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 recover your memories and save a missing girl in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
92 of 156 found this review helpful
WHAT IS LURKING IN THE SHADOWS OF AN ABANDONED OBSERVATORY?
PostedJune 22, 2017
sunnyglow
fromWhat is Elf’s sign? Hopefully it is EXIT! Let’s hope the next game will give him an optional Agent Elf Badge giving us the option to allow him to play or stay away.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter
OVERVIEW: Try to remember Detective! What happened at the Shadowfield Observatory? While searching for eighteen-year old Ann McPherson at this site, something happened to cause you to develop episodic amnesia. What events are hiding within the shadows of your mind? A psychologist is helping you pull back the curtain of your memory to sort out the details. Something “monstrous” happened there. Get ready for a case in which entails much more than locating a missing girl. You will have to watch your back at every turn, question everyone, at the same time clear up your mind as to the details of this case. There is more to this dilapidated observatory than meets the eye.
The story is an excellent detective story with a sci-fi theme. This game will appeal to aficionados of this series. The graphics are breathtaking as usual for Elephant Games. I do love the blending of the elements of astronomy coupled with the pseudo-science of astrology throughout the game – absolutely, stellar! As usual, there are quite a few activities within the game and quite a few collectibles as well including screen segments which, when all are collected, reveal a starry sky. You also collect the twelve (12) signs of the Chinese Zodiac and there are morphing objects to collect as well. Elf returns as a canine helper. However, it is a non-purchase for me due to the overuse of the helper in this game.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are very creative. They include a list of constellations located on a star map. Unique and creative! There is a replacement scene and the typical storybook scene to help further the story.
PUZZLES: They are stellar! Many are based on the stars (astronomy and astrology), and all are all moderately difficult. They are beautiful, and very creatively designed. incorporating the astronomy/astrology theme within them. There is a multiple-step puzzle using the Zodiac in which you match up signs with their person or animal token. There is one which uses a sky globe which you whirl around to locate three (3) dissimilar stars. Other puzzles include a maze puzzle,an easy sequence puzzle and a rotating rings puzzle. My favorite puzzle involves a clever variation of a key puzzle in which you match up wedges with “teeth” so they interconnect.
OPTIONAL AGENT ELF BADGE! I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS GAME IF I COULD OPT OUT OF USING THIS ANNOYING “HELPER” DOG. He is used excessively and is a major distraction. He prances, barks excessively, and his antics are time consuming. He is out-of-place in this game. Please remember, not all your customers are enamored by these helpers! MAKE THEIR USE OPTIONAL!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Detective
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.
22 Achievements
Collect 40 screen fragments to create a night sky and 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac.
Collect Morphing objects (no number given)
8 Wallpapers,8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
22 Achievements
Collect 40 screen fragments to create a night sky and 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac.
Collect Morphing objects (no number given)
8 Wallpapers,8 Concept Art, Music, Secret Room
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: (A). Silhouette. (B). List of items. Search for constellations on a star map. (C). Replacement puzzle. Replace items back into the scene. (D). Storybook. Listen to the story of the observatory and locate items listed in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES: They are of Moderate Difficulty.
A. Maze puzzle. Move a tool box token along a straight path from left to right removing obstacles within its path.
B. Multiple step. (A) Moving tiles puzzle. Move tokens with astrological signs on them to match up to the appropriate person or animal associated with that sign. (B) Matching. Match up signs of the Zodiac.
C. Sequence puzzle. Remove brambles using a glove in sequential order.
D. Multiple step puzzle. (A) Matching puzzle. On a circular wheel containing notched tokens, whirl the wheel around to locate each token’s matching one to make a connection. (B). Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate segments of a jigsaw puzzle to restore an image.
E. Multiple step. (A). Alignment puzzle. Align planets so they are in a straight line. Moving one affects the others. (B) Matching puzzle. Place tokens into the correct slots to correspond to a given diagram. Moving one affects the others.
F. On a sky globe, locate three stars of different sizes.
A. Maze puzzle. Move a tool box token along a straight path from left to right removing obstacles within its path.
B. Multiple step. (A) Moving tiles puzzle. Move tokens with astrological signs on them to match up to the appropriate person or animal associated with that sign. (B) Matching. Match up signs of the Zodiac.
C. Sequence puzzle. Remove brambles using a glove in sequential order.
D. Multiple step puzzle. (A) Matching puzzle. On a circular wheel containing notched tokens, whirl the wheel around to locate each token’s matching one to make a connection. (B). Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate segments of a jigsaw puzzle to restore an image.
E. Multiple step. (A). Alignment puzzle. Align planets so they are in a straight line. Moving one affects the others. (B) Matching puzzle. Place tokens into the correct slots to correspond to a given diagram. Moving one affects the others.
F. On a sky globe, locate three stars of different sizes.
I recommend this game!
Can you find the Flower of Life, before the Dragon Clan does?
Overall rating
3
/
5
66 of 127 found this review helpful
THROWING A MONKEY WRENCH INTO AN EXCITING ADVENTURE GAME
PostedJune 17, 2017
sunnyglow
fromShout-out to Tarzan – Please come pick up your monkey! His presence is messing up what could have been a fantastic game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
6 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter
OVERVIEW: Ready for some heart pounding adventure? Get behind the cockpit, Sarah Pennington and soar off into the sky - high above the Amazon rain basin – and then crash land into trouble! Get ready for an adventure into the thick of the Amazon jungle, laced with relics from an Incan settlement! Your quest – the Flower of Life, a plant which is a cure-all for all ailments. Your mother is in trouble, being kidnapped by the Dragon Clan for her knowledge of the location of this plant. Now you must trek through this jungle trying to locate and save her and grab that flower before it ends up in the wrong hands!
This is a beautifully illustrated game which should appeal to adventure lovers, airplane aficionados, and monkey lovers. It is an Indiana Jones style adventure, keeping you only a few paces ahead of the game’s villains. The story is excellent and the graphics are amazing! Quite breathtaking! The pace is excellent with quite a few activities to keep you busy. There are quite a few collectibles including posters, jungle animals, and morphing objects. There is a side bar to indicate if there are any collectibles within a scene. You get a cube to give you the ability to see hidden places. HOWEVER, THIS GAME, WHICH I WAS ANXIOUS TO PURCHASE - IS A NONPURCHASE FOR ME. WHY?
MONKEYING AROUND WITH A GREAT GAME. Unfortunately, on your way to battle the baddies in the teeming jungle, you inherit a monkey as a helper. Our little tree swinger, appears suddenly and performs his cutesy antics twice in the demo. Why couldn’t this annoyance be optional within the game? This would have been an automatic purchase for me, but I don’t want to play a game with an annoying monkey smirking at me. However, I will fight him for that banana! Back off orangutan breath! Why does every game lately have to include some idiotic helper? This “helper” is out-of-place in an adventure game.
HOP SCENES: Most of the scenes are list of items. They do have some interactivity. The first scene I though the best. It requires you to search the scene for medical supplies.
PUZZLES: They are superb and the best part of the game. They vary in difficulty and type. My favorite puzzle is one which has you searching for items on an Incan stone wall and then placing them in the right location. This is NO easy task. The items are well-hidden within that wall. It is beautiful and creatively designed. Another amazing puzzle is a calculation puzzle which finds you pouring liquid into 3-liter and a 5-liter beakers, throwing out excess liquid to come up with exact measures of liquid in a series of colors. Very creative. This puzzle is an old puzzle seen in many games; however, it has been remastered beautifully. Other puzzles include an untangling rope puzzle, moving rings puzzle, and an assembly puzzle.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hint: 5 to 90 seconds (5 to 60 seconds in HOP scenes). Skips: 5 to 120 seconds
Hint: 5 to 90 seconds (5 to 60 seconds in HOP scenes). Skips: 5 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided at the beginning of the game.
12 Skill Based Achievements and 12 Story-Based Achievements
Collect 7 Posters
Collect 28 jungle animals
Morphing objects
Replay of HOP scenes and Puzzles
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art, Cutscenes, Soundtracks
Map is provided at the beginning of the game.
12 Skill Based Achievements and 12 Story-Based Achievements
Collect 7 Posters
Collect 28 jungle animals
Morphing objects
Replay of HOP scenes and Puzzles
15 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art, Cutscenes, Soundtracks
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can opt to play a Matching card game in lieu of the HOP scene.
(A). List of items. (Add medical supplies) Very interactive. (B). List of items. (C). Silhouette. (D). List of items.
(A). List of items. (Add medical supplies) Very interactive. (B). List of items. (C). Silhouette. (D). List of items.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
Cube Puzzle. Every time you use the cube, play a matching puzzle. Search and locate symbols identical to those on the cube. Rating: 1
A. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so that segments of the rope do not cross. Rating: 1
B. Calculation puzzle. (A) Create a medicine by combining colored liquids as to color. (B) Then using a 3-liter beaker and a 5-liter beaker, measure out the exact amount for each color. Rating: 3
C. Moving rings puzzle. Slide two rings into place to set given coordinates for a plane. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Connect two wires so that the symbols they connect combine to match those given along the side of the panel of a plane. Rating: 2
E. Mathematical puzzle. Solve some basic math problems to get the numbers to enter to open a lock. Rating: 1
F. Storybook scene. Multiple step. (A) Learn about the Incas. Interact with the scene switching tokens and placing them in the correct position. (B) Switch puzzle. Switch tokens to complete a mural on the Incas. Rating: 1
A. Rope puzzle. Untangle a rope so that segments of the rope do not cross. Rating: 1
B. Calculation puzzle. (A) Create a medicine by combining colored liquids as to color. (B) Then using a 3-liter beaker and a 5-liter beaker, measure out the exact amount for each color. Rating: 3
C. Moving rings puzzle. Slide two rings into place to set given coordinates for a plane. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Connect two wires so that the symbols they connect combine to match those given along the side of the panel of a plane. Rating: 2
E. Mathematical puzzle. Solve some basic math problems to get the numbers to enter to open a lock. Rating: 1
F. Storybook scene. Multiple step. (A) Learn about the Incas. Interact with the scene switching tokens and placing them in the correct position. (B) Switch puzzle. Switch tokens to complete a mural on the Incas. Rating: 1
THIS WEEK I WILL SAVE MY MONEY AND HOPE FOR A FUTURE GAME WHICH IS NOT A FAIRY TALE NOR INVOLVE SOME TYPE OF HELPER. WAY TOO MANY OF BOTH LATELY.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop darkness from taking over the kingdoms?
Overall rating
3
/
5
31 of 57 found this review helpful
TIME TO DEFEAT THE QUEEN AND TO PUT THIS PRINCESS AND THE GAME SERIES TO BED
PostedJune 15, 2017
sunnyglow
fromSince all the princesses have been captured, it is time to look for some new applicants to fill the job. Required: Pretty “poofy” pink party dress, big hair, and a side-kick nanny.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Princess – You are the last person standing to save the Kingdom from the clutches of Queen Mortis! As the Fire Princess, you have a tall order to fill including saving the other princesses from their imprisonment under this ruthless monarch. You are good stead, however. Prophecy has already predicted that you as the champion in this conquest, equipped only with a bow and quiver. In this game, your nanny is captured by a beast and you are off to get her back. You will fight off monsters which are illusions created by the dastardly queen. Underneath those monsters, you will discover some common folk who will help you in your fight.
This is a great game for fantasy game lovers, those who like easy breezy games, those who are aspiring pretty-in-pink princesses, and children. The story is a continuation of this series, which to me, needs to end. How many more battles can our princess fight before losing her “pretty-in-pink” princess looks? The series is becoming stale. The graphics are beautiful as usual for ERS. They have the most beautiful graphics of all the developers. If I wanted a portrait painted, I would contact the ERS graphic artist! You collect jigsaw puzzles and morphing objects. You get a gimmicky illusion mirror which helps destroy illusion magic. Much of the game is like the last seven (7) games in this series.
HOP SCENES: They are varied and exactly like the ones from previous games. They include the usual storybook scenes in search of items in BOLD letters. Others include silhouette and lists of items. Nothing exceptional within these scenes.
PUZZLES: All the puzzles are easy. To use the gimmicky illusion mirror, first you use the mirror to find those hidden symbols then you trace a series of chains. Other puzzles include a rotating rings puzzle, moving tiles puzzle, and a rope puzzle,
LEVELS: Princess, Heiress, Queen, Brave Lady
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.
Replay 15 Puzzles and 22 HOP scenes
14/15? Achievements (Some have 3 parts)
Collect 36 jigsaw pieces for 6 puzzles
Illusion mirror to destroy illusion magic. (Must be charged each time it is to be used)
Morphing objects - look like shields
13 Wallpapers, 23 Concept Art, 6 Screensavers, Music,
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
Replay 15 Puzzles and 22 HOP scenes
14/15? Achievements (Some have 3 parts)
Collect 36 jigsaw pieces for 6 puzzles
Illusion mirror to destroy illusion magic. (Must be charged each time it is to be used)
Morphing objects - look like shields
13 Wallpapers, 23 Concept Art, 6 Screensavers, Music,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Storybook. Search for items in BOLD letters.
B. Mini-HOP scene. Locate items to replace in a picture.
C. Silhouette. Locate constellations to open a portal
D. List of items. Locate a specific number of one item.
E. Silhouette.
F. List of items
A. Storybook. Search for items in BOLD letters.
B. Mini-HOP scene. Locate items to replace in a picture.
C. Silhouette. Locate constellations to open a portal
D. List of items. Locate a specific number of one item.
E. Silhouette.
F. List of items
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
MIRROR PUZZLES: (A) Hidden Illusion puzzle. Using the Hidden Illusion mirror, find all the hidden illusions within the scene. (B) Tracing puzzle. Trace a chain without touching the sides or you must start over. Eliminate them in segments. The tracing puzzle becomes more difficult as it advances in the game Used 3 times in the demo.
A. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings so that they interlock within each other. Rating: 1
B. Multiple step. (A) Moving tiles puzzle. Move tiles to restore a picture. (B) Rotating tiles puzzle. Click on tiles to uncover a picture. Clicking on one either opens or closes others. Work on the scene until all tiles are uncovered. Rating: 2
C. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so that none intersect with each other. Rating: 2
D. Replacement puzzle. Place tiles on a board so that each tile matches another on the board. You must use all the tiles. Rating: 2
E. Moving bars puzzle. Move bars so that images appear in the middle according to a code. Rating: 1
F. Weights puzzle. Drag down chains according to clues until they are in the proper position. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
B. Multiple step. (A) Moving tiles puzzle. Move tiles to restore a picture. (B) Rotating tiles puzzle. Click on tiles to uncover a picture. Clicking on one either opens or closes others. Work on the scene until all tiles are uncovered. Rating: 2
C. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so that none intersect with each other. Rating: 2
D. Replacement puzzle. Place tiles on a board so that each tile matches another on the board. You must use all the tiles. Rating: 2
E. Moving bars puzzle. Move bars so that images appear in the middle according to a code. Rating: 1
F. Weights puzzle. Drag down chains according to clues until they are in the proper position. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
It’s Fantasy Mosaics 22! Join the penguins on their summer vacation to the South Pole.
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 57 found this review helpful
ENJOY SUMMER VACATION WITH THE PENGUINS IN THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
PostedJune 12, 2017
sunnyglow
fromTake a dip into the ice-cold waters of this game with the Penguin family in the land of the Midnight Sun!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: What a wonderful Monday surprise! It is summer! Our Penguin family is looking for a “cool” place to spend their vacation. Why not enjoy some time away from the heat and spend it at the friendly ice-filled waters of the South Pole? Our Penguin family is off on a family vacation to this frosty retreat to catch up with some old friends.
A BIG THANK you to BFG for offering a game in one of my favorite genres. This is another excellent 5-star game from Match Gems. I have been anxiously awaiting a new game from this developer. I have played every game in the series and this game is designed exactly like the others. There are some new colors to enjoy in this game as well!
I LOVE these games and Match Gems is one of the BEST developers for this type of game. This puzzle has many different names (AKA O’Ekaki, Griddlers, Paint-by-Numbers, Pic-a-Pix, Nonograms or whatever you call them); however, no matter the name they are a fun puzzle game.
HOW TO PLAY: This is variety of a Sudoku puzzle. In this puzzle, create pictures by filling in squares in a grid. The grids in this game will vary in size. Each side of the grid will have numbers for each line of squares indicating the number of squares which are to be filled in for that row of squares. Squares are filled in where the squares intersect between the two sets of numbers on each side.
GAME FACTS:
• Levels: Casual and Advanced.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
• Collectibles. When you complete one level of 5 puzzles, you receive an item to place in your garden.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
• Collectibles. When you complete one level of 5 puzzles, you receive an item to place in your garden.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
This may be the Amazing Garibaldi Brothers’ final performance!
Overall rating
3
/
5
70 of 149 found this review helpful
THE BIGGEST ILLUSION IS THE LACK OF MAGIC GENERATED BY THIS GIMMICKY GAME
PostedJune 10, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAbracadabra! With a flicker of a wand, this game has disappeared from my screen!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Play screenwriter, Ms. Douglas (no first name), author of the “Dead Reckoning Series,” writing a screenplay for Jean Miles, film director. Your director wants the real thing for his next movie -illusions instead of special effects in hopes to finally get that coveted Academy Award. Get ready to travel to New York City to see the awesome magic of the Garibaldi Brothers, Santiago and Fernando! You will need to convince them to hand-over those illusions to your boss; however, that may take some doing as neither wants to give up the blueprints for these illusions. You will get more than you bargained for when one of those brothers of the magical duo, Fernando, is killed while performing a magic trick. Your sleuthing abilities will come into play in solving this whodunit. The suspects all seem to have a motive including Fernando’s wife, Elisabeth, his own brother, Bruno Murphy (a stage hand), Robert Stevens (wealth investor), or perhaps someone else. Could even your boss be involved?
POOF! The demo produced no “magic” for me. Hiding behind the illusion of all the gimmicks and purported magic, is the same game with the same format which we have played a dozen times before! For me, EIPIX did NOT pull a rabbit out of the hat with this game. The pace slows down as you continue in the game. There are way too many gimmicks, tricks, and back-and-forth action within the game. It should appeal to those who love magic, mystery novels and mid-level to expert players. You get a gimmicky tablet which “wows” you with the behind-the-scene details of the illusions you witness. You collect rabbits which vary in size. You can replay the HOP scenes and the puzzles. The same old boring Bubble Shooter game returns to play in lieu of the HOP scenes. For me, I would rather watch the awesome David Copperfield create the illusion of a disappearing building than play this game. However, I am certain there are those who will enjoy it. If you’re an aficionado of this game – I hope you find some magic within it. It is way too tedious for me!
CLICKING IT UP WITH SOME CLUES: Ho Hum – So boring! There are the usual investigative questions which are in all the EIPIX detective games (no matter the series) which has you identifying clues on those suspects or corpses under surveillance. Click, click, click away until you locate that evidence to support the statements. So tedious!
HOP SCENES. There are more HOP scenes than puzzles. They are the best part of this game. They are for the most part creatively designed. They are the standard ones seen in most EIPIX games. There are several multiple-step ones which include lists of items combined with silhouette items. There is also a storybook sequence to further the story and a scene with rebus clues. You can also play the same old “Bubble Shooter” game (so tired of this game) in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: The puzzles from the demo are thematic. There are not many in the demo; however, they are of middle difficulty with one which is slightly difficult. There is a cube puzzle in which you must stack three (3) cubes in a specific order. There is a sequence puzzle in which you must sequentially unbuckle the buckles of a straight jacket. There are two maze puzzles. I did enjoy one of the maze puzzles in which you must move four (4) colored balls to slots of the same color. You must strategize a path by pressing on the correct sequence of eight (8) buttons with movement patterns upon them.
LEVELS: Apprentice, Magician, Illusionist, Wizard
Hint: 10 t0 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hint: 10 t0 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements
Collect 36 Rabbits
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 19 Puzzles and the Bubble Shooter game
7 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Videos, Music
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements
Collect 36 Rabbits
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 19 Puzzles and the Bubble Shooter game
7 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Videos, 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 bubble shooter game instead.
A. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in BOLD letters in a scene which contains several posters.
B. Clue search. Look for 2 items for 3 categories on Francisco Garibaldi to indicate moods and personal situations.
C. Multiple step. (A) List of items (B) Silhouette
D. Multiple step. (A) Silhouette. Interact with the scene with the items. (B) List of items
E. Same as B except for Elisabeth Townsend
F. Rebus clues
A. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in BOLD letters in a scene which contains several posters.
B. Clue search. Look for 2 items for 3 categories on Francisco Garibaldi to indicate moods and personal situations.
C. Multiple step. (A) List of items (B) Silhouette
D. Multiple step. (A) Silhouette. Interact with the scene with the items. (B) List of items
E. Same as B except for Elisabeth Townsend
F. Rebus clues
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Assembly puzzle. Stack cubes on top of each other using various levels to move the cubes. Cubes cannot jump on top of each other. Rating: 2
B. Sequence puzzle. Unbuckle buckles on a straight jacket in sequential order. Rating: 2
C. Maze puzzle. Move a ball through a maze using stopgaps throughout the path. Rating 2
D. Maze puzzle. Move a series of 4 colored balls to a slot of a matching color through a 3-dimensional maze. Strategize a path for each ball by using 8 buttons along the sides which contain movement patterns upon them. Rating: 3
A. Assembly puzzle. Stack cubes on top of each other using various levels to move the cubes. Cubes cannot jump on top of each other. Rating: 2
B. Sequence puzzle. Unbuckle buckles on a straight jacket in sequential order. Rating: 2
C. Maze puzzle. Move a ball through a maze using stopgaps throughout the path. Rating 2
D. Maze puzzle. Move a series of 4 colored balls to a slot of a matching color through a 3-dimensional maze. Strategize a path for each ball by using 8 buttons along the sides which contain movement patterns upon them. Rating: 3
I recommend this game!
The flutist returns to Hamelin, but he’s back for revenge!
Overall rating
5
/
5
129 of 205 found this review helpful
GET READY TO PAY THE PIPER - AN EXTRA GOLDEN STAR FOR THE OPTIONAL GAME HELPER
PostedJune 8, 2017
sunnyglow
fromThis Pied Piper has a future occupation after this game – pest control! That flute could come in handy in getting rid of annoying bugs, animals, and pesky people as well.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Detective – you will need to pay the piper in this game – in more ways than one! As a member of the League of Light, you are off to Hamelin where a flautist is turning everyone into ashes. Can this episode relate to one years earlier where the children of the town were lured away by the Piped Piper into the black smoke of the forest? At that time, another member of the League of Light dispelled the black smoke and returned the children with a special magic lamp. That same detective gave the town a splinter of the magic lamp to fight dark magic in the future. Now, detective, use that splinter quickly before evil dark magic returns to the village. You see a masked man everywhere you turn. Has the Pied Piper returned? But how can that be possible if he was found dead in a prison cell years ago?
This is fairy tale lover’s delight! This game is another shining example of the creativity of this developer. This game should appeal to fantasy game lovers, those who like easy breezy games, and children as well. You can choose either a male or female voice within the game – or no voice at all. The female voice sounds like the voice of the former Nancy Drew - Lani Minella. The graphics render a nice background for a rather twisted fairy tale. The gaming script is creative and the pace kept my interest while playing this demo.
A GOLDEN STAR FOR THE OPTIONAL HELPER. You can also take Tom the Scarecrow out of the cabinet and use him as a helper – OR NOT! THE “HELPER” SCARECROW IS OPTIONAL! Thanks, Mariaglorum, and an extra star for allowing those who don’t want a helper to opt out! I wish more developers offered this option. At least for me, I will be purchasing more games from this developer! Thank you for listening to us.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are the best part of the game. They are well-drawn and creative. There is a scene with cryptic clues. There is also a search and replace scene in which you locate items and interact with them within the scene. All the scenes are creative!
PUZZLES: Although I LOVE the HOP Scenes, I am not impressed with the puzzles. They are all easy – a little too easy for my taste. However, these types of puzzles would be excellent for children as well as adults who just want some casual gaming. Most of the puzzles are storybook puzzles. Most these are more HOP scenes than puzzles. In most of these scenes, you search for a specific number of an item or symbol while hearing the tale of the town. There are two of these within the demo. The other storybook scene requires you to search for items which are out-of-place and place them into the proper position.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints and Skips: 1 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 1 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Choice of Male or Female Voice or No Voice
Map is provided as you play the game
9 Achievements (Some with 3 parts)
Collect 6 gaming characters and 24 Owls
8 Wallpapers, 16 Concept Art, Music, Jigsaw puzzle
Choice of Male or Female Voice or No Voice
Map is provided as you play the game
9 Achievements (Some with 3 parts)
Collect 6 gaming characters and 24 Owls
8 Wallpapers, 16 Concept Art, Music, Jigsaw puzzle
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Mini-HOP scene. Locate parts for a statue.
B. Silhouette items – Locate four (4) each of three (3) different colored coins
C. Cryptic clues.
D. Silhouette. Locate the items and then interact with them within the scene.
A. Mini-HOP scene. Locate parts for a statue.
B. Silhouette items – Locate four (4) each of three (3) different colored coins
C. Cryptic clues.
D. Silhouette. Locate the items and then interact with them within the scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: They are all easy.
A. Slider puzzle. Slide three (3) rings so that three (3) symbols match up with each of three (3) characters at the side.
B. Storybook puzzle. More of a HOP scene. Locate four (4) items within a story scene.
C. Connection puzzle. Arrange five (5) statues so their hands interconnect.
D. Repeat of (B).
E. Storybook puzzle scene. Search for four (4) items which are out-of-place and put them into the proper locations. 3X
A. Slider puzzle. Slide three (3) rings so that three (3) symbols match up with each of three (3) characters at the side.
B. Storybook puzzle. More of a HOP scene. Locate four (4) items within a story scene.
C. Connection puzzle. Arrange five (5) statues so their hands interconnect.
D. Repeat of (B).
E. Storybook puzzle scene. Search for four (4) items which are out-of-place and put them into the proper locations. 3X
I recommend this game!
Can you save your sister from a sinister game?
Overall rating
5
/
5
120 of 207 found this review helpful
TOSSING THE DICE IN A GAME WHICH COMES UP WITH A PERFECT SCORE
PostedJune 3, 2017
sunnyglow
fromInvasion of the Furbies! After a generation of Millenials spent time teaching them to talk, these furballs disappeared into storage. They’re back sneaking into games.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
5 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 48 pages
OVERVIEW: It’s a toss of the dice where this game will lead you, Rachel! Get ready to play with eternity’s bad boy band, The Spirits of Fate. After years of delivering souls to Death’s door, these spirits have become bored. To “shake” it up a bit, they have started a dice game with humanity as their pawns. Now their only fun is to harass and torment human souls, sending them to a place which is neither Heaven nor the Underworld, a placed called Land of the Forgotten. Now your sister has been “played” by one these colorful spirits, Blue. This spirit ran her down with a car, abducted her and has taken her to this land. Luckily, his brother Gold, has seen the error of his ways and is willing to help you locate her. Through a ritual, you find yourself in this land. You will need to be strong because Blue is not going to let your sister leave without a fight. You will get a little help from Gregory, the gatekeeper in this land. Oh – one final warning! Remaining in this land will cause both you and your sister to lose all your memories! You better act quickly!
I LOVE this game and to me the best of the series! This game was an automatic purchase for me! This game has a fantastic story and gaming script. The graphics are exceptional. Gregory, the gatekeeper, shimmers and changes to a skeletal appearance while you are speaking with him. Rather cool! The collectibles are the usual multitude of flowers and in this game, morphing dolls of the game’s characters. This game should appeal to about everyone. You can replay the HOP scenes and the puzzles as well. Calling all Millenials! Do you remember Furbies? A Furbie family has crept into this game, but Mom Furby and her adorable little ones stay silent (I guess no one “taught” them to talk) and WILL NOT HELP you at all in this game! Great!
HOP SCENES: The demo has few scenes; however, they are creatively designed. There is a multiple-step one in which you locate a list of items which leads to a mechanical puzzle/HOP scene to remove a Staff of Death. Rather cool! There are two maze scenes. However, my favorite maze scene was the one in which the player needs to search for symbols within the maze – A-maze-ing! You must move items around to find those symbols as well.
PUZZLES: This is a developer who knows how to keep his customer base happy! Finally, we have a game with a few challenging puzzles within it. However, there are also some easy breezy puzzles as well. The puzzles are well-designed. There are quite a few puzzles within this game. I will just outline two of my favorites.
FAVORITE PUZZLES: First ,there is a three-part puzzle in which you must get past some guards. You will have three choices of paths and you must time it so that you don’t get caught. The puzzle begins with outfoxing one guard followed by scenes containing two and finally three guards to contend with. I LOVED the connection puzzle. In this puzzle, you must connect lines between points of light without crossing lines no more than twice. It is a little more difficult that a normal connection puzzle.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
20 Achievements (From what I could count)
Collect 140 Flowers - Secret Room
Collect 9 morphing dolls – characters from the game
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 Puzzles
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music,
Map is provided as you play the game
20 Achievements (From what I could count)
Collect 140 Flowers - Secret Room
Collect 9 morphing dolls – characters from the game
Replay 14 HOP scenes and 13 Puzzles
10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Replacement scene. Place items back into the scenes
B. Multiple step. (A) List of items. (B) Locate and remove 6 nuts. (C) Disable laser beam detector with good ole duct tape. (D) Locate wires to disconnect.
C. Silhouette.
D. Silhouette. Search for symbols (3 at a time) by moving bushes and other items to find them. Very creative.
A. Replacement scene. Place items back into the scenes
B. Multiple step. (A) List of items. (B) Locate and remove 6 nuts. (C) Disable laser beam detector with good ole duct tape. (D) Locate wires to disconnect.
C. Silhouette.
D. Silhouette. Search for symbols (3 at a time) by moving bushes and other items to find them. Very creative.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
A. Replacement puzzle. Place items back into the scenes. Rating: 1
B. Multiple step. (A) Map puzzle. Click on sites on a map to add to a list of addresses. (B) Logic puzzle. Click off museums based on information received. (C) Click on the remaining museums to see if their lists include the staff. Rating: 1
C. Maze puzzle. Choose between three paths to get past one to three guard(s). You must move at the correct time or get caught. 3X. Increases in difficulty with the addition of one other guard as you progress in the puzzle.
D. Connection puzzle. Connect dots as per a given diagram. You are not allowed to cross lines more than twice. Rating: 3
E. Logic puzzle. In a box, place figurines into each open space so that there are no two of the same figure in each row, column or diagonal. Rating: 3
F. Moving tiles puzzle. Combine two halves of five circles by rotating them along a slider. Must be combined in the correct sequence to be removed.
G. Maze puzzle. Move a rotating blue ball through a maze to the center by clicking on openings to move it down to the center. Rating: 1
H. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to recreate a picture. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 1
I. Assembly puzzle. Using four directional dials, move a series of lights to match up with stones on a monument. Lights will remain when they are placed in the correct location. Requires patience to get all the lights into position. Rating: 3
J. Matching puzzles. Move parts of up to three figurines into position to match the positions on a diagram. 3X. Rating: 2
K. Moving shells puzzle. Keep your eyes on a hidden ice cube hidden under a card as it zooms back and forth along the screen with other cards. When it stops, choose the card which is hiding the cube. 3X. Increases in difficulty.
A. Replacement puzzle. Place items back into the scenes. Rating: 1
B. Multiple step. (A) Map puzzle. Click on sites on a map to add to a list of addresses. (B) Logic puzzle. Click off museums based on information received. (C) Click on the remaining museums to see if their lists include the staff. Rating: 1
C. Maze puzzle. Choose between three paths to get past one to three guard(s). You must move at the correct time or get caught. 3X. Increases in difficulty with the addition of one other guard as you progress in the puzzle.
D. Connection puzzle. Connect dots as per a given diagram. You are not allowed to cross lines more than twice. Rating: 3
E. Logic puzzle. In a box, place figurines into each open space so that there are no two of the same figure in each row, column or diagonal. Rating: 3
F. Moving tiles puzzle. Combine two halves of five circles by rotating them along a slider. Must be combined in the correct sequence to be removed.
G. Maze puzzle. Move a rotating blue ball through a maze to the center by clicking on openings to move it down to the center. Rating: 1
H. Rotating tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to recreate a picture. Moving one affects the others. Rating: 1
I. Assembly puzzle. Using four directional dials, move a series of lights to match up with stones on a monument. Lights will remain when they are placed in the correct location. Requires patience to get all the lights into position. Rating: 3
J. Matching puzzles. Move parts of up to three figurines into position to match the positions on a diagram. 3X. Rating: 2
K. Moving shells puzzle. Keep your eyes on a hidden ice cube hidden under a card as it zooms back and forth along the screen with other cards. When it stops, choose the card which is hiding the cube. 3X. Increases in difficulty.
I recommend this game!
Explore the four corners of Oz in this thrilling fantasy game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
101 of 223 found this review helpful
THIS GAME IS A BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
PostedJune 1, 2017
sunnyglow
fromWhile our mom, Dorothy, is over the rainbow, perhaps she can ask the Wizard for a new cell phone so she does not need to rely on walkie talkies for communication.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OVERVIEW: Way to go Mom! You have some Kansas spunk! Instead of being a soccer mom – you are a high-flying mom – a true jet setter rising above the clouds. After sending your crumb crunchers off to school, find yourself whisked away by a tornado (along with future helper Toto) to the Land of Oz. Just make certain you figure out how to return home from Oz before those tykes return from school. You’re off to see the Wizard in a “corny” game where Frank (as in Frank Baum – the writer of the book) gives you a helping hand throughout the game through a set of walkie talkies. This game is a pure “cornball” hokum.
The game includes a Kansas tornado, fields of sunflowers, some “corny” dialogue, and a "helper" Scottish terrier playing the part of Toto. We are whisked off to a winterized version of Oz and the Emerald City. In a modified tale, Oz has changed somewhat. There are now four wizards - one for each cardinal point on the compass. Those nasty witches are replaced by sorceresses (who surprisingly still look exactly like witches). Your ruby slippers have been exchanged for silver slippers which will whisk you away to any part of the map in Oz. Just place them on the map and click them around. You don’t get to click your slippers to go home; instead you need to find three statuettes for the Wizard to return home to Kansas.
This game should appeal to children, “Wizard of Oz” lovers, and dog lovers. You collect some doggone coins (doggie pictures on each coin) and there is an indicator at the side of the screen to indicate if you have found all the coins in the scene. I found them easy to locate. You also receive a pair of gimmicky glasses to play “spot-the-difference” puzzles. Somewhere, hidden behind the curtain is a missed opportunity for a “Great and Powerful Game.” This developer should “throw water” on several elements in this game. I would suggest getting rid of the helper bow-wow and the gimmicks in this game, including the glasses. I would also suggest providing at least one slightly difficult puzzle. For me, the game has a poorly written gaming script, is gimmicky, lacks any challenge, and is “hounded” and bogged down by the helper. If you like this game – hope you enjoy it! It will be a definite pass for me.
HOP SCENES: The scenes are standard fare. Most are lists of items with some interactivity. They are gimmicky. In one you use tweezers to get items. In another, you use a camera to provide some of the scenes. There is one in which you do return items back into their proper places in a storybook; however, that is the only one which is somewhat creative.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are boringly easy. They include two moving tiles puzzles. In one, you create an opening for Toto. The other just requires you to replace items into proper position. Other puzzles include a storybook puzzle which is more of a HOP scene than a puzzle. There is also a connection puzzle in which you align triangles so they match up two parts of several birds on each side. There is also a switch puzzle which took me about 5 seconds to solve; however, you might solve it faster.
OPTIONAL HELPER, PLEASE! I am so sick of these annoying animal helpers! One of the developers recently offered an OPTIONAL HELPER in one of their games so I know it can be programmed into the game! Just think - instant peace in the gaming world! I hope this developer will do the same in future games. I REFUSE to purchase a game with an annoying, over-used helper.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints: 10 to 180 seconds Skips: 10 to 320 seconds
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints: 10 to 180 seconds Skips: 10 to 320 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
20 Achievements (Some have 3 parts)
Replay Mini-games and HOP scenes
Collect coins to purchase goodies for Toto
Gimmicky Glasses
9 Wallpapers, 13 Concept Art, Music, Videos
Map is provided at the beginning of the game
20 Achievements (Some have 3 parts)
Replay Mini-games and HOP scenes
Collect coins to purchase goodies for Toto
Gimmicky Glasses
9 Wallpapers, 13 Concept Art, Music, Videos
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: (A) List of items stuck on Toto. (B) List of items. (C) Locate a specific number of one item (D) Replacement scene. Replace items back into their proper location for four scenes.
PUZZLES: They are all easy! You won’t need to ask the Wizard for a brain to solve these!
A. Glasses puzzle. Spot the Differences. Every time you use the gimmicky glasses, locate the differences between the scenes between the left and right lens.
B. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to make an opening for Toto to escape.
C. Storybook. Search for items within a storybook scene.
D. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide four stones indicating direction into their proper location on a map.
E. Mathematical puzzle. Place stones with part of an addition or subtraction equation upon them in the proper order to produce the exact number of steps to go from the beginning to the end of the route.
F. Jigsaw puzzle. Place triangle pieces on a grid so that each of the three sides matches up two halves of an image of a bird.
G. Assembly puzzle. Assemble a scarecrow by using arrows to move different clothing items until you choose the correct ones which fit the scarecrow.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch four animal tokens so they match with the footprints of those animals.
A. Glasses puzzle. Spot the Differences. Every time you use the gimmicky glasses, locate the differences between the scenes between the left and right lens.
B. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide tiles to make an opening for Toto to escape.
C. Storybook. Search for items within a storybook scene.
D. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide four stones indicating direction into their proper location on a map.
E. Mathematical puzzle. Place stones with part of an addition or subtraction equation upon them in the proper order to produce the exact number of steps to go from the beginning to the end of the route.
F. Jigsaw puzzle. Place triangle pieces on a grid so that each of the three sides matches up two halves of an image of a bird.
G. Assembly puzzle. Assemble a scarecrow by using arrows to move different clothing items until you choose the correct ones which fit the scarecrow.
H. Switch puzzle. Switch four animal tokens so they match with the footprints of those animals.
I don't recommend this game.
The City of the Ancients must be rebuilt, but the mystery of the Mosaics runs ever deeper.
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 48 found this review helpful
REBUILD AN ANCIENT CITY IN A WELL-DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED GAME.
PostedMay 29, 2017
sunnyglow
fromAs you build that city, be careful in the “puzzle construction zone.” Too many slips will see you having to scrap that design and start over!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Are you up to rebuilding the city of the Ancients? Grab your hard hats and put your brains in gear in this excellent 5-star nonogram game. This developer has set the foundation for this game by constructing beautifully designed puzzles. The final pictures resulting from completion of the puzzle are realistic looking. The grids vary in size from 10 x 10 to 10 x 15 and perhaps even larger.
As you play the one-hundred (100) puzzles within this game, you will earn points which will be used to purchase buildings and other items for this new town. Points are earned based on the time to solve the puzzle, the mistakes made, and the stars awarded. Extras include a hand to fill in squares and a hammer to fill in empty squares. Unlike other games of the genre, there are only three colors per puzzle; however, you can switch between colors. The colors are also vivid and easy to see.
I LOVE these games and this developer has produced a good one. This puzzle has various names (Griddlers, Nonograms, Paint-by-Numbers, Pic-a-Pix, Nonograms or whatever you call them); however, no matter the name, they are a fun puzzle game.
HOW TO PLAY: This is variety of a Sudoku puzzle. In this puzzle, create pictures by filling in squares in a grid. The grids in this game will vary in size. Each side of the grid will have numbers for each line of squares indicating the number of squares which are to be filled in for that row of squares. Squares are filled in where the squares intersect between the two sets of numbers on each side.
GAME FACTS:
• Colors: The game has up to three colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: There are six (6) hints per puzzle.
• Number of Puzzles: There are one-hundred (100) puzzles – each worth three (3) stars. Stars are awarded as to number of errors you make in completing the puzzle.
• Aids: There is a hand icon to fill in squares and a hammer icon to fill in empty squares.
• Awards: Points are accumulated to purchase items for the city of the Ancients. Points are earned as per time used to complete the puzzle, amount of errors, and stars earned.
• Errors: There are five (5) errors allowed per puzzle before starting over.
• 18 Achievements: Unlike other nonogram games, there are achievements which can be earned.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: There are six (6) hints per puzzle.
• Number of Puzzles: There are one-hundred (100) puzzles – each worth three (3) stars. Stars are awarded as to number of errors you make in completing the puzzle.
• Aids: There is a hand icon to fill in squares and a hammer icon to fill in empty squares.
• Awards: Points are accumulated to purchase items for the city of the Ancients. Points are earned as per time used to complete the puzzle, amount of errors, and stars earned.
• Errors: There are five (5) errors allowed per puzzle before starting over.
• 18 Achievements: Unlike other nonogram games, there are achievements which can be earned.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
Journey to the mythical Nine Worlds to save the Earth!
Overall rating
5
/
5
93 of 187 found this review helpful
BOARD YOUR DRAKKAR FOR AN EPIC NORDIC ODYSSEY TO NINE WORLDS - ANOTHER GAMING MASTERPIECE
PostedMay 27, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Skol! Be brave new shield maiden! Ready your ship and may the Nordic gods of Asgard be with you! EIPIX is taking you on a new journey in a new epic tale – their own Nordic “Odyssey” (along with some leftover creatures from “Lord of the Rings”) through nine worlds. In the first game of the series play a brave and stalwart new shield maiden in liege to the princess of the kingdom. Your first assignment is to stop a dragon ravaging the local villages of the kingdom. Upon falling overboard from your drakkar (ship), you drown, and are taken to Asgard, home of the gods. Even death cannot thwart you! The gods return you to the living because your destiny still awaits you. Harbard, who saves you from drowning, helps you round up three companions to help you fight the dragon – a huntress, a seer, and a skard (musician). Spend some time with each one to assess their abilities to help you in your quest.
This game is brilliantly designed and probably one of this developer’s finest works. It should appeal to about everyone. It is a well-crafted game with a touch of adventure attached. The game has an excellent theme which lends itself to more adventures through the various worlds of the Nordic realm. The graphics are beautiful. Each of the three companions in the game, the skard, the huntress, and seer has their own mini-segment in which you, as the shield maiden, interact with them. EIPIX allows you to mix up the playing of scenes – you can play them in any order you choose. The activities are superb with puzzles which vary in difficulty. There is a notebook which gives some history and myths about the ancient Nordic people.
HOP SCENES: They are the best part of the game. EIPIX incorporates navigation items within the scenes in keeping with the theme There is a sentence scene in which you locate areas on a map while navigating your ship in a fog. There is another creative scene in which you locate items while moving three stone parts of a mural changing the scene. Others include a storybook sequence with items in bold letters and a scene with sentences looking for items on a map.
PUZZLES: The game is puzzle intense. There are several simplistic puzzles within the scenes which are not listed as puzzles but need to be solved to proceed. I found two of the puzzles very creatively designed and a little challenging. In one puzzle the player assembles items to help the huntress defeat a bear. In the second puzzle, you must rearrange crystals to create an image. Other puzzles include the usual matching puzzles, connection puzzles, sequence puzzles, Simon Says puzzles and switch puzzles.
LEVELS: Viking, Marauder, Berserker, Valkrie
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements
Collect 37 Yggdrasil tiles
11 Morphing objects (within HOP scenes)
Replay 15 Puzzles and 11 HOP scenes
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Videos Book of Origin
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements
Collect 37 Yggdrasil tiles
11 Morphing objects (within HOP scenes)
Replay 15 Puzzles and 11 HOP scenes
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Videos Book of Origin
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Sentences. Using a boat, traverse through fog to locate items. Quite creative. Very well-done.
B. Mini-HOP scene. Find flowers as per a diagram.
C. List of items. Locate items on a mural. Quite creative. Move the 3 sections of the mural up and down to search for the items which are well-hidden.
D. Sentences. Using a map, locate items listed in BOLD letters.
E. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters and learn more about Nordic folklore
A. Sentences. Using a boat, traverse through fog to locate items. Quite creative. Very well-done.
B. Mini-HOP scene. Find flowers as per a diagram.
C. List of items. Locate items on a mural. Quite creative. Move the 3 sections of the mural up and down to search for the items which are well-hidden.
D. Sentences. Using a map, locate items listed in BOLD letters.
E. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters and learn more about Nordic folklore
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Easy (2) Moderately difficult (3) Difficult (These will not be in sequence – some are listed by companion scene)
A. Simon Says puzzle. Using your shield repeat the motions of a dragon. Rating: 2
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens so they match up with their proper symbol. You can only move along a line. Rating: 2 (SEER)
C. Matching puzzle. Using arrows, outline a figure within a rock. Rating: 2 (SEER)
D. Assembly puzzle. Using arrows, rearrange crystals so their shadows create a shadowy figure. Rating: 3 (SEER)
E. Assembly puzzle. Create a strategy to defeat a boar by using six items in proper sequence. 2X Rating: 3 (HUNTRESS)
F. Matching puzzle. Match up numbers to correspond with the points emanating from symbols. Rating: 1
G. Sequence puzzle. Play a melody to mesmerize a dragon. Pluck each string according to its length. Rating: 2
H. Connection puzzle. Connect matching symbols with lines so that no lines intersect. Then swap arrows so that they are positioned to hit the target. Rating: 2
I. Logic puzzle. Using dividers, divide up symbols so that there is one and only one per section. Rating: 3
A. Simon Says puzzle. Using your shield repeat the motions of a dragon. Rating: 2
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens so they match up with their proper symbol. You can only move along a line. Rating: 2 (SEER)
C. Matching puzzle. Using arrows, outline a figure within a rock. Rating: 2 (SEER)
D. Assembly puzzle. Using arrows, rearrange crystals so their shadows create a shadowy figure. Rating: 3 (SEER)
E. Assembly puzzle. Create a strategy to defeat a boar by using six items in proper sequence. 2X Rating: 3 (HUNTRESS)
F. Matching puzzle. Match up numbers to correspond with the points emanating from symbols. Rating: 1
G. Sequence puzzle. Play a melody to mesmerize a dragon. Pluck each string according to its length. Rating: 2
H. Connection puzzle. Connect matching symbols with lines so that no lines intersect. Then swap arrows so that they are positioned to hit the target. Rating: 2
I. Logic puzzle. Using dividers, divide up symbols so that there is one and only one per section. Rating: 3
I recommend this game!