6 Chapters plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide: 50 Pages
OVERVIEW: Are you ready for a creepfest? Be warned! This game has scenes with creepy clowns, rivers oozing with blood, fanged snake jumping out at you, blood dripping statues, large spiders, and bats - essentially, your worst nightmare! Detective! Keep a stiff upper lip and return to 1880 London in a period piece of horror! Professor John Wolfgrin, archaeologist, returned from an expedition in search of a lost temple, bringing back with him a mysterious moonlight necklace. He died shortly after his return, and his family has now disappeared as well. However, is the professor dead? What mysteries are tied to the moonlight necklace he brought back? Each bead holds a hidden portal to a world of horror! First stop on your destination– Terror world! Be careful of that necklace! It seems to feed on the fears of the people involved.
This is an excellent, frightful game with a wonderful story reminiscent of the English horror novels of that period. If you have a phobia about clowns, blood, snakes or other denizens of the world of horror, you will probably not want to play this game. However, if you like a mildly scary horror game, this should fill the bill. The HOP scenes and puzzles are excellent. The collectibles are numerous and include moons and morphing objects. The moons are easy to locate, the morphing objects I found more difficult. The graphics are beautifully rendered and realistic looking, although in some places the scenes are somewhat blurry.
HOP SCENES: They are varied; however, there are more lists of items than any other format. There is a cleverly created multiple-step one which has a storybook format. First you search for items listed in in BOLD letters, followed by a FROG scene, after which is a search and replace scene and finally a search and replace scene in which items are in sequential order. Quite creative! One of the scenes is FRIGHTENING! It involves searching for items on a scary clown. Very creepy! There is no game to play in lieu of the scenes, which is something this developer should consider for future games.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy. They vary in type. There are several sequence puzzles in which locating items or performance of activities must be in correct order. There are two physical puzzles which involve some hand-eye coordination in either shooting a door or balancing yourself on a tightrope. These puzzles require clicking on a moving bar when it enters a “green” zone. There are a couple of chestnuts (age-old puzzles which have been around forever!). One of these is an assembly puzzle in which you move pieces of a statue from left to right using a middle pole to place the pieces. The other is a switch puzzle in which you must place five (5) statutes so that only one of each is in each row and column.
LEVELS: Dream, Nightmare, Night Terror, Custom Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is provided as you play the game 12 Achievements Moonlight necklace Collect 37 Moons – Very easy to locate 37 Morphing objects 10 Wallpapers, 10 Sketches, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: A. List of items B. Multiple step. (1) Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. (2) FROG scene to create 3 inventory items. Very creative scene. (3) Search and replace. Search for items then replace them back into the scene. (4) Locate items and interact with the scene using them in sequential order. C. List of items D. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in BOLD letters. Replace them back into the scene to interact with the story. E. Silhouette. Locate items on a terrifying clown figure. F. List of items. Reuse former scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult A. Assembly puzzle. An old chestnut in which you must reassemble a puzzle by moving 4 pieces of a statue from one pole to another (in this case the middle pole) so that no lower piece of a puzzle is on top of and upper piece of the statue. Rating: 2 B. Sequence puzzle. Open a safe by pressing on symbols in the correct order. Rating: 1 C. Sequence puzzle. Press on 5 family portraits in the proper sequence to open a casket. Rating: 1 D. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Bullseye! Shoot open a door by clicking on two sliding bars when they reach a green area. 3X Increases somewhat in difficulty. Rating: 2 E. Sequence puzzle. By trial and error, move notes up-and-down on a scale until the note turns green. Rating: 1 F. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Bullseye. Click on the green section of two sliding bars to balance yourself with a pole on a tightrope. 3X Rating: 2 G. Sequence puzzle. Move a belfry of bats using cords to close their wings. Closing one affects the others. Rating: 1 H. Switch puzzle. In a 5 x 4 grid, move 20 statuettes so that each row and column does not have more than one of each type of statuette. Rating: 2-3 (Depending if you have played this puzzle before) I. Switch puzzle. Switch five (5) masks so they match the outline underneath them. Rating: 1
DESTINATION TRUTH: EXTREME SURVIVAL AS A PARANORMAL WITNESS ON THE ISLAND.
PostedApril 20, 2017
sunnyglow
fromLatest scoop! After this game, Emma Roberts is leaving the “ragazine” and going to Hollywood to star in her own reality show, “The Survivor of Ghost Adventures.”
OVERVIEW: What is the scoop on Drammond Island? Inquiring minds want to know in this superb 5-star edition of this series! You, Emma Roberts, investigative journalist, are off on another assignment for the sensational “ragazine,” “Fear for Sale.” Drammond Island is an up-and-coming site for a reality adventure theme park “Abandoned House.” Contestants are given only six hours to search for a hidden treasure. However, within that short time, they disappear! Could the manager, Clarissa Marlow be behind these disappearances or is there a dark sinister plan behind all of this? It seems you may have gotten a little too close to the truth when your brakes are tampered with, sending you crashing into the bay. Tread carefully in this case. Someone is trying to thwart your attempt to get the truth. You will need your survival skills handy when uncovering the truth behind this paranormal case.
This is another well-designed game for the series with a cleverly written gaming script. It should appeal to those who love ghost stories, frightening tales of mad scientists and the occult, and those who read the weekly grocery store tabloids. I purchased the game immediately. It is far more entertaining than reading the latest “hit pieces” on the Hollywood stars while standing in the grocery store check-out line. There are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. There are many extras in this game. You collect twenty-five (25) items – five (5) each of five (5) different themed items. You also collect Beyond Objects (morphing objects) as well. Again, you have a chance to advance through eight (8) ranks of journalistic excellence throughout the game. The graphics are cartoon-like and fit the theme of this paranormal thriller.
HOP SCENES: There are 24 in the game. You can play a jigsaw puzzle in lieu of the HOP scenes. They are standard fare and most are lists of items. However, there are a couple of unique ones. In one scene, you locate items in a crime scene, and upon clicking on them, they return to their original position. In a storybook scene, you locate items within the scenes and then place them items within blanks in the storybook which changes them to words.
PUZZLES: There are 30 in the game. The puzzles are all easy except one which I found slightly more difficult. There are quite a few of what I call manual dexterity puzzles requiring you to drive a boat while avoiding obstacles in your path, moving a large green circle to avoid it being attacked by red circles, and moving dials to restore a picture. Other puzzles include a “spot the differences” puzzle, an assembly puzzle and a maze puzzle. The difficult puzzle involves connecting numbered buttons in a continuous line. Each button contains either a number one or two to indicate how many spaces the line will be moved.
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom Hint: 10 to 35 seconds Skips: 10 to 50 seconds
EXTRAS: Strategy Guide: 45 Pages Map is provided as you play the game 11 Achievements Collect 25 items (5 each) for Greed, Spiritualist, Freelancer, Magic, Lust for Power 33 Morphing objects 8 Journalist ranks 24 HOP scenes and 30 Puzzles 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 can play a jigsaw puzzle in lieu of the HOP scenes. A. Silhouette. Locate items in a crime scene, click on them and they return to their original locations. B. List of items. C. List of items. D. Multiple step. Locate 5 of the same item opening a list of items to locate. E. Storybook. Replacement. In a book, fill in the blanks with the correct items. F. List of items.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult A. Spot the differences. Locate differences between two pictures. Rating: 1 B. Logic Puzzle. Calculate the sequence of numbers to open a lock based on a given code. Rating: 2 C. Manual dexterity puzzle. Drive a boat to avoid obstacles in your path. Rating: 2 D. Manual dexterity puzzle. Move a VERY LARGE green circle avoiding red dots. 2X Rating: 1 E. Manual dexterity puzzle. Move dials on a control unit to move two segments to restore a picture. Rating: 1 F. Assembly puzzle. Combine symbols on fingers to match up with those appearing on the hands. Rating: 2 G. Connection puzzle. Connect all numbered buttons on a grid in a continuous line. The number indicates (1 or 2) how many buttons will be connected. Rating: 3 H. Maze puzzle. Create route for a soul vessel to leave the maze being certain to pick up every soul along the paths. Rating: 2
OVERVIEW: Where has Peter gone? While investigating Norse mythology in an abandoned mine, he has disappeared, simply vanished! Contacted by his wife, you are off to a Nordic country to take on not only this case, but also deal with a Nordic myth which may be behind the events. Someone is trying to put a “freeze” on your investigation along with everyone and everything else in the town. Who is behind Peter’s disappearance and why is he putting everyone into a deep freeze?
This game should appeal to all types of gamers, those interested in Nordic mythology, or those of Nordic descent! Skol! I LOVE this game and it was an automatic purchase for me. The story and graphics are not spectacular; however, they are decent. To me, what elevates this game from the abyss of mediocrity are the cleverly designed HOP scenes and puzzles. This developer has spent a great deal of time in the development of both. Twenty-one multi-colored, furry little “flamblings” make an encore appearance as the collectibles in this game plus possibly seven more in the bonus game. They are easy to locate. There are twenty morphing objects.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are very interactive. Most of the scenes in the demo are lists of items; however, they require the player to search for items, interact with them, and in one scene, you must move and combine items to locate the listed item. One scene is a FROG.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are superb. There is a variety in both type and difficulty with some challenging ones as well. My favorite is a fiendish, multiple-step puzzle at the end of the demo in which the player must move tangram pieces into proper position on a grid. After that fete, then the player must move a token from the right to the left end of a maze-like grid, all while passing through gears which change the path of the maze.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom Hint: 5 to 90 seconds Hints In HOP scenes; 5 to 60 seconds Skips: 5 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS: Strategy Guide 63 Pages Map is given to you at the beginning of the game. 21 Achievements – 12 Skill based and 9 story based. (Appears there are 7 more in the Bonus Game) Collect 28 flamblings - 7 each of 4 different colors Replay HOP scenes and Puzzles 20 Morphing objects 18 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art, Soundtrack
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can play a matching game in lieu of the HOP scene. A. Interaction scene. Interact with the scene until you locate an inventory item. B. FROG. Locate pieces of a watch. C. List of items – locate more than one of each item. Highly interactive D. List of items.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult A. Connection puzzle. Connect like-colored tokens without crossing lines. Rating: 2 B. Manual dexterity puzzle. Ready, aim, shoot a bunch of icicles on a roof with a sling shot. Rating: 1 C. Matching puzzle. Match up keys. Rating: 1 D. Sequence puzzle. Open all latches in the proper sequence. Clicking on one affects the others. Rating: 2 E. Matching puzzle. Open a cash register by following a given code. Rating: 1 F. Logic puzzle. Using 4 numbered dials, light up a series of lights. Each numbered dial moves the dial a specific number of spaces either clockwise or counter clockwise. Rating 3 G. Rotating tiles puzzle. Restore a picture by rotating tiles. Rating: 3 H. Connection puzzle. Place mirrors so that beams of light match up with their same-colored fuses. Rating: 3 I. Storybook. Locate items listed in BOLD letters Rating: 1 J. Sequence puzzle. Remove bars on a window in proper sequence. Rating: 2 K. Sequence puzzle. Remove pieces of debris from a mine entrance in proper sequence. Rating: 1 L. Superb puzzle. Multiple-step puzzle. (1) Move tangram pieces into proper position by color on a grid. (2) After completing step 1, then proceed to move a token from right to left moving through gears which change the direction of the paths. Rating: 3
OVERVIEW: Beware the ghosts of Logan Castle! As an archaeologist, affiliated with a renowned university, you care off to the castle to investigate the Logan family, their ancestral castle, the loch surrounding the castle, and an ancient family relic in this 4-star game. Upon arriving in Scotland, you are welcomed by a highland fling into the loch surrounding the ancestral estate. When your boat capsizes, you wash up at the shore of the estate. Was your accident truly an accident or were there other forces involved? Like Macbeth, beware those rascally Scottish ghosts! They can be harbingers of doom!
This spook fest should appeal to most gamers, paranormal investigators, ghostbusters, or Scots. The graphics and story are the usual EIPIX fare. There is nothing exceptional about this game; however, it does have a good pace and interesting story. The collectibles are morphing objects. The symbol at the bottom of the screen on the inventory bar swirls around when there is one in the scene. You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the HOP scenes and you can also replay HOP scenes and puzzles.
Based on the demo, I find this game a mediocre entry into the “Phantasmat” series. I feel it is not as good as others in the series; however, it is still better than many of the current EIPIX games. It could be that since we have been “treated” to so many EIPIX games lately, that the games appear to be cookie cutter variations of each other. There are some creative elements in this game; however, I am tired of playing EIPIX games. Nothing excites me about the game – neither the story (same old repackaged ghost story) nor the repackaged HOP scenes, puzzles, and the Match-3 game to play in lieu of the HOP scenes. The only new element in the game are the collectibles – morphing objects. However, as usual, judge for yourself!
HOP SCENES: The scenes are the usual ones seen in most EIPIX games. They include a couple of multiple-step ones which include a list of items followed by a silhouette sequence. In one scene, you look for morphing objects. And, of course, there is a storybook scene in which you locate items listed in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES. There are more puzzles than HOP scenes. They are modified versions of puzzles we have seen in other games by this developer. There are some easy puzzles including an assembly puzzle to combine symbols to create a larger symbol. There is a Simon Says sequence, a matching puzzle and a jigsaw puzzle as well.
There are some puzzles of middle difficulty. I did not see any challenging puzzles in this game. There is a matching puzzle to create a picture according to a given image. There is a slider puzzle in which you uncover three pictures using four sliders. Returning from a previous game is a puzzle in which you use a telescope to locate items. In this case, you uncover a series of dots and trace the picture associated with the dots. The last puzzle in the demo is a multiple-step one using a skeleton and its teeth.
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, Custom Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is provided as you play the game 12 Achievements – Some have 3 parts Collect 21 Morphing objects – A swirl gyrates when there is one in a scene Replay 15 HOP scenes and 16 Puzzles 8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Videos, Music, Souvenir Room
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 instead A. Multiple-step. (A) List of items (B) Silhouette B. Locate 12 morphing objects. C. Multiple-step. (A). Locate 8 faces of different types. (B). Silhouette. D. Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy (2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult A. Matching puzzle. Using arrows, move tokens to create a picture according to a given diagram. Rating: 2 B. Assembly puzzle. Combine symbols to create 3 larger symbols. Rating: 1 C. Slider puzzle. Slide four sliders until you uncover three pictures listed at the side of a grid. Rating: 2 D. Simon Says. Repeat a sequence of lights on a gargoyle. Rating: 1 E. Location puzzle. Using the controls on a telescope, locate 3 series of dots to uncover an image to transfer to a sheet of paper. Rating: 2 F. Multiple-step puzzle: (1). Sequence puzzle. Turn three wheels to match up with the symbols on a code you got from the last puzzle. Rating: 1 (2). Logic puzzle. Move teeth on a skeleton using a conveyor which can remove up to two teeth at a time. Teeth should be placed under the correct color of silver or gold. Rating: 2 G. Matching puzzle. Turn stones to match up with the symbols in a diary. Rating: 1 H. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide a set of tiles into position to recreate a picture. Move the rows and columns up and down and right and left as a group. Rating: 2 I. Jigsaw puzzle. Place pieces into correct position to create several creatures. Rating: 1
OVERVIEW: Get ready for a game of wizardry with white magic battling black magic in this 3-star game. Play the role of a certified magician, a Master Healer. In this kingdom, where white magic rules the kingdom under the auspices of Queen Patricia. However, dark forces are working to dethrone her. When a disease breaks out in the kingdom, everyone is affected, slowly turning those infected by the disease into trees. One of the black magicians is behind all this chaos, trying to steal the queen’s medallion to release the black magicians. You will need to be on your magical toes to defeat the evil behind the plot to overthrow Queen Patricia.
This game is designed for all levels of gamers. The inclusion of the “hard” and “easy” versions of the puzzles provides both an easy breezy version of the game and a more challenging one for experienced gamers. I found the story a weird misadventure. The whole concept of people turning into trees is somewhat absurd to me. You are accompanied by a chirpy little birdie as a helper. There are still the numerous assortment of collectibles including the consumption of fourteen (14) cupcakes! Yum! You are also given tokens on the inventory bar to indicate how many collectibles you need to locate per scene. However, even with all the sugary delights by Domini, for me, the game is ruined by the inclusion of the helper. The puzzles are somewhat time consuming and with the addition of the antics of the helper, the pace of the game is slow-paced. Domini is one of my favorite developers – but I truly DISLIKE this game!
HOP SCENES: This game has more HOP scenes than in previous games by this developer. They are creative and include the usual silhouette items, list of items, and replacement of items back within the scene.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are creative. It is evident that Domini put forth a great deal of effort to provide exciting and innovative puzzles. Most of the puzzles are creatively designed. There are quite a few assembly puzzles (including creating potions) and switch puzzles.
BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE: You will receive a Healer Kit to prepare potions to stop people from becoming trees. You will also get a Diagnostic Kit to analyze patients.
A SINGING CANARY IN THE COAL MINE: Hopefully this songbird is not singing a death knell of the stellar games by this developer. What bird brain convinced Domini that their games need a helper? This golden-feathered warbler “tweets” more than a famous golden haired world leader who will remain anonymous. You also get to name your bird. I called mine “Twitter.” This canary in the coal mine suggests that Domini may be gasping for more innovative elements to add to their games. However, Domini should remember that “less is more."
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is provided as you play the game 35 Achievements – A little excessive? Collect 15 Artifacts, 10 Busts, and 69 Crystals Eat 14 cupcakes (comes with a subscription to Weight watchers) Collect coins to purchase 10 animals. Healer Kit and Diagnostic Lens 10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You can play a Match-3 game instead. A. Multiple-step. (A) Locate 4 gems. (B) Storybook with items listed in BOLD letters. B. Search and replace. Search for items and then use them interacting with the scene. There is a puzzle within this scene. C. Mini-HOP scene. (A) Silhouette. Locate 6 flowers. D. Silhouette. Locate items within a picture. E. Multiple step. (A). Locate 6 labels. (B) Replace the labels onto the bottoms from which they came. (C) Silhouette. Using an herbicide, locate plants to remove. F. Silhouette. A variation in which you are given a piece of a scene which you must return to the proper location of the scene.
PUZZLES: Option between easy and hard settings for most puzzles. A. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore an emblem on a carriage. B. Sequence puzzle. Push buttons in the correct order as per a given diagram. to open a drawer. C. Switch puzzle. Switch portraits on the wall as per their engraved silhouettes in the wall D. Moving tiles puzzle. Move pills clockwise to recreate given pattern. E. Search puzzle. Using a diagnostic lens, locate diseased areas on a patient. F. Variation of a Match-3 puzzle. On a box with a maze-like trail, link up two of the same type of design using a middle button as a link. Proceed until all buttons are gone. Once matched, they will be removed from the scene. G. Assembly puzzle. Locate items and interact with them to create a potion. Items must be put in the correct position or you will need to begin again. H. Maze puzzle. Position arrows into place so that every space on a board is covered. I. Search puzzle. Use a diagnostic lens to locate diseased areas on a patient. J. Assembly puzzle. Locate items and interact with them to create a potion. Items must be put into the correct position or you will need to restart the puzzle. K. Switch puzzle. Switch and rotate tiles to restore a picture. L. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens of the 12 signs of the Zodiac into the proper places on the Zodiac. M. Assembly puzzle. Assembly pieces to create the image of a griffin. N. Slider puzzle. Slide bars out of the way to move a piece to the center.
In the midst of a battle for the Academy of Alchemy, a young promising student, Eliana, is sent on a dangerous mission of retrieving three powerful artifacts, the Dragon Crystals.
OVERVIEW: Congratulations Eliana Marcius! You are now a full-fledged alchemist! Unfortunately, your first assignment will require you to save the magical world in this 5-star game. The Dragon Lord has resurrected and is using his gargoyles to attack the kingdom. To save the kingdom you need to locate three Dragon Crystals. However, that won’t be easy as they are protected by an evil queen.
Since I don’t play this type of game, I am assessing this game based on the quality of its construction. This game should appeal to beginning and intermediate gamers, children, those who love Harry Potter books and movies, fantasy games, or those who love magic. The story is based on a “Harry Potter” theme with your base of operation the Zora Academy of Alchemy. You will create potions and use an amulet to give you powerful magical abilities. Fight gargoyles, a dragon and a witch as you try to restore the kingdom. The graphics are breathtaking. There are quite a few collectibles including crests, hats, and figurines. There are morphing objects as well.
HELPERS: You do get a helper fairy, Dahlia, from the Fae Realm. She has a high-pitched nasal voice which I found irritating. However, in the demo, she is used infrequently. This is my only complaint about the game. You will also use your graduation present from your mentor, a magic amulet, frequently in the game. Each time you use it you will play a Simon Says puzzle. It will help defeat the evildoers in the game.
HOP SCENES: The are creatively designed. The scenes are lists of items and silhouette in the demo. There is a scene which has the player search for items in a stain glass window (used frequently by another developer in most of their games). In at least one scene there are morphing objects. You can play a matching game in lieu of the scenes.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are easy. I found none which was even slightly difficult. They include several types of matching puzzles. There are several storybook puzzles which are more like HOP scenes than true puzzles. In those puzzles, you search for items while listening to a tale about the kingdom. There are a couple of assembly puzzles in which you create a potion.
LEVELS: Casual, Advance, Expert, Custom Hints in HOP scenes: 5 to 50 seconds Hints within the game: 5 to 90 seconds Skips: 5 to 120 seconds
EXTRAS: Strategy Guide: 57 Pages Map is given to you at the beginning of the game. 21 Achievements Collect 42 crests, 16 hats and 8 figurines (ghosts) Morphing objects Replay of HOP scenes and Puzzles 6 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art, Music,
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 game in lieu of the scenes. A. List of items located on a stain glass window. At least one morphing object in this scene B. List of items. C. Silhouette. Interactive and there is a morphing object as well.
Amulet puzzle. Every time you need to fight an entity you must charge your amulet by playing a Simon Says game. Follow the sequence of lights on the amulet.
A. Matching. Match up symbols on a door as per directions given. Rating: 1 B. Assembly. Follow directions to create a potion. Rating: 1 C. Matching puzzle. Match up tokens on a large wheel by color and number of flames on the token. Rating: 1 D. Maze puzzle. Move your balloon high into the sky to the Sun while avoiding clouds and eagles in your path. Must do this twice to reach your destination. Rating: 2 E. Matching puzzle. Get Dahlia, the fairy helper to choose the right symbols so that thorns release you. Rating: 1. More of a HOP scene than a puzzle. rating: 1 F. Storybook puzzle. Locate 3 symbols within 4 scenes while hearing the tale of the Dragon King. Rating: 1 G. Assembly puzzle. Assemble items to create a potion. Rating: 1 H. Same as F. Another storybook sequence locating symbols within a scene. Rating: 1
OVERVIEW: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Scottish town of Dreadmond! Enjoy your stay within this 5-star plus game. Enjoy the dark mysterious ambiance of the Galloway Estate. As you play this game, you may begin to feel a little drained of energy. Take warning! Residing in this game may affect your longevity. Many dark secrets reside in this town all centering on the mysterious Richard Galloway.
Play a game with many twists and turns, with many puzzles to solve before you reach the final curtain. Or is there a final curtain in this sequel? Just remember, by entering this game, you are entering a world where your concepts of time, life, death, and immortality will be questioned. Magnetic anomalies abound and can distort your perception – at least in the demo. What is the story of Richard Galloway? That is for you to discover. This is an automatic purchase. I surveyed the beta and have been looking forward to the actual game!
Kudos to EIPIX! This game is a vast improvement from last year’s game, “The Broken Hour.” The story is excellent – so good, I could see a movie based on this game. I like the puzzling aspect of this game, the various subplots within the game, the pace, and the well-constructed puzzles. The dark, brooding graphics in the stuffy Scottish estate within the small town, add to the ambiance of this game. Death and decay just ooze from this game. The themes of Death and Immortality are well depicted in this game from the symbols, items, puzzles, to the quickly aging people.
HOP SCENES: They are principally lists with puzzles inserted within them. I do feel that if the HOP scenes were varied and included silhouette or matching pairs, etc., it would overkill. The use of simplistic lists of items lends itself to the inclusion of some innovative puzzles. I do like that there are several puzzles incorporated into the HOP scenes. This tends to break up the monotony of just searching for items within a scene.
PUZZLES: I am in awe of the amount and quality of puzzles. More kudos to EIPIX for providing not only quite a variety, but also varying degrees of difficulty in these puzzles.
PLAYING ON THE MOBIUS STRIP. My favorite part of the demo is the interactive gameplay in the first part of the game between three statues – all related to death and immortality. Looking for items, interacting with them and replacing them on the three statues of the Egyptian mummy, the Aztec warrior, and Death itself, is exquisite. This sequence illustrates the creative genius of the EIPIX. I hope to see this type of gameplay in more of their games. This sequence is so creative and well-done.
LEVELS: Casual, Hard, Insane, Custom Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS: Strategy Guide: 42 Pages Map is given to you at the beginning of the game. 19 Achievements – Some with 3 parts Collect 39 jigsaw puzzle pieces Morphing objects Quill (feather) used throughout the game Wallpapers, Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Videos
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE:
NONE. You should discover this game yourself!
FINAL THOUGHT: Enter at your own risk! This is a game you should enter blind. Half the fun of this game is navigating your way through the maze of puzzles and enigmas never knowing what is around the corner. However, I will give you a little information about the game - It is a masterpiece! Despite all of their faults, no developer on BFG can compare to the production of outstanding classic games as EIPIX - that is, when their heart is in it!
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Word
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
OVERVIEW: What a wonderful 5-star Monday surprise from my favorite dev for this type of game! The adorable Penguin family has returned for another much anticipated visit. This time, Mr. Penguin and Uncle Aaron are off to an ancient castle looking for more colors. A BIG THANK you to BFG for offering a game in one of my favorite genres. This is another excellent game from Match Gems. I have been anxiously awaiting a new game from this developer. I have played every one in the series and this game displays the same excellence as the others in the series.
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. There are new colors in this game as well, at least that is what is stated. • 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. • Pressing on the sun at the right side of the screen, you can see the figure without the grid. Rather cool! No other developer provides this feature.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
OVERVIEW: Hey “pumpkin!” Congratulations! You are now a commander – all decked out in shiny armor in this boring cookie cutter 3-star game. Get ready to kick down a few doors and perhaps shatter a few glass ceilings as you, a female commander, take on your first assignment, defeating a shapeshifting basilisk. This is no ordinary shapeshifting lizard, he also petrifies people, turning them into stone. Armed with a supercharged hammer, the Protector, you are off to stop this beast. Act quickly! You only have two days, during a solar eclipse to stop this beast intent on revenge.
This game will appeal to all levels of gamers, those who love European myths and legends, hiking and yodeling through the Alps, and perhaps lizard lovers. The graphics are nicely done as usual for this developer. The story is another assembly line version of a dozen other of this developer’s games. However, the puzzles and HOP scenes are creatively designed.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are the best part of the game. They are well-crafted and include scenes in which you locate items and then interact with them within the scene. There is an impressive story book scene in which you locate items using a potion book as you answer questions about the beast.
PUZZLES: THE EASY: The puzzles vary in design and difficulty. In the demo there are several easy puzzles. There is a matching puzzle involving keys. There are two puzzles which are more HOP scenes than puzzles. There is a storybook scene in which you locate items and place back into the proper position within the scene. There is also a puzzle in which you use a telescope to locate items hinted at within the story. THE MODERATELY CHALLENGING: For those more experienced gamers, there are two challenging puzzles. One is a maze puzzle in which you must pop up three crowns using worms. You must angle them into position which requires some strategy on your part. The other puzzle is one you must move a wheel from one end to the other. The difficulty here is that although some keys may be numbered as to spaced moved; there are others which are not. You need to figure out the space sequence logically.
SUMMARY: Ho-hum! Sorry to say I am disappointed at the direction of this series. The series is named “Myths of the World;” however, a more apt name would be “Myths of Europe.” With most of these myths being centered in Europe, they are now becoming cookie cutter versions of each other. It is yet another lackluster werewolf tale – in this case the wolf has been replaced by a basilisk, a were-basilisk no less. Although the graphics, HOP scenes, and puzzles are beautifully created, to me, it is still a boring game.
POTION WEARY! I dislike the weird theme of this game. I also am tired of creating potions in all the games recently. This will be a pass for me. For those love this series – enjoy!
LEVELS: Animal Tracker, Beast Hunter, Monster Expert, Adventure Seeker (Custom) Hints: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is provided as you play the game Your helper is a hammer “The Protector” used throughout the game. 27 Achievements Replay 13 HOP scenes and 23 Puzzles Collect 39 lizards 8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Video, Music, Souvenir Room, Skipping Stones game,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: A. Multiple step. (1) List of items. Locate 3 of each item. (2) Silhouette (3) Replace items back into the scene. B. List of items. You must match up two items to remove them. Rather unique C. Storybook. Quite creative. Use a potion book to find the items. You are asked questions as to the description of the beast. D. Silhouette. Search, replace and interact with the scene. Mini-HOP scene – list of items is within the scene.
When you use “The Protector” hammer you will play a matching game. Match up symbols, followed by a tracing puzzle.
A. Matching/Sequence. Match up keys connected by strings in sequence. Rating: 1 B. Manual dexterity game. Ready, aim, fire. Center a crossbow to fire at the beast. Rating: 1 C. Storybook. Search and replace. Look for misplaced items and return them to the proper location. D. Maze puzzle. Lead mechanical worms into the proper position through a type of maze to pop up three crowns. Requires some strategical moves Rating: 3 E. Sequence/Logic puzzle. A little toughie in which you must figure out the amount of moves to move a wheel from one end to the other. The difficulty is that some of the keys are not marked as to the spaces. Rating: 3 F. Sequence puzzle. Remove a string from a parcel through a series of holes in the package. They must be pulled in order through the parcel. Rating: 1 G. HOP puzzle. Using a telescope, look for items hinted at In the story. Rating: 1
7 Chapters Plus a Bonus Chapter – Strategy Guide 47 Pages
OVERVIEW: GrandMA – what big teeth you have! Big enough to take a big bite out of the horror gaming market. What a great 5-star plus game! I LOVE this game! Play a paranormal detective on the case investigating a case of a serial killer who is targeting a specific type of victim. The murders are occult-based with the victims still clothes but missing their skin. Your immense psychic powers, developed by your mentor, Kephri, will help you in this case. Interact with the hidden world of ritualistic magic, orchestrated by a Master of Dark Arts. Along the way, meet shapeshifters Sorrel and his wife Marjolaine and help them avoid the Hunters.
THE FRIGHT FACTOR! To what degree do you wish to be scared? Our creative GrandMA provides an option never seen in the games on BFG – the ability to choose your level of “fright” You can choose between “Grim” versus “Brighter” while playing this game. Of course, I chose “Grim.” The “Grim” option exposes you to more realism in the dark work of the occult. For the maximum effect – play in a dark room.
What can I say except that the story is a brilliant portrayal of ritualistic serial killings. This game should appeal to everyone except the weak of heart! The graphics well display modern-day Amsterdam. The pace is excellent, keeping you on your toes investigating this case. Your “helper” is a seal at the side of your inventory bar. It allows you to access supernatural powers to see the unseen. You will also collect evidence as you proceed in the game.
HOP SCENES: HOP scenes are a natural fit to detective games, and these are exceptional. They include the usual silhouette and lists of items. In some you locate the items and then replace them back into the scene. There are two which I thought extremely well-crafted. In one you fight a zombie by locating items in silhouette. Ever feel that suffocating feeling while a dance partner hold you too tightly, this game takes it to a whole new level. While a girl is dancing, you switch her from front-to-back searching for items to recreate a VERY LARGE BOA CONSTRICTOR who is acting as her dance partner! You can play a Match-3 game in lieu of the scenes. (Also, making her appearance is a girl in this scene who looks a lot like Jennifer Anniston)
PUZZLES: All the puzzles are easy. They are not as challenging as I would like; however, they are decent and fit into the story. Some of the puzzles include a rather unique matching puzzle which has you matching up clues with cases. Other puzzles include a connection puzzle which involves connecting tokens without crossing wires, a rope puzzle of the same vein, and a matching puzzle which replaced another puzzle in the beta. The beta puzzle was better in my opinion. My favorite puzzle involves placing jacks into a circuit board so that all lights on the board are lit.
FINAL THOUGHT: GrandMA, you are a natural in the production of this type of game. I am astounded at the quality of this game. For your first attempt into the world of the occult, you are a true natural Master Gamer for the Dark Arts! Hope to see more of this type of game from you! A BIG THANK YOU!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom Hint: 10 to 90 seconds Skips: 10 to 180 seconds
EXTRAS: Map is given to you at the beginning of the game. 14 Achievements Collect 77 symbols Replay HOP scenes and puzzles 10 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art, Music, and Videos
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Multiple-step. (1) Locate 8 symbols (2) Silhouette. (3) List of items B. Very cool. (1) In a fight scene with a zombie, locate items in silhouette. (2) Locate 6 valves. C. Silhouette. Locate teeny snakes and replace parts on a snake. Realistic and awesome
A. Connection puzzle. Connect 4 like-colored tokens so that lines do not cross with other tokens. Rating: 2 B. Matching: 3 Scenes. First wo scenes - Match up evidence in five cases with the clues provided. Final scene - place clues into the correct packet. Rating: 2 C. Matching: Match up symbols then rotate all gems within the symbols so they light up. Rating: 1 D. Rope puzzle. Untangle ropes so they do not cross. Rating: 1 E. Manual dexterity puzzle. Ready, aim, shoot! Center a ball within a bullseye to hit a driver with sleeping potion. 3X. Rating: 1 F. Logic puzzle. Select four wires and connect them to jacks on a circuit board to a series of lights at the top of a circuit panel so that all the lights are lit. Rather unusual puzzle. Rating: 2