallpapers along with concept art and music and video sequences. You can replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes. Play a jigsaw puzzle and the ultimate HOP scene after completing the game. All collectibles must be located to play the ultimate HOP scene. There is also a more difficult version of the pigeon puzzle from the bonus chapter offered for replay as well.
GIMMICKY SPELLS. You receive a book in which to collect 8 spells as you play the game. You must collect and combine items to produce those spells. The spells are: (1) Levitate Objects, (2) Portals, (3) Talk to Animals, (4) Fire Resist, (5) Antidote, (6) Open Door, (7) Mermaid Shapeshift and (8) Muse Shards. The game devotes a great deal of time in creating and using these spells. I feel the spells are overused within the game.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Jason Ballard, the son of the author. While your parents are on vacation, you are whisked away into one of your father’s books. Confront a witch who wishes to steal your essence, the essence of the creator. I found the bonus chapter somewhat short, and to me, not worth the price of the collector’s edition. The developer crammed ten (10) puzzles and four (4) HOP scenes into this short chapter. There are also two mini-HOP scenes as well. For most of the chapter, it seemed as if I were playing one puzzle after another.
HOP SCENES: From what I could assess, there are twenty (20) HOP scenes along with several mini-HOP scenes. I am disappointed in the HOP scenes. Most of the scenes are straight lists of items lacking creativity. There are morphing objects to locate within most of the scenes with those straight lists of items. There are four (4) repetitive storybook scenes in which you must locate items and place them back into their proper location within the scene. There are a couple of matching scenes. There is one pattern scene within the bonus chapter.
PUZZLES: There are only twenty-nine (29) within the entire game, with ten (10) of those from the bonus chapter. Most of the puzzles are easy. There are a few moderately difficult ones. There is a new puzzle within this game I found creatively designed. It requires switching rows and columns of two grids so that when combined, a new grid is created with every square containing a stud.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Escape puzzle. Sequence puzzle. Move through a series of traps (aimed to kill you) by copying the sequence in which four arrows light up within 3 scenes.
B. Checkers puzzle. Jump over marbles on a triangular board until only one marble remains.
C. Maze puzzle. With only the light from a lantern, traverse a maze until you reach the exit.
D. Gear puzzle. A variation of a sliding tiles puzzle in which you must slide squares with gears on them, so the gears mesh together from one end to the other.
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Connection puzzle. Begin with a hexagon-shaped tile in a honeycomb grid lighting up all cells of the grid without retracing steps.
F. Matching puzzle. Rotate the parts on a raven to match a given one.
G. Logic puzzle. Place pigeons on a grid so that the number of them in each row and column matches the number at the top and sides of each column and row. (You can replay a more difficult version of this puzzle after the game is completed).
B. Checkers puzzle. Jump over marbles on a triangular board until only one marble remains.
C. Maze puzzle. With only the light from a lantern, traverse a maze until you reach the exit.
D. Gear puzzle. A variation of a sliding tiles puzzle in which you must slide squares with gears on them, so the gears mesh together from one end to the other.
BONUS CHAPTER:
E. Connection puzzle. Begin with a hexagon-shaped tile in a honeycomb grid lighting up all cells of the grid without retracing steps.
F. Matching puzzle. Rotate the parts on a raven to match a given one.
G. Logic puzzle. Place pigeons on a grid so that the number of them in each row and column matches the number at the top and sides of each column and row. (You can replay a more difficult version of this puzzle after the game is completed).
I recommend this game!
Escape a terrifying hotel with a haunted past.
Overall rating
3
/
5
98 of 156 found this review helpful
A GAME WHICH IS A MONSTROUS BORE
PostedFebruary 23, 2019
sunnyglow
fromThis game is corrupted by numerous HOP junkpiles within it. Hopefully the developer will include this on their “list of items” to do: Provide more creative HOP scenes and throw out the piles of junk!
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
OVERVIEW: You are off to visit your sister, Tilly, at her new place of employment, the Somber Hills Hotel. After surviving a car crash near the hotel, you are taken inside the hotel in a state of unconsciousness. Upon awakening, you realize something is amiss within this hotel. Your sister has written you about its seemingly haunted past. However, is it haunted or is something more sinister lurking within this hotel? Now within its walls, you must battle the evil within this hotel to save yourself, your sister, and the others trapped by a monstrous force who feeds on the life force of everyone who resides there.
OPINION: I purchased this game based on the demo and regretted my decision. This is a long game with a decent story. The dark graphics and creepy voice of the monster add to the scare factor in this game. However, after the demo, I found the pace dragged. Instead of being scared, I became bored. For me the game is too long, lacking enough activities to keep up the pace. There are some great puzzles but too few of them. There is little dialogue and too much running back-and-forth between scenes to collect inventory items to place in yet another scene. I grew tired of the constant search for inventory items. Most of the HOP scenes are junkpiles with standard lists of items or silhouettes with few creative touches. I found this game more boring than scary. I love this series, but to me, this game does not match up to the quality of the previous games within the series.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are thirteen (13) achievements. Collect forty-five (45) signs and nineteen (19) morphing objects (within the HOP scenes). The collectibles are easy to locate. Collect twenty-three (23) souvenirs at the end of the game. You can replay twenty (20) puzzles and twenty-one (21) HOP scenes. You can also replay the bubble shooter game. There are four (4) wallpapers along with concept art and music and video sequences.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Your arm has been corrupted by the monster from the main game. You discover an imprisoned miner who promises he can help heal your arm if you free him. However, you will discover there are consequences and complications involved in freeing him. There are four (4) puzzles and four (4) HOP scenes within this chapter. It is a long chapter which I also found snail-paced. To me, this chapter is not worth the extra price of the collector’s edition.
HOP SCENES: Missing all those junkpile scenes from yesteryear? Then this game is for you. There are twenty-one (21) in the game along with some mini-HOP scenes. Most, but not all, contain a morphing object. You can play a bubble shooter game in lieu of the scenes. Most of the scenes are lists of items or silhouette. Most scenes have a combination of both. There are also a couple of scenes with rebus clues. These are some of the most boring HOP scenes I have ever played. They lack creativity and there is little interaction within the scenes. By the end of the game I was so tired of playing the HOP scenes, I wished the monster from the game would corrupt the whole game so they would disappear. After playing one junkpile after another, I could not tell one scene from another.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are excellent in this game. They are varied in difficultly and style. There are some which are unique and a few I have not seen in other games. Nevertheless, there were not enough of them to make the game enjoyable for me. There are only twenty-three (23) in the entire game. The lack of puzzles I feel adds to the monotony of playing this game. There is one puzzle repeated throughout the game. It is a variation of bubble shooter game in which you must shoot spheres before they reach the bottom of the screen. This puzzle is used when you battle an evil force. This is yet another game from this developer in which I found some puzzles with confusing directions.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Assembly puzzle. Arrange dice on a grid so all the numbers align to match a given number code. Every given number code must be seen within this grid. Excellent new puzzle never seen before
B. Maze puzzle. Follow a maze-like map through the woods, choosing between two to three paths in which proceed until you come to the exit.
C. Matching puzzle. Using two dials, bring a picture into focus. 2X
D. Switch puzzle. Switch grooved metallic pieces on a grid, so they mesh with each other and the sides of the grid.
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate two interconnected rings with skulls and beams of light mixed together so that the beams of light are on side and the skulls are on the other.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Pattern puzzle. Copy four different patterns onto a grid using plus and minus buttons to add or delete color to produce the images.
G. Sequence puzzle. Press arrows on a grid in the proper sequence so all are pressed. The arrows indicate how to proceed within the grid. It is up to you to find the proper order.
B. Maze puzzle. Follow a maze-like map through the woods, choosing between two to three paths in which proceed until you come to the exit.
C. Matching puzzle. Using two dials, bring a picture into focus. 2X
D. Switch puzzle. Switch grooved metallic pieces on a grid, so they mesh with each other and the sides of the grid.
E. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate two interconnected rings with skulls and beams of light mixed together so that the beams of light are on side and the skulls are on the other.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Pattern puzzle. Copy four different patterns onto a grid using plus and minus buttons to add or delete color to produce the images.
G. Sequence puzzle. Press arrows on a grid in the proper sequence so all are pressed. The arrows indicate how to proceed within the grid. It is up to you to find the proper order.
I don't recommend this game.
Get lost in a haunted house that keeps changing!
Overall rating
5
/
5
185 of 281 found this review helpful
HAVE NO FEAR – THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR!
PostedFebruary 21, 2019
sunnyglow
fromYou may want to escape this house, but you won’t want to escape playing this game!
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
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 Pages
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 Pages
OVERVIEW: After receiving a distressing call from your friends, you are off to an isolated motel to investigate. Upon entering this rundown establishment, you are informed that you are trapped within its walls and will need help to escape. This help will come from the Navigator, a televised image which will aid you in that escape. This hotel feeds on the fears of those who are within it, creating worlds to generate that fear. Open portals to new worlds as you search for your friends and find a way for all of you to escape.
OPINION: What a fantastic game! It is also a long game. I enjoyed every minute of this game – after the demo. Unfortunately, the demo does not do justice to this game. The story is well-written. The pace is excellent. Entering the different worlds comprising this game provides fast-paced action. The puzzles are exquisite with some I have not seen lately, including a variation of a Rube-Goldberg puzzle. The graphics are dark and well-portray the ambiance of this game. It is refreshing to play a game which is not a cookie cutter version of some other game. It is a game which is unique and different than most of the carbon copy ones we have experienced lately.
FAVORITE SEGMENT OF THE GAME: My favorite segment of this game was maneuvering a plane to keep it from crash landing. Although not a puzzle, you must follow directions working with the instrument panel of the plane. There are several steps which must be performed to keep the plane from crashing.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are ten (10) achievements, some with three parts. Collect twenty-three (23) keys and seven (7) figurines of characters from the game. For once the collectibles do not “jump out” from the scene. I found the collectibles difficult to locate in some scenes. There are sixteen (16) wallpapers along with concept art and music and video sequences. You can replay five (5) mini-games. They vary on the number of times you can replay each mini-game. There is a fresco (jigsaw puzzle) which you must assemble to get one of the achievements.
THE DISAPPEARING HELPER ROBOT: There is a helper robot in this game. He is used extensively in the demo. After the demo, he disappears for some time and is not used to perform the same stunts as in the demo. I feel the developer did themselves a disservice by the inclusion of this helper. The game would be better without this gimmick. I almost did not purchase it because of the robot.
BONUS GAME: It is a prequel. Learn about the origins of this house and its original owners, Franklin and Beatrice. Learn what led to the evil within the house. There are no collectibles within this chapter. There are five (5) HOP scenes and seven (7) mini-games. However, three (3) of those mini-games are the same puzzle in which you must swivel a distorted image up-and-down until it is aligned.
HOP SCENES: There are only twenty (20) scenes in the entire game. I enjoyed the scenes in which you must locate a large number of one item. In one scene you search for fifty (50) skulls and in another you search for fifty (50) keys. Most of the scenes in the game are lists of items; however, the scenes have creative elements within them. In one you search for items in books which open and close while you are searching for those items. My favorite scene was one in the bonus chapter in which you search for items on a moving conveyor belt.
MINI-GAMES: They are incredible! It was refreshing to play a game with some new puzzles or those I have not played in some time. As stated, there is a variation of a Rube-Goldberg puzzle in this game. There are thirty-seven (37) puzzles within the game. (I consider the Rube-Goldberg puzzle as one puzzle with six (6) parts). They vary in style and difficulty. Most of the puzzles are of moderate difficulty.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE MINI-GAMES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Rube-Goldberg puzzle. Solve a series of puzzles to set a code. They include:
(1) Rope puzzle. Untangle wires so they do not cross each other.
(2) Matching puzzle. Uncover tokens to match up pictures
(3) Sequence puzzle. Flip switches for lights in sequential order so that all turn green
(4) Mathematical puzzle. Add, subtract and multiply numbers to get a certain number shown on the grid.
(5) Lock puzzle. Locate a combination and enter it to open a lock.
(6) Finally – click on letters on a grid based on those given to you from solving the previous five puzzles.
B. Assembly puzzle. Place items into a box so that none touch each other.
C. Strategy puzzle. Amazing puzzle in which you must move your token from the left to the right on a grid moving 5 spaces at a time while avoiding four red tokens which move 3 spaces per turn. Red tokens can be directed into holes in the board to get rid of them.
D. Logic puzzle. Place nine characters into slots on a curio based on what they like while avoiding placing them next to characters they dislike.
E. Physics puzzle. Using a catapult, choose the wind speed and angle to center 3 rocks to hit a castle.
F. Connection puzzle. Mirror puzzle. Adjust mirrors within a grid so all are connected with a beam of light.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Connection puzzle. Connect colored neurons so that same colored ones are NOT connected with each other.
H. One my favorite puzzles. On a grid, click on a colored cell which changes the color of all the cells around it of the same color. Continue until the whole board is one color. You get 30 turns to do so.
I. Mathematical puzzle. Light 4 sets of candles in a circle so that the candles lit equal the numbers between the sets.
(1) Rope puzzle. Untangle wires so they do not cross each other.
(2) Matching puzzle. Uncover tokens to match up pictures
(3) Sequence puzzle. Flip switches for lights in sequential order so that all turn green
(4) Mathematical puzzle. Add, subtract and multiply numbers to get a certain number shown on the grid.
(5) Lock puzzle. Locate a combination and enter it to open a lock.
(6) Finally – click on letters on a grid based on those given to you from solving the previous five puzzles.
B. Assembly puzzle. Place items into a box so that none touch each other.
C. Strategy puzzle. Amazing puzzle in which you must move your token from the left to the right on a grid moving 5 spaces at a time while avoiding four red tokens which move 3 spaces per turn. Red tokens can be directed into holes in the board to get rid of them.
D. Logic puzzle. Place nine characters into slots on a curio based on what they like while avoiding placing them next to characters they dislike.
E. Physics puzzle. Using a catapult, choose the wind speed and angle to center 3 rocks to hit a castle.
F. Connection puzzle. Mirror puzzle. Adjust mirrors within a grid so all are connected with a beam of light.
BONUS CHAPTER:
G. Connection puzzle. Connect colored neurons so that same colored ones are NOT connected with each other.
H. One my favorite puzzles. On a grid, click on a colored cell which changes the color of all the cells around it of the same color. Continue until the whole board is one color. You get 30 turns to do so.
I. Mathematical puzzle. Light 4 sets of candles in a circle so that the candles lit equal the numbers between the sets.
I recommend this game!
When a young man is apparently abducted by spirits at an abandoned movie theater, you rush to investigate. You arrive to find truth to the tales as you encounter specters from the very movies shown in the theater! Can you navigate dangerous films to save the living in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
127 of 189 found this review helpful
ENTER THE HAUNTING WORLD OF CLASSIC MOVIES
PostedFebruary 16, 2019
sunnyglow
fromAfter playing this game, I have decided to stop watching classic movies. “Screen grabs” from those movies may have a different meaning than what one might expect!
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: 47 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 47 Pages
OVERVIEW: The Fright Chasers are back with another paranormal adventure! As a member of a blog dealing with the paranormal, you, and fellow blogger, Lisa, are off to the run-down Odeon Theater to investigate ghostly activity. While watching an old movie, Donny and Joy, a romantic duo, are shaken when a ghost walks off the screen and kidnaps Donny, dragging him into the film. Now you must enter the film yourself to save him from this ghost. Before you are finished with this investigation, you will find yourself entering three different films searching for the cause behind the ghostly apparitions. While you investigate, your cohort, Lisa, will be held captive by the three ghosts from those films until you are able to vanquish them within the films.
OPINION: This is a great game for those who love games dealing with the paranormal. It is also a very long game, well worth the purchase price. The story behind the game is excellent. Each chapter will be set in a different location except for the last chapter which has you revisiting all the locations again. The pace is excellent as well with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged. I feel it is a nice touch to allow the player to play two of the chapters in random order. I also feel the graphics and dialogue do a nice job of portraying the different genres of classic movies.
MECHANICS: There are five (5) levels of play including a customized version. There are eleven (11) achievements, most containing three parts. Collect twenty-eight (28) morphing objects within the scenes, eighteen (18) morphing objects within the HOP scenes, and twenty-eight (28) clapboards. There are four (4) wallpapers along with concept art and soundtracks from the game. You can replay eighteen (18) HOP scenes. At the end of the game, after finding all the collectibles, you can play the Ultimate HOP scene. There is an Ultimate Puzzle to play as well. Chapters 3 and 4 can be played in any order you choose. You revisit three locations at the end which also can be played in random order.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel with a different story. You have always wanted to be in a fairy tale and now you have your chance, finding yourself within a fairy tale film. Search for a golden witch-box for an elderly gentleman who has given you few options to not do so. The chapter is long and worth the extra price of the collector’s edition. There are ten (10) puzzles and four (4) HOP scenes within this chapter.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes. There are morphing objects within each scene. I found the HOP scenes disappointing and boring. Luckily there are not many of them. Most of them are straight lists of items lacking any creative design. There are a couple of storybook scenes, a couple of matching scenes and a silhouette scene in the bonus chapter. There is one scene in which you must keep filling a kerosene lantern to keep it lit to see the items to be located from the list. After the sixth time filling the lantern, I became irritated. Hopefully the developer will discontinue this type of scene in the future.
PUZZLES: There are forty-two (42) puzzles within this game! With that many puzzles, I am disappointed that this developer did not provide a replay for some of the puzzles. I found the puzzles better than the HOP scenes. They vary in style and difficulty. They are creatively designed and are the best part of the game. Most are easy; there are none which I would consider challenging. There are a few of moderate difficulty.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Sliding tiles puzzle. On a 3 x 3 grid move tiles so that three rows are formed with like tiles in each one.
B. Sequence puzzle. Click on three (3) to five (5) symbols in the correct sequence to defeat a ghost. This puzzle appears three times in the game
C. Maze puzzle. Move through a clouded maze picking up keys along the way to open new parts of the maze.
D. Tracing puzzle. Trace a symbol without touching the edges. (I wish the developers would get rid of this type of puzzle)
E. Checkers puzzle. This time use gray marbles to jump over red ones to remove them. Remove all the red marbles from the grid
F. Tangram puzzle. Place all pieces of luggage onto a grid so no spaces remain between them.
G. Weights and Balances puzzle. Place weights on a scale until both sides are in balance.
BONUS CHAPTER
H. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles with symbols on them, so that when combined, they create the emblem on the left side of the screen.
I. Obstacle puzzle. Slide a magnet along the side of a glass jar to move a key to the top while avoiding moving obstacles in its path.
J. Matching puzzle. On a cabinet with a maze-like design, use a lighted square to locate three identical matches on this cabinet to three given squares at the bottom of the screen. (Nerve-wracking!)
B. Sequence puzzle. Click on three (3) to five (5) symbols in the correct sequence to defeat a ghost. This puzzle appears three times in the game
C. Maze puzzle. Move through a clouded maze picking up keys along the way to open new parts of the maze.
D. Tracing puzzle. Trace a symbol without touching the edges. (I wish the developers would get rid of this type of puzzle)
E. Checkers puzzle. This time use gray marbles to jump over red ones to remove them. Remove all the red marbles from the grid
F. Tangram puzzle. Place all pieces of luggage onto a grid so no spaces remain between them.
G. Weights and Balances puzzle. Place weights on a scale until both sides are in balance.
BONUS CHAPTER
H. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles with symbols on them, so that when combined, they create the emblem on the left side of the screen.
I. Obstacle puzzle. Slide a magnet along the side of a glass jar to move a key to the top while avoiding moving obstacles in its path.
J. Matching puzzle. On a cabinet with a maze-like design, use a lighted square to locate three identical matches on this cabinet to three given squares at the bottom of the screen. (Nerve-wracking!)
Can you save the city from the dangerous criminal Quasimodo?
Overall rating
5
/
5
141 of 214 found this review helpful
A VALENTINE DELIGHT TO REJUVENATE YOUR LOVE FOR HOP GAMES!
PostedFebruary 14, 2019
sunnyglow
fromHappy Valentine’s Day! Looking to rejuvenate your appearance? This game provides a new alternative to plastic surgery!
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: 51 Pages (This is a long game)
3 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 51 Pages (This is a long game)
OVERVIEW: You, Captain Frederic de Bone, have been summoned by Cardinal Frollo to aid in the apprehension of the criminal, Quasimodo. The Cardinal believes that the street dancer, Esmeralda, is in danger from this criminal and you have been asked to bring her to the court for protection. You are off to Notre Dame Cathedral, the haunt of Quasimodo to try to apprehend him. Be warned! While engaged in hunting down this criminal, you will uncover some unsettling details concerning the Cardinal and his true intentions concerning Quasimodo and Esmeralda.
OPINION: What a sweet surprise for Valentine’s Day! I loved playing this game. I found the game is fast-paced with a well-written story. The Victor Hugo story is an excellent backdrop for this game. As always, Domini has included those little extras which other developers don’t. The game is long with fantastic, well-designed puzzles and HOP scenes. As in their other games, Domini provides an “easy” and “hard” version for most of their puzzles. My only complaint are the graphics. Although they are realistic, I feel the colors are garish with too much purple and neon green. I wish Domini would use more subtle colors in their games.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are thirty-three (33) achievements. Collect fifteen (15) diary pages, seventy (70) golden bracelets (used to purchase items for your boudoir), and fifteen (15) morphing tarot cards. There is an indicator on the inventory bar which indicates when there is a collectible within the scene. You play two characters, Captain De Bone and Esmeralda, switching periodically between them within the game. There are ten (10) wallpapers along with concept art and music and video sequences. You can replay fifteen (15) mini-games and eighteen (18) HOP scenes.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. It is a long chapter well-worth the additional price of the collector’s edition. Esmeralda receives a letter from King Louis XII informing her that she is his illegitimate daughter and heir to the throne. However, the king’s wife, Agatha, has other plans for Esmeralda in her own quest to become queen of France. You continue to collect the collectibles within this chapter. The HOP scenes and mini-games are similar as those in the main chapter. There are nine (9) mini-games and five (5) HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are nineteen (19) scenes within the game. You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes. Domini has upped their game with the HOP scenes. They are innovative with some creative flourishes. They are varied in style. They include scenes with lists of items, matching, rebus clues, spot-the-differences, and silhouette. There are also storybook scenes with items to be removed in highlighted letters. My favorites are the scenes with the rebus clues and those with the sliders in which the player must slide a silhouette over a listed item to remove it.
MINI-GAMES: There are thirty-four (34) mini-games within the game. They are superb with most having the option to be played in either an “easy” or “hard” mode. My only complaint is that I wish Domini would have offered more of the puzzles to be replayed. Less than half of the puzzles are available to be replayed.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Tangram puzzle. Place tiles with grooves in them for emblems on a grid so that all the tiles cover the emblems with no emblem left uncovered.
B. Switch puzzle. In a variation of dominoes, switch segments with two symbols on them so that the symbols on each segment match up with the segment next to it.
C. Maze puzzle. On a grid, move an incense burner to locate bees hidden underneath a series of cells. You must locate all the bees (by trial and error) in a specific number of moves.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch colored gemstones on the top and bottom of a 3-tiered grid so that the combination of the colors on the top and bottom equal the color of the symbol in the middle.
E. Maze puzzle. Move two gems through a maze at the same time to the middle of the grid. The gems will mirror each other in their moves.
BONUS CHAPTER
F. Connection puzzle. Connect flowers with their matching colored gemstones without crossing lines.
G. Physical puzzle. Move a bucket out of the well clicking on roots to move them out of the way. If a root hits the bucket you must start again.
H. Logic puzzle. Paint a spiral so that no two colors which are next to each other are the same.
A. Tangram puzzle. Place tiles with grooves in them for emblems on a grid so that all the tiles cover the emblems with no emblem left uncovered.
B. Switch puzzle. In a variation of dominoes, switch segments with two symbols on them so that the symbols on each segment match up with the segment next to it.
C. Maze puzzle. On a grid, move an incense burner to locate bees hidden underneath a series of cells. You must locate all the bees (by trial and error) in a specific number of moves.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch colored gemstones on the top and bottom of a 3-tiered grid so that the combination of the colors on the top and bottom equal the color of the symbol in the middle.
E. Maze puzzle. Move two gems through a maze at the same time to the middle of the grid. The gems will mirror each other in their moves.
BONUS CHAPTER
F. Connection puzzle. Connect flowers with their matching colored gemstones without crossing lines.
G. Physical puzzle. Move a bucket out of the well clicking on roots to move them out of the way. If a root hits the bucket you must start again.
H. Logic puzzle. Paint a spiral so that no two colors which are next to each other are the same.
I recommend this game!
Can you save the city from a dangerous magic-wielding criminal?
Overall rating
4
/
5
97 of 160 found this review helpful
PINOCCHIO WITH AN URBAN FLAIR
PostedFebruary 7, 2019
sunnyglow
fromIf Chris Andersen turned into wood, would not his tattoo be tied up in knots?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED UPON THE ENTIRE GAME:
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 Pages
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 42 Pages
OVERVIEW: Detective Chris Andersen is back on the case! Return to Bay City where tensions are rising between the Marked and Unmarked people. While riding on a subway, a touch by a stranger has caused Andersen to slowly transform into wood. The stranger involved wants justice. Is this stranger out for revenge against the detective? Be prepared to enter the seamier side of the city and deal with a band of criminals engaged in a devious plot. Aiding Andersen again in his investigation will be the power of his tattoo, which allows him to view scenes in a different perspective. Also adding her skills is his girlfriend, Rachel. Can you stop a group of criminals before they cause more havoc for the city?
OPINION: I found this game much better than the first one in the series. Loosely based upon the tale of Pinocchio, the storyline is excellent with a plot which takes some twists and turns along the way. The demo does not go into much detail concerning the plot behind this game. The game is much better after the demo. I found the pace excellent with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged. In a turnaround for EIPIX, I found the HOP scenes much better designed than the puzzles. The scenes are very creative. I am disappointed in the puzzles. Usually EIPIX provides more challenging puzzles within their games. The puzzles are easy – too easy for my taste. This is a great game for those who like easy breezy games. There is not much challenge within this game. It seems as if this game was designed with younger players in mind.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. There are twelve (12) achievements. Collect thirty-five (35) aerosol cans. Also collect (15) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. All are easy to locate. Many practically jump out at you! You can replay nineteen (19) puzzles and fifteen (15) HOP scenes. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with concept art, music, and video sequences. There is a souvenir room to place the seventeen (17) souvenirs you collect at the end of the game.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Katt who is locked within Rat Tower by an evildoer. Help her plot her escape from this building so she can join her friend to start a new life away from Bay City. It is a decent length for a bonus chapter. There are three (3) puzzles and four (4) HOP scenes within this chapter. After being disappointed in the puzzles from the main game, I found the puzzles more challenging in this chapter. You continue to collect the collectibles and morphing objects within this chapter.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty (20) HOP scenes within the game. Most will have some type of morphing object within the scene. They are creatively designed. Most of the scenes are multiple step ones in which the player searches for items in two or more different formats. There is a wide variety of scenes as well including lists of items, silhouette, matching, and rebus clues. My favorite scene is one in which the player matches striped umbrellas and then searches for items from a list, all while pushing the umbrellas aside to locate them.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-six (26) puzzles within the game. Although most are easy, there are a few moderately difficult puzzles (mainly in the bonus chapter). It astounds me what EIPIX considers a “puzzle” as differentiated from activities within the game they do not consider “puzzles”. Some of the activities in the game are more difficult than their “puzzles.” There is one designated “puzzle” in which you place three (3) cat-shaped pieces into a grid to complete a jigsaw puzzle. To me, this is NOT a puzzle.
CONFUSING DIRECTIONS! Once more, I found the directions confusing for some of the puzzles. More clarification is needed. There is one in which you must track a guide marker through a ventilation system. I could not figure out exactly what to do with that marker. Finally, I just gave up and skipped the puzzle. Upon skipping the puzzle, I was able to figure out what I was supposed to do by watching the solution.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SOME OF THE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Jigsaw puzzle. Place 3 cat-shaped pieces into a grid to complete a puzzle.
B. Lock puzzle. Move a metal plate with a path grooved upon it around a button until the plate is removed.
C. Paint-by-number. In this case, paid a fox mask according to a given diagram.
D. Connection puzzle. Place dolls on a map so that every path is covered within the sight of all the dolls.
E. Map/Sequence puzzle. Place a series of tokens on a path so they lead from the beginning to the end avoiding police cars on the path. Each token moves a specific number of moves. Place them in a specific order to reach the end.
F. Matching puzzle. On a grid, match up statements with the proper pictures to represent the given statement.
G. Car chase! Follow a car while avoiding other cars within your path.
H. Climb up a rope while avoiding obstacles in your path. Use arrow to maneuver left, right, and up.
BONUS CHAPTER
I. Card puzzle. Blackjack! Place cards onto a table so that each row and column of 4 cards equals 21.
J. Pipe puzzle. Arrange pipes so that marbles can exit.
B. Lock puzzle. Move a metal plate with a path grooved upon it around a button until the plate is removed.
C. Paint-by-number. In this case, paid a fox mask according to a given diagram.
D. Connection puzzle. Place dolls on a map so that every path is covered within the sight of all the dolls.
E. Map/Sequence puzzle. Place a series of tokens on a path so they lead from the beginning to the end avoiding police cars on the path. Each token moves a specific number of moves. Place them in a specific order to reach the end.
F. Matching puzzle. On a grid, match up statements with the proper pictures to represent the given statement.
G. Car chase! Follow a car while avoiding other cars within your path.
H. Climb up a rope while avoiding obstacles in your path. Use arrow to maneuver left, right, and up.
BONUS CHAPTER
I. Card puzzle. Blackjack! Place cards onto a table so that each row and column of 4 cards equals 21.
J. Pipe puzzle. Arrange pipes so that marbles can exit.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a madman from using puppets to take over the island?
Overall rating
2
/
5
72 of 146 found this review helpful
JUST ANOTHER PUPPETSHOW ON A STRING
PostedJanuary 31, 2019
sunnyglow
fromThis game affirms the statement, “all I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.” I knew one day that important skill of staying within the lines while tracing an image would come in handy in playing a mini-game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
OVERVIEW: You off to visit an old college friend, newlywed Dee Dee Ferguson. Upon arriving, you realize she is in danger. Her new husband, Otis, has gifted her with a special one-of-a-kind doll created by the renown dollmaker, Master Alexander. However, a hooded evildoer is trying to get this doll from her for some seemingly nefarious purposes. She has been receiving threatening letters from this individual demanding she turn over the doll. Can you save your friend? Be prepared for this latest in the string of puppet show games to take some twists and turns. Surprises and danger await both you and your friend.
OPINION: This is an easy breezy game which should appeal to those who like this series and/or want a nonchallenging game. I do like the story behind this game. It appears the story will take some unexpected twists and turns in relation to the plot. Nevertheless, I found the demo very boring. With a few exceptions, I found the puzzles too easy for my taste. The HOP scenes for the most part are lists of items. And, of course, it would not be an AMAX game without animal noises. Be prepared for the wailing of cats within the demo. Hopefully, one day, AMAX will rid their games of all the barking dogs, baying wolves and screeching cats. I found nothing which compelled me to purchase this game. It is the same Puppetshow game containing many of the same puppets with, of course, some hooded evildoer appearing within mounds of black smoke.
MECHANICS: There are four (4) levels of play including a customized version. You can choose the appearance of your character within the game. There are twelve (12) achievements. Collect twenty-six (26) morphing flowers. Collect fifteen (15) bells which represent each of the games within the series. Once collected, you can read a summary of that game. I found the collectibles easy to locate. You can replay fourteen (14) HOP scenes and eleven (11) mini-games
HOP SCENES: The scenes in the demo are principally lists of items. They are somewhat interactive. There is one scene in which you take items at the bottom of the screen and place them back into the scene within their proper location. There are also several mini-HOP scenes in which you search for only a small number of some item.
MINI-GAMES: I found the mini-games within the demo easy – boringly easy. There is one within the demo which has a “casual” or “hard” option. However, even the “hard” version is not difficult. The demo contains several sequence puzzles in which you press items in sequential order. There are also a couple of easy switch puzzles. Can you stay within the lines? Returning are those tracing puzzles which require you to trace a path through a symbol without touching the sides. This is one “puzzle” I intensely dislike.
SPOILERS: HERE THE MINI-GAMES WITHIN THE DEMO:
A. Rotating disks puzzle. Rotate three rings to restore an image.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch blades on a fan to restore its image
C. Tracing puzzle. Pass a line through a given path without touching the sides to retrieve a fan.
D. Moving tiles puzzle. Move flower tokens on a track upon a jewelry box, placing them into their proper slots.
E. Moving tiles puzzle. Move tiles within a 3 x 3 grid so that slotted edges of three of the tiles create an opening to release a heart
F. Casual vs. Hard. Matching/Assembly puzzle. Place masks into a grid so that the image on each side of the mask matches up with the mask next to it both up-and-down and sideways.
G. Sequence puzzle. Replicate a light sequence illustrated on parts of a brain.
H. Sequence puzzle. Press on tokens in the proper sequence to disconnect a device attached to a head.
I. Switch puzzle. Switch colored fuses attached to winding wires so that each fuse is connected to another of the same color.
J. Sequence puzzle. Put out a fire by pressing on flames in sequential order.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch blades on a fan to restore its image
C. Tracing puzzle. Pass a line through a given path without touching the sides to retrieve a fan.
D. Moving tiles puzzle. Move flower tokens on a track upon a jewelry box, placing them into their proper slots.
E. Moving tiles puzzle. Move tiles within a 3 x 3 grid so that slotted edges of three of the tiles create an opening to release a heart
F. Casual vs. Hard. Matching/Assembly puzzle. Place masks into a grid so that the image on each side of the mask matches up with the mask next to it both up-and-down and sideways.
G. Sequence puzzle. Replicate a light sequence illustrated on parts of a brain.
H. Sequence puzzle. Press on tokens in the proper sequence to disconnect a device attached to a head.
I. Switch puzzle. Switch colored fuses attached to winding wires so that each fuse is connected to another of the same color.
J. Sequence puzzle. Put out a fire by pressing on flames in sequential order.
I don't recommend this game.