sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:830
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 23, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Team up with experts to uncover a lost underwater civilization!
Overall rating
5
/
5
56 of 92 found this review helpful
ENJOY CHRISTMAS IN BIODIVERSE COSTA RICA
PostedDecember 22, 2016
sunnyglow
fromHeading off to mountainous Costa Rica for a little biodiversity, surfing at Jacó Beach, eating gallo pinto, purchasing coffee and buying a shirt from Sam’s new beachwear collection!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: Agent – You are off to spend your Christmas on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica in an exciting 5-star adventure! H.E.L.P. is back along with Agent Sam, who is all decked out in some new chic beachwear. Travel to the waters off the coast of Costa Rica to investigate an artifact tied to an ancient underwater civilization, Lost Paradise. Finding this lost civilization lies with locating petrospheres which hold the key to restoring the map to reveal the location of this lost kingdom.
This is a decent adventure game which is perfect for intermediate and expert gamers. However, I do feel beginning players would enjoy it as well by skipping some of the puzzles and just concentrating on the excellent HOP scenes, collectibles, and engaging action-packed story. The story is based on the legend of the petrospheres of the Diquis Delta of Costa Rica. The graphics are phenomenal and provide a bright, sunny, beautifully illustrated tropical environment for those faced with some unpleasant frigid weather. There are an equal number of puzzles and HOP scenes and both are creatively designed. You collect fact cards and lizards.
The only negative I find in the game is the pace. At times, the pace tends to get bogged down throughout the game. There needs to be more activities in this game. However, this game is an improvement for EIPIX from last week’s Myths of the World offering. I like this game; however, I do not LOVE this game. For this reason, I will purchase this game as an SE.
HOP SCENES: They are creatively designed. They include a "locate and replace" scene. There are two multiple-step scenes. In one there is a list of items followed by rebus clues. In the other multiple-step HOP scene there is a list of items followed by silhouette items.
PUZZLES: The best part of this game are the puzzles. They are thematic and creatively designed. However, again, there are not enough of them to keep up the pace in the game. The puzzles are more challenging than in many other of this developer’s games; however, they are not over-challenging. Some of them are scientific in nature. There is a connection puzzle in which you connect a series of energy icons on a grid. There is also a slider puzzle involving molecules and a maze puzzle in which you create a path for 3 tokens.
RUBE-GOLDBERG PUZZLE (Super puzzle). I feel this puzzle is the best part of the demo. The first two puzzles are unique matching puzzles involving hieroglyphs. The third puzzle involves connecting the dots, so to speak.
LEVELS: Easy, Medium, Hard, Custom
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
18 Achievements – Some have 3 parts
Collect Fact Cards
Collect 38 Lizards
12 Morphing objects
Replay of 12 HOP scenes and 17 Puzzles
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, 13 Videos, Music, Souvenir Room
Map is provided as you play the game
18 Achievements – Some have 3 parts
Collect Fact Cards
Collect 38 Lizards
12 Morphing objects
Replay of 12 HOP scenes and 17 Puzzles
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, 13 Videos, Music, Souvenir Room
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Locate four pictograms. Then replace within the scene on a diagram. 3X
B. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate (2) Rebus items.
C. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locates (2) Silhouette
A. Locate four pictograms. Then replace within the scene on a diagram. 3X
B. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locate (2) Rebus items.
C. Multiple step. (1) List of items to locates (2) Silhouette
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Connection puzzle. For a series of energy icons on a grid, connect each one to energize a lightning bolt symbol. Rating: 3
B. Slider puzzle. Slide molecules around and place them in their proper location.
C. Maze puzzle. Move three tokens from the top of a maze to the bottom by moving obstacles out of the way. Rating: 3
D. Rube Goldberg puzzle. (Super puzzle)
(1) Matching puzzle. Using some awesome robotics, choose tiles which share two adjacent hieroglyphs with a middle piece and place it on the middle piece. Rating: 3
(2) Matching puzzle. Place stones on the correct position on a map by longitude and latitude coordinates. Rating: 2
(3) Logic puzzle. Arrange lines on a map so they intersect at a specific spot. Rating: 2
A. Connection puzzle. For a series of energy icons on a grid, connect each one to energize a lightning bolt symbol. Rating: 3
B. Slider puzzle. Slide molecules around and place them in their proper location.
C. Maze puzzle. Move three tokens from the top of a maze to the bottom by moving obstacles out of the way. Rating: 3
D. Rube Goldberg puzzle. (Super puzzle)
(1) Matching puzzle. Using some awesome robotics, choose tiles which share two adjacent hieroglyphs with a middle piece and place it on the middle piece. Rating: 3
(2) Matching puzzle. Place stones on the correct position on a map by longitude and latitude coordinates. Rating: 2
(3) Logic puzzle. Arrange lines on a map so they intersect at a specific spot. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Myths of the World: Bound by the Stone Collector's Edition
Can you stop the evil beasts before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
35 of 53 found this review helpful
MYTHS OF THE WORLD – BOUND BY MORE FILLER THAN THRILLER
PostedDecember 18, 2016
sunnyglow
fromI am planting a tree and burying this game along with it. Perhaps with the coming spring it will sprout some new growth of ideas for this developer.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OVERVIEW: Apprentice Witch Hunter: With the death of your mentor, and with a magic medallion in hand, you are off to the German town of Belin to fight a Solomonnar (a wizard) in this 3-star game. This evildoer is trying to keep the town from reenacting their annual Earth Day ritual. This is a great game for intermediate and expert players or those ecologists who LOVE Mother Nature and feel Earth Day should be a national holiday. However, this game is NOT me! I found this game very boring. There are few activities in this game and the pace is slow. I think a “snail’s pace” is faster than this game. There are only four HOP scenes and three puzzles in the demo. It seems I spent most of the game just “walking around” the town from building-to-building and room-to-room collecting supplies with an occasional HOP scene or puzzle.
WILL I EVER STRAIGHTEN UP THAT GEAR? As stated, there is a lot of time filler in this game. Straightening a bent gear took approximately one-quarter of the demo. I soon became frustrated ambling back-and-forth through several scenes searching for supplies to build the fire, fixing the bellows, finding the implements – all to fix a bent gear. Before I was finished with this activity, I just wanted to jump in the screen, take a hammer and bend it back myself – anything just to move the game along.
To their credit, the graphics are excellent. The HOP scenes are creative and so are the puzzles; however, there are just not enough of them to keep up a decent pace. I absolutely hated the Medallion puzzles.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO EIPIX? This is not the same quality game from the earlier Myths of the World which were action-packed and full of creative puzzles and HOP scenes. They had such wonderful fables from other countries. This game is a far cry from “The Heart of Desolation.” Again, I wonder why, with all the wonderful myths around the world, they prefer to produce the same game from yet another region of Europe, this one being another watered-down version of the werewolf myth. It was difficult for me to write this review because I truly like the people I have come to know through my association with Pond Friends. However, I feel this is poorly constructed game and this developer should take notice.
HOP SCENES: There are only 4 in the entire beta. They include the now-infamous EIPIX HOP scene in which you locate 5 of two items to uncover a list of items to locate. Others include a couple of silhouette scenes and a storybook scene. There is one scene which has both silhouette and a list of items to locate. It is interactive and probably the best part of the game.
PUZZLES: There are only 3 puzzles in the long beta. There are 2 maze puzzles and a switch puzzle. One of the maze puzzles is very creative involving gears and requires you to remove obstacles so a red pin can move through 3 gears. The other maze puzzle has you connecting flowers without retracing your steps. I did not understand the directions for this puzzle. There needs to be a better explanation of HOW to proceed in connecting these flowers. The last puzzle is an easy matching puzzle in which you match up two items to the correct trophies.
MEDALLION PUZZLE: To activate the medallion you play a puzzle in which you must press an empty tile which removes all symbols abutting it. Continue to do this until only one remains. The puzzles increase in difficultly (with more symbols) as you proceed in the game. You will play this puzzle 3 times in each sequence. I absolutely HATED this puzzle! However, this is a personal preference.
LEVELS: Juvenile, Subordinate, Pack Leader, Lone Beast
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
LEVELS: Juvenile, Subordinate, Pack Leader, Lone Beast
Hint: 10 to 120 seconds Skips: 10 to 400 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
You get a medallion to ward off evil. You must recharge it from time-to-time
13 Achievements
Collect 38 Wolf fangs
Replay 18 puzzles, 11 HOP scenes, Skipping stones game
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Music, VIdeo
Map is provided as you play the game
You get a medallion to ward off evil. You must recharge it from time-to-time
13 Achievements
Collect 38 Wolf fangs
Replay 18 puzzles, 11 HOP scenes, Skipping stones game
8 Wallpapers, 4 Concept Art, Music, VIdeo
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 skipping stones game instead
A. Famous EIPIX scene. (1) Locate 5 of two items which opens up (2) List of items
B. Silhouette
C. Storybook sequence. Find matching pairs of items.
D. Search and replace. Locate items and then us them to interact with the scene. Contains two mini-HOP scenes – one a list of items and the second a matching scene.
E. Mini-HOP scene. List of items
A. Famous EIPIX scene. (1) Locate 5 of two items which opens up (2) List of items
B. Silhouette
C. Storybook sequence. Find matching pairs of items.
D. Search and replace. Locate items and then us them to interact with the scene. Contains two mini-HOP scenes – one a list of items and the second a matching scene.
E. Mini-HOP scene. List of items
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Maze puzzle. Create a path for a red pin to move through three gears using arrows to remove blocks. The puzzle increases in difficulty. Rating: 2 – 3
B. Connect puzzle. Connect flowers connected by lines without using lines twice. I play many, many, many puzzles and I found the puzzle illogical and the instructions not very well written. Rating: 3 (Simply because I could not understand what they wanted me to do)
C. Matching puzzle. Switch between three animal trophies and find and switch parts of the three trophies so that each trophy has the correct items on it. Rating: 2
A. Maze puzzle. Create a path for a red pin to move through three gears using arrows to remove blocks. The puzzle increases in difficulty. Rating: 2 – 3
B. Connect puzzle. Connect flowers connected by lines without using lines twice. I play many, many, many puzzles and I found the puzzle illogical and the instructions not very well written. Rating: 3 (Simply because I could not understand what they wanted me to do)
C. Matching puzzle. Switch between three animal trophies and find and switch parts of the three trophies so that each trophy has the correct items on it. Rating: 2
I don't recommend this game.
Yuletide Legends: The Brothers Claus Collector's Edition
Can you save the holidays before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
132 of 207 found this review helpful
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM “UNDER THE DOME” AT THE NORTH POLE
PostedDecember 15, 2016
sunnyglow
fromPlaying this game gave me some ideas for new costumes for my Elf on the Shelf.
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
Can Christmas be saved? Imagine a world without Santa, gifts, and all the joy of Yuletide. Imagine a world with black-eyed elves! Yikes! Play Tinker, an elf, as you travel to the North Pole to help Santa deal with his evil brother, Varyk in this beautiful 5-star pus game. Santa and Mrs. Claus have been kidnapped and it is up to you to save them.
This is another wonderful Christmas game which can be enjoyed by the whole family. Daily Magic has again provided a little magic with this game. It is a great game to get everyone into the spirit of the season. The graphics are incredibly beautiful - all full of Christmas cheer. There are an equal amount of HOP scenes and puzzles. The HOP scenes are reused but beautifully reflect Christmas. The puzzles are all easy making this a family friendly game. There are morphing objects and you collect puzzle pieces for four jigsaw puzzles to be played at the end of the game. You also collect bulbs to open presents containing figurines of the game characters.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are beautiful and creatively designed. There are two HOP scenes in which you locate seasonal items to open a list of items to locate. There is a storybook scene with items listed in COLORFUL letters. You will learn about Santa and his brother. There are couple of silhouette scenes. These scenes are both creatively designed. In one you use a magnifying glass to locate items and in the other you use a telescope to locate items within a town.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all easy. Splat! To get you into the spirit – enjoy a puzzle in which you throw snowballs at evil Varyk. Other festive puzzles include a switch puzzle using books. There are three matching puzzles in the demo including a very creative one in which you ride a reindeer through the sky pushing away clouds to locate constellations. There is a rat maze in which you create a path for a mouse and a rope puzzle connect like items without re-crossing lines. There are two storybook sequences in which you maneuver items within the scene to get more information on the story. I loved the puzzle in which you manipulate images to create pictures of the characters. Very creative!
ELVEN MAGIC GAME. Every time you need to remove dark energy, play a variation of a Match-3 game in which you connect three or more like items to remove them. The objective is to remove all items form the screen.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 1 to 100 seconds.
Hints and Skips: 1 to 100 seconds.
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
19 Achievements
Collect jigsaw pieces to create 4 puzzles
Collect bulbs to open 10 presents
40 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide - 57 pages
8 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art, Music, 7 Levels of a Match-3 game
Map is provided as you play the game
19 Achievements
Collect jigsaw pieces to create 4 puzzles
Collect bulbs to open 10 presents
40 Morphing objects:
Strategy guide - 57 pages
8 Wallpapers, 15 Concept Art, Music, 7 Levels of a Match-3 game
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES
HOP SCENES: Reuse scenes but well-done
A. Multiple step. (1) Locate four snowflakes which opens to (2) list of items to locate. Beautifully created with interaction involving opening drawers to search for items.
B. Multiple step. (1) Locate 4 sleighs which opens to (2) list of items to locate
C. Storybook sequence. Remove items listed in colored letters. Very creative in design. Learn the story of Santa and his evil twin Varyk.
E. Silhouette. Very clever. Use a magnifying glass to locate items on pictures.
F. Silhouette. Using a telescope – locate items.
G. Storybook sequence. Match up words from the storybook
H. Silhouette items Reuse one of the scenes.
A. Multiple step. (1) Locate four snowflakes which opens to (2) list of items to locate. Beautifully created with interaction involving opening drawers to search for items.
B. Multiple step. (1) Locate 4 sleighs which opens to (2) list of items to locate
C. Storybook sequence. Remove items listed in colored letters. Very creative in design. Learn the story of Santa and his evil twin Varyk.
E. Silhouette. Very clever. Use a magnifying glass to locate items on pictures.
F. Silhouette. Using a telescope – locate items.
G. Storybook sequence. Match up words from the storybook
H. Silhouette items Reuse one of the scenes.
PUZZLES: ALL THE PUZZLES ARE EASY AND FAMIILY FRIENDLY!
Elven Magic Game: Play a variation of a Match-3 game in which you connect at least 3 like items in a continuous line vertically, horizontally and diagonally to charge a magic star.
Elven Magic Game: Play a variation of a Match-3 game in which you connect at least 3 like items in a continuous line vertically, horizontally and diagonally to charge a magic star.
A. Switch puzzle. Move and switch books in a bookcase to create a picture.
B. Matching puzzle. Remove presents by matching those which look the same.
C. Rope puzzle. Connect 6 tokens by pairs. Create a path without intersecting the paths of the other 2 connections.
D. Matching puzzle. Locate Christmas items matching those on a dial to open a lock. Instead of pointing to numbers, the dial points to Christmas items.
E. Storybook sequence. Move items into correct position in a storybook.
F. Rat maze puzzle. Create a path connect glass tubing for a mouse to travel from one end to the other.
G. Storybook sequence. Interact with a setting placing characters into the correct locations to forward the story.
H. Assembly puzzle. Rotate lines to create a picture.
I. Lock pick puzzle. Open a lock using a lock pick
J. Matching puzzle. Press on buttons corresponding to written code.
K. Manual dexterity game. Throw snowballs and hit the evil villain 5X.
L. Matching: Uncover clouds and match up constellations in the skies while riding a reindeer
B. Matching puzzle. Remove presents by matching those which look the same.
C. Rope puzzle. Connect 6 tokens by pairs. Create a path without intersecting the paths of the other 2 connections.
D. Matching puzzle. Locate Christmas items matching those on a dial to open a lock. Instead of pointing to numbers, the dial points to Christmas items.
E. Storybook sequence. Move items into correct position in a storybook.
F. Rat maze puzzle. Create a path connect glass tubing for a mouse to travel from one end to the other.
G. Storybook sequence. Interact with a setting placing characters into the correct locations to forward the story.
H. Assembly puzzle. Rotate lines to create a picture.
I. Lock pick puzzle. Open a lock using a lock pick
J. Matching puzzle. Press on buttons corresponding to written code.
K. Manual dexterity game. Throw snowballs and hit the evil villain 5X.
L. Matching: Uncover clouds and match up constellations in the skies while riding a reindeer
I recommend this game!
A quest filled with more than 100 mosaic nonograms to find Arcanesium. Gather clues and crack codes to solve the mystery.
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 77 found this review helpful
A RADICAL NEW HYBRID WHICH HAS AN ELEMENT OF FUN!
PostedDecember 14, 2016
sunnyglow
fromAfter this game, Professor Baumgartner is going to publish a new how-to-book “Do-It-Yourself: How to Discover New Chemical Elements in Your Own Home Grown Lab.”
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Welcome to a new game – a hybrid of a HOP game minus the hidden object scenes. Another BIG THANK YOU to BFG for another nonogram game! Now what do you call this type of game? The hidden objects are replaced with mosaics (AKA nonograms). I LOVE THIS 5-STAR PLUS GAME! That “plus” is for the inventive creative genius in creating a new type of game. Instead of searching for objects in a scene, play a mosaic (nonogram) puzzle to get an inventory item to help you investigate a house. Most nonogram games consist of one nonogram puzzle after the other. However, this one incorporates a story.
There are no difficulty levels for the nonograms and the ones I played I felt were easy. There are also other puzzles as well. The puzzles I played are easy as well. Included are logic puzzles, switch puzzles, matching puzzles, and sequence puzzles to name a few. I found the nonogram puzzles well-done. The colors are vivid; however, I must admit I found a couple in the demo which looked more like blobs instead of the items depicted. There is sound; however, there are no voice overs.
STORY: You play a nameless assistant to Professor Baumgartner. He has just discovered a new element, “arcanesium” - home-grown right in his own personal lab. He sends you a message that he has left for an urgent conference. He has asked you to break into this house and into his lab to get this new prototype. However, something is amiss here. He left in a hurry with specific instructions for you. However, you are rather surprised because he did not mention he was slated to attend a conference. Furthermore, why has he asked you to not to contact him? Is the professor in danger? Now you are off to explore his house and locate that new chemical element!
NONOGRAM FACTS:
• Colors: Each puzzle I played has 3 colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle. (However, I wished they used another color besides “gray” which is difficult to perceive.
• There is only one difficulty level.
• 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.
• Hint: You receive 3 hints if needed.
• Lives: You are allowed 6 mistakes, which are called lives. After that, you must restart the game.
• There are over 100 puzzles
• After completing a puzzle, you receive an inventory item to use in the game.
• This game has mini-games within it. The ones I played were easy.
• There is only one difficulty level.
• 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.
• Hint: You receive 3 hints if needed.
• Lives: You are allowed 6 mistakes, which are called lives. After that, you must restart the game.
• There are over 100 puzzles
• After completing a puzzle, you receive an inventory item to use in the game.
• This game has mini-games within it. The ones I played were easy.
I recommend this game!
Celebrate Christmas and solve new amazing mosaics puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 38 found this review helpful
DECORATE YOUR DAY WITH A MERRY RAINBOW CHRISTMAS GAME
PostedDecember 12, 2016
sunnyglow
fromAre the Johnsons residents of Whoville or has the Grinch expanded his territory?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Who is the Grinch who has stolen Christmas from the Johnsons? The tree is gone! The presents are gone! However, the tree outside their window provides a glimmer of hope that perhaps the family can decorate it with all the decorations you will earn in this festive 5-star game. A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for the beautiful Christmas game, all decked out with bright cheery colors and Christmas delights, including an occasional Christmas carol playing in the background. And just wait until you envision those yummy sugarplums dancing around in the background of this game. I LOVE this game. This developer produces outstanding griddler games, and this one is another shining star to place atop of the Christmas tree.
As you sit by the fire awaiting Christmas day, can you bring a little Christmas cheer to the Johnsons and to yourself as well? After finishing the game, join the Johnsons and hold hands round the Christmas tree as you sing the Whoville Christmas song. However, you might want to sing some carols as well while playing this game. This was an automatic free coupon game for me and a wonderful early Christmas present!
GAME FACTS:
• 120 Griddler puzzles encircling a Christmas tree.
• Beautiful realistic looking pictures of holiday items upon completing the grid.
• Square patterns: Choose up to 7 different styles of square patterns. I know no other developer which offers this feature.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Collect coins to purchase decorations for the tree and power-ups as well.
• Power-ups. – These are aids you can purchase. You are given free ones as you earn points as well.
Eye – Opens one random square for you.
Hammer – Allows you to open one square of your choosing without a penalty
Grid – Opens a complete section of your choosing within the grid
• Stars: You get from one to three stars based on solving the puzzle and on the amount of errors you collect.
• Errors: You are allowed four errors (maybe more in the later puzzles?). Once you have used up the allowable errors, you need to start the game over again.
• Beautiful realistic looking pictures of holiday items upon completing the grid.
• Square patterns: Choose up to 7 different styles of square patterns. I know no other developer which offers this feature.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Collect coins to purchase decorations for the tree and power-ups as well.
• Power-ups. – These are aids you can purchase. You are given free ones as you earn points as well.
Eye – Opens one random square for you.
Hammer – Allows you to open one square of your choosing without a penalty
Grid – Opens a complete section of your choosing within the grid
• Stars: You get from one to three stars based on solving the puzzle and on the amount of errors you collect.
• Errors: You are allowed four errors (maybe more in the later puzzles?). Once you have used up the allowable errors, you need to start the game over again.
I recommend this game!
The town of Brightfield is under attack by a mysterious infection!
Overall rating
3
/
5
73 of 133 found this review helpful
PART OF A RECENT EPIDEMIC OF GAMES WHICH WILL NEVER GO VIRAL
PostedDecember 10, 2016
sunnyglow
fromI am becoming glassy-eyed from playing this game. I need to stay away from this game so I don’t become infected with Boredom (which is now going viral at BFG) before Christmas.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
5 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER – REVIEW BASED ON THE DEMO
OVERVIEW: Get ready for a Christmas blast – of cold winter reality from Elephant Games! There are no elves, sugar cookies nor Santa this week. This week find yourself in a Winter Wonderland donning a gas mask in the virus infested environment of a deserted hospital. This virus causes people to literally turn into beasts. This hospital holds the secret behind this epidemic. Plotting behind the scenes are a dastardly Dr. Cyanide and his cohort, the Queen of Hearts!
This is a decent 3-star game for beginning gamers or those looking for a nonchallenging whodunit adventure. It will appeal to many of the Mystery Tracker fans. The graphics are well-done and display the artistic talent of this developer. There are more puzzles than HOP scenes. I found the HOP scenes nondescript with little interactivity and most of the puzzles extremely easy. Elf, the ankle biter is back as a helper. He is used 3 times in the demo. Again, my only request for Elephant is to please stop his barking throughout the game. It is rather annoying for those of us who are not dog lovers.
There are three collectibles – cards, air filters for your gas mask, and fresco pieces to create a picture at the end of the game. If you like this game, I am happy for you. With the slow pace of the game combined with the easy puzzles and Elf’s antics, I found it a snail-paced adventure into boredom! I got tired ambling around the police station and deserted hospital back-and-forth from scene-to-scene.
GASPING THROUGH A GAS MASK. As you proceed in the game you will need to wear a gas mask to keep from getting exposed to a virus which will literally turn you into a beast. You must wear this through the entire game. When your air filter begins to fail, you will hear an irritating gasping noise until you locate an air filter. Unlike the beta, the game allows you to turn off this feature. You may want to consider that option.
THE LAST GASP: This is another series which appears to be on its “last breath.” I did like the last game in this series, “Mystery Trackers: Train to Hellwich;” however, this game cannot compare to that well-crafted game. The story is a hodgepodge of different themes. This is another series which I feel should end.
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are decent. They are not very interactive. There are two silhouette scenes and a list of items to locate. There is a new type of HOP scenes in which you must locate parts of scenes within a picture.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are very easy. I feel they lack creativity. We have seen a variation of all these puzzles in other games. One of the puzzles (which I do not consider a puzzle) involves taking a number listed on a piece of paper and entering it on a numerical lock. In other games, this would not be considered a puzzle My favorite puzzle is a moving tiles puzzle in which you move tiles around so that they match the symbol beneath them.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Detective
Hints and Skips: Time not given
Hints and Skips: Time not given
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
22 Achievements
Collect playing cards which practically jump out at you.
Collect pieces for a fresco to create a picture.
Collect air filters for a gas mask
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Secret Room, Music,
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
22 Achievements
Collect playing cards which practically jump out at you.
Collect pieces for a fresco to create a picture.
Collect air filters for a gas mask
8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art, Secret Room, Music,
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: A. Silhouette. Locate several of the same item to remove the silhouette symbol from the screen. B. List of items. C. A unique type of scene. On a picture, locate segments within the scene. D. Silhouette.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Moving Tiles puzzle. Move three tiles with animals on them into position based on their animal print. Rating: 1
B. Moving tiles puzzle. Move a series of tiles so they match up with the symbol beneath them. Rating: 3
C. Sliders puzzle. Move 3 sliders so that you restore an image. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Move a ball so it goes over every line in the maze without retracing steps. Rating: 2
E. Swap puzzle. Rotate rings and swap pieces on four circles to recreate pictures of animals. Rating: 2
F. Sequence puzzle. Following a code, press on symbols. Rating: 2
G. Connections puzzle. Connect squares with lines based on the number of dots on each square. The lines emanating from the square must match up with the dots. Rating: 2
H. Lock puzzle. Open a lock using the numbers given to you on a paper. This passes as a puzzle? Rating: MINUS 1 (THIS IS NOT A PUZZLE!)
I. Sequence puzzle. Move a symbol to match its mate on the bottom of screen by recreating a sequence clicking on the symbols to move toward the bottom. Rating: 2
A. Moving Tiles puzzle. Move three tiles with animals on them into position based on their animal print. Rating: 1
B. Moving tiles puzzle. Move a series of tiles so they match up with the symbol beneath them. Rating: 3
C. Sliders puzzle. Move 3 sliders so that you restore an image. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Move a ball so it goes over every line in the maze without retracing steps. Rating: 2
E. Swap puzzle. Rotate rings and swap pieces on four circles to recreate pictures of animals. Rating: 2
F. Sequence puzzle. Following a code, press on symbols. Rating: 2
G. Connections puzzle. Connect squares with lines based on the number of dots on each square. The lines emanating from the square must match up with the dots. Rating: 2
H. Lock puzzle. Open a lock using the numbers given to you on a paper. This passes as a puzzle? Rating: MINUS 1 (THIS IS NOT A PUZZLE!)
I. Sequence puzzle. Move a symbol to match its mate on the bottom of screen by recreating a sequence clicking on the symbols to move toward the bottom. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the Brotherhood of Stone Masks in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
88 of 154 found this review helpful
THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY – THIS GAME PROVES IT!
PostedDecember 8, 2016
sunnyglow
fromDecisions! Should I play or stay away? I will stay away and play another day. However, just remember there are two sides to everything - one man's curse is another man's blessing.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
6 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER – REVIEW BASED ON DEMO
OVERVIEW: Which path will you choose in this 3-star adventure? You, as Louisa, an antiquities dealer, will travel through Germany to reconnect with your old friend, Conrad, who once lived with your family. He has sold you an artifact which is a “double-edged sword” so to speak. You will find yourself dealing with a two-sided, “two-faced” relic which heals but exacts a price for the cure. Your trip will end up at a destination where you must make a difficult choice between two outcomes. There are two sides to every story and you will soon need to determine which path to travel!
This is a great game for beginning players or for those who enjoy an easy breezy game. I did find the graphics blurry in some places. The HOP scenes are nondescript – the ones in the demo are predominately lists of items. The puzzles are all easy. I only found one which is somewhat challenging. There is only one collectible – jigsaw pieces to complete four puzzles and they practically jump out at you. You can replay the HOP scenes and the puzzles.
I found very little creativity in this game. Many of the puzzles are replicas of ones we have seen in other games. If you are looking for a romance novel packaged in a gaming format, this would be a good choice. There is an element of whimsy in this game with a myriad of wide-eyed baby animals and horses cavorting throughout the scenes. I will never purchase this game. I hate whimsy, sappy love stories and tend to like a little more challenge in the games I play.
HOP SCENES: There are four in the demo. They are predominantly lists of items with some interactivity. There is one creative silhouette scene which involves looking at pictures of tavern food to locate the items.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are all variations of puzzles we have seen in other games. They are varied in style but not difficulty. All the puzzles are extremely easy with exception of one puzzle. There is a sliding tiles puzzle which requires you to slide tokens into place so they match up with the picture beneath them. I find this puzzle a little more difficult than the others. There are the usual assembly, switching and moving tiles puzzles to restore images and pictures. There is one relatively easy logic problem which requires you to turn on tokens on a board to blue. Practice your roping skills with a manual dexterity puzzle to lasso a sign post.
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 at the start of the game
20 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 48 jigsaw pieces to create 4 puzzles. They practically jump out at you
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers, music
Map is given to you at the start of the game
20 Achievements – Some with 3 parts
Collect 48 jigsaw pieces to create 4 puzzles. They practically jump out at you
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
Usual wallpaper, artwork, screensavers, 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 to locate. B. Silhouette. Look at pictures of tavern food orders and locate the food for them. Rather creative C. List of items to locate D. List of items to locate
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Manual dexterity puzzle. Lasso a rope to a signpost by clicking on the center of a moving bar. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens on a bag so that they match up with related images on the bag. Rating: 1
C. Sliding tiles puzzle. Create 9 pictures by sliding tiles and then match up each picture with a malady, the cause, and the cure. Rating: 1
D. Moving rings puzzle. Rotate rings on a Codex to restore a picture. Rating: 1
E. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide 8 tokens so they are next to a token associated with it. Rating: 3
F. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a horseshoe with those on a door. Rating: 1
G. Sequence puzzle. As per a given code, Press on pictures of cats in sequence. Rating: 1
H. Logic puzzle. Click on tokens until they all turn blue. Clicking on one may affect the others. 3X Rating: 2
I. Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move pieces to recreate photographs. Rating: 1
J. Assembly puzzle. Place pieces into the correct places to create a gas mask.Rating: 1
K. Sequence puzzle. Remove bars in sequence to open a door. Rating: 1
L. Switch puzzle Switch tokens to restore a picture. Rating: 1
A. Manual dexterity puzzle. Lasso a rope to a signpost by clicking on the center of a moving bar. Rating: 1
B. Switch puzzle. Switch tokens on a bag so that they match up with related images on the bag. Rating: 1
C. Sliding tiles puzzle. Create 9 pictures by sliding tiles and then match up each picture with a malady, the cause, and the cure. Rating: 1
D. Moving rings puzzle. Rotate rings on a Codex to restore a picture. Rating: 1
E. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide 8 tokens so they are next to a token associated with it. Rating: 3
F. Matching puzzle. Match up symbols on a horseshoe with those on a door. Rating: 1
G. Sequence puzzle. As per a given code, Press on pictures of cats in sequence. Rating: 1
H. Logic puzzle. Click on tokens until they all turn blue. Clicking on one may affect the others. 3X Rating: 2
I. Assembly puzzle. Rotate and move pieces to recreate photographs. Rating: 1
J. Assembly puzzle. Place pieces into the correct places to create a gas mask.Rating: 1
K. Sequence puzzle. Remove bars in sequence to open a door. Rating: 1
L. Switch puzzle Switch tokens to restore a picture. Rating: 1
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a destructive scientist before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
116 of 189 found this review helpful
PERPETUALLY IN LOVE WITH DOMINI GAMES - A MASTERPIECE OF INVENTIVE GAMING
PostedDecember 6, 2016
sunnyglow
fromAre Maxwell’s inventions worthless? Not at all. Maxwell could become the “head” of his own company selling these gadgets through infomercials on late night television!
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: What a great 5-star plus game! Domini has my heart – all wrapped up in coils and wires and placed into a “perpetual motion” machine! It does seem I am perpetually drawn to purchasing their games. This game is a puzzle-lover’s delight! This is a very long game evidenced by a strategy guide which consists of 64 pages! Wow! I loved playing the demo and to me, it has the potential to become one of my favorite games. I don’t think this game will appeal to everyone – however, it will appeal to those who are inventors, engineers, puzzle-lovers, sci-fi- lovers and those whose futuristic dreams and souls are excited and “lifted up” by the awesome potential of anti-gravity devices and mechanical contraptions.
What an awesome mechanical feast! I loved the fact this is a long demo. It does give the potential player some idea of what the actual game will be like. I also liked the fact the demo includes 14 – yes – 14 puzzles. There are more puzzles than are offered in complete games from other developers. Domini is the only developer who provides both an easy and hard option to their puzzles and it is evident that much work went into creating this game. I played the beta and could not wait until this game appeared!
STORY: The Curio society is back with an agent gone wild. A renegade ex-agent, a scientist, Jack ,is out for revenge against the society. He is attacking fellow agents. You will be aided by Mary Fincher in this game and a score of awesome devices, including an anti-gravity scepter.
PUZZLES: The puzzles are just amazing! Words escape me to describe the amount of work and creativity which went into constructing these puzzles. I played BOTH the easy and the hard versions to get a feel for them. The developer has truly been able to provide puzzles which I believe will appeal to both those who want a low-key game with little challenge and to those who love some brain crushing effort in solving these. I have seen no other developer who provides this variation in difficulty for the puzzles with such expertise. Domini has now become the “inventor” of delightful puzzling masterpieces
HOP SCENES: The HOP scenes are few (only four) in the demo; however, they as well are very creative. I enjoyed playing the matching pairs scene. The spot the differences scene is beautifully rendered. I also like the fact that there is decent puzzle in one of the silhouette scenes.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hardcore, Custom
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
Anti-gravity scepter. A prototype which allows nullifies gravity so you can move objects with ease.
22 Achievements
Collect 20 Maxwell’s inventions. There is also a blinking light which alerts you if you have missed any of the items.
14 Morphing objects: Prototypes of absurd inventions
Collect 24 film strips
Strategy guide - 64 pages
Replay of 17 Puzzles and 18 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art. Music FIlmstrips
Map is given to you at the start of the game
Anti-gravity scepter. A prototype which allows nullifies gravity so you can move objects with ease.
22 Achievements
Collect 20 Maxwell’s inventions. There is also a blinking light which alerts you if you have missed any of the items.
14 Morphing objects: Prototypes of absurd inventions
Collect 24 film strips
Strategy guide - 64 pages
Replay of 17 Puzzles and 18 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art. Music FIlmstrips
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES: You may play a Match-3 game instead.
A. Sentences. Locate items listed in GREEN letters. Will relate information about the Curio Society.
B. Silhouette items. Very cool. Locate items and then return them to the proper location within the scene. There is a puzzle within this scene. Using arrows, restore a picture on a box.
C. Matching pairs. Very creative. You need to move items around to get at the pairs.
D. Locate the differences between two sides of a trophy case. Very creative
A. Sentences. Locate items listed in GREEN letters. Will relate information about the Curio Society.
B. Silhouette items. Very cool. Locate items and then return them to the proper location within the scene. There is a puzzle within this scene. Using arrows, restore a picture on a box.
C. Matching pairs. Very creative. You need to move items around to get at the pairs.
D. Locate the differences between two sides of a trophy case. Very creative
PUZZLES: Choice between easy and hard for most of the puzzles.
A. Assembly puzzle. Rotate rings to restore a picture. Moving one affects the others.
B. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide 5 spheres into the matching colored slots.
C. Given a phone number, dial the number on an old rotary phone.
D. Maze puzzle. Create a path for each of three gems to travel from left to right.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
F. Weights and balance puzzle. Move weights so that the numbers on the weights match up to the number of arrows pointing to the square.
G. Assembly puzzle. 1) Using an ocular, locate symbols in a dark scene. This is more of a HOP scene. (2) Replace the pieces into the proper places.
H. Maze/Gear puzzle. Move a token along lines to an exist using arrows to guide it.
I. Assembly puzzle. Move three pieces of a segmented statue to reassemble it on the left of the screen. You cannot place a piece on top of one which is below it in the original make-up.
J. Assembly puzzle. Using arrows – slide pieces of an owl into the correct locations to reassemble the image.
K. Assembly puzzle. On a chart choose three symbols to create a third which is the combination of the three you have chosen.
L. Domino puzzle. On a board, place domino type pieces into location so that every square is filled.
M. Mathematical puzzle. Do some math calculations to move green gas in each of 3 tubes so that the gas in each tube reaches a green line in each tube. Moving one valves affects the flow of the other tubes.
N. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate square pieces on a board so that each of four sides of the square match up.
A. Assembly puzzle. Rotate rings to restore a picture. Moving one affects the others.
B. Sliding tiles puzzle. Slide 5 spheres into the matching colored slots.
C. Given a phone number, dial the number on an old rotary phone.
D. Maze puzzle. Create a path for each of three gems to travel from left to right.
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tiles to restore a picture.
F. Weights and balance puzzle. Move weights so that the numbers on the weights match up to the number of arrows pointing to the square.
G. Assembly puzzle. 1) Using an ocular, locate symbols in a dark scene. This is more of a HOP scene. (2) Replace the pieces into the proper places.
H. Maze/Gear puzzle. Move a token along lines to an exist using arrows to guide it.
I. Assembly puzzle. Move three pieces of a segmented statue to reassemble it on the left of the screen. You cannot place a piece on top of one which is below it in the original make-up.
J. Assembly puzzle. Using arrows – slide pieces of an owl into the correct locations to reassemble the image.
K. Assembly puzzle. On a chart choose three symbols to create a third which is the combination of the three you have chosen.
L. Domino puzzle. On a board, place domino type pieces into location so that every square is filled.
M. Mathematical puzzle. Do some math calculations to move green gas in each of 3 tubes so that the gas in each tube reaches a green line in each tube. Moving one valves affects the flow of the other tubes.
N. Moving tiles puzzle. Rotate square pieces on a board so that each of four sides of the square match up.
I recommend this game!
Explore a new world of pixel art puzzles in more colors than ever in Fantasy Mosaics: Explore New Colors!
Overall rating
5
/
5
22 of 39 found this review helpful
THE PENGUINS HAVE RETURNED FROM VACATION WITH SOME COLORFUL SOUVENIRS
PostedDecember 5, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
OVERVIEW: What a wonderful Monday surprise! The adorable Penguin family has returned for another much anticipated visit! A BIG THANK you to BFG for offering a game in one of my favorite genres. This is another excellent 5-star game from Match Gems. I have been anxiously awaiting a new game from this developer. I have played every one in the series and this game is designed exactly like the others. There are supposed to be new colors; however, from the few grids I played, I did not see any new ones which were not available in the previous game offered in this series. Perhaps, there are some new colors in the puzzles featured later in the game.
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, Mosaics, or whatever you may call them); however, no matter the name, they are a fun puzzle game.
HOW TO PLAY: Color me a picture! 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 row of squares indicating the number of squares which are to be filled in for that row. Squares are filled in where the squares intersect between the two sets of numbers on each side.
GAME FACTS:
• Levels: Casual and Advanced.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
• Collectibles. When you complete one level of 5 puzzles, you receive an item to place in your garden.
• Levels: Casual and Advanced.
• Colors: The game has up to six colored screens which can be switched at any time while playing the puzzle.
• Autofill: There is autofill so you do not have to fill in the unused boxes. However, you can use your mouse to right click “X’s” for unused spaces.
• Hints: Hints are given as you proceed and are based on the difficulty of the puzzle and how well you perform in solving the grid
• Number of Levels and Puzzles: There are 100 puzzles – 20 levels with 5 puzzles per level in the game.
• Aids: You have a pickax as an aid in the game
• Awards: There are 3 trophies: a gold trophy for no mistakes, a silver trophy for 1 mistake, and a bronze trophy for two mistakes. If you make 3 mistakes, you must start the game over again.
• Collectibles. When you complete one level of 5 puzzles, you receive an item to place in your garden.
I highly recommend this game if you like Sudoku games or any type of mathematical puzzle.
I recommend this game!
There's been a murder at Count Oldgrey's!
Overall rating
2
/
5
122 of 181 found this review helpful
A WHODUNIT WHICH IS A “MONSTROUS” DISAPPOINTMENT
PostedDecember 3, 2016
sunnyglow
fromNext on the Dr. Phil Show: “The Oldegreys – A Family in Crisis.” Two brothers and a “monstrous” sister work out their relationship problems. During the break – don’t go for a snack – watch a BFG commercial instead.
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
OVERVIEW: Detective! Get ready for an extended stay at the Oldgrey estate in this 2-star game. You better pack a book on family counseling in your bag for advice. You will be dealing with a dysfunctional family with many secrets hidden between the walls of their mansion. The story seems to be loosely based on “Frankenstein” myths. Returning is the creepy snorting dwarf to add a few unexpected kinks into the game. He is in many of the ERS games and he seems out-of-place in this game.
What has happened to ERS? This is the second game in a row which I would consider a monstrous disappointment! The graphics are excellent; however, the pace is very slow. The only thing scary about this game is the “haunting” feeling of boredom while playing it. I became tired of the back-and-forth movement within the game. The HOP scenes and puzzles are poorly designed. The HOP scenes lack any interactivity. The puzzles are very easy and not thematic. They almost seem thrown in without any connectivity to the story behind the game.
There are few extras in this game. You collect 12 “Día de los Muertos” skulls with Spanish names (their relevance to this game is beyond me since this game takes place in the British Isles). They practically jump out at you. You will collect evidence kept at the right side of the screen. You will click on them to ask questions from the suspects. I found it a little difficult to maneuver. There are not many achievements. You collect items for a Weather Stone. Since it is not used in the demo, its purpose is unclear. I realize that at times ERS get better after the demo; however, this game just does not excite my interest to stick around to find out. It may be a great game for beginning players; it is just not for me.
HOP SCENES: There are only three in the demo. There are two straight-up lists of items with little interactivity and a multiple step one which combines searching for one item followed by a silhouette sequence. All the scenes are poorly done.
PUZZLES: There are many less-than-picture-perfect puzzles in this game! ERS must have a thing for picture puzzles. Over half of the puzzles in the demo involve restoring some type of picture or image. The puzzles are all easy. The only puzzle I enjoyed was the first one in which you move dials to restore a picture. You must not only move the images but also change their size as well. Other picture puzzles include a slat puzzle to restore a picture, a jigsaw puzzle, a switch puzzle and a slider puzzle. A few other puzzles include a manual dexterity puzzle we have seen in numerous games in which you must trace a snake-like figure without touching the sides. There is a maze puzzle which is anything but “a-maze-ing.” You create a path for 3 tokens to reach their proper location. There is a dot-to-dot puzzle to connect dots to light up lamps on a figure. You do not even need to have a continuous line. You can connect dots anywhere to connect the lights. This is just unbelievable for a game designed for adults!
STORY: SPOILERS, SPOILERS, SPOILERS! I do not want to ruin your day so there may be possible SPOILERS in the story! However, I highly doubt it. The fiancée of Alfred Oldgrey has been murdered and you have been called in to investigate the death. Behind the scenes is a great deal of family drama – enough to get an invitation to the Dr. Phil show. Two brothers were vying for the affections of the well-heeled Christy Hoffman, member of a moneyed elite family. The older brother was engaged to her and the creepy scientist younger brother was obsessed with her. Her death now has brought sibling rivalry to a head between the two brothers. Thrown in to this sibling rivalry mess is the death of their sister, Louise from heart problems (however, it may be due to being “bored to death" with this game). The bickering parents include Count Oldgrey , the clueless father, and his wife, Countess Oldgrey, who is a nasty woman who had disdain for her son’s fiancée. In the background, you will notice glimpses of a monster throughout the demo.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Hard, Custom
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
Hints and Skips: 5 to 200 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
Weather Stone which you must recharge
10 Achievements - Flowers
Collect 12 Día de los Muertos skulls
Replay 16 Puzzles and 23 HOP scenes
Wallpapers, Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Movies
Map is provided as you play the game
Weather Stone which you must recharge
10 Achievements - Flowers
Collect 12 Día de los Muertos skulls
Replay 16 Puzzles and 23 HOP scenes
Wallpapers, Concept Art, Screensavers, Music, Movies
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. List of items (Scene repeated) C. Multiple step. (1) Matching pairs of feathers. (2) Silhouette.
A. List of items. B. List of items (Scene repeated) C. Multiple step. (1) Matching pairs of feathers. (2) Silhouette.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Assembly puzzle. Using a set of dials, move images into position to match up with its background. Rating: 2
B. Slat puzzle. Move slats to restore the picture of Chrissy’s body. Rating: 1
C. Jigsaw puzzle. Restore a picture. Rating: 1
D. Matching puzzle. Match up keys. Rating: 1
E. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of a box to recreate a picture. Rating: 1
F. Slider puzzle. Move pieces out the way to create a path for a slider. Rating: 2
G. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Trace a snake-shaped symbol from right to left without touching the walls of the symbol. Rating: 1
H. Maze puzzle. Create a path to move 3 objects to their proper location. The 3 figures can only move on blocks with their image and the blocks change shape as you proceed on the path Rating: 2
I. Connect the dots puzzle. Connect dots in a maze-like puzzle so that all lights are lit. Rating: 1
A. Assembly puzzle. Using a set of dials, move images into position to match up with its background. Rating: 2
B. Slat puzzle. Move slats to restore the picture of Chrissy’s body. Rating: 1
C. Jigsaw puzzle. Restore a picture. Rating: 1
D. Matching puzzle. Match up keys. Rating: 1
E. Switch puzzle. Switch pieces of a box to recreate a picture. Rating: 1
F. Slider puzzle. Move pieces out the way to create a path for a slider. Rating: 2
G. Manual Dexterity puzzle. Trace a snake-shaped symbol from right to left without touching the walls of the symbol. Rating: 1
H. Maze puzzle. Create a path to move 3 objects to their proper location. The 3 figures can only move on blocks with their image and the blocks change shape as you proceed on the path Rating: 2
I. Connect the dots puzzle. Connect dots in a maze-like puzzle so that all lights are lit. Rating: 1
I don't recommend this game.