sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:818
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 24, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Become the Red Queen and save Chessland!
Overall rating
3
/
5
101 of 161 found this review helpful
ALICE - WHY BE A PAWN IN LIFE WHEN YOU CAN BE PROMOTED TO A QUEEN?
PostedJune 7, 2018
sunnyglow
fromTrying to locate a vacation “wonderland” this summer? Instead of “going down a rabbit hole” of financial debt, why not try “looking through a glass” window full of wonders in your own neighborhood!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
5 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER:
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Battle up Alice! Go through the looking glass and enter – Chessland. You may not have made it to Wonderland nor are you the original Alice of Wonderland fame; however, you have been summoned by the Red King to defeat the White Queen. The Red King has been searching for a Red Queen, a woman named “Alice,” prophesized as the only person who can defeat the White Queen. You are just the latest “Alice” to enter this world – one you cannot escape unless you are victorious. Move your way down the chessboard, battling those ranked above you as you move closer to the final check mate with the White Queen. Along the way, you will meet some familiar characters from Wonderland who seem like distant cousins of those in the Lewis Carroll novels!
OPINION: This is a fantastic game – just not for me! Based loosely on the Lewis Carroll tale, this game should appeal to those who like HOP laden games and/or those who like the Lewis Carroll stories of Alice and her adventures through Wonderland. This would also be a great game for children. Based on the game of chess - it is surprising this game has more HOP scenes than puzzles. I would expect a game based on the mathematician, Lewis Carroll’s novels, to be more puzzle-intense.
OPINION: This is a fantastic game – just not for me! Based loosely on the Lewis Carroll tale, this game should appeal to those who like HOP laden games and/or those who like the Lewis Carroll stories of Alice and her adventures through Wonderland. This would also be a great game for children. Based on the game of chess - it is surprising this game has more HOP scenes than puzzles. I would expect a game based on the mathematician, Lewis Carroll’s novels, to be more puzzle-intense.
The graphics are excellent with bright, colorful scenes laden with chess items. The story is a creative play on the original Alice story. I purchase games for the puzzles, so although creatively designed, it will be a pass for me. I also found the pace somewhat slow. I believe this may be attributed to the overuse of gimmicks (a compass and a bell sitting on your inventory bar) and collectibles (coins, puzzles pieces, and morphing objects). For me, this game exhibits “overkill.” Just too much “stuff” within it.
MECHANICS: There are the usual four (4) selections of game play including a customized version. There are twenty (20) achievements. Collect forty-five (45) morphing objects and forty-two (42) puzzle pieces to play a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game. You also collect coins to purchase needed inventory items. You receive a bell on your inventory bar which will ring when you have collected enough coins to purchase inventory items. You can replay HOP scenes and puzzles. There are wallpapers, screensavers along with music and video sequences.
GIMMICKY COMPASS: Besides all the “stuff” in this game, you receive a gimmicky compass to help locate “hidden items” invisible to the naked eye. Sound familiar? This concept has been used in countless games with a variety of mirrors, lenses, and now, a compass!
HOP SCENES: From the demo it appears that this is a HOP lover’s dream-come-true! There are twice the number of HOP scenes than puzzles in the demo Most are lists of items including mini-HOP scenes with a small number of items to locate. However, although most are lists of items, the scenes are creatively designed. My favorite was the second one in the demo. This multiple-step one is set in a beautiful setting with Humpy Dumpty holding the items via marionette strings. First, answer some cryptic questions which opens a list of items to be located on the strings. Some of the items are well-hidden. Afterward, there is a storybook sequence with items listed in green letters, all searched for on the same strings. Finally locate keys to open a gate.
PUZZLES: You can replay the puzzles from this game. However, there are few in the demo. Perhaps there are more after the demo; however, from the demo it appears there are not many. The ones in the demo are easy – too easy for my taste. However, there are puzzle-like activities throughout the game such as a maze scene in which you must escape the maze interacting with supplies you locate. However, this is not designated as a puzzle. I found that rather strange. The puzzles are listed at the bottom. I was not impressed with their design.
BATTLE CHESS PUZZLE: Every time you try to gain rank, you must play a variety of a chess puzzle. Take your opponent’s men by either jumping over them or landing next to these men.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE THE PUZZLES WITHIN THE DEMO:
PUZZLES:
A. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. In the first HOP scene
B. Matching puzzle. Match up tokens
C. Paint by number. Paint a mural by first selecting parts which require that color and then press the color to fill the sections with the color.
D. BATTLE SCENE: Every time you try to gain rank, you must play a variety of a chess puzzle. Take your opponent’s men by either jumping over them or landing next to them
E. Assembly puzzle. Move tentacles from an octopus so they fit the slots on a box upon which it rests.
F. Sequence puzzle. Click on wires in sequence to open a tent.
G. Spot the differences puzzle. Locate the differences between two helmets.
H. Map puzzle. Plot a course for a gondola to reach the castle avoiding traps within its path. Place gears with arrows on them on a grid to create the route then push the lever to see if it works
A. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. In the first HOP scene
B. Matching puzzle. Match up tokens
C. Paint by number. Paint a mural by first selecting parts which require that color and then press the color to fill the sections with the color.
D. BATTLE SCENE: Every time you try to gain rank, you must play a variety of a chess puzzle. Take your opponent’s men by either jumping over them or landing next to them
E. Assembly puzzle. Move tentacles from an octopus so they fit the slots on a box upon which it rests.
F. Sequence puzzle. Click on wires in sequence to open a tent.
G. Spot the differences puzzle. Locate the differences between two helmets.
H. Map puzzle. Plot a course for a gondola to reach the castle avoiding traps within its path. Place gears with arrows on them on a grid to create the route then push the lever to see if it works
I recommend this game!
Enter the enchanted 'Netherworld' where your destiny was written in blood and which whispers of true love.
Overall rating
5
/
5
55 of 97 found this review helpful
A BEAUTIFUL TALE FROM INDIA - ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR
PostedJune 5, 2018
sunnyglow
fromCongratulations tuttifrutti! This game is a masterpiece - a true work of gaming art!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Prepare to enjoy an exotic journey through India in an incredibly beautiful game! Congratulations tuttifrutti! This is a jubilant moment for many of us from the Pond Friends Forum. We have been anxiously waiting fifteen months for this game to appear on this site. This award-winning game is tribute to a developer with a creative genius for game design. This developer is also composed of some incredibly nice people as well!
This game is a tribute to the Indian culture. Based upon an ancient folktale, it blends that story with a modern-day tale about a mother in search of her daughter. The story behind the game is an emotional adventure - a heart-wrenching trek for a mother who overcomes all obstacles to locate her kidnapped daughter. It also helps her to come to grips with her own nightmares from the past.
The graphics are incredibly beautiful and well-depict the lush Indian landscape. The background contains a musical score reflecting the exotic melodies of India. The HOP scenes demonstrate the genius of this developer. They are thematic and include some new concepts in portraying HOP scenes. In one example, there is a scene in which you locate fragments on a crystalline ball. The puzzles are varied in difficulty and variety and are thematic as well. In one example, you choose the correct hand positions to create a shadow animal.
The game explores a new concept not common in most HOP games, namely reincarnation. This game is a must-have for serious casual game lovers. It is truly a work of art and is truly a tribute to not only the country of India but the great love of this developer for their rich heritage.
The bonus chapter is incredibly beautiful with gorgeous graphics. This is more than just a game, it is truly a masterpiece! This is one game which is worth the price of a collector's edition. It is truly a keeper.
Can you defeat a foe with an ice-cold soul?
Overall rating
5
/
5
118 of 193 found this review helpful
WELCOME TO A “HOT” NEW GAME SET IN A “FROZEN” POST-APOCALYPTIC WORLD
PostedJune 2, 2018
sunnyglow
fromIs Mad Head expanding their business into appliances? The microwave-freezer device from this game has the potential to become next “hot” must-have item to be sold on late night infomercials!
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:
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 Pages – Time: 6-1/2 Hours
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 46 Pages – Time: 6-1/2 Hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Welcome to a post-apocalyptic world – the decaying relic of a technologically advanced civilization. Travel to the village of Spite, the seat of the rebellion against the Society, the governing group of this world. Play Tara, who, along with sidekick, Lennart, are young rebels under the tutelage of the village elder, Mr. Hett. When an Artic blast descends upon the village, freezing everything and everyone, the Society is blamed for using climate control as a weapon against their subjects. Under the instructions of Mr. Hett, Tara and Lennart are off to Mount Nucleus to find the only entity who can stop the Society, the Elven queen, Alyssandra. However, she has been imprisoned by the Society, and freeing her will be a challenge. Get prepared for an arduous journey, with many surprises awaiting you in this game. Be warned - not everything is as it appears in this frozen world!
OPINION: This is another great sci-fi game by Mad Head. It is a long game, and one I felt was worth every penny! It is a sequel from the previous games in the series. Some of the characters make an encore appearance in this game. It is a puzzle-lover’s dream. The graphics provide an excellent portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world. I love the story behind the game with a plot with many twists and turns. It is a fast-paced adventure game with plenty of activities to keep the player engaged.
MECHANICS: There are five levels of play including a customized version. There are eleven (11) achievements, most with three (3) parts. There are twenty-seven (27) snowflakes and twenty-seven (27) morphing objects to collect within the scenes of game. There are also another twenty-one (21) morphing objects to collect within the HOP scenes. Most are easy to locate. There is an indicator bar to indicate whether you have located all the collectibles within the scene. You can replay twenty-one (21) HOP scenes. There are four (4) wallpapers plus the usual concept art and soundtracks.
GIMMICKY MICROWAVE FREEZER! Your helper in the game is a device which heats and freezes items. I found it a strange device for this game – rather like a microwave oven with a mini-ice maker attached. I hate gimmicks within games. I feel this one was unnecessary, and to me detracted from the game.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Play Melua, who is off to rescue the Elven Queen Alyssandra, when she is kidnapped by Lord Krieg of the Claw Clan. I like the activities but not the story behind this game. I also did not like the gimmicky healing Treeheart, which is used extensively in the first part of the chapter. However, there are some creatively designed HOP scenes and puzzles within this chapter.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-five (25) in the entire game. However, that includes four (4) mini-HOP scenes which are FROGS in which you collect a small number of pieces to create an inventory item. All the standard scenes have morphing objects. Most of the scenes are lists of items with basic junkpiles of items to locate. However, there are a few silhouette scenes and storybook scenes as well. Some of the scenes are creatively designed and some of the scenes are reused. My favorite scenes are in the bonus chapter. There is one in which you rotate a stone circle to locate the items. Another scene in that chapter has a search for items in a dark room using a flashlight.
PUZZLES: This game is puzzle-intense. WOW! There are forty-seven (47) puzzles in this game. The puzzles vary in design and difficulty. However, I did not find any of the puzzles challenging; most of the puzzles are easy with a few of middle difficulty. There are quite a few sequence puzzles in this game along with battle scene puzzles which require some type of physical activity. Mad Head - PLEASE provide a replay of the puzzles within your games. There are many fantastic puzzles and I, for one, would rather replay a puzzle than a HOP scene.
MICROWAVE-FREEZER DEVICE PUZZLE: Each time you use the gimmicky device you must play a variation of a skipping stones puzzle. You must remove colored blocks from a grid by connecting two or more of those blocks to remove them. You must remove all blocks. The puzzles increase in difficulty as you proceed in the game. This device is used ten (10) times in the main game. It is NOT used in the bonus chapter.
SPOILER: There are 47 puzzles in this game; however, here are a sampling of a few puzzles AFTER the demo:
A. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a given sequence on bricks with symbols upon them.
B. Logic puzzle. Wound the evildoer. For a gun choose (1) the right amount of gun powder and (2) the correct angle - then (3) shoot
C. Battleship puzzle. Place tokens on a grid with landmines. Open the squares on the grid until the only unopened ones are the landmines. If you land on a landmine, you must restart the puzzle.
BONUS CHAPTER PUZZLES
D. Maze puzzle. Move lock and key figures on stones so they connect with each other. Use arrows at the side to blow air to move them. 3X
E. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to their proper location. However, this requires logic as you cannot move over tiles which have already been placed.
F. Assembly puzzle. Find symbolic pieces which, when combined, equal a given symbol. 3X
G. Mathematical puzzle. On a 3 x 3 grid move tiles containing from one to four tokens upon them so that the number of tokens are the same for each row, column and diagonal of the grid.
A. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a given sequence on bricks with symbols upon them.
B. Logic puzzle. Wound the evildoer. For a gun choose (1) the right amount of gun powder and (2) the correct angle - then (3) shoot
C. Battleship puzzle. Place tokens on a grid with landmines. Open the squares on the grid until the only unopened ones are the landmines. If you land on a landmine, you must restart the puzzle.
BONUS CHAPTER PUZZLES
D. Maze puzzle. Move lock and key figures on stones so they connect with each other. Use arrows at the side to blow air to move them. 3X
E. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to their proper location. However, this requires logic as you cannot move over tiles which have already been placed.
F. Assembly puzzle. Find symbolic pieces which, when combined, equal a given symbol. 3X
G. Mathematical puzzle. On a 3 x 3 grid move tiles containing from one to four tokens upon them so that the number of tokens are the same for each row, column and diagonal of the grid.
I recommend this game!
You'll die in three days if you can't uncover the truth!
Overall rating
5
/
5
117 of 182 found this review helpful
WELCOME TO ROUTE 39 – A DETOUR INTO THE PARNORMAL – AND A GREAT NEW SERIES!
PostedMay 31, 2018
sunnyglow
fromRick’s mother told him to always be a gentleman and help ladies in distress. However, did she forget to tell Rick to never pick up strange “ghouls” you have never met?
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:
5 Chapter Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
5 Chapter Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 39 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Paranormal detective Rick Rogers is on the case in the first game of this new series! Take a ride on Route 39 into the world of the paranormal! However, watch out for the ghosts in the road! Pick up ghostly hitchhiker, Emily Mayer, a bride-to-be on her way to meet her fiancé and future mother-in-law at the Bennet Mansion. However, when she disappears you decide to investigate the “why” of her disappearance. Enter a mansion with a parking lot full of abandoned cars from others before you. Meet Rose Bennet, Emily’s future mother-in-law, to learn more about her son, Nick, his relationship with his mother, and what happened to Emily. You only have three days to discover what is happening here at the mansion – before you join this ghostly crew! Let the three-day countdown begin!
OPINION: This is a great start to a fantastic new series for Elephant. Wow! I cannot wait for more games in this series. This is a mildly spooky, ghostly romp based on the urban legend, “Resurrection Mary.” It should appeal to those who like paranormal thrillers. I found it an action-packed thriller with plenty of activities to provide a fast-moving pace within the game. “Mommy dearest,” the obsessed Rose Bennett, matriarch of the manor, is scary in her own right and adds to the spooky atmosphere of the game. The graphics are cartoon-like and well-drawn. It is just a matter of taste; however, I did like the story and activities in the bonus chapter a little better than in the main game. Nevertheless, this is a stellar game that ghost story lovers will not want to miss!
MECHANICS: There are quite a few collectibles in this game. Some are easy to locate, and some are not. There are twelve (12) ravens to collect along with twenty-six (26) morphing objects. There are also twelve (12) twelve collectibles (which are personal items belonging to Rick). There are 10 achievements, some with multiple parts. You can replay thirteen (13) HOP scenes and thirteen (13) puzzles. There are ten (10) wallpapers along with the customary concept art and music.
BONUS CHAPTER: The bonus chapter is a sequel (happens after the main game); however, it is a completely different story. Meet small tyke, Deborah, and her fuzzy little demon bear! Now where is an exorcist when you need one? Find yourself at an old farmhouse (just perfect for a paranormal adventure!) where a father asks for your help in saving his daughter from her little “snookums” bear who can throw grown men across the room. I liked the story and HOP scenes and puzzles in this chapter much better than in the main game. This is a bonus chapter well-worth the extra price!
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-three (23) HOP scenes in the game. However, this includes mini-HOP scenes which require searching for a small number of items. They are varied, thematic, and creatively designed. The scenes after the demo are much better than those within the demo. The background for the scenes are creative including searching for items in cupboard drawers, a doll house, and on spooky ghostly hands! The game includes lists of items, storybook scenes, silhouette, and matching. My favorite scenes were the two search and replace scenes which require alternating between locating an item and then replacing an item within a scene.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-seven (27) puzzles in the game. The puzzles in the demo are easy; however, they are more challenging after the demo. There are a couple of difficult puzzles in this game - just enough to make the game a little more challenging. I feel there is a nice mix of puzzles from easy ones like a paint-by-number puzzle to those of middle-difficulty with two difficult ones toward the end of the game.
SPOILERS: Here are a sampling of puzzles AFTER the demo:
A. Tangram puzzle. Place wooden pieces into position to create a bridge so that there are no spaces nor any boards which overlap.
B. Variation of jigsaw puzzle. Place rose tokens into a grid so all flowers mesh together and that each flower is placed within the grid without any spaces between the flowers.
C. Assembly puzzle. Move and connect angels to replicate a given image.
D. Gear/assembly puzzle. Switch and rotate gears to reassemble an image.
E. Maze puzzle. DIFFICULT! Move a ball through a maze. However, in this tricky little puzzle, you must plot your path before you release the ball. Added to this, there are four mazes within the larger maze which must be manipulated as well to connect with each other in a long path to the end. And, if that is not difficult enough, you must pass the ball through all four buttons at the side of each maze. Suffice it to say, I need to replay this puzzle!
BONUS CHAPTER PUZZLES
F. Physical puzzle. Sock-it-to the orbs! Click on orbs (clouds if you will) until they are all gone.
G. Origami puzzle. Fold a map so it creates the shortest path to a house.
H. Jigsaw puzzle. Recreate two pictures. You must separate the pieces between the two (2) pictures as well.
I. Logic puzzle. Move tokens up-down and sideways using arrows to create logical picture equations so that when two of the pictured items are combined they logically produce a third picture.
J. Paint-by-number. However, this time, paint the scene by symbol.
B. Variation of jigsaw puzzle. Place rose tokens into a grid so all flowers mesh together and that each flower is placed within the grid without any spaces between the flowers.
C. Assembly puzzle. Move and connect angels to replicate a given image.
D. Gear/assembly puzzle. Switch and rotate gears to reassemble an image.
E. Maze puzzle. DIFFICULT! Move a ball through a maze. However, in this tricky little puzzle, you must plot your path before you release the ball. Added to this, there are four mazes within the larger maze which must be manipulated as well to connect with each other in a long path to the end. And, if that is not difficult enough, you must pass the ball through all four buttons at the side of each maze. Suffice it to say, I need to replay this puzzle!
BONUS CHAPTER PUZZLES
F. Physical puzzle. Sock-it-to the orbs! Click on orbs (clouds if you will) until they are all gone.
G. Origami puzzle. Fold a map so it creates the shortest path to a house.
H. Jigsaw puzzle. Recreate two pictures. You must separate the pieces between the two (2) pictures as well.
I. Logic puzzle. Move tokens up-down and sideways using arrows to create logical picture equations so that when two of the pictured items are combined they logically produce a third picture.
J. Paint-by-number. However, this time, paint the scene by symbol.
I recommend this game!
Wield powerful relics and stop a book from releasing the ultimate evil!
Overall rating
3
/
5
67 of 116 found this review helpful
THE ALMANAC PREDICTS: PREPARE TO WEATHER HURRICANE ODESSA!
PostedMay 26, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThe almanac predicts a massive flood of purple in this game. Playing this game sparked an impulse to listen to music from Prince and visions of “purple rain!”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 54 Pages
OVERVIEW:/BACKGROUND: Get ready to take a much-needed vacation – NOT! Find your vacation on hold when you are called in on another case. The Dragon Clan is back, this time searching for an almanac which holds the spirit of a powerful entity, Odessa. The Dragon Clan plans to release her and use her powers for nefarious purposes. However, when she is accidentally released, it will be a race against time and the Dragon clan to return her spirit back into the almanac. Now, armed with a magical bracelet, locate all the relics necessary to vanquish this evildoer and stop the Dragon Clan from using her evil power.
OPINION: This game should appeal to those who love easy-breezy adventure games. Unfortunately, I am not one of those gamers. This is a decent game; however, I did not enjoy playing the demo. I found the puzzles extremely easy which made this game somewhat tedious for me to play. I felt the demo was somewhat slow-paced. I enjoyed the story behind the game; however, I liked the previous games in this series better. I found the graphics garish with a massive onslaught of the color, purple everywhere. This game is a pass for me. Nothing in the demo inspired me to purchase it. I tend to like a game which is a little more challenging with less vibrant colors.
MECHANICS: There are the customary four (4) levels of play, including customization. There are seventeen (17) achievements – twelve (12) are skill-based and five (5) are story related. There are quite a few collectibles. There are twenty-five (25) morphing objects. There are thirty-one (31) items to collect (eight (8) creatures, eight (8) nature items, eight (8) artifacts, and seven (7) relics). I found the collectibles easy to locate. There is an indicator on the inventory bar which alerts you if there are any collectibles within a scene. You can replay some puzzles and HOP scenes. There are fifteen (15) wallpapers along with the usual soundtrack selections and videos.
GIMMICKY BRACELET: You receive a gimmicky bracelet to fight off evil entities. You will play a puzzle when you need to use this bracelet.
HOP SCENES: From the demo, I found the HOP scenes better than the puzzles. The ones I played were two lists of items and a FROG. I feel they were somewhat creatively designed. The scenes are interactive. For me, the HOP scenes were the best part of the demo. However, if you don’t wish to figure out how items are interrelated in the scenes, you can play a matching puzzle in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: The puzzles from the demo are easy, some ridiculously easy. They include a variety of different styles. I am not fond of any of the puzzles within this game. There are two multiple-step ones in the demo. Listed below are the puzzles from the demo.
SPOILERS: Here are the puzzles from the demo. They are ALL easy:
A. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a given sequence to open a cupboard. 3X
B. Switching tiles. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
C. Bracelet puzzle. Mathematical puzzle. Place colored tokens into the correct slots so that when combined, they equal the color shown.
D. Storybook. Listen to a tale and interact with the scene. (1) Match up each colored rune with its match in the scene to produce an artifact. (2) Connect blades with colors at their ends with matching colored symbols in a circle around a book.
E. Maze puzzle. Follow directions to get to a facility.
F. Mathematical puzzle. Complete math problems to get the numbers to enter a code.
G. Assembly puzzle. You are given two to five pieces of a symbol. Locate the symbol which matches up with the pieces displayed.
H. Bracelet puzzle. Connection puzzle. Switch tokens so that related items are connected to each other.
I. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Slide zodiac symbols into their proper location according to their shape. (2) Move a comet along lines so that it passes through every zodiac sign without retracing its steps.
B. Switching tiles. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
C. Bracelet puzzle. Mathematical puzzle. Place colored tokens into the correct slots so that when combined, they equal the color shown.
D. Storybook. Listen to a tale and interact with the scene. (1) Match up each colored rune with its match in the scene to produce an artifact. (2) Connect blades with colors at their ends with matching colored symbols in a circle around a book.
E. Maze puzzle. Follow directions to get to a facility.
F. Mathematical puzzle. Complete math problems to get the numbers to enter a code.
G. Assembly puzzle. You are given two to five pieces of a symbol. Locate the symbol which matches up with the pieces displayed.
H. Bracelet puzzle. Connection puzzle. Switch tokens so that related items are connected to each other.
I. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Slide zodiac symbols into their proper location according to their shape. (2) Move a comet along lines so that it passes through every zodiac sign without retracing its steps.
I recommend this game!
Will you escape the mansion, or become its permanent resident?
Overall rating
5
/
5
135 of 198 found this review helpful
WELCOME TO AN ISLAND VACATION MANOR WHICH REQUIRES ITS GUESTS TO “MAINTAIN” IT
PostedMay 24, 2018
sunnyglow
fromShare it with a ferret? What was the most frightening part of the game? A ferret in my inventory. He didn’t stick around, but - please EIPIX - don’t take us into the frightening world of game “helpers.”
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
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Robin Harris! Get your bags packed! You are off to your 10-year class reunion! Sail off to a secluded island, the home of Covington Mansion, a mansion which never seems to age with the ravages of time. Expecting to reminisce and engage in a scavenger hunt, you will soon discover that this trip will be one of survival for you and your former classmates. Get prepared to deal with a diva – a vampiric house with a mind of its own and a rapacious appetite for company.
OPINION: This is a paranormal thriller reminiscent of the old 1976 classic film, “Blood Sacrifice.” It is another escape room game combined with a slight touch of supernatural creepiness. It should appeal to those who like mysteries and the paranormal. It was an automatic purchase for me. The misty gray muted graphics provide an excellent background to this game. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities and unexpected surprises to keep you engaged.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Meet Howard who will tell his tale of woe concerning this house. You meet him toward the end of the game; however, his story about the house is set before the story for this game. The chapter is very short. I played this chapter (without skipping the puzzles) in less than an hour. However, I do feel the puzzles are excellent; but, was somewhat disappointed by the HOP scenes.
MECHANICS: EIPIX includes the usual four levels of difficulty for this game, including a customized version. There are thirteen (13) achievements. You can replay fifteen (15) puzzles and seventeen (17) HOP scenes. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with the usual concept art. There are the usual music and video sequences as well. Collect thirty-six (36) owls, twenty (20) souvenirs, and three (3) cats. Meow! There are eleven (11) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. All collectibles are easy to locate. At the end of the game you return to previous scenes to locate all the souvenir items to place in your souvenir room. The game will provide the scenes you need to revisit.
HOP SCENES: There are twenty-two (22) in the game which includes mini-HOP scenes with a smaller number of items to locate. Most are lists of items with some silhouette scenes. I found the HOP scenes more creatively designed than in past games. Most require some type of interaction with the scene. There is also a rebus scene in the main game, which I enjoyed. However, many of the scenes are reused within the game. I feel that a collector’s edition game should not reuse scenes. Most have morphing objects within the scenes.
I found two (2) scenes which I thought very creative. They include one in which you must locate items on mannequins which must be switched to locate all the items. There is another multi-scene one in which you must use a lever to switch the scenes to locate objects.
PUZZLES: There are twenty-two (22) puzzles in the game. They range in variety and difficulty. However, I do feel the puzzles, in general, are more challenging than in many other developers’ games. This is the first time EIPIX has offered the ability to play puzzles in an “Easy” or “Hard” mode. However, that option was only available once in the demo. I do wish EIPIX would offer this option more often in their games.
There are some instances where some of the actions should have been deemed as puzzle. In the bonus chapter there is a mathematical puzzle which requires some calculations to be performed before arriving at the combination to a lock. Why this was not considered a puzzle is beyond me.
EIPIX also includes a few physical puzzles, which I found tedious. In one you must traverse underwater while avoiding obstacles in your path. I found this puzzle ridiculously easy as it only involves four different obstacles to avoid - all of which are easily avoided.
SPOILERS: Here are samples of puzzles after the demo:
A. Nonogram/Griddler puzzle. Place colored skulls into rows and columns so that the number and color of skulls matches the number and color given at the top and sides of the grid.
B. Matching /Mathematical puzzle. Place beautiful orchids into their proper positions. Look carefully at the orchids and deduce their position by matching them up with given labels. Then perform the mathematical calculation to get a number for a code.
C. Maze puzzle. Using water pressure, move a ball through a maze by moving the water level up-and-down to move a ball to the end of a path.
D. Weights and balances puzzle. Adjust the tension in springs so that all the weights attached to the springs are centered in the middle.
E. Ye old Farmer’s Field puzzle. Draw lines to segment a piece of cloth so that each section has two different colored items within them.
BONUS CHAPTER
F. Escape Room Puzzle. Interact and move a figurine up-and-down using ladders to maneuver it to a set of doors to escape. 2X
G. Ye old calculate the liquid puzzle. Using a set of beakers, fill and empty them until getting the correct measure of liquid. 3X Increases in difficulty
H. Tangram puzzle. Place all parts into a grid of a detonator without any spaces uncovered.
B. Matching /Mathematical puzzle. Place beautiful orchids into their proper positions. Look carefully at the orchids and deduce their position by matching them up with given labels. Then perform the mathematical calculation to get a number for a code.
C. Maze puzzle. Using water pressure, move a ball through a maze by moving the water level up-and-down to move a ball to the end of a path.
D. Weights and balances puzzle. Adjust the tension in springs so that all the weights attached to the springs are centered in the middle.
E. Ye old Farmer’s Field puzzle. Draw lines to segment a piece of cloth so that each section has two different colored items within them.
BONUS CHAPTER
F. Escape Room Puzzle. Interact and move a figurine up-and-down using ladders to maneuver it to a set of doors to escape. 2X
G. Ye old calculate the liquid puzzle. Using a set of beakers, fill and empty them until getting the correct measure of liquid. 3X Increases in difficulty
H. Tangram puzzle. Place all parts into a grid of a detonator without any spaces uncovered.
I recommend this game!
The Wild Hunt has begun and you may be its next prey!
Overall rating
3
/
5
72 of 115 found this review helpful
A SMORGASBOARD OF MYTHOLOGY!
PostedMay 19, 2018
sunnyglow
fromI wish Ull’s horn was an option in cars. Summoning the Wild Hunt could be beneficial in traffic jams. All you would need to do is blow your horn for them to remove miles of traffic in front of you!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Get out your Gjallarhorn! The Nine Worlds have been restored and are now in balance. However, your festive mood will be short-lived. A new demonic force is threatening the kingdom - the Wild Hunt. Years ago, with the sound of his horn, the god Ull summoned this army of the dead to vanquish the Vanir, gods of the Vanaheim. The power of this ghostly army was so immense, the gods decided it should be permanently disbanded. The horn used to summon them was broken into three pieces, scattered throughout the world so this army could never be resurrected. Now, an evildoer is attempting to resurrect this army. Discover his identity and locate the pieces of this horn before he finds them. You must stop this evildoer from resurrecting the power of this ghostly army or the nine worlds will be destroyed. This time, not even Odin will help you.
OPINION: This is a game which should appeal to who enjoy this series. It should also appeal to adventure game lovers or those who like Nordic mythology. Being of Nordic heritage, I truly wanted to enjoy this game and this series. However, like Odin, I am not helping this Asgardian crew either. I did not purchase this game because I found it boring! The graphics are incredibly beautiful. The HOP scenes and puzzles are thematic and creatively designed. Nevertheless, I found the game snail-paced and I could not wait until the demo ended. There are three factors which I feel slow down the game - there is too much back-and-forth activity to collect supplies; there is too much conversation between the characters; and finally, there is all that Nordic mythology.
“SMORGAS -BORED OF MYTHOLOGY!” There is a point, for me, where this series crosses into the “Valley of Overkill,” a place beyond the mists of history where you will not battle a boar or any other creature, but rather, engage in a battle to learn more about Nordic history than you may care to know. As with the previous games, I found it boring to read the massive amount of Nordic mythology within this game. In my opinion, EIPIX would do better to provide more movement in the games in this series and provide less history of this culture. There are way too many characters and stories for me to monitor in this series.
MECHANICS: As usual, EIPIX provides four levels of play including the customization of the game. You collect thirty-seven (37) Viking signs and fourteen (14) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. You can replay twenty-nine (29) mini-games and fourteen (14) HOP scenes. There are thirteen (13) achievements, some with three (3) parts. There are the usual artwork and musical selections. There is also a souvenir room as well.
HOP SCENES: On a positive note, EIPIX has provided some innovative scenes. The ones I played in the demo are excellent. Since there are only four (4) in the demo, it is difficult to assess if the others in the main game will be of the same caliber as those in the demo. The ones I played are thematic and truly reflect the Nordic culture. Most of the scenes in the demo are silhouette. However, there is a storybook scene in which you locate items listed in bold letters. In one scene you must locate runes in three (3) different scenes. I found that scene rather unique.
PUZZLES: Again, the puzzles are creatively designed. The instructions for them are well-defined. In the demo, there is a nice mixture of easy puzzles with those which are a little more challenging. They are thematic as well. There are some physical puzzles; however, I was not as impressed with the two I played. I disliked the puzzle in which you must choose the sequence of moves to battle a bear. I found it confusing and illogical. However, the other puzzles I played, listed below, are excellent.
SPOILERS: Here are the puzzles from the demo of the game:
A. Connection puzzle. Connect two (2) or more buttons using a knife to remove them from a board. There must not be any remaining tokens left on the board. 2X
B. Matching puzzle. Use a monocular to search for rocks which match ones given. You must adjust the lens so that you can see the rune engraved upon the rock. When located, this rune appears on a sheet of paper. The scene involves moving the monocular back-and-forth and up-and-down to locate the rocks.
C. Bulls-eye puzzle. Knock down four bags. Move cross-hairs to line up with each bag. Then move a slider up-and-down to provide strength to an arrow to knock down each bag.
D. Sequence puzzle. Attack and defeat a bear by providing the correct sequence using three defensive moves necessary to defeat him.
E. Matching puzzle. Match up two tokens with runes upon them until none of the tokens remain.
F. Assembly puzzle. Create a figurine by matching a given diagram. Choose the correct pieces between four (4) choices. Do this for the three sections of the figurine.
G. Moving links puzzle. Move links of a bracelet around a given track until all the beads are in position as per a given diagram.
H. Assembly puzzle. Click on two stones with symbols from a group of them, which, when combined, match up with four runes. 2X
B. Matching puzzle. Use a monocular to search for rocks which match ones given. You must adjust the lens so that you can see the rune engraved upon the rock. When located, this rune appears on a sheet of paper. The scene involves moving the monocular back-and-forth and up-and-down to locate the rocks.
C. Bulls-eye puzzle. Knock down four bags. Move cross-hairs to line up with each bag. Then move a slider up-and-down to provide strength to an arrow to knock down each bag.
D. Sequence puzzle. Attack and defeat a bear by providing the correct sequence using three defensive moves necessary to defeat him.
E. Matching puzzle. Match up two tokens with runes upon them until none of the tokens remain.
F. Assembly puzzle. Create a figurine by matching a given diagram. Choose the correct pieces between four (4) choices. Do this for the three sections of the figurine.
G. Moving links puzzle. Move links of a bracelet around a given track until all the beads are in position as per a given diagram.
H. Assembly puzzle. Click on two stones with symbols from a group of them, which, when combined, match up with four runes. 2X
I recommend this game!
Save the people of Glenville from a supernatural killer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
107 of 164 found this review helpful
ALL ABOARD! GET ON TRACK FOR AN ADVENTURE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE
PostedMay 17, 2018
sunnyglow
fromThis game has the potential to “resurrect” train travel. I am going to look into train trips which “revive” your spirit and relive history!
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:
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
5 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 43 Pages – Time: 5 Hours
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND All aboard! Find yourself on track to play a supernatural thriller! Travel to Glennville where members of the Enigmatist’s Club are being murdered. What is behind these gruesome murders? These events seem tied to an 1899 tragic train crash. Get on board for a game with twists and turns - resurrecting some history which would be better left buried. You will be switching back-and-forth on the tracks of time in a game in which nothing is as it seems. A ghostly supernatural thriller is set to depart. Rev up your motorcycle and get prepared to travel quite a bit in this game. The future of the town of Glennville rests in your hands.
OPINION: This is an easy-breezy ghostly whodunit. It should appeal to those who like mysteries, the paranormal, or both. I purchased this game for the story. The story behind the game is excellent with a plot which takes many twists and turns. I love this developer’s games; however, I do wish they would get rid of the gimmicks. You receive a “special camera” to locate all those spooky supernatural elements within the game. Although it was used excessively in the demo, it was used less in the main game and completely disappeared in the bonus chapter. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities to keep you busy. The graphics are cartoonish as in all the other games within the series.
BONUS CHAPTER: It is a sequel. Out of your dreams and into reality comes your next case. Find yourself in a trailer park in which you must save an inventor from eternal torment and catch a hooded person in their quest to use this inventor’s technology for misguided purposes. I found the chapter short. There are eight (8) HOP scenes and seven (7) puzzles within the chapter most of which are akin to those in the main game.
MECHANICS: Mad Head provides five (5) levels play which includes customization. There are twelve (12) achievements, some with three parts. Collect thirty (30) swirls, thirty (30) morphing objects, eleven (11) cards and thirty-one (31) treasures. Most are easy to locate and there are some morphing objects within the HOP scenes. You cannot search for the treasures until you have found all the collectibles. However, you can return to the scenes to locate them. As stated previously, you use a camera to search for supernatural elements within the game. After locating the items, you then view a video taking you back in time to view some important aspect to the case at hand. There are eight (8) wallpapers with the usual concept art and music selections. You can replay nineteen (19) HOP scenes. Again, I wish Mad Head would provide a replay of some of the puzzles as well.
HOP SCENES: There are thirty-one (31) HOP scenes in the game. This includes four (4) mini-HOP scenes which require searching for five (5) items to create an inventory item. They are scenes which are seen in most games. I found little creativity in the design of the scenes. Most of the HOP scenes are standard lists of items. There are several storybook scenes in which you must locate two of the same type of symbol within each scene. There are some silhouette scenes and a few matching scenes as well. Except for the storybook scenes, most of the scenes seemed to be junk piles of items to locate.
There are two scenes which I felt were creatively designed. There is a pattern scene in which you search for items based upon their pattern not their silhouette. There is also a scene in which you must search for two parts of a symbol, which, when combined, create a symbol which you must remove
PUZZLES: There are thirty-one (31) puzzles in the game. Most of the puzzles are easy, some ridiculously easy. To me, entering a combination for a lock is not a puzzle. However, there are some maze puzzles and connection puzzles which I found somewhat difficult. The instructions are well written. Although most are easy, most are creatively designed and thematic.
PUZZLES: There are thirty-one (31) puzzles in the game. Most of the puzzles are easy, some ridiculously easy. To me, entering a combination for a lock is not a puzzle. However, there are some maze puzzles and connection puzzles which I found somewhat difficult. The instructions are well written. Although most are easy, most are creatively designed and thematic.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SAMPLES OF PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. Matching puzzle. Match up related symbols on rocks.
B. Sliding bars puzzle. Slide bars up-and-down and sideways to move them to create a path so that a piece of a lock can move from the left to the right of a lock assembly.
C. Connection puzzle. Remove colored lights by connecting them so that all are matched up and none remain. 3X Increases in difficulty.
D. Connection puzzle. Move a sandbag from one crane to another using arrows to move the cranes and a button which drops the bag onto the cranes. Move the bag from crane-to-crane until you reach the X where you must drop the bag into its final position.
E. Maze puzzle. Using a pallet jack, move five barrels to a spot when they will drop to the ground below.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Connection puzzle. Rotate 25 squares in a grid to connect links to create one smooth line.
G. Sequence puzzle. Move dials which maneuver liquids in three test tubes so that the amount of liquid matches up with the numbers at the top.
B. Sliding bars puzzle. Slide bars up-and-down and sideways to move them to create a path so that a piece of a lock can move from the left to the right of a lock assembly.
C. Connection puzzle. Remove colored lights by connecting them so that all are matched up and none remain. 3X Increases in difficulty.
D. Connection puzzle. Move a sandbag from one crane to another using arrows to move the cranes and a button which drops the bag onto the cranes. Move the bag from crane-to-crane until you reach the X where you must drop the bag into its final position.
E. Maze puzzle. Using a pallet jack, move five barrels to a spot when they will drop to the ground below.
BONUS CHAPTER:
F. Connection puzzle. Rotate 25 squares in a grid to connect links to create one smooth line.
G. Sequence puzzle. Move dials which maneuver liquids in three test tubes so that the amount of liquid matches up with the numbers at the top.
I recommend this game!
Can you and your trusted companion escape with your lives?
Overall rating
2
/
5
73 of 139 found this review helpful
IMPRISONED IN A GAME I COULD NOT WAIT TO ESCAPE!
PostedMay 10, 2018
sunnyglow
fromA little “cornball” element within a psychological thriller? Hopefully, the all-seeing eye will stare down Tom the Scarecrow and scare him back into the cornfield from whence he came.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND: Welcome to the 50th anniversary of “The Game!” Unfortunately, you won’t be the player; instead, you will be a pawn, a puppet manipulated by an unseen group of masked players who will be pulling your strings. You better win this game – the alternative is not a pleasant one. No matter! You will have little time to ponder that outcome as you fight to save your life. Your every move will be monitored as you vie against other victims such as yourself. Each of you were chosen for your skills. No teamwork here! There can be only be one winner! Fame and fortune await the winner! Will it be you – or perhaps, could this game have some twists and turns taking you to another outcome?
OPINION: I can describe this game in one word – dreadful! I was excited at the prospect of playing another fantastic escape room game. However, this game cannot compare to one which BFG offered a few weeks ago. Not long after entering this game, I was bombarded by an onslaught of cuteness and whimsy by the “cutesy” helper, destroying the scary, action-packed mood of the game. It seems this developer could not decide if they wanted to create a psychological thriller or a fantasy game. Sorry to be blunt; however, to me, this game is a mess!
The graphics are well-designed, and the theme is occult-based. However, there is an overuse of the “all seeing eye,” which is excessively used to the point of being farcical. The pace does lag in some places with an excessive amount of back-and-forth action required. Add the shenanigans of a helper scarecrow, and the pace of the game slows down considerably. This is unfortunate because if this game were better designed, it could have become a scary, creepy masterpiece. I did not purchase this game and could not wait until the demo ended.
CHATTY NANCY DREW! One of the features I disliked about the game was the constant narration by the protagonist in this story. The voice of the female character sounds like Lani Manella, the former voice of Nancy Drew. She talks excessively explaining every aspect of the environment within the game and what her future actions will be.in response.
THE LESS-THAN-SCARY SCARECROW: Why would a developer put a “cutesy” helper in a psychological thriller? He is out-of-place in this game. Returning is Tom the Scarecrow who has made his appearance all the other games in this series. Unlike the previous games in this series, YOU CANNOT OPT OUT OF HIS SERVICES! He is used excessively (5 times) in the demo. He dances and prances around exuding his “adorable charm,” taking forever to perform his activities. For me, he destroyed the scary ambiance within this game.
MECHANICS: The game is scarce on extras. You have no game lieu of the HOP scenes. You cannot replay any HOP scenes nor puzzles. You have the usual four (4) choices of difficulty in playing the game, including customization. You have a choice between playing a male or female character. Collect thirty (30) owls and six (6) figurines of the characters from this game. Most of these are easy to locate. There are nine (9) achievements, six (6) of which have three parts. There are thirteen (13) wallpapers. The usual concept art and music selections are available. You are given a jigsaw puzzle at the beginning of the game in the “extras” section. You do not collect the pieces for this puzzle, so I have no idea why this was included. You can play it in the beginning of the game.
HOP SCENES: There are only four scenes in the demo, so it is difficult to assess. However, they are varied and there are lists of items along with cryptic clues (which I loved). The ones I played I felt were creatively designed.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy – too easy for this type of game. I wish this developer had provided at least one or two more difficult ones. Perhaps more difficult puzzles appear after the demo; however, I am not purchasing it to find out. However, if you enjoy an easy-breezy game, you will probably like the puzzles.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE THE PUZZLES FROM THE DEMO:
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Sequence puzzle. Push down all tiles until all remain down.
B. Logic puzzle. Rotate all-seeing eyes into proper position as per a cryptic code.
C. Physical puzzle. Avoid obstacles in your path as you go down a bridge using arrows to move you right or left.
D. Obstacle puzzle. Pull up a bucket while clicking on vines to push them out of your way as you move the bucket to the top.
E. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to restore a picture.
F. Enter a combination. Look for the combination within the room you are in.
G. Matching puzzle. Match up eyes on a grid. Keep matching until none remain
B. Logic puzzle. Rotate all-seeing eyes into proper position as per a cryptic code.
C. Physical puzzle. Avoid obstacles in your path as you go down a bridge using arrows to move you right or left.
D. Obstacle puzzle. Pull up a bucket while clicking on vines to push them out of your way as you move the bucket to the top.
E. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to restore a picture.
F. Enter a combination. Look for the combination within the room you are in.
G. Matching puzzle. Match up eyes on a grid. Keep matching until none remain
I don't recommend this game.
Play as both members of the Fletcher family to crack the case!
Overall rating
5
/
5
145 of 241 found this review helpful
ONE OF THE BEST NEW SERIES THIS YEAR – A GAME WHICH WILL CURL YOUR MUSTACHE!
PostedMay 5, 2018
sunnyglow
fromSpeaking of those 1980’s mustached guys, I was hoping Magnum P.I. (AKA Tom Selleck) would fly in or surf in from Hawaii to make a cameo appearance!
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: 37 Pages – Time: 5-1/2 hours (a long game)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 37 Pages – Time: 5-1/2 hours (a long game)
OVERVIEW: Don your mustache and welcome to Hidden Pines! Relive those golden days of detective dramas EIPIX-style. It is blast from the past as the Fletchers, Mary and Aaron, a husband and wife crime solving duo, relive some of the cases from their early years as detectives. In the first game in the series, this crime solving team move next door to the mayor of Hidden Pines. During a party thrown by the mayor, the mayor’s wife is found dead next to either Aaron or Mary Fletcher (depending on which character you choose to play in the game). Being caught next to a corpse automatically brands that person as the guilty suspect, although neither of this duo has ever met this woman. This crime-solving duo will need to team up to get to the bottom of this murder and locate the guilty party. Get ready for some family drama!
OPINION: “EIPIX got their groove back!” I LOVED playing this “groovy 1980’s” game. This is a vast improvement for EIPIX! It is a great whodunit for those who love detective games. There is also some delightful tongue-in-cheek humor as well. From the type-cast characters to the off-beat dialogue with some “fishy” dialogue such as a “tilapia diet” and a “puffer fish poison,” I laughed at the stereotypes and dialogue as much as much as playing the game. It is a great first entry to the new series. For me, this is the best detective game EIPIX has created. The plot behind the game is excellent.
There are new concepts and a fresh approach within this game. It should bring back memories of Jessica Fletcher in “Murder She Wrote.” You will play both characters in solving this crime. The tag team approach is reminiscent of many of the Domini games. I believe switching the characters freshens up the pace of the game. The graphics reflect the bygone era of the 1980’s. Cabot Cove is transformed into the seacoast town of Hidden Pines. I love the panoramic views for some of the scenes. Okay detective! Can you solve this case and don’t forget to fax the facts via your “groovy” fax machine!
MECHANICS: As in other games, you have four settings which includes a customized setting. You receive a shoulder bag in which to collect evidence for this case. There are twenty-four (24) achievements. There are eight (8) wallpapers along with music selections, concept art, and video sequences. You can replay fifteen (15) HOP scenes and eighteen (18) puzzles. There is an additional Mahjong puzzle which can be played at the end of the bonus chapter. Collect thirty-three (33) gifts. There are fifteen (15) morphing objects within the HOP scenes. These are easy to locate. There are twelve (12) types of mustaches to collect for the souvenir room. The mustaches require some interaction with the scene to get them.
BONUS CHAPTER: The bonus chapter is a sequel. This time Mary Fletcher is working alone on this case. Mayor Greenwald is involved in a suspicious auto accident and it is up to you to decide if there is a culprit behind this accident. I found the bonus chapter a good length with some great puzzles and creative HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: There are eighteen (18) HOP scenes in the game. Although most are lists of items, they are creatively designed. EIPIX has upped their game in creating some novel scenes. Shoot ‘em’ up partner as you shoot down items with a rifle in a shooting gallery in one scene. I enjoyed the use of two separate lists of items for most scenes. For me, this provides a little break in the pace of the game. You finish one before moving onto the next! Returning are the rebus scenes which is unique to EIPIX. There are also the usual silhouette scenes, storybook scenes and a few multiple-step ones. And guess what? NO RUNES to ruin your day!
PUZZLES: There are twenty-seven (27) puzzles within the game. They vary in style and difficulty. ALL ARE EXCELLENT! This developer has some slightly difficult ones to curl your mustache along with some easy ones as well. There are so many great puzzles it is difficult to list just a few.
SPOILERS: HERE ARE SAMPLES OF MY FAVORITE PUZZLES AFTER THE DEMO:
A. 3-dimensional box puzzle. Connect-the-dots puzzle. Connect gems on a box in one continuous line as per a given diagram. Neat puzzle.
B. Maze puzzle. The grid is the inside of an air conditioner. Move a ball through the maze avoiding obstacles within its path. Move a dial and use arrows to regulate the air flow and direction to push the ball through this maze. Use items within this air conditioner to help overcome obstacles. Make a mistake – you start over.
C. Assembly puzzle. Play a chemist and create sulfuric acid by following given instructions. Don’t burn yourself! Within this is a mathematical puzzle in which you must alternate liquid between tubes to get the proper amount needed for the preparation.
D. Tangram puzzle. Place wooden planks into position on a pier so that there are no spaces between the boards.
E. Beat the computer! Play a card game with your opponent (a seadog which is the computer) in which you must win by getting a higher card number than the computer. Whoever get the most cards wins 3X
F. Mathematical puzzle. Do some addition to calculate which numbered connection connects with the proper lettered fuse to light up a warehouse.
G. Bonus Chapter. Maze puzzle. Guide three (3) marbles through a circular maze until each one reaches the center. You will need to maneuver them to release gates which block them from entering other parts of the maze.
A. 3-dimensional box puzzle. Connect-the-dots puzzle. Connect gems on a box in one continuous line as per a given diagram. Neat puzzle.
B. Maze puzzle. The grid is the inside of an air conditioner. Move a ball through the maze avoiding obstacles within its path. Move a dial and use arrows to regulate the air flow and direction to push the ball through this maze. Use items within this air conditioner to help overcome obstacles. Make a mistake – you start over.
C. Assembly puzzle. Play a chemist and create sulfuric acid by following given instructions. Don’t burn yourself! Within this is a mathematical puzzle in which you must alternate liquid between tubes to get the proper amount needed for the preparation.
D. Tangram puzzle. Place wooden planks into position on a pier so that there are no spaces between the boards.
E. Beat the computer! Play a card game with your opponent (a seadog which is the computer) in which you must win by getting a higher card number than the computer. Whoever get the most cards wins 3X
F. Mathematical puzzle. Do some addition to calculate which numbered connection connects with the proper lettered fuse to light up a warehouse.
G. Bonus Chapter. Maze puzzle. Guide three (3) marbles through a circular maze until each one reaches the center. You will need to maneuver them to release gates which block them from entering other parts of the maze.
I recommend this game!