sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,068
- Reviews Submitted:758
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:September 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you uncover the secrets of Crimson Hollow in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
150 of 222 found this review helpful
HERE COME THE BRIDE – ALL DRESSED IN BLACK – WITH A CRIMSON HOURGLASS UPON HER BACK
PostedAugust 25, 2016
sunnyglow
fromAre the Gray and Dalimar families related? If so, there would be a new bunch of relatives to add to Auntie Gray’s psycho family tree. The patriarchs in both these families give a whole new meaning to Daddy Dearest!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
6 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER – REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO
Auntie Gray (the younger version of herself) is back in another sequel, an excellent 5-star plus game, and to me, the best in the series. I LOVE this game! This time Auntie is involved in a web of young black widows, their leader, and a creepy psycho serial killer and warlock (good friends of good old psycho Dad –like minds think alike – right?). To me, this is a much improved game for this series. In this spider’s web, you will be wondering who is the victim and who is the prey.
An excellent game script with multiple themes and surprises make this an action-filled game with a quick moving pace. The graphics are beautifully illustrated as usual for Elephant Games. The game almost has a Victorian era feel about it. This a puzzle-intense game and there is quite a variety both in style and difficulty. Most of the puzzles are easy; however, there are a couple of puzzles which are somewhat difficult.
There are quite a few extras in this game. The collectibles include morphing objects, portraits from the Black family, and puzzle pieces to create some screensavers. There are a number of achievements. You will inherit a skull from your Daddy Dearest who will pop up to help you in the case. You also will use the “Artifact of Time” to go back in time. The only thing I disliked about this game was the constant pop-up of the task board. Auntie Gray truly needs to stop carrying around that task board!
HOP SCENES: The same fare we see in all games. There is a multiple- step scene in the demo. You will locate four of one item releasing a list of items to locate. There are also a couple of silhouette scenes. My favorite is the morphing HOP scene. It is a cleverly done scene; however, you do have to wait until an item morphs before you can remove it.
PUZZLES: Superb! This game has a variety of puzzles. There are 11 puzzles in the demo. Most of the puzzles are very creative. They include a couple of logic/mathematical puzzles which I found a little time consuming and difficult. One involves using arrows to place blocks into position to open a lock. The other slightly difficult puzzle involves rotating the hands on three clocks so that each one is set at midnight. Usually these are relatively easy; however, I found this one a little difficult.
Other puzzles (much easier) involve a sequence puzzle in which you remove chains in sequence, an excellent maze puzzle to get Anna to the middle of a maze, a switch puzzle to restore a picture and a manual dexterity puzzle which involves you fighting Dorian using a tracing puzzle.
WHY DID THEY CHANGE THIS PUZZLE? There is a puzzle which involves moving 16 metal balls between two segments so that each segment has 8 balls each. This puzzle was changed from the beta and I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. This was a difficult puzzle which was modified so it is easier!
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: No times given
Hints and Skips: No times given
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
18 Achievements (From what I could count)
Collect 10 portraits of the Black Family
Collect puzzle pieces for jigsaw puzzles to create screensavers
Morphing objects: throughout game
8 Wallpapers, Archives, Secret Room, 3 Screensavers which are jigsaw puzzles, 8 Concept Art, Music
Map is given to you at the start of the game
18 Achievements (From what I could count)
Collect 10 portraits of the Black Family
Collect puzzle pieces for jigsaw puzzles to create screensavers
Morphing objects: throughout game
8 Wallpapers, Archives, Secret Room, 3 Screensavers which are jigsaw puzzles, 8 Concept Art, Music
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE FROM THE DEMO:
HOP SCENES:
A. List of items to locate.
B. Silhouette items.
C. Multiple-step. Locate four of one item (locks) followed by a list of items to locate
D. Silhouette items. Combined with morphing objects. You do have to wait for the items to morph,
A. List of items to locate.
B. Silhouette items.
C. Multiple-step. Locate four of one item (locks) followed by a list of items to locate
D. Silhouette items. Combined with morphing objects. You do have to wait for the items to morph,
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Matching puzzle. Select three words to enter into a computer to search for information concerning the case. 3X Rating: 2
B. Logic puzzle. Switch 16 metallic balls between three locations using arrow so that two of the sections contain 8 balls each. Rating: 2
C. Assembly puzzle. Using arrows, manipulate blocks to create a pattern to open a lock. Rating: 3
D. Sequence puzzle. Remove locks on 4 chains in the proper sequence to open a lock. Rating: 2
E. Logic problem Formulate moves on a checkerboard using black checkers to encircle and trap a white checker. Rating: 2
F. Logic/Mathematical puzzle. Move the hands on three clocks so they all are set at midnight. Rating: 3
G. Maze puzzle. Move Anna to the center of a maze in 46 moves using an arrow. Rating: 2
H. Matching puzzle. Play a piano matching up keys from a code. Rating: 2
I. Matching/Memory. Match up symbols on a long lost bride’s gown. If you make a mistake, you must start over again. Rating: 2
J. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. Rating: 1
K. Tracing puzzle. Using your mouse – trace a symbol in a fight sequence. 5 X (a little excessive?) Rating: 1
A. Matching puzzle. Select three words to enter into a computer to search for information concerning the case. 3X Rating: 2
B. Logic puzzle. Switch 16 metallic balls between three locations using arrow so that two of the sections contain 8 balls each. Rating: 2
C. Assembly puzzle. Using arrows, manipulate blocks to create a pattern to open a lock. Rating: 3
D. Sequence puzzle. Remove locks on 4 chains in the proper sequence to open a lock. Rating: 2
E. Logic problem Formulate moves on a checkerboard using black checkers to encircle and trap a white checker. Rating: 2
F. Logic/Mathematical puzzle. Move the hands on three clocks so they all are set at midnight. Rating: 3
G. Maze puzzle. Move Anna to the center of a maze in 46 moves using an arrow. Rating: 2
H. Matching puzzle. Play a piano matching up keys from a code. Rating: 2
I. Matching/Memory. Match up symbols on a long lost bride’s gown. If you make a mistake, you must start over again. Rating: 2
J. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture. Rating: 1
K. Tracing puzzle. Using your mouse – trace a symbol in a fight sequence. 5 X (a little excessive?) Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Explore the ancient forest and help forest fairies discover hidden images.
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 85 found this review helpful
A RELAXING ROMP IN THE FOREST
PostedAugust 22, 2016
sunnyglow
fromI hope the forest fairies will grant my wish and bring more of these nonograms to the BFG gaming site.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A BIG THANK you BFG for providing this game today. I have completed all the latest nonogram games available and was wondering when another would appear. This is one of my favorite gaming genres. It does not have the color spectrum or the variety of screens as some other nonogram games; however, it does have the feature of auto-fill. In this game, it does eliminate – not just X out – the blank spaces.
Having created a few of these (by hand, no less), I can appreciate the work involved in creating these puzzles. This is a great puzzle to play if you are working on a project and need to concentrate your thoughts. I usually don’t care for the “muzac” in these games; however, the soundtrack is rather mellow and relaxing in this game.
There are 5 levels with 20 puzzles per level, or 100 puzzles in total. The grid varies in size which is a nice feature. It seems you get 5 fairies (hints) to help you and there are 3 stars you can earn based on the amount of errors you create or the fairies you use. There is nothing spectacular in this game – no gimmicky extra screens, bold colors, or story involved. It is just a nice relaxing game creating pictures based on the theme of the woodlands. Actually, I prefer simplicity in these games.
I see others have detailed the game. I am short of time today to go into any detail; however, I did want to express my gratitude.
I recommend this game!
Something terrible lurks in the halls of Iron Gate Asylum…
Overall rating
5
/
5
281 of 442 found this review helpful
A GAMING ASYLUM FOR THOSE CRIMINALLY ADDICTED TO HOP GAMES
PostedAugust 20, 2016
sunnyglow
fromBeing “paranoid” about creepy shadows, I was “split” in my decision to purchase this game. Half of me wanted to purchase it and the other didn’t. Driven by a “compulsion” to play it, however, I purchased it.
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 - REVIEW BASED ON DEMO PLUS CHAPTER 3
Is your sister criminally insane? Welcome to the Iron Gate Prison Asylum, home to a 5-star plus insanely great game – so good it is criminal! I LOVE this game and have been waiting anxiously for it to appear! You, as Sarah, are on an undercover assignment to prove your sister Layla, innocent of the murder. She has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and is considered dangerous. You are given only one shot at proving her innocence. Uncover a vast spider’s web of undercurrents in this game as you try to save your sister. Encounter shadows which are attacking people within the asylum as well as evidence of secret experiments.
You will up to your “eyeballs” in this den of horrors. Which reminds me – you will also be collecting BIG EYES throughout the game and morphing objects in the HOP scenes as well. You can also replay those HOP scenes, but disappointingly, NOT the puzzles, which I found a little strange. Feeling paranoid that everyone is watching you? All eyes will be on you as you try to save your sister! Better hurry (you can keep track of your time in this game) or your sister may become another member of the “black-eyed” children.
This is such a great game and a nice change-of-pace from the sugar fest of fantasy games we have had lately. The story is excellent and will definitely keep you engaged. The graphics are well-done and provide a dark ambiance to this game. The pace is excellent with a multitude of activities. In the demo there are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles.
HOP SCENES: There are five HOP scenes in the demo. Two of these are mini-HOP scenes locating a small amount of one item. There is an interactive list of items, a story sequence with items listed in BOLD letters within sentences. There is a NEW TYPE OF HOP SCENE. You are given a list of items to locate. Using two arrows (one on the top and the other at the side) align two displays so they match up to release the item. Awesome and creative
PUZZLES: I found two of the puzzles easy and two somewhat difficult in the demo. The puzzles include a moving tiles puzzle in which you must move tiles to connect wires to open a cell door. There is a slightly difficult switch puzzle which requires you to switch slats between 4 columns to restore a design on each of the columns. There is an easy sequence puzzle in which you must place pictures in correct sequence. There is a slightly difficult moving tiles puzzle in which you must slide slats up, down and sideways to move 9 tokens so that each row has tokens of the same color and symbol
AFTER THE DEMO: Of course you will discover the mystery behind this asylum. In Chapter 3, I discovered that the puzzles are better than in the demo. I encountered a rather easy sequence puzzle using the magic lamp, an awesome maze puzzle which has you completing the maze in the dark with the aid of only a small circle of light, and a fiendish mathematical puzzle to open a lock. I also played another mini-HOP scene involving nails and a silhouette scene with multiple items to be located.
LEVELS: Dusk, Nightfall, Midnight, and Eclipse (Custom)
Hints and Skips – 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips – 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
You receive a mystical lantern to fight the ghost.
11 Achievements: Some have 3 sections
Collect 38 big eyes
Morphing objects: In the HOP scenes
Replay 18 HOP scenes
Strategy guide – 55 Pages
Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers,
20 Wallpapers, 16 Concept Art, A Labyrinth, A Puppet Theater
Map is provided as you play the game
You receive a mystical lantern to fight the ghost.
11 Achievements: Some have 3 sections
Collect 38 big eyes
Morphing objects: In the HOP scenes
Replay 18 HOP scenes
Strategy guide – 55 Pages
Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers,
20 Wallpapers, 16 Concept Art, A Labyrinth, A Puppet Theater
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES:
A. List of items to locate. Somewhat interactive
B. Multiple step. Mini-HOP scene. (1) Locate six pieces of a note and then complete a jigsaw puzzle to put it together. (2) Locate countries on a globe using the reconstructed note.
C. Story sequence. Items are listed in BOLD letter while relating relevant information pertaining to the game.
D. List of items in which you must use two arrows (one on the top and the other on the side) of a chart to align two displays of the items - a new type of HOP puzzle. Very Cool!
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 nails.
F. Silhouette scene. Locate a multiple of items for each silhouette.
A. List of items to locate. Somewhat interactive
B. Multiple step. Mini-HOP scene. (1) Locate six pieces of a note and then complete a jigsaw puzzle to put it together. (2) Locate countries on a globe using the reconstructed note.
C. Story sequence. Items are listed in BOLD letter while relating relevant information pertaining to the game.
D. List of items in which you must use two arrows (one on the top and the other on the side) of a chart to align two displays of the items - a new type of HOP puzzle. Very Cool!
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 6 nails.
F. Silhouette scene. Locate a multiple of items for each silhouette.
PUZZLES:
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to make a connection between wires to open a cell door. Rating: 2
B. Switch puzzle. Move slats into their correct position by color on four columns as room allows. You will then need to restore the design for each column. Rating: 3
C. Sequence puzzle. Put the pictures of the “Evolution of Man” in correct order
D. Sliding Tiles puzzle. Using arrows, slide 3 slats to move 9 tokens into correct position so that each row has three tokens of the same color and symbol.
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a sequence to defeat the Shadows. 2X Rating: 1
F. Maze puzzle. Complete a maze in the dark with only a small circle of light. Rating: 3
G. Mathematical puzzle. Fiendish. Solve a mathematical puzzle to open a lock. Rating: 4
A. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate tiles to make a connection between wires to open a cell door. Rating: 2
B. Switch puzzle. Move slats into their correct position by color on four columns as room allows. You will then need to restore the design for each column. Rating: 3
C. Sequence puzzle. Put the pictures of the “Evolution of Man” in correct order
D. Sliding Tiles puzzle. Using arrows, slide 3 slats to move 9 tokens into correct position so that each row has three tokens of the same color and symbol.
AFTER THE DEMO:
E. Simon Says puzzle. Repeat a sequence to defeat the Shadows. 2X Rating: 1
F. Maze puzzle. Complete a maze in the dark with only a small circle of light. Rating: 3
G. Mathematical puzzle. Fiendish. Solve a mathematical puzzle to open a lock. Rating: 4
I recommend this game!
The ones who touch the artifact must die. Will you be next?
Overall rating
3
/
5
132 of 314 found this review helpful
“DIGGING UP” RELICS FROM THE PAST - HAVEN’T I PLAYED THIS GAME BEFORE?
PostedAugust 18, 2016
sunnyglow
fromParaphrasing a famous Roman – “I came, I saw,” - however, this game did not “conquer” my desire to play it. Instead, to get into the spirit of Ancient Rome, I think I’ll eat a Caesar salad while watching a true relic, “Ben-Hur."
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: As the heiress to your uncle’s estate, you are off to the Isle of Wight to investigate an evil, cursed relic in this game. This same relic may have caused your uncle’s death and may cause yours as well. I feel this is a 3-star game. I am somewhat disappointed by this game. This game is the same cookie cutter game I have played a dozen times from this developer. It is the same game with a different story.
The story did not capture my interest and I feel the pace is slow. The graphics are nicely done as usual for EIPIX. However, with only four puzzles and four HOP scenes, there is a lot of running back-and-forth in the scenes. There is a lot of time “filler” in this game which is the reason I found it boring.
With such a short supply of HOP scenes and puzzles, it is very hard to evaluate this game. However, there was nothing in the demo to pique my interest. The HOP scenes and puzzles are decent – there are just not very many of them. Actually, I felt that the few puzzles in the demo were excellent. I absolutely hated the gimmicky “Valor’s Light.” In any situation you need to defend yourself, you will play some type of boring, gimmicky puzzle associated with this relic.
However, it is always best to demo these games yourself. I am certain many will love this game. However, as stated, I have played so many of this developer's games, they now all seem as if they came off an assembly line.
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Skipping Stone (variation of a Match-3 game) instead. They include a couple of multiple-step scenes including the now famous and hackneyed EIPIX HOP scene in which you locate five of two items and then with some manipulation of the scene, open up a list of items to locate. I wish EIPIX would provide some different approaches to their HOP scenes. This same HOP scene is now in EVERY game. However, I did like the rebus HOP scene. There is also a scene in which you locate items listed in sentences in BOLD letters.
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Skipping Stone (variation of a Match-3 game) instead. They include a couple of multiple-step scenes including the now famous and hackneyed EIPIX HOP scene in which you locate five of two items and then with some manipulation of the scene, open up a list of items to locate. I wish EIPIX would provide some different approaches to their HOP scenes. This same HOP scene is now in EVERY game. However, I did like the rebus HOP scene. There is also a scene in which you locate items listed in sentences in BOLD letters.
PUZZLES: There are also four puzzles in the demo. The puzzles vary in design and difficulty. They are decent; however, nothing we have not seen before and one of them I found confusing. Actually, I loved most of the puzzles. They are fairly well-created; however, again, there are not many of them in the demo. They include a relatively easy maze puzzle in which you must place portraits into the proper position in a family tree. There were two difficult puzzles as well. One I loved and the other I hated. There is one puzzle in which you must create a path for a caterpillar to descend from a tree. I found that puzzle a little confusing. However, you are given arrows to help in indicating what items to use to create the path. The other puzzle was fiendish. It requires placing 8 gears into their proper slots all while avoiding red tokens. It took me a long time to solve that puzzle. Excellent work, EIPIX.
GIMMICKY VALOR’S LIGHT: I ABSOLUTELY HATED THIS GIMMICK! I wish the developers would eliminate the gimmicks in their games. Valor’s light is a gimmicky medallion to provide protection. Every time it is used, you need to play some type of puzzle. The puzzles associated with this medallion are ridiculously easy. In the demo two sequences of the puzzle require you to use the medallion as a magnifying glass and locate symbols. So boring! The other two sequences require you to rotate four disks to match the illustration on the medallion. Also very boring!
LEVELS: Soldier, Legionnaire, Centurion, and Commander (Custom)
Hints 10 to 120 seconds Skips 10 to 400 seconds
Hints 10 to 120 seconds Skips 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Valor’s Light – a gimmick which is used throughout the game.
13 Achievements – Some have 3 parts
Replay 12 HOP scenes and 24 Puzzles
Collect 42 Lyres
Collect 12 morphing objects in the HOP scenes
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Videos, Music, Replay of Skipping Stones Game
Map is provided as you play the game
Valor’s Light – a gimmick which is used throughout the game.
13 Achievements – Some have 3 parts
Replay 12 HOP scenes and 24 Puzzles
Collect 42 Lyres
Collect 12 morphing objects in the HOP scenes
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Videos, Music, Replay of Skipping Stones Game
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Skipping Stone (type of Match-3 game) instead.
A. Multiple step. (1) Silhouette. Locate 5 berries. (2) Silhouette and replacement back into the scene to create glowing powder. Very interactive and well-done
B. Multiple step. (1) Locate 5 of each of two items (2) List of items to locate
C. Rebus clues. Well-done
D. Sentence clues with items listed in BOLD letters. 4 of each item to locate
A. Multiple step. (1) Silhouette. Locate 5 berries. (2) Silhouette and replacement back into the scene to create glowing powder. Very interactive and well-done
B. Multiple step. (1) Locate 5 of each of two items (2) List of items to locate
C. Rebus clues. Well-done
D. Sentence clues with items listed in BOLD letters. 4 of each item to locate
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Assembly/Logic puzzle. Create a path for a “cutesy” little caterpillar to descend from a tree using items given to you within the scene to create a path You are aided by the addition of arrows to indicate which direction the caterpillar is to move. Rating: 3
B. Logic/Maze puzzle. Create a family tree with portraits provided for you. Rating: 2
C. After using Valor’s Light, choose the correct symbol for four quarters of an emblem to match up with the emblem. Rating: 1 (2) Matching. Place symbols into their proper location on a shield. Rating: 1
D. Gears puzzle. Move 8 gears into position by shape. Avoid colliding with red tokens which will cause you start over. Tricky. Rating: 4 The best part of the game!
B. Logic/Maze puzzle. Create a family tree with portraits provided for you. Rating: 2
C. After using Valor’s Light, choose the correct symbol for four quarters of an emblem to match up with the emblem. Rating: 1 (2) Matching. Place symbols into their proper location on a shield. Rating: 1
D. Gears puzzle. Move 8 gears into position by shape. Avoid colliding with red tokens which will cause you start over. Tricky. Rating: 4 The best part of the game!
I recommend this game!
Can you save your world from darkness in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
118 of 245 found this review helpful
MY CRYSTAL BALL PROMISES ME I WILL NEVER HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME
PostedAugust 13, 2016
sunnyglow
fromGood news /bad news! Good news: Loreley assured me I am not “special” enough to be used in any ceremony or game. Bad news: I may have nightmares about all those "cutesy" Familiars I collected in this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
OVERVIEW Happy Birthday Alice! In celebration of her 21st birthday, you, as Alice’s sister, present her with a crystal ball. Upon receipt, she is whisked away by a group of evil hooded men. As a good sister, you are off to save the day in this 2-star game. Sorry, Alice, I won’t be attending your big day! I am not in the mood to play another game with hooded evildoers kidnapping a damsel in distress. I am not impressed with this game and found it not of the same quality the others in the series. BTW – Is this Alice’s 21st or 13th birthday? The blurb for the game indicates it is a mother celebrating her daughter’s 13th birthday but the actual game has a woman celebrating her sister’s 21st birthday. I am confused!
I found the pace slow and the graphics blurry. There are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles; however, I am not impressed with either. You get a “helper,” this time a “seer,” Loreley, who lives within the crystal ball. She will flail her arms around when needed to open barriers or provide light. Just dreadful! Personally, I am getting very tired of games with these idiotic helpers.
Hey -Loreley, since you can see into the future – WHEN IS BFG GOING TO RELEASE SOME GAMES WITHOUT HELPERS?
There are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. I found the HOP scenes fairly nondescript and similar to those we have played before. The puzzles lack creativity and all of them are easy. I did not care for the extras as well. With a game which is dramatic, involving the kidnapping of a person, why would you have “cutesy” fuzzy “Familiars” as a collectible? You collect 66 of these annoying creatures which keep popping up throughout the game. It was difficult to ascertain how many achievements there are – however, I counted 14, but I could definitely be wrong in my count and furthermore, I don’t really care.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes include lists of items to locate, silhouette scenes in which, once you locate an item, you must return it to the scene to interact with that scene. There is one scene in which you must locate items and place them back into the proper location. The storybook scene tells the story of the Dark Brotherhood. You can also play a Match-3 game instead.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are rather blasé and all are EXTREMELY easy. There is only one which I found somewhat interesting. That puzzle involved some origami in which you fold a map to create a path for your motor scooter to travel. Others include a slider puzzle to move two glass shards to the bottom of a puzzle scene, a rotating rings puzzle to create a path for three marbles. This puzzle took me about 10 seconds to solve. There is a matching puzzle in which you move a dial to match up symbols. There is another puzzle which has you placing tokens into their proper location by theme.
STORY: Arising from the crystal ball is Loreley, a seer, has proclaimed your sister as a special person, a natural born seer, the first one born in thousands of years. There will be a ritual performed by the Dark Brotherhood that very night. Using the body of a natural born seer will allow the bodiless spirit of a demon, Luther, to be reborn and open a portal to reclaim his army of evil warriors. Can you stop the evil spirit Luther from entering the body of your sister?
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips – 10 to 500 seconds. 500 seconds? Isn’t that a little excessive?
Hints and Skips – 10 to 500 seconds. 500 seconds? Isn’t that a little excessive?
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements – From what I could assess.
Collect 66 Familiars – They look like Furbies.
Replay of HOP scenes and puzzles
10 Wallpapers, Music and Movies
Map is provided as you play the game
14 Achievements – From what I could assess.
Collect 66 Familiars – They look like Furbies.
Replay of HOP scenes and puzzles
10 Wallpapers, Music and Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Match-3 game instead.
A. Mini-HOP scene. List of items.
B. Silhouette items. Locate and then interact with the scene.
C. Storybook sequence. Silhouette items to tell the story of Luther and the Dark Brotherhood. You interact with 3 different scenes.
D. Locate and replace. Locate items in the wrong positions and place them back where they belong. The items must be placed sequentially,
E. List of items to locate using the previous scene.
A. Mini-HOP scene. List of items.
B. Silhouette items. Locate and then interact with the scene.
C. Storybook sequence. Silhouette items to tell the story of Luther and the Dark Brotherhood. You interact with 3 different scenes.
D. Locate and replace. Locate items in the wrong positions and place them back where they belong. The items must be placed sequentially,
E. List of items to locate using the previous scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Sliding tiles puzzle. Using arrows, slide rows containing tiles to create paths for two glass shards to move to the bottom of the board. Rating: 2
B. Map/Origami puzzle. Fold a map both horizontally and vertically to create a path for your scooter to follow. Rating: 2
C. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols to charge an orb. 3X Rating: 1
D. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to create paths for 3 marbles. Rating: 1
E. Sliding tiles puzzle. Rotate four tokens within four rings so that each ring contains tokens matching the theme of that ring. Rating: 2
B. Map/Origami puzzle. Fold a map both horizontally and vertically to create a path for your scooter to follow. Rating: 2
C. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols to charge an orb. 3X Rating: 1
D. Rotating rings puzzle. Rotate rings to create paths for 3 marbles. Rating: 1
E. Sliding tiles puzzle. Rotate four tokens within four rings so that each ring contains tokens matching the theme of that ring. Rating: 2
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your new friend before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
132 of 254 found this review helpful
ENJOY PARIS IN A LESS THAN PICTURE PERFECT GAME
PostedAugust 11, 2016
sunnyglow
fromEncountering “pests” in your life? Then consider a Lumina Camera. For those annoying “helpers” in games, ex-boyfriends, neighbors, or anyone else, - just aim, shoot and POOF! They are gone forever! Just make certain to destroy the negative!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: You are off on a less than “picture perfect” trip to Paris to investigate a rather unusual camera in this 4- star game. This ominous object not only captures a person’s image, but their body and soul as well, trapping them in the Negative World. Residing in this other dimensional “hell,” is a deceiver who is behind all the disappearances. This game will have you running in circles back-and-forth between the real world and that of the Negative world as the plot “develops.” Will you be able to stop the evil villain behind this and permanently close the portal between the real world and the Negative World?
I find this a fairly well-constructed game. It is an easy-breezy game for those who like games with little or no challenge. The story is excellent! The graphics are beautiful and a picture perfect portrayal of France in the 19th century although you do receive an anachronistic “remote” control for the camera. Returning as a travel companion is your cat, Mr. Jenkins, who will assist you in various situations. He is not used often (3 times in the demo) and when he is used he performs his actions clumsily, but quickly. So, at least to me, he is not distracting nor does he bog down the pace of the game.
There are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. I feel the HOP scenes are more creative and better constructed than the puzzles which I found boringly easy. You also have a variation of a Match-3 games to play in lieu of the HOP scene.
HOP SCENES: I feel the HOP scenes are very creative and well-done. Most are similar to ones we have seen in other games. There are a few multiple-step ones. There is a decent mini-HOP HOP scene using cryptic clues to locate items cleverly placed on a camera. Top notch! Other HOP scenes include a couple of silhouette scenes in which you must locate items hidden within a stained glass window. There is also a replacement scene involving a house in which you replace items into their proper position within the scenes. You will also use a photo lens to locate items in a scene as well.
PUZZLES: So what the 4-star rating? With a game of this quality, I was shocked by the lack of challenge in the puzzles. I did not find one puzzle which was even moderately difficult. The puzzles include a jigsaw puzzle to create a map, a switch puzzle to restore a portrait, a lock puzzle, a maze puzzle using a camera to travel through a couple of buildings, and a couple of assembly puzzles to create a statue and a ship, They are creatively designed – just too easy!
FINAL NOTE: I would love to see a little more challenge in the Daily Magic games. Some developers are now providing and “easy” and “hard” option to their puzzles. This is something for Daily Magic should consider. And is it possible for BFG to offer a game WITHOUT AN ANNOYING HELPER?
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips – 5 to 100 seconds
Hints and Skips – 5 to 100 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
21 Achievements
Collect 15 cards of people whose pictures have been taken by the Lumina Camera
42 Morphing objects: Jigsaw puzzle pieces
6 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Music, Developer’s Diary, 6 Game Dots
Map is provided as you play the game
21 Achievements
Collect 15 cards of people whose pictures have been taken by the Lumina Camera
42 Morphing objects: Jigsaw puzzle pieces
6 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Music, Developer’s Diary, 6 Game Dots
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a variation of a Match-3 game instead. Choose an item and all the same items connected to it will be removed.
A. Multiple step. (1) Locate five of two items. (2) List of items to locate. After locating the item, receive a number to be placed on the dial for a phone.
B. Mini-HOP scene. Locate items in a scene to create a duster.
C. Cryptic clues. On the camera look for cleverly hidden items on the face of the camera. Very creative
D. Silhouette scene. Locate items within a stain glass window
E. Silhouette scene. Return to the same stained glass window. (1) Locate 9 gems and decorative clasps.
F. Replacement scene. In a very creative scene involving a house, replace items back into their proper locations.
G. Hidden item scene. Using a special lens, locate a symbol in each of four pictures.
H. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette.
A. Multiple step. (1) Locate five of two items. (2) List of items to locate. After locating the item, receive a number to be placed on the dial for a phone.
B. Mini-HOP scene. Locate items in a scene to create a duster.
C. Cryptic clues. On the camera look for cleverly hidden items on the face of the camera. Very creative
D. Silhouette scene. Locate items within a stain glass window
E. Silhouette scene. Return to the same stained glass window. (1) Locate 9 gems and decorative clasps.
F. Replacement scene. In a very creative scene involving a house, replace items back into their proper locations.
G. Hidden item scene. Using a special lens, locate a symbol in each of four pictures.
H. Mini-HOP scene. Silhouette.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Maze puzzle. Adjust 3 tokens to create a path for coins to follow. Rating: 1
B. Jigsaw puzzle. Create a map of the museum. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Restore a portrait by switching circles within the puzzle to their proper location. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Create a path to move a red gem to its exit by removing obstacles in its path. Rating: 1
E. Lock puzzle. Move a series of deadbolts up and down to create a path for the latch to move through. Moving one deadbolt affect the others. Rating: 1
F. Assembly puzzle. Locate 7 pieces to recreate a statue. Rating: 1 (To me, more of a HOP scene)
G. Switch puzzle. Move figures of girls so that their hands are touching. Rating: 2
H. Maze puzzle. Move a camera through a map maze with several buildings so that the camera enters each building in 7 steps. Rating: 2
I. Assembly puzzle. Assemble a ship according to a photo of it. Rating: 2
A. Maze puzzle. Adjust 3 tokens to create a path for coins to follow. Rating: 1
B. Jigsaw puzzle. Create a map of the museum. Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Restore a portrait by switching circles within the puzzle to their proper location. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Create a path to move a red gem to its exit by removing obstacles in its path. Rating: 1
E. Lock puzzle. Move a series of deadbolts up and down to create a path for the latch to move through. Moving one deadbolt affect the others. Rating: 1
F. Assembly puzzle. Locate 7 pieces to recreate a statue. Rating: 1 (To me, more of a HOP scene)
G. Switch puzzle. Move figures of girls so that their hands are touching. Rating: 2
H. Maze puzzle. Move a camera through a map maze with several buildings so that the camera enters each building in 7 steps. Rating: 2
I. Assembly puzzle. Assemble a ship according to a photo of it. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
After an explosion at Stonehenge, fiery and icy portals appear!
Overall rating
5
/
5
209 of 429 found this review helpful
OPEN A PORTAL TO A BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL GAME. ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OF THE YEAR. A MASTERPIECE
PostedAugust 6, 2016
sunnyglow
fromThis developer has opened a portal to the enjoyment of a beautifully constructed game filled with the magic of two mystical societies – the Viking and the Druids. Such a great game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
7 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER. REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO PLUS CHAPTER 3
OVERVIEW: Prepare for an earthshattering event at Stonehenge! Find yourself entering a portal into two breathtaking idyllic worlds of the Druids and the Vikings “frozen” in time by a magnetic anomaly. This is an outstanding 5-star plus game! I LOVE this game and it was an automatic purchase. This LONG game has everything! In my opinion, this is one of the best games to appear this year. The game begins in today's high-tech environment with drones and thermos body suits and then proceeds into the fairy tale lands of the Druids and Vikings. I played into Chapter 3 and found the same quality for the puzzles and HOP scenes as in the demo.
The graphics are phenomenal with scenes which glisten with opalescent beauty. This little gem reminds me of the quality of fantasy games from a few years ago. This developer demonstrates that a well-crafted fantasy game can be created without the use of gimmicks or animal helpers.
With a story which is well-written, an excellent game pace, and plenty of activities to keep the player actively engaged, I found this game a pleasure to play. In the demo there are more puzzles than HOP scenes; however, all are masterfully created. The HOP scenes are interactive with the option to play a thematic Match-3 game instead. The puzzles vary in type and difficulty. YOU HAVE THE OPTION BETWEEN EASY AND HARD SETTINGS FOR ALL THE PUZZLES. AMAZING!
There are plenty of extras in this game as listed below. There are three tokens on the inventory bar which flash if you have not found all the collectibles in the scene. This is an added plus since some of the collectibles are rather difficult to locate.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are very well-crafted and contain some new twists in their construction. In the demo they include lists of items to locate, silhouette scenes, and a storybook sequence. In one of the cleverly designed scenes, you use a flashlight to locate the items which makes the scene a little more difficult. The storybook scene telling the story of the Druids and the Vikings is beautifully illustrated!
PUZZLES: There are many puzzles in the demo including a couple of easy switch puzzles, an easy sequence puzzle involving vines, and a logic puzzle involving surrounding and trapping an animal before he escapes. There are a couple of matching puzzles. There are also a couple of switch puzzles involved in recreating pictures. There is a unique slider puzzle which involves mirrors. After the demo I played an ingenious Simon Says puzzle with a frog!
STORY: Your sister Margaret is in trouble again – this time at Stonehenge. While doing research on the site, magnetic anomalies have caused an explosion and a magnetic barrier to surround the site. Hopefully, your sister is not at fault. The anomalies have caused two areas surrounding Stonehenge to disrupt the environment – one which is eternally cold and another which is blazingly hot. With the latest technology, including a drone and a thermos suit, you discover a portal to another world, inhabited by the Druids. After an invasion by the Vikings, the shamans from both cultures used crystals to open up two worlds, one cold and one hot. With time, the temperatures moderated with winds blowing between the two worlds and the Druids entered one world and the Vikings entered the other. Now, the worlds have been disrupted and it is up to you to return both to their previous temperate climates.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom: Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
42 Achievements
Collect 17 statuettes
Collect 83 marsh lights to purchase 7 animals of the two world
Collect 20 artifacts
35 Morphing objects
Replay 22 HOP scenes and 27 puzzles
Strategy guide - 62 pages
17 Wallpapers, 19 Concept Art, Music
Map is given to you at the start of the game
42 Achievements
Collect 17 statuettes
Collect 83 marsh lights to purchase 7 animals of the two world
Collect 20 artifacts
35 Morphing objects
Replay 22 HOP scenes and 27 puzzles
Strategy guide - 62 pages
17 Wallpapers, 19 Concept Art, Music
SPOILER ALERT: DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE GAME - I HAVE ONLY PROVIDED INFORMATION FOR THE DEMO:
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a Match-3 game instead.
A. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate. (2) Silhouette items.
B. List of items to locate by flashlight. You can only see one part at a time.
C. Breathtaking storybook sequence. Items are listed in yellow letters. Locate and replace back within the scene.
D. Silhouette. Locate and then replace items to interact with the scene.
E. Silhouette. Locate items to create a bridle for a horse.
A. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate. (2) Silhouette items.
B. List of items to locate by flashlight. You can only see one part at a time.
C. Breathtaking storybook sequence. Items are listed in yellow letters. Locate and replace back within the scene.
D. Silhouette. Locate and then replace items to interact with the scene.
E. Silhouette. Locate items to create a bridle for a horse.
PUZZLES: CHOICE BETWEEN EASY AND HARD SETTINGS FOR ALL PUZZLES:
A. Sequence puzzle. Open a box by pushing buttons in sequence.
B. Slider puzzle. Slide 6 sliders so that all the markers turn green. Moving one slider affects the others.
C. Matching puzzle. Move Celtic symbols into their proper position to spell the English name Wilson.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch wedges within a circle to create a picture to open a locker.
E. Slider puzzle. Slide six mirrors so that a light beam reflects off all of them and into a central portal in the middle of the screen. Moving one affects he others. The mirrors light up when placed correctly.
F. Sequence puzzle. Remove vines from a flower bush. Lowering one affects the others.
G. Slider puzzle. Move flowers to match up with their leaves. Flowers can only move where there is a direct line open space.
H. Logic puzzle. Move a monstrous animal into a trap by “freezing” the grass around him. Do this before he is able to escape. Press on grass to freeze it to trap him.
I. Matching puzzle. Match up flowers.
J. Moving tiles puzzle. Using arrows, move items up and down – left and right until they are placed in their proper locations. Items light up when in the proper position.
K. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles so they are in the correct location based on a diagram given to you. Switching one may switch others are well.
B. Slider puzzle. Slide 6 sliders so that all the markers turn green. Moving one slider affects the others.
C. Matching puzzle. Move Celtic symbols into their proper position to spell the English name Wilson.
D. Switch puzzle. Switch wedges within a circle to create a picture to open a locker.
E. Slider puzzle. Slide six mirrors so that a light beam reflects off all of them and into a central portal in the middle of the screen. Moving one affects he others. The mirrors light up when placed correctly.
F. Sequence puzzle. Remove vines from a flower bush. Lowering one affects the others.
G. Slider puzzle. Move flowers to match up with their leaves. Flowers can only move where there is a direct line open space.
H. Logic puzzle. Move a monstrous animal into a trap by “freezing” the grass around him. Do this before he is able to escape. Press on grass to freeze it to trap him.
I. Matching puzzle. Match up flowers.
J. Moving tiles puzzle. Using arrows, move items up and down – left and right until they are placed in their proper locations. Items light up when in the proper position.
K. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles so they are in the correct location based on a diagram given to you. Switching one may switch others are well.
I recommend this game!
Stop the evil Princess of Hearts and discover your true destiny!
Overall rating
5
/
5
195 of 296 found this review helpful
A RED PRINCESS CASTS A SHADOW OVER WONDERLAND
PostedAugust 4, 2016
sunnyglow
fromPlay Pokemon Go? Like Alice, consider running as you catch those monsters. You too might be “pushed” into Shadowland to discover new monsters like the Bandersnatch. Just watch where you are going or you could end up a former “shadow” of yourself.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
7 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER. BASED ON THE DEMO.
OVERVIEW: Return to Wonderland, now a dark kingdom, ruled by the Red Princess and her minions. Now a middle-aged wife and mother, Alice, finds herself in some “hot water” as she is pushed into a river only to find herself awakening into this kingdom, now called Shadowland. This is a dark, gothic 5-star game which is a vast improvement for 4 Friends. The story is another variation of the “Alice in Wonderland” tale. This one involves a woman who is facing her own “shadows” in real life. The pace is decent and the game kept me engaged. I feel this game is not as stellar as other games in this genre; however, since it is a major improvement for this developer, I gave it 5 stars.
The graphics well depict this game with dark, menacing scenes with subdued colors. You receive a gimmicky compass, a device similar to those we have seen in other games, which is used to recover lost items. Upon locating those items, a scene opens up disclosing what transpired in the past. You also receive a teleportation device to transport you to other parts of the kingdom.
There are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles, both of which show some creativity. However, I do I feel the puzzles are better constructed than the HOP scenes. Many of the concepts for the puzzles and HOP scenes we have seen before in other developers’ games. The extras include 20 achievements and 30 morphing objects, which I found a tad difficult to locate. You also collect 37 cards, fitting in with the Wonderland theme. There is a bar indicating how many collectibles are available to be collected within the scene for you to collect. There is no optional game to play in lieu of the HOP scenes.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes in the demo are the usual fare – storybook (to tell the story of the game), lists of items, and silhouette. The demo included some multiple-steps ones and there is also a mini-HOP scene as well.
PUZZLES: The puzzles in the demo are well-crafted and reflect the theme of the game. There are a variety of puzzles of varying difficulty. I played one puzzle which I thought was difficult. There are also mini-puzzles throughout the game requiring you to complete a simplistic action such as matching flowers.
Fitting with the theme there is a checkers puzzle in which you must jump over tokens of opposing colors until only one remains. Every time you need to produce a spell, you will need to complete a sequence puzzle in which you just connect dots to recreate a symbol. To me, this “puzzle” is pointless. There is an easy manual dexterity puzzle in which you must climb a cliff avoiding pitfalls along the way. There is also an excellent modified Match-3 game as well which requires you to interconnect tokens to remove them.
FAVORITE PUZZLE: We have seen this puzzle in other current games. It is a logic puzzle in which you play against a spider to block and enclose him so he cannot escape a web. You choose hexagon—shaped blocks surrounding him and hopefully outpace him in his attempt to escape.
STORY: The Red Princess’ minion, the Hatter, has been using a mirror called the Back-and-Forth mirror to enter the human world to snatch human shadows. Afterward, these humans enter a comatose state. These stolen “shadows” are used as slaves within the Shadowland kingdom. Once a collar has been placed upon a human’s neck, the memories of their existence in the human world are erased. A group of rebels, called the Order of Opposition, have been formed to fight the Red Princess and her cohort, the Hatter. Alice has been prophesized to save Wonderland from the dictatorial rule of the Red Princess. Along the way, Alice will also need to defeat the princess’ mechanical soldiers and the Bandersnatch who keeps the shadows imprisoned. The characters of “Rabbitson” and “Cheshire” will aid Alice in her battle. Is Alice the savior the kingdom of Shadowland is searching for – or is she just another woman named Alice?
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Hints 10 to 180 seconds Skips 10 to 320 seconds
Hints 10 to 180 seconds Skips 10 to 320 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you as you play the game
20 Achievements – some have 3 parts to them.
Collect 37 cards
30 Morphing objects
Strategy guide
You can replay puzzles and HOP scenes
13 Wallpapers, 5 Screensavers, 15 Concept Art, 5 Music selections, and Movies
Map is given to you as you play the game
20 Achievements – some have 3 parts to them.
Collect 37 cards
30 Morphing objects
Strategy guide
You can replay puzzles and HOP scenes
13 Wallpapers, 5 Screensavers, 15 Concept Art, 5 Music selections, and Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. List of items to locate
B. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 8 feathers.
C. Sentence. Locate items listed in green while listening to Cheshire, a member of the Order of Opposition, give you some background on the kingdom.
D. List of items to locate. As you locate items you receive pieces to restore a picture.
E. List of items. Locate 12 letters.
F. Silhouette. Very creatively designed. Multiple step. (1) Locate 3 dimensional items shown in your compass. After you locate the items using your special device, through shadows, you see a scene from the past. (2) Locate portraits hidden within the scene.
A. List of items to locate
B. Mini-HOP scene. Locate 8 feathers.
C. Sentence. Locate items listed in green while listening to Cheshire, a member of the Order of Opposition, give you some background on the kingdom.
D. List of items to locate. As you locate items you receive pieces to restore a picture.
E. List of items. Locate 12 letters.
F. Silhouette. Very creatively designed. Multiple step. (1) Locate 3 dimensional items shown in your compass. After you locate the items using your special device, through shadows, you see a scene from the past. (2) Locate portraits hidden within the scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Checkers puzzle. Jump over card symbols of opposing colors so that only one is left. 3X Rating: 2 to 4 Increases in difficulty.
B. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Grab ropes, toeholds, and icicles to climb a cliff. Avoid pitfalls in your path Rating: 2
C. Sequence puzzle. Create a symbol by connecting dots in the correct order. Every time you need a spell, you will trace a symbol. Rating: 1
D. Logic puzzle. Remove pieces of a spider’s web by using a net and removing one web hexagon at a time. The idea is to outpace the spider and block him on all sides so exit the web. Rating: 3
E. Match-3 game. In this variation create a line between 3 or more like symbols to remove them. Remove all of them to win the game. 3X. Rating: 2 to 3. Each level increases in difficulty
A. Checkers puzzle. Jump over card symbols of opposing colors so that only one is left. 3X Rating: 2 to 4 Increases in difficulty.
B. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Grab ropes, toeholds, and icicles to climb a cliff. Avoid pitfalls in your path Rating: 2
C. Sequence puzzle. Create a symbol by connecting dots in the correct order. Every time you need a spell, you will trace a symbol. Rating: 1
D. Logic puzzle. Remove pieces of a spider’s web by using a net and removing one web hexagon at a time. The idea is to outpace the spider and block him on all sides so exit the web. Rating: 3
E. Match-3 game. In this variation create a line between 3 or more like symbols to remove them. Remove all of them to win the game. 3X. Rating: 2 to 3. Each level increases in difficulty
I recommend this game!
Stop the dark witches before they regain their power!
Overall rating
1
/
5
111 of 187 found this review helpful
DREADFUL!
PostedJuly 30, 2016
sunnyglow
fromMy own witch chant: “Boil, Boil, Not Worth the Toil norTrouble.” I would rather kiss a toad than play this game! Looking for the “Remove Cutesy Helpers Spell ” in my own grimoire.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OVERVIEW: To me, this the worst demo I have played this year. This series should have ended two games ago and now, it is apparent, that the developer is grasping at straws for ideas to keep this series alive. The game script is absolutely ludicrous, rambling in all directions. The game begins with Isabela being kidnapped by the black witches. To save his budding witch (still in school at the University of Witchcraft), her beau, Jack, is off to the rescue. The story becomes even more bizarre and confusing as more themes are added (probably because the developer or scriptwriter has run out of ideas on how to evolve this series), resulting in a ragged quilt of random ideas aimlessly sewn together. The “acting” is amateurish and “voice overs” are poorly done, especially for Jack.
Surprisingly, I found this game to lack the quality of other games from this developer. The graphics are blurry and are not nearly as beautiful as in the previous games. The HOP scenes and puzzles are poorly constructed. It is difficult to ascertain what constitutes puzzles and what constitutes HOP scenes. Many of the puzzles are storybook in nature and seem more like a HOP scene. All the puzzles are boringly easy. In the demo, the HOP scenes are principally lists of items to locate and some of the scenes are used twice.
HELP ME BERTHA (get me out of this game!)! And, yes, there is another dreadful "cutesy" helper in this game - a dancing, prancing ferret, which slows down the pace of an already snail-paced game. The ever “cuter than a bug” helper, Bertha, is a witch transformed into a ferret which needs to be dressed, is used excessively and performs annoying little routines. One of these “cutesy” routines requires you to dress Miss Ferret in a wintry outfit so she may whirl and twirl, skating on a cake stand to retrieve an item. With no end to her talents, our little clown “hams it up” by performing a magic trick, plays the drum for you as well and dances while being invisible. The most ridiculous moment for this game is when she shaves an ice giant. Your little friend sits at the side of the inventory bar and grunts and groans throughout the game. To me - beyond annoying!
Extras include an option of a poorly constructed boring matching game in lieu of the HOP scenes. You collect 34 puzzle pieces to construct a puzzle at the end of the game, and 34 morphing objects. I could not wait for the demo to end. Yes – it is that boring – at least to me!
My suggestion, as always, is to try it yourself. If you adore cookie cutter games lacking imagination and creativity with nondescript HOP scenes and boringly easy puzzles, this is your game! If I were to recommend this game for anyone, it would be for grade school children, and even then, I don’t think most children of that age would like it either.
FINAL NOTE: Elefun produces wonderful games – however, TO ME, this is NOT one of them. This series should be put to rest along with the “cutesy” helpers in these games. From a demonic imp to a reconstituted dog, and now a ferret, it seems this developer has not gotten the hint that it is not the choice of the helper in the game –it is the excessive use of the helpers in their games!
LEVELS: Casual, Normal, Hard, Custom
Hints 10 to 35 seconds Skips 10 to 50 seconds
Hints 10 to 35 seconds Skips 10 to 50 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
12 Achievements
Collect 36 puzzle pieces for four jigsaw puzzles played at the end of the game
Collect 34 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide
9 Wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, 2 Soundtracks, and an Art Gallery
Map is given to you at the start of the game
12 Achievements
Collect 36 puzzle pieces for four jigsaw puzzles played at the end of the game
Collect 34 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide
9 Wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, 2 Soundtracks, and an Art Gallery
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You have the option to play a thematic matching game instead
A. List of items to locate. Very primitive and old-school. As you locate items, you receive pieces to open up a sliding tiles mini-game to create a picture.
B. Mini-HOP scenes. Locate 6 bells to douse lights on red-eyed candles. You also get to hear a “bell” ring every time a candle is extinguished. Sorry - no angel nor witch gets their "wings."
C. Multiple Step: (1) List of items which is a “piece of pie” once you expose it by cutting a “berry” yummy strudel to expose the list. (2) Place some “cutesy” jackalopes (via Texas) onto a cake cover to get an item for the inventory
D. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate. As you locate items, you receive pieces of a crystal. Once complete use the crystal to find 6 ice crystals to melt frozen Lilliputians. (2) Locate 8 bars of soap to create suds.
E. Multiple-step. (1) Storybook sequence with items listed in colored letters (2) Locate 6 cherries. (3) List of items to locate. Reused HOP scene.
A. List of items to locate. Very primitive and old-school. As you locate items, you receive pieces to open up a sliding tiles mini-game to create a picture.
B. Mini-HOP scenes. Locate 6 bells to douse lights on red-eyed candles. You also get to hear a “bell” ring every time a candle is extinguished. Sorry - no angel nor witch gets their "wings."
C. Multiple Step: (1) List of items which is a “piece of pie” once you expose it by cutting a “berry” yummy strudel to expose the list. (2) Place some “cutesy” jackalopes (via Texas) onto a cake cover to get an item for the inventory
D. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate. As you locate items, you receive pieces of a crystal. Once complete use the crystal to find 6 ice crystals to melt frozen Lilliputians. (2) Locate 8 bars of soap to create suds.
E. Multiple-step. (1) Storybook sequence with items listed in colored letters (2) Locate 6 cherries. (3) List of items to locate. Reused HOP scene.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Storybook puzzle. Replace items back into the proper places in a scene. You will learn more history about the “witches.” Rating: 1
B. Assembly puzzle. Create a picture by placing mushrooms into the correct position. Learn more about the Witch clans. 3X Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Switch tile pieces to create a puzzle. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Recreate the face of the villain. Rating: 2
E. Matching puzzle. Match and connect colored lights in a sequential string by alternating the colors. 2X Rating: 2
A. Storybook puzzle. Replace items back into the proper places in a scene. You will learn more history about the “witches.” Rating: 1
B. Assembly puzzle. Create a picture by placing mushrooms into the correct position. Learn more about the Witch clans. 3X Rating: 1
C. Switch puzzle. Switch tile pieces to create a puzzle. Rating: 1
D. Assembly puzzle. Recreate the face of the villain. Rating: 2
E. Matching puzzle. Match and connect colored lights in a sequential string by alternating the colors. 2X Rating: 2
I don't recommend this game.
Mysterious creatures are terrorizing the train!
Overall rating
5
/
5
212 of 372 found this review helpful
ALL ABOARD FOR LUXURY 5-STAR TRAIN EXCURSION
PostedJuly 28, 2016
sunnyglow
fromSome vacation! With a child arsonist, a barking dog, cramped quarters, rowdy fellow travelers, added to having to be a handyman to keep this “luxury” train running– next time I book a flight!
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 - REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO
OVERVIEW: All aboard Detective! Get your train pass ready and get on board for an outstanding 5-star game excursion where your traveling companions are some dark hooded monsters. As you amble through the train you see them lurking about a train destroying all in their path and kidnapping a girl for her pyrokinetic abilities. I feel the game is significantly better than the others in the series.
This is an action-packed game with phenomenal graphics, decent HOP scenes and exciting puzzles. The HOP scenes and puzzles are very creative and well-done. There are more puzzles than HOP scenes. There are also quite a few extras as well including 21 achievements. You also collect 12 magnets, 27 morphing objects, and 32 jigsaw puzzle pieces (probably to play a jigsaw puzzle at the end of the game). You get the map at the beginning of the game and there is a strategy guide, 8 wallpapers, 8 concept art scenes, music and a secret room.
Elf (dressed in his own summery Hawaiian shirt) is back; however, he has been removed from his “top dog” status on the sidebar of the inventory and been demoted to the “baggage” section. He has been placed in the inventory itself, so he is less annoying. It appears he is also used less in this game (only 3 times) – at least from the demo. He performs his actions quickly as well.
ARE YOU A HANDYMAN? Most of the puzzles and actions in the demo require some handyman skills. You will be “screwing around” and sawing your way through this game with a host of tools, (saws – electrical and manual, screwdrivers – real and innovated, lug wrenches, nail pullers and wire clippers). You will also correctly learn that electrical tape, NOT duct tape is the proper tape to splice a wire – although you should probably turn off the electricity first!
PUZZLES: I LOVE the puzzles in this game. There is another “helper” in the game – an electronic lock opener. You will use this to open any lock. Upon using the device, you will activate a Match-3 game with designations of “Casual” and “Hard” settings. The only difference in the settings (from the beta) is the amount of items which you must locate. Very cleverly designed.
There is also a SUPER PUZZLE! The Rube Goldberg puzzle in this game has five different puzzles, one of which is difficult. There is a very easy matching puzzle, an easy switch puzzle, a logic puzzle, and two sliding rings puzzles – one of which is difficult! All can be individually skipped as well.
Other puzzles include a maze puzzle which requires you to create a path without retracing your steps, a type of assembly puzzle in which you move two dials to recreate a pictured train, a type of gear puzzle in which you must match up symbols on intersecting gears, and a difficult logic puzzle in which has you move 3 to 4 spaces at a time to light up only three symbols on the lock. If you use logic it is not too difficult.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are also well constructed. There are two silhouette scenes and one list of items. However, the silhouette scenes require you to locate two of the same item before the silhouette is removed.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Detective (Custom)
Hints and Skip times not given
Hints and Skip times not given
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette scene. Locate two of the items to remove each silhouette.
B. List of items. In this case food. Hope you don’t get hungry in your search! A lot of food in that fridge!
C. Silhouette scene. Locate items relating to horses. Locate two of the items to remove each silhouette.
A. Silhouette scene. Locate two of the items to remove each silhouette.
B. List of items. In this case food. Hope you don’t get hungry in your search! A lot of food in that fridge!
C. Silhouette scene. Locate items relating to horses. Locate two of the items to remove each silhouette.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. REPEATED PUZZLE THROUGHOUT GAME. Match-3 puzzle. Choice between “Casual” and “Hard.” Use a device to open locks and devices activating this puzzle. You collect a specific amount of different items in the puzzle. Rating: Casual - 2 Hard: 3 (The Hard version has more items to collect and is a tad more difficult to maneuver)
B. Maze puzzle. Move a star in a 36 block square so that the star goes through every square without repeating any square. Rating: 2
C. Assembly puzzle. (1) Sync two dials on a clock to match up a symbol color and image. (There are 4 symbols to create) (2) Look at the arrows at the bottom and top of the screen and click a button until the image matches up with the combined image the arrows are pointing to. Rating: 2
D. Lock code logic puzzle. Move a dial so that you light only three symbols on a round dial. The spaces which your cursor will move are 3 and 4 clockwise. No other symbols must be lit up – only the three given. A little difficult. Rating: 3 to 4
E. Gear puzzle. Move five gears to that the symbols on each one match up where they intersect. Rating: 2
F. Rube Goldberg puzzle. (Super puzzle). YOU CAN SKIP EACH PUZZLE
(1) Matching puzzle. Match up like items Rating: 1
(2) Pipe/Sliding rings puzzle. Slide five rings into position to connect train tracks for a train. Rating: 1
(3) Rotating rings puzzle. Arrange three rings within a triangle so that the trains match three triangles and also those along the sides of the pyramid. Rather difficult. Rating: 4
(4) Switch puzzle. Switch tiles along a circle to create a design. Rating: 2
(5) Logic puzzle. Within two disks, rotate the disks to identify which type of train matches up with each color. Then, looking at the side of the screen, swap the trains to place them with their correct color. Rating: 2
B. Maze puzzle. Move a star in a 36 block square so that the star goes through every square without repeating any square. Rating: 2
C. Assembly puzzle. (1) Sync two dials on a clock to match up a symbol color and image. (There are 4 symbols to create) (2) Look at the arrows at the bottom and top of the screen and click a button until the image matches up with the combined image the arrows are pointing to. Rating: 2
D. Lock code logic puzzle. Move a dial so that you light only three symbols on a round dial. The spaces which your cursor will move are 3 and 4 clockwise. No other symbols must be lit up – only the three given. A little difficult. Rating: 3 to 4
E. Gear puzzle. Move five gears to that the symbols on each one match up where they intersect. Rating: 2
F. Rube Goldberg puzzle. (Super puzzle). YOU CAN SKIP EACH PUZZLE
(1) Matching puzzle. Match up like items Rating: 1
(2) Pipe/Sliding rings puzzle. Slide five rings into position to connect train tracks for a train. Rating: 1
(3) Rotating rings puzzle. Arrange three rings within a triangle so that the trains match three triangles and also those along the sides of the pyramid. Rather difficult. Rating: 4
(4) Switch puzzle. Switch tiles along a circle to create a design. Rating: 2
(5) Logic puzzle. Within two disks, rotate the disks to identify which type of train matches up with each color. Then, looking at the side of the screen, swap the trains to place them with their correct color. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!