sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:826
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:September 4, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you delve into a dangerous past and escape in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 155 found this review helpful
ANOTHER PHANTASMATIC THRILLER FROM EIPIX
PostedSeptember 14, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAfter this game, Jack will be able to share his computer skills such as photoshopping with the new “friends” he will meet at his new home-away-from-home.
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
TIME: 5 Hours (45 minutes for the Bonus game)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 Pages
TIME: 5 Hours (45 minutes for the Bonus game)
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 38 Pages
OVERVIEW: What scares you, Ashley White? Welcome to your worst nightmare, your own illusion-filled Twilight Zone in this “phantasmatic” horror game. Suffering from amnesia you are off to a house, nestled away in the cornfields of rural Illinois to be cared for by your beloved, caring husband, Stan. Get prepared for a dark storm filled night in a ghost-filled house with memories. “It” will welcome you with a broken clown doll in the hallway, ghosts running through the halls, and the memories of 1996, when Stan’s brother was involved in an accident. As you regain your memories, the past is going to come back to haunt you.
Exploring this broken-down rat trap (one you will soon want to escape), you realize that nothing is as it seems, including the story and the game mechanics. The graphics are dark and the broken-down house adds to the creepiness of this game. The pace is excellent. Ghostly images keep popping up to add to the décor of this dilapidated farmhouse. You collect creepy dolls and morphing objects within the HOP scenes. All are easy to locate. There is at least one Easter egg advertising the upcoming MCF game by EIPIX. It is easy to locate. The Bonus chapter is related to the main story but is VERY SHORT!! One of the final puzzles with seven parts could be viewed as time filler in the Bonus chapter!
AFTER THE DEMO – DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS – THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS! As one of my high school teachers used to say, “the devil is in the details – so don’t jump to conclusions!” After the demo, the game changes somewhat, which is consistent with the developer. Think you have this story figured out? Well – hold on – because that is NOT the case! EIPIX throws a new element of surprise into the story which changes it somewhat. Be prepared! “It just ‘ain’t’ what you think!” EIPIX is going to take you through a “corny” maze of subplots in this game. In one way or another, you are going to be traversing many mazes in this game!
HOP SCENES: There are sixteen (16) in the game and five (5) in the Bonus Chapter. You can also play a SUPER-DUPER MATCH-3 GAME in lieu of the scenes. The ones in the demo are excellent. Most of those are multiple-step, creative and interactive. Most of them are multiple-step as well. There are interactive scenes in which you must move clothing and other items to locate items on the list. There are lists and silhouette items. In one of the scenes you must locate the replace items back within the scenes. There are cryptic clues and in one you must search through 3 computer files to locate the items. Impressed? Well you won’t be after the demo!
DID THE HOP CREATOR TAKE A VACATION AFTER THE DEMO? After the demo, these wondrous creative scenes – POOF! – disappear! Be prepared for scene-after-scene of repetitive lists of items which are NOT interactive. There are six scenes which are straight lists of items. There is very little creativity in any scenes after the demo. Also returning is the standard EIPIX HOP scene in which you must locate five each of two items following by a list of items. PLEASE GET RID OF THIS SCENE, EIPIX! There is one rebus scene and one matching scene. Very disappointing EIPIX! Yes, there is some HO HUM in this game!
PUZZLES – I AM TRULY A-MAZE-D: There are sixteen (16) puzzles in the game and two (2) in the bonus chapter. They are all creatively designed. (Guess our EIPIX “puzzlemeister” did NOT take a vacation!) Be warned – there are some difficult puzzles in this game. Most of the puzzles I would rate as moderately difficult to difficult. However, I would not miss this game just because of the puzzles. It is a well-crafted game and you can skip all the puzzles. The story behind the game is excellent – and after all, you still have all those HO-HUM HOP scenes which some people like!
FAVORITE PUZZLES:
A. Twisting and Turning the night away. Switch tokens by pairs so they match up at both ends of a series of twisted tubes. What makes it difficult is that it is NOT linear. You must trace the path of each tube to figure out the placement of each token.
B. Pinball Wizard. Move a ball through a pinball machine. If you move the ball correctly, you will get a sling shot and a star.
C. Checkers puzzle. Jump over a grid of marbles until only one remains.
D. Drive the Texas Two-Step. On a modified radio, move a car using arrows to avoid obstacles in your path. You can control the speed of your car by using the radio dial. However, true speed demons will have that turned up all the way
E. Strategy puzzle. Move playing card symbols – Heart, Spade and Diamond to the bottom of a maze using only spaces with like symbols. The tokens change once one of these symbols lands on them.
F. Maze map. Do a hoe down through the corn. “Dosey doe” through the wonderful cornfields of Illinois using a map to get to a campsite.
G. Maze Map Part 2. More corn! This time go through those same Illini cornfields and look for buried items.
A. Twisting and Turning the night away. Switch tokens by pairs so they match up at both ends of a series of twisted tubes. What makes it difficult is that it is NOT linear. You must trace the path of each tube to figure out the placement of each token.
B. Pinball Wizard. Move a ball through a pinball machine. If you move the ball correctly, you will get a sling shot and a star.
C. Checkers puzzle. Jump over a grid of marbles until only one remains.
D. Drive the Texas Two-Step. On a modified radio, move a car using arrows to avoid obstacles in your path. You can control the speed of your car by using the radio dial. However, true speed demons will have that turned up all the way
E. Strategy puzzle. Move playing card symbols – Heart, Spade and Diamond to the bottom of a maze using only spaces with like symbols. The tokens change once one of these symbols lands on them.
F. Maze map. Do a hoe down through the corn. “Dosey doe” through the wonderful cornfields of Illinois using a map to get to a campsite.
G. Maze Map Part 2. More corn! This time go through those same Illini cornfields and look for buried items.
MORE CONFUSING PUZZLE DIRECTIONS: EIPIX – is it possible to get someone to write directions for your puzzles? I had difficultly figuring out exactly what I was supposed to do in some of these puzzles. The worst puzzle for this involves a phone puzzle in the Bonus game, (with seven (7) scenes. I still have no idea what I was supposed to do - so - I just skipped it.).
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, Custom
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
13 Achievements – Some with 3 sections
Collect 35 dolls and 9 Morphing objects (within the HOP scenes)
Replay 13 HOP scenes and 12 Puzzles and the Super Match-3 game as well
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Music, Videos, Souvenir Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
13 Achievements – Some with 3 sections
Collect 35 dolls and 9 Morphing objects (within the HOP scenes)
Replay 13 HOP scenes and 12 Puzzles and the Super Match-3 game as well
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Music, Videos, Souvenir Room
I recommend this game!
Check out a huge variety of new puzzles in what may be the best Clutter game yet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
31 of 47 found this review helpful
AN INFINTESIMAL SUCCESS FOR JOE!
PostedSeptember 13, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Congrats Joe! Many of us Pond Friends Forum members have been anxiously awaiting this sequel to the Clutter series! I love these time-crunching, nerve racking games from Joe. I play the timed versions of the games (although you are not required to do so) for agonizing fun! There are a variety of different styles of puzzles throughout the game.
This is a game which can be played an infinitesimal amount of times. You can play the series of puzzles timed or untimed (for a more leisurely approach). There are 875 – that’s right 875 puzzles in this game. That’s a ‘lotta’ puzzles! There are over 75 each of picture puzzles and box quotes. Other types of puzzles include Slat puzzles (moving slats to create pictures), a variation of the clutter puzzles from black and white to matching up two halves of items. There are silhouettes, outside-in puzzles, and intermixed as well.
For being raised in a family of sports enthusiasts, you have done well in the gaming business, Joe. You have hit a home run with this game. Here’s hoping for more of these gems in the future.
I recommend this game!
Snow, Ice and the deadly wind blowing from the Frozen Mountains! The Lost Lands have been overtaken by ice in the middle of summer!
Overall rating
3
/
5
72 of 151 found this review helpful
AN ICE FILLED GAME BOGGED DOWN IN A DRIFTS OF TEDIOUS ACTIVITIES
PostedSeptember 12, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThis game may contain a future story for a “ragazine” – “Alaska: Stronghold of the Five Worlds and portal to other dimensions? and - Is former governor Sarah Palin their War Maiden?”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
6 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter: Strategy Guide: 56 Pages
OVERVIEW: Our Warrior Maiden, Susan, returns in another adventure – this time she is transported to a kingdom frozen in ice. Our Sara Palin lookalike has been summoned by Maaron, a Druid chieftain, to save his kingdom from an unknown force causing climatic havoc. It appears that an anomaly has caused a decrease in temperature, causing the kingdom to transform into a frozen wilderness. What is behind the climate change? Locate the source and restore this kingdom to its former climate.
This is a hybrid - a cross between a HOP game and an adventure game. It is a puzzle-intense adventure game sprinkled with a few HOP scenes to qualify it as a HOP game. Although the graphics are dated, they are decent. The musical score for the game is excellent, equal to one for a movie. For those who love to search for collectibles, you will love this game. There is an abundance of items to collect along with morphing objects throughout the game – all of which are easy to locate. You can replay the mini-games and the “puzzles” within the game. I am confused by the developer’s definition of “mini-games” versus “puzzles.” Although I realize there are many who are looking forward to playing this game, unfortunately this game left me “out in the cold.” Unlike the previous games in the series, I found the demo snail-paced and tedious. There are three activities which I feel slow down the pace in this game and caused me to not purchase it.
First. There is too much back-and forth action within this game. Throughout the demo, you collect coins to purchase inventory items. I grew tired of collecting coins to make continuous shopping trips to “Nomiana’s shop.” Our little “pumpkin,” Nomiana (with an irritating nasal pitched voice) sells everything you need for your trip. However, next time, I suggest Susan purchase everything she needs in one trip. To me, looking for all those coins to use in all these extra shopping excursions are time fillers to pad the game.
Second. I tired of reading lengthy manuscripts containing excessive details about the kingdom. There are too many of these “manuscripts” to read throughout the game. They contain too much detail about the kingdom. I want to play a game not read a novel.
Third. You get a spell book to perform a variety of spells needed from time-to-time in the game. Again, there is excessive, time-filling excursions to collect items which are needed in these spells. Using the magic wand to connect-the-dots to recreate a rune I found confusing as well.
I would normally love this type of game. However, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ACTION IN THIS GAME! With all the back-and-forth motion to the store combined with collecting supplies to create spells and reading endless manuscripts, this game became tedious. I get enough tedious activities in my life – don’t want my games to be the same
HOP SCENES: They are all the same; however, they are creative and interactive. They feature silhouette items to locate which are then used within the scene. Each of the three scenes in the demo has a mini-puzzle within it.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are excellent and well-designed. They vary in difficulty and design. Some of the puzzles are somewhat difficult. The puzzles are excellent; however, there were not enough to compensate for the slow pace of the game. There is a strategy puzzle which requires you to remove mounds of snow and put them in a bin. You must strategize your moves to accomplish this. There is a clever escape puzzle which requires you to outsmart some ice wolves (fenrongs) to get past them. There are some easy matching puzzles and an easy jigsaw puzzle. I found the spell book puzzle in which you recreate an image of a rune confusing. My favorite puzzle is an assembly puzzle which involves placing train tracks into place to exit out a cave.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints: 5 to 90 seconds Skips: 5 to 150 seconds
Hints: 5 to 90 seconds Skips: 5 to 150 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
21 Achievements
Collect 7 stained glass, 8 owls, 7 icicles, 8 mittens, 12 golden horses, and 13 Lost Lands manuscripts
30 Morphing objects
Replay 19 Mini-games and 7 Puzzles (I do not see the difference?)
14 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art, Video, Music,
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
21 Achievements
Collect 7 stained glass, 8 owls, 7 icicles, 8 mittens, 12 golden horses, and 13 Lost Lands manuscripts
30 Morphing objects
Replay 19 Mini-games and 7 Puzzles (I do not see the difference?)
14 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art, Video, Music,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
In the demo, they are all the same. Silhouette. Locate items and then replace them back into the scene, interacting with them. Each scene contains a mini-puzzle.
In the demo, they are all the same. Silhouette. Locate items and then replace them back into the scene, interacting with them. Each scene contains a mini-puzzle.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Strategy puzzle. Shovel snow! Move mounds of snow so they all end up in a pit at the end of the maze. Moving one mound affects the others. A very tricky puzzle. Rating: 3
B. Escape puzzle. Outfox the wolves. Move around in the forest so that you escape a pack of wolves. You must move when the wolves are not looking. Make a false move and blood spatters back at you on the screen. 4X. Rating: 2/3 depending how observant you are.
C. Matching. On a cryptex, choose the correct symbols as per those cut into a desk. Rating: 1
D. Matching. Rearrange the arm positions on a statue as per a diagram. Rating: 1
E. Connection puzzle. Use your spell book and connect the dots to recreate a symbol to cast a spell. Rating: 2
F. Assembly puzzle. Place train tracks into place to complete track to leave the tunnels. Rating: 3
G. Jigsaw puzzle. Rebuild a wall by placing stones into proper position. Rating: 1
A. Strategy puzzle. Shovel snow! Move mounds of snow so they all end up in a pit at the end of the maze. Moving one mound affects the others. A very tricky puzzle. Rating: 3
B. Escape puzzle. Outfox the wolves. Move around in the forest so that you escape a pack of wolves. You must move when the wolves are not looking. Make a false move and blood spatters back at you on the screen. 4X. Rating: 2/3 depending how observant you are.
C. Matching. On a cryptex, choose the correct symbols as per those cut into a desk. Rating: 1
D. Matching. Rearrange the arm positions on a statue as per a diagram. Rating: 1
E. Connection puzzle. Use your spell book and connect the dots to recreate a symbol to cast a spell. Rating: 2
F. Assembly puzzle. Place train tracks into place to complete track to leave the tunnels. Rating: 3
G. Jigsaw puzzle. Rebuild a wall by placing stones into proper position. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Can you break free from your nightmares in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
111 of 191 found this review helpful
DAILY MAGIC PULLS A NIGHT-'HARE' OUT OF ITS HAT – ONE OF THE BEST PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS OF THE YEAR!
PostedSeptember 9, 2017
sunnyglow
fromDid Mr. Reynell attend my high school or do some teachers from Nightmare High just linger in everyone’s nightmares? I do believe Mr. Shadow Man looks exactly like a teacher I once had.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON ENTIRE GAME (MINUS THE BONUS GAME)
Playing time for main game: 4 Hours
6 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
Playing time for main game: 4 Hours
6 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 44 Pages
OVERVIEW: Are you afraid of your own shadow – or, perhaps, the machinations and shadows of your mind? Enter the mind of the tormented Mr. Reynell, a victim of tragic circumstances within his life which are now trapping him in a nightmare – a dream world inhabited by shadow beings, led by the Shadow Man. You, as Mr. Reynell, will travel back in time and venture through a maze of painful memories. Along the way you will find yourself at your grandparents’ home, your high school, your college days, your graduation from college, all to piece together the events which happened in your life. Deep within the recesses of your nightmares looms a larger-than-life Shadow Man who is threatening you. Act quickly! These shadow beings are threatening to harvest your soul, taking your life force – forever. Always remember – “Buried Memories Never Die.” However, you must try to bury the past for your own sanity and the future with your beloved wife, Ash!
What a fantastic, well-crafted game! Daily Magic has upped their “game” and produced an excellent psychological thriller. This game has a well-written script worthy of a Hollywood movie. Kudos, dev! The graphics engage you in a mind maze and well depict a nightmare world with the depiction of the scarecrow-esque Shadow Man lurking behind the scenes. This game will appeal to those who love creepy, thought-provoking games. It is a fast-paced game chock full of activities. The HOP scenes and puzzles are thematic. The collectibles include creepy Shadow People for your Shadow People Encyclopedia and family portraits. They are easy to locate – the shadow people practically jump out at you! This was an automatic purchase for me. This is truly one of the best psychological thrillers of the year and quite a nice surprise from Daily Magic. Tears came to my eyes at the ending. It has a bittersweet ending and is well worth the price of this game.
HOP SCENES: There are 21 HOP scenes in the main game. I feel most of them are well-done. However, toward the end of the main part of the game, there were quite a few storybook scenes in which you locate items listed in BOLD letters. There are five of those in succession at the end. I did feel that at the final juncture of this game, this developer threw in these storybook scenes as filler. There are several FROG scenes, which are seldom seen in most games nowadays. These scenes provide an inventory item to be used within the game. There are lists of items and silhouette scenes which are creatively designed and very interactive. Most of the scenes require you to locate items and interact with them in the scenes. The items are easy to locate. You also have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: This game is puzzle intense. THERE ARE 35 PUZZLES IN THIS GAME! That is a lot of puzzles. They do vary in difficulty and design. There is a multiple step one at the end of the game. The game begins with many puzzles which have the option for “hard” and “easy” versions of the puzzles. However, after the demo, they were few and far between. There are only two of this type of puzzle after the demo. This was disappointing to me. I had hoped there would be more. Most of the standard puzzles are easy.
You will restore many pictures through rotating rings, moving tiles, and switch puzzles. There are matching puzzles, sequence puzzles, Simon Says puzzles, and connection puzzles in which you cannot retrace your steps. Unlike the HOP scenes, I felt the puzzles were better at the end. Here are a few of my favorites:
(1) A-MAZE-ING! This origami/maze puzzle requires the player to fold paper along horizontal and vertical lines so that a path is created to go through a maze. To me, this requires some strategic thinking to assess where to fold the lines.
(2) DEFIES LOGIC! I love logic problems so this puzzle was one I wished to play. This is another style of puzzle not seen in many HOP games. It requires the player to place high school classes into a grid according to clues provided on a scrap of paper.
(3) I AM IN A-MAZE-MENT. This puzzle is probably my favorite of the whole game. In this maze puzzle you begin with a circle with a surrounding ring containing red tokens. Within the ring are blue tokens which match up with these red ones and various twisting paths leading to the red tokens. You must move the red tokens to the proper path so that, when clicked, each blue token finds its way down this path to match up with the red token.
(4) TANTALIZING TANGRAM: There is one in this game and it is at the end. It is a nice puzzle to finish the game. In this case you must arrange odd-sized pieces into a square so no spaces remain.
(5) GRADUATING A PHOTO: In this little toughie, you must not only switch tiles to restore a picture, but rotate them as well. Get prepared for a roller-coaster ride of up, down and switching locations within this puzzle!
(2) DEFIES LOGIC! I love logic problems so this puzzle was one I wished to play. This is another style of puzzle not seen in many HOP games. It requires the player to place high school classes into a grid according to clues provided on a scrap of paper.
(3) I AM IN A-MAZE-MENT. This puzzle is probably my favorite of the whole game. In this maze puzzle you begin with a circle with a surrounding ring containing red tokens. Within the ring are blue tokens which match up with these red ones and various twisting paths leading to the red tokens. You must move the red tokens to the proper path so that, when clicked, each blue token finds its way down this path to match up with the red token.
(4) TANTALIZING TANGRAM: There is one in this game and it is at the end. It is a nice puzzle to finish the game. In this case you must arrange odd-sized pieces into a square so no spaces remain.
(5) GRADUATING A PHOTO: In this little toughie, you must not only switch tiles to restore a picture, but rotate them as well. Get prepared for a roller-coaster ride of up, down and switching locations within this puzzle!
WORST PUZZLES: PHYSICALLY EXASPERATING: I generally don’t like physical puzzles and I do feel the physical puzzles in this game are poorly created. In one, you must keep a token in the green area of a bar while duking it out with an evildoer. However, the arrows which are supposed to help keep that ball in the green area do not work very well – either that or I am a klutz! Probably both are true. I gave up after a few tries!
BONUS GAME: Enter the world of sleep research with neuroscientist, crazed Dr. Olney. That creepy guy is not getting into my dreams! From what I have played, it appears this is not related to, but a good addition to the game.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 1 to 100 seconds
Hints and Skips: 1 to 100 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
15 Achievements
Collect 15 Shadow People for the Shadow People Encyclopedia
Collect 15 Family Portraits
12 Wallpapers, 18 Concept Art, Music, Developer Diary
Map is provided as you play the game
15 Achievements
Collect 15 Shadow People for the Shadow People Encyclopedia
Collect 15 Family Portraits
12 Wallpapers, 18 Concept Art, Music, Developer Diary
I recommend this game!
Mysterious portraits are causing their subjects to transform into monsters!
Overall rating
4
/
5
73 of 144 found this review helpful
DO PEOPLE CHANGE AFTER MARRIAGE? – JUST ASK THESE NEWLYWEDS!
PostedSeptember 7, 2017
sunnyglow
fromIs it true people “change” after marriage? Has your spouse turned into a beast? Contact artist Basil Hallward to "capture” their true animal spirit!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Art comes to life in this latest sequel to the Dark Romance series. Newlyweds, Sybil and Nigel Kane, will be spending their honeymoon apart when a wedding gift, a painting, transforms our blushing bride into a wolf-like creature. An old childhood friend, Basil Hallward, is behind the transformative artwork, blaming Nigel and fellow friend, Henry Watton, for his impoverished condition and the bankruptcy of his father. He is using his new “artistic talents” to extort money from these two old childhood chums. Henry’s wife, Angelica, has turned into a panther and Henry is now a bull. Play the tag-team newlyweds, Sybil and Nigel as they both work together to stop their misguided friend from turning their village into another “Animal Farm.”
I do not find this game as well-crafted as the previous games in this series. I believe it will appeal to all the hopeless romantics out there. The game mechanics are excellent; however, I find the story and the gaming script poorly written and somewhat absurd. Unlike the previous games in this series, this game seems slow-paced. You have an assortment of collectibles which include paint brushes and paintings. You will exchange an amount of brushes for a menagerie of animals. There are also morphing objects hidden within the game. As in previous games, the inventory bar indicates when there are collectibles and morphing objects to be found within a scene. You will tag-team between the characters Nigel and Sybil. Eat, drink and be merry as food and drinks abound in this game for you to ingest.
HOP SCENES. There are more HOP scenes in the demo than in previous games. They are innovative and creative, with most of them being highly interactive. I felt the first scene was very creative. It is an interactive silhouette with a mini-puzzle at the end of the scene. However, after that scene, the scenes in the demo are the usual ones seen in every other game. They include mini-HOP scenes to locate a small number of one item, a storybook scene which features items in ROSE COLORED letters (to match the love theme) and lists of items. You have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: This game does not have the number of puzzles as in previous games. Most of the puzzles offer the option between “Easy and Hard” versions. The puzzles are decent, but not as good as in previous games. I did not find any of those “hard” puzzles to be truly difficult. Most of the “hard” puzzles are of middle difficulty. There were only two puzzles I liked in the demo. I did enjoy the thematic maze puzzle leading our “hawkish” Nigel through a maze while avoiding black hawks. Other puzzles include matching puzzles, rotating tiles and switch puzzles to create images, sequence puzzles, and connection puzzles. Not all these puzzles are thematic, however.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: PUT OUT THE FIRE! Put out the fire – but hopefully not for our newlyweds. Play against a “fired up” computer who is trying to light up more tokens than you do on a grid. Take turns by moving your tokens into the grid to eliminate the fire tokens and increase your water tokens while the computer is trying to do the same with its fire tokens. Success consists of extinguishing the fire by eliminating the computer’s fire tokens.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
20 Achievements
Collect 64 Brushes to use to purchase animals
Collect 12 Cursed Paintings
15 Morphing objects
Replay 19 HOP scenes and 19 Puzzles
15 Wallpapers, 20 Concept Art, Music, Movies, and a Menagerie
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
20 Achievements
Collect 64 Brushes to use to purchase animals
Collect 12 Cursed Paintings
15 Morphing objects
Replay 19 HOP scenes and 19 Puzzles
15 Wallpapers, 20 Concept Art, Music, Movies, and a Menagerie
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scene.
(A) Silhouette. Interactive scene in which you must locate items which are then used within the scene. There is a puzzle at the end of the scene (B) List of items. (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 8 herb leaves. (D) Storybook scene. Find items listed in ROSE-COLORED letters (E) Silhouette. (F) List of items
(A) Silhouette. Interactive scene in which you must locate items which are then used within the scene. There is a puzzle at the end of the scene (B) List of items. (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 8 herb leaves. (D) Storybook scene. Find items listed in ROSE-COLORED letters (E) Silhouette. (F) List of items
PUZZLES: Most games have the choice between Easy and Hard versions
A. (Within HOP scene). Matching. Remove tokens by clicking on a token which is between matching tokens.
B. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate three rings so that each ring is pointing to a symbol on a given code. Rotating one ring affects the others.
C. Connection puzzle. Guide four (4) flowers to their matching locations without crossing lines with each other.
D. Play nurse. Follow directions to perform first aid on your driver.
E. Sequence puzzle. Press animal buttons in sequence as per a diagram.
F. Maze puzzle. Guide Nigel through the maze (as a hawk) avoiding the black hawks.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles so that the symbols on the three tiles combine to create the image on a rune. Must match the runes in both the row and the column in which they are placed.
H. Play against the computer. On a grid, try to fill more spaces with water than the computer does with fire. You will keep score as to the amount of hits each of you has. Play until one of you is destroyed
I. Sequence puzzle. Remove belt straps in sequential order.
J. Matching puzzle. On a cello, move strings so they look like those on a given diagram.
K. Maze puzzle. Move in sequential order from left to right landing on the correct symbols as indicated on a diagram.
A. (Within HOP scene). Matching. Remove tokens by clicking on a token which is between matching tokens.
B. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate three rings so that each ring is pointing to a symbol on a given code. Rotating one ring affects the others.
C. Connection puzzle. Guide four (4) flowers to their matching locations without crossing lines with each other.
D. Play nurse. Follow directions to perform first aid on your driver.
E. Sequence puzzle. Press animal buttons in sequence as per a diagram.
F. Maze puzzle. Guide Nigel through the maze (as a hawk) avoiding the black hawks.
G. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles so that the symbols on the three tiles combine to create the image on a rune. Must match the runes in both the row and the column in which they are placed.
H. Play against the computer. On a grid, try to fill more spaces with water than the computer does with fire. You will keep score as to the amount of hits each of you has. Play until one of you is destroyed
I. Sequence puzzle. Remove belt straps in sequential order.
J. Matching puzzle. On a cello, move strings so they look like those on a given diagram.
K. Maze puzzle. Move in sequential order from left to right landing on the correct symbols as indicated on a diagram.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your sister from her new abilities in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
62 of 132 found this review helpful
A WHIRLWIND OF FAMILY DRAMA BORNE OUT BY A STORM IN A FANTASTIC GAME!
PostedSeptember 5, 2017
sunnyglow
from“Blown away” by this game! Just hoping we don’t end up in OZ (or is it O.Z.?) for the next game in this series. Off to find the ruby slippers and Toto and hide them now!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
4 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 40 Pages
OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Wild West Apocalypse! Yippee! Find yourself in a whirlwind of danger as you cope with the aftermath of a world calamity in which an “ornery” Texas-size twister overtakes a futuristic kingdom and never seems to move on. Get your lasso out to rope in that old windbag and take on some other danger as well! Play Astrid, who learns that her “sister,” Lynn, is the royal princess, Stormborne, placed within her family for protection by her mother, Queen of the Realm of Fae. Stormborne, the product of a tempestuous marriage, has been kidnapped by her real father, Oberon, the King of the Realm of Man who wishes to renew his relationship with her. She may not be your blood sister; however, family ties are strong and she did grow up with you. Off you go to save her and hopefully the kingdom as well.
A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for FINALLY RELEASING THIS GAME!! This game is all Mad Head from the creative, offbeat storyline to the well-crafted graphics to accompany this game. The story is a cyclonic mix of the theme of a twisted fairy tale world swirled into a sci-fi theme of an apocalyptic world. This game should appeal to sci-fi lovers, fairy tale game lovers, and those who like offbeat games. The collectibles are the same spirals as in other games; however, spiral in this case seem to match the whirlwind theme of the game. To me, the HOP scenes are best part of this game. The puzzles are easy, a little too easy for my taste. However, the action-packed pace of the game enticed me to purchase it.
HOP SCENES: There are the usual HOP scenes with lists of items, silhouette and locate and replace scenes; however, they are cleverly produced. There is one in which you locate items on a map in which you are taken to different locations within the town to locate the items.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are easy. In the demo, they include a matching puzzle plus a couple of skills puzzles including balancing a ball on a slider to return to the ground safely and using the amulet to fight an evildoer.
BLOW OFF SOME STEAM! There is one uniquely designed puzzle in which you navigate an arrow to blow some air on a key and a lock to get them to connect with each other.
AMULET PUZZLE: Every time you need to use your magic amulet, you will play a puzzle. You will fill in a grid by moving a series of blocks according to the numbers appearing on each block.
LEVELS: Gale, Tempest, Typhoon, Calamity, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
10 Achievements – Some have 3 parts
Collect 30 spirals as in all other games.
Replay 20 HOP scenes
Morphing objects within the HOP scenes
4 Wallpapers, 8 Profile Icons, Music, Jigsaw puzzle, Bonus puzzle, Soundtrack, Character Gallery
Map is provided as you play the game
10 Achievements – Some have 3 parts
Collect 30 spirals as in all other games.
Replay 20 HOP scenes
Morphing objects within the HOP scenes
4 Wallpapers, 8 Profile Icons, Music, Jigsaw puzzle, Bonus puzzle, Soundtrack, Character Gallery
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
(A) Silhouette. Locate items to complete your bag. (B) Matching. Use your amulet to match up runes. (B) List of items. (E) Very creative. (1) Silhouette. (2) List of items. Items are in a map maze of the town in which you are taken to different scenes within different buildings within the town. (F) List of items.
(A) Silhouette. Locate items to complete your bag. (B) Matching. Use your amulet to match up runes. (B) List of items. (E) Very creative. (1) Silhouette. (2) List of items. Items are in a map maze of the town in which you are taken to different scenes within different buildings within the town. (F) List of items.
PUZZLES: In the demo all the puzzles are easy.
A. Amulet Puzzle: Connection puzzle. Move the cursor the exact number of squares printed on three squares to completely fill in a larger square. Play this every time you wish to activate the amulet. Increases in difficulty as you play the game.
B. Maze puzzle. Unique. Using arrows, blow air to move a lock and a key until they meet each other. 3X
C. Storybook Replacement puzzle. Locate items and place them back into the proper places to learn about the kingdom.
D. Matching. On a 3-segmented ring, locate 3 symbols to match each character.
E. Manual dexterity puzzle. Using two arrows balance a ball within a grid until you arrive safely to the ground.
F. Manual dexterity puzzle. Use the amulet to avoid being hit by the evildoer.
C. Storybook Replacement puzzle. Locate items and place them back into the proper places to learn about the kingdom.
D. Matching. On a 3-segmented ring, locate 3 symbols to match each character.
E. Manual dexterity puzzle. Using two arrows balance a ball within a grid until you arrive safely to the ground.
F. Manual dexterity puzzle. Use the amulet to avoid being hit by the evildoer.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your friends from the sins of their past?
Overall rating
5
/
5
88 of 159 found this review helpful
PUT THE GENIE BACK IN THE BOX - (THIS BOX = A CUBE ROOT OF ALL SIN) ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR
PostedSeptember 2, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAfter this game, our sand genie is off to Hollywood to star in his own show exposing the sins of the Hollywood elite in - “I Don’t Dream of Genie!”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter Plus an Extra Chapter - Strategy Guide: 61 Pages
OVERVIEW: What a fantastic game! Get prepared for an exotic adventure, detective, as you travel back in time to Agora, Egypt of the 1920’s. You have been invited by your former professor to join him in excavating the site of the ancient Order of Alchemists. Joining you are Emma, a collector of antiquities and Carol, a current student of the professor. A cube in Emma’s possession, The Cube of Sin, is activated, releasing a genie, who entraps all of you within the cube. You, being pure of heart, are the only one who can save the day. Enter each prisoner’s memory and find an item which traps them within this cube or be sealed within this cube forever.
Kudos to our sweet GrandMA! This is a fantastic game – an automatic purchase for me. It is also a LONG game and well-worth the purchase price. This is a must-have for lovers of those old Egyptian mummy movies of the past. Although you won’t deal with any mummies within this game, you will be dealing with one nasty sand genie. The story is superb and reminds me of the old Hammer films. The pace is excellent with plenty of activities. The graphics are incredibly beautiful and well-depict the period of the British expeditions. The exotic Egyptian music is mesmerizing. Be Warned: This is a “snake” game with the hissing and appearance of cobras. You receive a gimmicky cube used to fight off sand magic by playing puzzles. You collect crystals and can replay HOP scenes and puzzles.
HOP SCENES: They are very creative and cleverly designed. Included are lists of items and silhouette scenes. There are also some mini-HOP scenes in which to locate a small number of items. One of the silhouette scenes requires you to not only locate the items but to replace them back into the scene and interact with them as well. You also have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: This is a puzzle-intense game – so many, I will only outline three I enjoyed. They are easy but thematic. There is a physical puzzle in which you are a camel jockey avoiding not only rocks but other obstacles in your path as you traverse the desert. You are also given a pair of goggles, a shield and a knife to battle these obstacles. I also enjoyed the Escape Room puzzles in which you must escape a series of traps by playing three puzzles.
FAVORITE PUZZLE – LET’S MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF YOU! You are given casual and hard versions of this puzzle. Outsmart a monkey by playing an Alquerque puzzle against him (AKA computer). Jump over marbles of your opponent to remove them. To win the game and stop all the “monkey shines,” you must remove all this primate’s marbles before he removes all of yours! Hopefully you won’t lose too many of your own “marbles” In playing this game and can outsmart Mr. Banana-breath.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hint: 10 to 90 seconds Skips: 10 to 180 seconds
Hint: 10 to 90 seconds Skips: 10 to 180 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
15 Achievements
Collect 74 crystals
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music, Movies
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
15 Achievements
Collect 74 crystals
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music, Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Match-3 game in lieu of the puzzles.
(A) Mini-HOP scene. Locate list of items. (B) List of items (locate more than one of the items). Locate spices and put them into the proper location on a box. (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 gems. (D) List of items (E) Silhouette. Rather clever. Locate items in sequence and then replace them back into the scene to interact with them in some way. (F) Replacement. Replace items back into the scene.
(A) Mini-HOP scene. Locate list of items. (B) List of items (locate more than one of the items). Locate spices and put them into the proper location on a box. (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 gems. (D) List of items (E) Silhouette. Rather clever. Locate items in sequence and then replace them back into the scene to interact with them in some way. (F) Replacement. Replace items back into the scene.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
CUBE ACTIVITIES. (1) Connection puzzle. Draw a path through a series of lines so that all lines are traced and none are visited twice. Rating: 1 (2) HOP scene puzzle. Locate 7 symbols with a special glass.
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Click on tiles to restore a picture on a jewelry box. Rating: 1
B. Matching puzzle. Match up like feathers. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of a blanket until a picture forms. Rating: 1
D. Choice of Casual and Hard versions. Alquerque puzzle. Play the monkey (AKA computer) to win the game. This is a checkers puzzle in which you must remove all your opponent’s marbles by jumping over them.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch items on 3 mannequins so they match a given picture. Rating: 1
F. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate 6 circles until a picture is uncovered. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
G. Switch puzzle. Switch books in the proper order to reveal a picture. Rating: 1
H. Verified Camel Jockey. Obstacle course puzzle. Ride your camel through the desert avoiding obstacles in your path. You get three devices to help you get past the obstacle course Rating: 2
I. Rope puzzle. Move portions of a rope so that they do not intersect with each other. Rating: 1
J. Switch puzzle. Move 3 tiles into the proper position. Rating 1.
K. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate 5 rings to restore a picture. Rating: 1
L. Escape Room puzzle. Multiple step puzzle to get through several traps. (1) Simon Says Puzzle. Repeat the sequence of colored lights. 2X (2) Sequence puzzle. Choose spears in proper sequence to remove them. (3) Sliding blocks puzzle. Slide blocks to move an eye to a triangle. Rating: 2
M. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. Rating: 1
N. Sequence puzzle. Light up tiles on a pedestal which holds the cube until all are lit. Must be lit in a specific order. Rating: 1
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Click on tiles to restore a picture on a jewelry box. Rating: 1
B. Matching puzzle. Match up like feathers. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of a blanket until a picture forms. Rating: 1
D. Choice of Casual and Hard versions. Alquerque puzzle. Play the monkey (AKA computer) to win the game. This is a checkers puzzle in which you must remove all your opponent’s marbles by jumping over them.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch items on 3 mannequins so they match a given picture. Rating: 1
F. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate 6 circles until a picture is uncovered. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
G. Switch puzzle. Switch books in the proper order to reveal a picture. Rating: 1
H. Verified Camel Jockey. Obstacle course puzzle. Ride your camel through the desert avoiding obstacles in your path. You get three devices to help you get past the obstacle course Rating: 2
I. Rope puzzle. Move portions of a rope so that they do not intersect with each other. Rating: 1
J. Switch puzzle. Move 3 tiles into the proper position. Rating 1.
K. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate 5 rings to restore a picture. Rating: 1
L. Escape Room puzzle. Multiple step puzzle to get through several traps. (1) Simon Says Puzzle. Repeat the sequence of colored lights. 2X (2) Sequence puzzle. Choose spears in proper sequence to remove them. (3) Sliding blocks puzzle. Slide blocks to move an eye to a triangle. Rating: 2
M. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. Rating: 1
N. Sequence puzzle. Light up tiles on a pedestal which holds the cube until all are lit. Must be lit in a specific order. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Can you save Netville from a dangerous artifact before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
64 of 129 found this review helpful
HOME SWEET HOME OF TERROR
PostedAugust 31, 2017
sunnyglow
fromLooking for a home-away-from home for your next vacation? This quaint gaming house will provide a “homey” game ambiance you may never want to leave!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What makes a house a home? As Alexandra, Keeper of the Artifacts, you will soon discover what terror lies behind a “home-sweet-home.” The bicentennial celebration for the town of Netville has resulted in the disappearance of its citizens. You are called in when the disappearance seems connected to an artifact. This artifact is tied to a group of young people who have rented a vacation home. However, this house has become the “vacation from Hades” after one of the residents, Michael Lee, becomes obsessed with a camera – or so it seems. The camera belonged to Richard Moore, a renown photographer. When he died, Richard did not have any living heirs, so the house became a rental property. Now, something within the house has overtaken and possessed those who inhabit it. What is the artifact that is possessing Michael Lee? Is it the camera or something else within this house? You need to find the artifact causing the problem and remove it.
This is decent game for those who like easy breezy games. I am not a fan of EleFun games, however, this game is better constructed than most of their games. The story is well-written; however, I find the game construction poorly designed. The graphics are blurry and outdated. The snail’s pace within this game is due to a constant back-and-forth action between scenes combined with poorly constructed puzzles and HOP scenes. For me, it just plods along. At least it does not have a helper as in most of their games! This game should appeal to those who like easy breezy games. As I played the game, I soon became bored. For those who like this developer’s games, I hope you enjoy it. It will be a pass for me.
HOP SCENES. There are 26 HOP scenes within the game. The HOP scenes in the demo are the usual ones seen in most of their games. These include a storybook scene, several mini-HOP scenes to locate a small number of one items, silhouette scenes, and lists of items. There is one multiple-step scene in which you first locate silhouette items followed by rebus clues.
PUZZLES: There are 33 puzzles within the game. The puzzles in the demo are extremely easy. There is only one in the demo which I though was somewhat difficult. Some of the puzzles are in my opinion more HOP scenes than puzzles. They include a physical puzzle aligning crosshairs to shoot down a balloon. You really cannot miss hitting this balloon! There is also a “sock-it-to-the-evildoer” puzzle in which you must repeat a sequence of buttons to knock him out. There are several switch puzzles to restore pictures. There is a sequence puzzle to remove roots. An extremely easy assembly puzzle requires you to place six very large pieces onto a diagram of a camera. This puzzle is comparable to one you would give a pre-school child. This game could have been fantastic if the developer had developed some more creative HOP scenes and a provided one or two slightly difficult puzzles.
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom
Hints: 10 to 35 seconds Skips: 10 to 50 seconds
Hints: 10 to 35 seconds Skips: 10 to 50 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Keeper’s Tool – Identifies and neutralizes dangerous artifacts. It activates when needed to be used.
12 Achievements
Collect 33 items to place in a collection room (8 Netville Anniversary items – 6 Moore items – 4 Lee Brothers items – 6 House items – 9 Legendary artifacts)
Collect 36 puzzle pieces for a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game
33 Morphing objects
9 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music
Map is provided as you play the game
Keeper’s Tool – Identifies and neutralizes dangerous artifacts. It activates when needed to be used.
12 Achievements
Collect 33 items to place in a collection room (8 Netville Anniversary items – 6 Moore items – 4 Lee Brothers items – 6 House items – 9 Legendary artifacts)
Collect 36 puzzle pieces for a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game
33 Morphing objects
9 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, 3 Screensavers, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Matching (Mahjong) Game in lieu of the scenes.
(A) Storybook scene. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. Within the scene use the Keeper’s Tool to locate artifact fragments. (B) Mini-HOP scene. Use a gimmicky device to locate 5 artifact traces. (C) Silhouette scene. Look for items which are clues. (D) List of items. (E) Multiple step: 1) Silhouette items. (2) Rebus clues (F) Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette
(A) Storybook scene. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. Within the scene use the Keeper’s Tool to locate artifact fragments. (B) Mini-HOP scene. Use a gimmicky device to locate 5 artifact traces. (C) Silhouette scene. Look for items which are clues. (D) List of items. (E) Multiple step: 1) Silhouette items. (2) Rebus clues (F) Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette
PUZZLES: They are all easy.
A. Physical puzzle. Align two crosshairs to shoot down a balloon.
B. Multiple step. (1) Switch puzzle. Slide tokens along paths switching positions with those next to them to restore a picture. (2) Replacement. Replace items back into the scene.
C. Switch puzzle. Swap items next to each other to restore the order of decorations on a fountain.
D. Assembly puzzle. Place 6 rather large pieces into place to create a camera.
E. Sequence puzzle. Remove roots sequentially.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of photos in an album. 3X
G. Logic problem. Place notes onto a sheet of music with four numbered columns and five numbered lines so that the total for each row and column equals the number of notes indicated. There are many different solutions here. It is not that difficult.
H. Find and replace puzzle. Locate items and place them within the proper location.
I. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat the sequence of buttons to knock out Michael. 3X
A. Physical puzzle. Align two crosshairs to shoot down a balloon.
B. Multiple step. (1) Switch puzzle. Slide tokens along paths switching positions with those next to them to restore a picture. (2) Replacement. Replace items back into the scene.
C. Switch puzzle. Swap items next to each other to restore the order of decorations on a fountain.
D. Assembly puzzle. Place 6 rather large pieces into place to create a camera.
E. Sequence puzzle. Remove roots sequentially.
F. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of photos in an album. 3X
G. Logic problem. Place notes onto a sheet of music with four numbered columns and five numbered lines so that the total for each row and column equals the number of notes indicated. There are many different solutions here. It is not that difficult.
H. Find and replace puzzle. Locate items and place them within the proper location.
I. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat the sequence of buttons to knock out Michael. 3X
I recommend this game!
Explore the streets of Paris as you track down the Strangler!
Overall rating
5
/
5
127 of 190 found this review helpful
“BREAK OUT” IN A “RASH” OF MURDERS IN THE AVANT-GARDE “PAREE” OF 1923!
PostedAugust 26, 2017
sunnyglow
fromTime travel or anachronism? Did Donna Brave travel back in time? With her swank attire, hair and make-up, she looks like she stepped out of a 2017 NYC subway not a 1923 Parisian train.
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 – MINUS THE BONUS CHAPTER
4 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 49 Pages
Playing Time: 4 Hours (playing all puzzles and HOP scenes)
Playing Time: 4 Hours (playing all puzzles and HOP scenes)
It is gay Paree of 1923 and a strangler is on the loose! There is a well-orchestrated attempt to dispose of all the members of the Golden Circle Club, the crème-de-la-crème of the artistic avant-garde of Parisian society. Play Donna Brave, summoned by her Uncle Andrés, a famous poet and playwright, to solve this crime. Before the club members are murdered, they “break out” with a rash of symbols upon their body. Shortly after that, they are strangled to death. Seemingly, Uncle Andrés is the next victim. However, someone has contracted to have you killed as well. Mystery abounds in this game. Who is behind this “rash” of murders? Can you solve the mystery of the Strangler, save your uncle, members of the club and yourself as well?
With a storm venting its rage in my “redneck” part of the woods, A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for offering this game as a welcome distraction! I LOVE Mad Head games and this one is a superb whodunit! This is a murder mystery game reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe´s “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” It was an automatic purchase for me. The pace is excellent with many activities in your search to find the killer. The plot behind the game keeps you in suspense. I found the ending a surprise which was NOT what I expected. The graphics are well-rendered to match the period of Paris in the 1920’s. You collect spirals as in most Mad Head games. You also collect morphing objects within the HOP scenes. Collect items to place in a gimmicky medallion to return you to scenes in the past to collect information and clues. You can replay the HOP scenes; however not the puzzles. This is my only complaint concerning this game. You can only replay the memory game which appears after the demo.
HOP SCENES: There are 19 HOP scenes in the main game. They are cleverly designed and are interactive. There is a considerable amount of variety so that they do not seem repetitious. They include a variety of different types, including lists of items, silhouettes, matching, and one storybook scene. These are few which I enjoyed and demonstrate the creativity of this developer. (SPOILERS)
• A matching scene has the player searching for items within three scenes in a kaleidoscope. The items are well-hidden and the scenes are beautifully rendered. Just gorgeous!
• Another matching scene engages the player in matching letter flourishes outlined on a handkerchief with those on a letter.
• There is a silhouette scene which has the player locating letters and symbols missing on a typewriter. They are well-hidden within the scenes.
• There are several matching scenes in which the player must match up like items or items which are related in some way. I felt these were creatively done.
• A matching scene has the player searching for items within three scenes in a kaleidoscope. The items are well-hidden and the scenes are beautifully rendered. Just gorgeous!
• Another matching scene engages the player in matching letter flourishes outlined on a handkerchief with those on a letter.
• There is a silhouette scene which has the player locating letters and symbols missing on a typewriter. They are well-hidden within the scenes.
• There are several matching scenes in which the player must match up like items or items which are related in some way. I felt these were creatively done.
PUZZLES: There are 29 puzzles in the main part of the game. They are varied and creatively designed as well. Most of the puzzles are easy or of moderate difficulty. I did not find any puzzle terribly difficult. They include assembly puzzles, a maze puzzle, a chess puzzle, rotating rings puzzles, a lock-pick puzzle, switch puzzles, slider puzzles, and even a paint-by-number puzzle. There are also those physical puzzles which require you to sock-it-to the evildoer before the time expires. Here are a few of those which I found creatively designed. You also get to “beat the computer” in a couple of the puzzles! (SPOILERS)
• A maze/strategy puzzle requires our heroine to outmaneuver a cab driver who is in hot pursuit. You must play against the computer to get her to the exit before the driver overtakes her.
• A chess puzzle requires three knights to move to like-colored slots based on the movement associated with them in the game of chess.
• A switch/connection puzzle requires the player to switch policemen so they are all joined together holding hands!
• Play against the computer in a memory puzzle. You must match up more tokens situated on three revolving rings, than the computer. At the end of the game, you can replay this puzzle.
• In two of the puzzles the player must combine runes or symbols to create one in the middle of the screen. This puzzle is also used to fight the evildoers in the game.
• Finally, for the artists in the audience, there is a paint-by-number puzzle which is very easy but, to me, was rather fun to play.
• A maze/strategy puzzle requires our heroine to outmaneuver a cab driver who is in hot pursuit. You must play against the computer to get her to the exit before the driver overtakes her.
• A chess puzzle requires three knights to move to like-colored slots based on the movement associated with them in the game of chess.
• A switch/connection puzzle requires the player to switch policemen so they are all joined together holding hands!
• Play against the computer in a memory puzzle. You must match up more tokens situated on three revolving rings, than the computer. At the end of the game, you can replay this puzzle.
• In two of the puzzles the player must combine runes or symbols to create one in the middle of the screen. This puzzle is also used to fight the evildoers in the game.
• Finally, for the artists in the audience, there is a paint-by-number puzzle which is very easy but, to me, was rather fun to play.
MEDALLION PUZZLE: You play a search puzzle every time you need to use the medallion. Collect items to place inside the medallion and then use the medallion to reveal listed items.
LEVELS: Seeker, Adept, Master, Secret Master, Alchemist
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
10 Achievements
Medallion which returns you to view the past
Replay 19 HOP scenes
Collect 33 Spirals as in other games and morphing objects found in HOP scenes
8 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, Soundtrack, Memory Game (the only puzzle you can replay from the game), Character Gallery
Map is provided as you play the game
10 Achievements
Medallion which returns you to view the past
Replay 19 HOP scenes
Collect 33 Spirals as in other games and morphing objects found in HOP scenes
8 Wallpapers, 11 Concept Art, Soundtrack, Memory Game (the only puzzle you can replay from the game), Character Gallery
BONUS CHAPTER: I have started but have not completed the Bonus chapter. However, it is a logical follow-up to the main part of the game. It is not just thrown in to the mix as in many others from other developers. It seems that the evildoer is up to more dastardly crimes in this sequel. The Bonus chapter aptly fits as a good follow-through for the main game.
I recommend this game!
Can you save a young heir from Saint Germain in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
64 of 115 found this review helpful
MORE DRAMA FROM ST. GERMAIN, AN “IMMORTAL” FIXTURE IN THIS DEVELOPER’S GAMES
PostedAugust 24, 2017
sunnyglow
fromWhy is St. Germain looking for a way to become immortal? Unfortunately, he is already an immortal fixture in many of this developer’s games - a nuisance I wish would depart forever into the vaults of the Big Fish After(gaming) Life!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
What is a man to do when he makes a devil’s deal with a dwarf who is on a quest for immortality? The nasty dwarf, Saint Germain returns, this time trying to become immortal at the expense of a child. Plagued with medical bills due to a rare disease, Lucas Malloy was desperate for money. To repay his debts, he negotiated a deal with the dwarf to sell his son’s ability. Although he tried to terminate this contract, St. German is determined to get this ability to become immortal. Lucas Malloy’s son, Sebastian, has amazing powers – his blood holds the key to immortality. He is a doorway between the living and the dead. Now, that his father is deceased, you must help this boy fend off the dwarf who will stop at nothing to attain immortality by stealing this boy’s ability. The ghosts of his ancestors protect him; however, only you can defeat this dwarf. You are now Sebastian’s last hope. If the dwarf gets his wish, Sebastian will die.
This is another in a series of games by AMAX (ERS) featuring this dwarf. Personally, I am tired of seeing this misshapen, grunting little man in most of this developer’s games. The graphics are excellent as usual for this developer. However, the rehashed story of the nasty little dwarf grunting around trying to cause chaos is predictable and overused. This is a HOP intense game with more HOP scenes than puzzles – at least what is evidenced by the demo. However, both the puzzles and HOP scenes lack any creative genius. Instead, they are just repeats of ones we have seen in the past. And, as with all the other games by this developer, you collect coins to purchase items. This time, you purchase items to fix up the haunted house. You can replay the HOP scenes and puzzles as well. This is a non-purchase for me. I may be missing something, but I don’t find this game “exceptional,” but rather boring and predictable.
HOP SCENES: The game is rich in HOP scenes. For those who like to locate items in HOP scenes, this is truly a game you may enjoy. I found nothing exceptional concerning the scenes except that there are several mini-HOP scenes in which you collect a small number of items such as fragments and chalk. There are the usual silhouette, storybook and lists of items. There are a couple of matching scenes as well. One of the matching scenes contains boxes which must be uncovered to locate the items. One of the HOP scenes requires locating a list of items on a codex. These are the only two which I found somewhat creative in design.
PUZZLES: Most of the puzzles are easy. I feel the puzzles are boring and rather forgettable. I do not feel they are creative, and are ones which we have seen in many other games. There is one, a slider puzzle, which has the option between Casual and Hard versions of the puzzle. You slide tokens into place according to color. However, the hard version was not much different from the casual version. Other puzzles include two switch puzzles to restore statues, a Simon Says puzzle in which you repeat a sequence of notes, a matching puzzle, and a tracing puzzle in which you trace a path within three symbols without touching the sides.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
12 Achievements (from what I could count)
Replay HOP scenes and Puzzles
Casket. Locate 12 seals to open the casket to get an artifact to defeat evil.
Collect coins to purchase items for your haunted hotel.
9 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, Screensaver, Music
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
12 Achievements (from what I could count)
Replay HOP scenes and Puzzles
Casket. Locate 12 seals to open the casket to get an artifact to defeat evil.
Collect coins to purchase items for your haunted hotel.
9 Wallpapers, 9 Concept Art, Screensaver, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: (A) Silhouette. (B) Matching. (C) Mini-HOP scene. Locate pieces of a statue. (E) Matching. Pair up items within boxes which are like each other. (F) Storybook. Locate items on a codex listed in BOLD BLOOD RED letters. (G) Mini-HOP scene. Matching. Match up herbs. (H) Mini-HOP scene. Locate statue fragments. (I) Mini-HOP scene. Locate 12 pieces of chalk. (J) Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD BLOOD RED letters.
PUZZLES: They are all easy (including the hard version of the first puzzle)
A. Choice between Casual and Hard. Slider puzzle. Slide colored gems into slots of the same color.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
C. Simon Says. Repeat the sequence of stone as they light up.
D. Matching puzzle. Place tiles with two sets of symbols in correct order so that the symbols on the side of teach token match up with each other.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch statues so they are properly placed with matching pedestals.
F. Tracing puzzle. Trace 3 symbols without touching the sides.
A. Choice between Casual and Hard. Slider puzzle. Slide colored gems into slots of the same color.
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
C. Simon Says. Repeat the sequence of stone as they light up.
D. Matching puzzle. Place tiles with two sets of symbols in correct order so that the symbols on the side of teach token match up with each other.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch statues so they are properly placed with matching pedestals.
F. Tracing puzzle. Trace 3 symbols without touching the sides.
I recommend this game!