sunnyglow's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:80,084
- Reviews Submitted:815
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 25, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
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!
Uncover the secrets buried under Karkhala Peak.
Overall rating
5
/
5
258 of 388 found this review helpful
CRASH LAND INTO A 5-STAR PLUS ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE! PURE SHANGRI-LA!
PostedJuly 23, 2016
sunnyglow
fromI feel as if I have crash landed into Shangri-La with this game. I will be spending my weekend fighting Asmodai while enjoying the TIbetan scenery.
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 PLUS PART OF CHAPTER 3
OVERVIEW: Pack your parachute and fuel up your plane and get ready for an action packed adventure in the third and final episode of the “Enigmatis” series. To me this is a LONG 5-star plus game which is more of an adventure game than a HOP game. Set in a monastery in the Himalayas of Tibet, this game is just pure pleasure to play - developed by one of the best game designers in the business. I have been awaiting the release of this game for months!
After a two-year hiatus, the game picks up where the last one left off, with you and your partner Rick looking for the Preacher, the remaining Reaper. The game has a thrill-a-minute pace. The HOP scenes are very creatively designed. The puzzles are easy and vary in style. There are three collectibles - 15 feathers, 8 flowers called Widow’s Sorrows, and 21 morphing objects. There are 37 achievements as well. You will collect evidence throughout the game which will be displayed on an evidence board kept in your cell phone. .
This game demonstrates excellence in creative game design with hand-drawn scenes. As you play the game, you hear in the background the sounds of Tibetan shamanic meditative music.
STORY: The gaming script is excellent, continuing the tale of the fight between good versus evil. In this final chapter, there is only one Reaper remaining, the Preacher. This final episode of the series finds the demon Asmodai trying to resurrect himself in the body of the Preacher. You must locate something called the “Wrath of God” which is the only way to stop the transference of the demon, Asmodai from occurring.
HOP SCENES: The two HOP scenes in the demo are lists of items. One of them is a list of items which is interactive. The other one involves a stained glass window and is very creative in design. You look for items which are cleverly integrated into a stain glass window. This developer uses stained glass windows to reflect the element of “light” to contrast the “dark” nature of the game. AFTER THE DEMO: The HOP scenes I played were a list of items and a silhouette scene.
PUZZLES: There are more puzzles than HOP scenes and all are easy; however they are unique and very creative. There is a maze puzzle which gives some background on the story of the Reapers. One of my favorite puzzles in this game was a multiple-step one in which you use a compass to triangulate the position of three points on a map to locate the Preacher. Other puzzles include a matching puzzle in which you match up symbols in a picture, a manual dexterity puzzle which has you using your mouse to balance yourself on a tree perched between two rather tall mountains, and a sequence puzzle involving books. AFTER THE DEMO: The puzzles I played included a logic puzzle to create medicine and a pipe puzzle. Both were easy.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
Skips and Hints for Mini-Games 10 to 120 seconds Hints for HOPS: 5 to 240 seconds
Skips and Hints for Mini-Games 10 to 120 seconds Hints for HOPS: 5 to 240 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is provided as you play the game
37 Achievements (from what I could count)
Collect 8 Widow’s Sorrow – a flower
Collect 15 feathers
Collect 21 morphing objects
Replay of HOP scenes and mini-games
Strategy guide - 72 pages
14 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Cutscenes
Map is provided as you play the game
37 Achievements (from what I could count)
Collect 8 Widow’s Sorrow – a flower
Collect 15 feathers
Collect 21 morphing objects
Replay of HOP scenes and mini-games
Strategy guide - 72 pages
14 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Cutscenes
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. This is a very creative HOP scene using a stained glass windows to locate the items which are well hidden within other objects within the window. So beautiful and so creative.
B. List of items to locate. Interactive and puzzle-like.
AFTER THE DEMO:
C. List of items to locate which are thematic and include creating a sand mandala
D. Silhouette puzzle to locate herbs and flowers. Well done
B. List of items to locate. Interactive and puzzle-like.
AFTER THE DEMO:
C. List of items to locate which are thematic and include creating a sand mandala
D. Silhouette puzzle to locate herbs and flowers. Well done
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Logic problem. Move rungs of a telephone poll so that you may climb up the pole. Rating: 2
B. Maze puzzle. Move Asmodai’s dagger on a path in which you must make contact with every circular hub in the maze. Learn more about the demon Asmodai and his followers. Rating: 2
C. Inventory puzzle. Sliding rings. Slide four rings into position to create a picture on an inventory item. Rating: 1
D. Matching puzzle. Used throughout the game to analyze evidence which has been collected.
E. Map puzzle. Locate three symbols on a map using a magnifying glass on a compass. Triangulate the 3 locations to learn your location. Rating: 2
F. Manual dexterity puzzle. Cross a deep chasm between mountains using a fallen tree as a bridge and a ski pole for balance. You will move your mouse left and right to keep your balance. Very creative puzzle. Hope you are not afraid of heights! Rating: 2
G. Multiple Step. (1) Matching puzzle. Reposition books in a line according to a picture. With an adorable baby blocking the books in the picture, this one is not as easy as it seems! Rating: 3 (2) Sequence puzzle. Push symbols on the books in correct order. You will start over if you slip up. Rating: 2
H. Matching: Match up symbols between two books. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
I. Logic puzzle. Interact with the scene to locate items you need to formulate medicine for a wound Rating: 2
J. Pipe puzzle. Connect pipes so that like colored ends meet. Rating: 2
B. Maze puzzle. Move Asmodai’s dagger on a path in which you must make contact with every circular hub in the maze. Learn more about the demon Asmodai and his followers. Rating: 2
C. Inventory puzzle. Sliding rings. Slide four rings into position to create a picture on an inventory item. Rating: 1
D. Matching puzzle. Used throughout the game to analyze evidence which has been collected.
E. Map puzzle. Locate three symbols on a map using a magnifying glass on a compass. Triangulate the 3 locations to learn your location. Rating: 2
F. Manual dexterity puzzle. Cross a deep chasm between mountains using a fallen tree as a bridge and a ski pole for balance. You will move your mouse left and right to keep your balance. Very creative puzzle. Hope you are not afraid of heights! Rating: 2
G. Multiple Step. (1) Matching puzzle. Reposition books in a line according to a picture. With an adorable baby blocking the books in the picture, this one is not as easy as it seems! Rating: 3 (2) Sequence puzzle. Push symbols on the books in correct order. You will start over if you slip up. Rating: 2
H. Matching: Match up symbols between two books. Rating: 2
AFTER THE DEMO:
I. Logic puzzle. Interact with the scene to locate items you need to formulate medicine for a wound Rating: 2
J. Pipe puzzle. Connect pipes so that like colored ends meet. Rating: 2
I recommend this game!
Can you save the Metzengerstein line before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
197 of 314 found this review helpful
DUPIN RETURNS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE “FAMILY FEUD”
PostedJuly 21, 2016
sunnyglow
fromBerlifitzing and Metzengerstein? What ever happened to Smith and Jones? One of your “achievements” in this game is to spell these names without looking! You also get a gold star if you can pronounce these names!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON THE DEMO:
OVERVIEW: Follow me – as we return to 1847 Hungary in a dark mystery game with a ghostly masked figure, a family curse, and a tragic love story. Dupin is back in a game based on Poe’s first short story. As the assistant to Dupin, find yourself embroiled in a feud between two families and a love story reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. I find this a decent 5 star game. The story is engaging; the pace is decent; and the graphics are dark and brooding providing an excellent background for a macabre Poe story. There are only four HOP scenes in the demo, two of which are storybook to provide some background on the story. The puzzles are varied and some contain a “casual” and “hard” setting. Your “helper” in this game is a camera to take pictures every time you see a purple fog in the scene. The pictures provide information you need in playing the game. You collect 15 cards relating to the Poe stories. You can replay both the HOP scenes and the mini-games and there are 18 achievements.
STORY: Will the feud between the Berlifitzing and the Metzengerstein families ever end? Someone has attacked Frederica and the Metzengerstein family has asked Dupin to investigate. When a masked stranger kidnaps Frederica, you are off to find her. A budding romance between Frederica and the son of the rival family, Wilhelm, has ended in tragedy when Wilhelm is killed, burned in a fire. Was her father responsible for his death, not wishing her to marry due to a bitter feud and the Berlifitzing family curse? And who is the masked stranger lurking in the shadows?
HOP SCENES: In the demo, the HOP scenes consist of two storybook scenes, a list of items to locate and a mini-HOP scene.
PUZZLES: Returning are the “hard” and “casual” versions of SOME of the puzzles. There are a couple of manual dexterity puzzles. One of these is a tracing puzzle and the other is one in which you ride a horse while avoiding obstacles in the road. Other puzzles include a switch puzzle to recreate a picture of a “Poe raven.” The “hard” setting I found a little difficult in this puzzle. The other puzzles include a very easy sequence puzzle and a sequence of two moving tiles puzzles involving skulls. There are some puzzles in the inventory as well including an assembly puzzle to create a bucket.
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
You get a camera to take pictures. Take pictures every time you see the fog. You receive a picture which will help you in the game.
18 Achievements
Collect 15 cards
Strategy guide
Replay 16 Mini-games and 21 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 5 Screensavers, 7 Concept Art, Music and Movies
Map is provided as you play the game
You get a camera to take pictures. Take pictures every time you see the fog. You receive a picture which will help you in the game.
18 Achievements
Collect 15 cards
Strategy guide
Replay 16 Mini-games and 21 HOP scenes
10 Wallpapers, 5 Screensavers, 7 Concept Art, Music and Movies
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND MINI-PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in colored letters.
B. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in colored letters. Return to the same scene to continue the story
C. List of items to locate
D. Locate 12 nails.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
B. Storybook sequence. Locate items listed in colored letters. Return to the same scene to continue the story
C. List of items to locate
D. Locate 12 nails.
PUZZLES: Puzzle Rating: (1) Extremely easy 2) Easy (3) A little difficult or time consuming (4) Moderately difficult (5) Difficult
A. Inventory puzzle: Assembly puzzle: Assemble a lighter from inventory items.
B. Manual dexterity puzzle. Trace two symbols. Rating: 2
C. Switch puzzle. Choice between Casual and Hard settings. Switch tiles to recreate a picture of a raven. Rating: Casual 3 Hard 4
D. Moving tiles puzzle. Move letters on a purse to the correct position based on a diagram. Rating: 1
E. Inventory puzzle. Sliding tiles. Slide 3 rings to recreate a picture. Rating: 1
F. Inventory puzzle. Open a lock. Press numbers to open a lock according to a code Rating: 1
G. Matching pairs. Match up pipes to remove them. Rating: 1
H. Sequence puzzle. Move horseshoes in the proper order to open a lock to a gate. Rating: 1
I. Manual dexterity puzzle. Guide a horse down the road by avoiding obstacles in its path. Rating: 2
J. Inventory puzzle: Assembly puzzle. Assemble a bucket. Rating: 1
K. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide skulls into the proper slots by color. 2X Increases in difficult. Rating: first puzzle – 2; second puzzle - 3
L. Inventory puzzle. Switch puzzle. According to a diagram, switch stars into the correct position
B. Manual dexterity puzzle. Trace two symbols. Rating: 2
C. Switch puzzle. Choice between Casual and Hard settings. Switch tiles to recreate a picture of a raven. Rating: Casual 3 Hard 4
D. Moving tiles puzzle. Move letters on a purse to the correct position based on a diagram. Rating: 1
E. Inventory puzzle. Sliding tiles. Slide 3 rings to recreate a picture. Rating: 1
F. Inventory puzzle. Open a lock. Press numbers to open a lock according to a code Rating: 1
G. Matching pairs. Match up pipes to remove them. Rating: 1
H. Sequence puzzle. Move horseshoes in the proper order to open a lock to a gate. Rating: 1
I. Manual dexterity puzzle. Guide a horse down the road by avoiding obstacles in its path. Rating: 2
J. Inventory puzzle: Assembly puzzle. Assemble a bucket. Rating: 1
K. Moving tiles puzzle. Slide skulls into the proper slots by color. 2X Increases in difficult. Rating: first puzzle – 2; second puzzle - 3
L. Inventory puzzle. Switch puzzle. According to a diagram, switch stars into the correct position
I recommend this game!
A young woman joins the Order of monster hunters and discovers its dark secrets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
207 of 302 found this review helpful
ONE OF THE BEST GAMES THIS YEAR! A FIVE-STAR PLUS ADVENTURE INTO CREATIVITY
PostedJuly 16, 2016
sunnyglow
fromOur heroine Sylvia expresses my thoughts exactly: ““Never thought hunting demons would require me to play ‘little princess.’ “
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON THE ENTIRE GAME - 6 CHAPTERS PLUS A BONUS CHAPTER
OVERVIEW: First, I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Artifex Mundi for giving me the opportunity to play this FIVE STAR PLUS OUTSTANDING game gratis. This is my favorite developer and this game, as their others, does not disappoint! This is another topnotch game from an outstanding developer! This is an amalgamation of an adventure game combined with a HOP gaming format. It is creative, innovative and illustrates excellence in gaming! The pace is excellent with a variety of activities within each scene, including some puzzle-like activities to figure what action you need to perform to move to the next scene.
STORY: The Order is back, with an acolyte of Master Solomon, Sylvia, leading the fight against a new monster, the Koshmaar. For centuries this dark force has been imprisoned within a crystal called the Incarceri Stone hidden deep within the vaults of the Order headquarters. However, someone, wishing to access the great power of this crystal, has stolen it, risking the release of this evil entity. It will be up to you, as Sylvia, along with your mentor, to retrieve this stolen artifact. When a magical rift appears over the town of Lichenteim, you are able to discover its location. Traveling to Lichenteim, you will be in for the fight of your life to stop the Koshmaar, a parasite which feeds off the negative emotions of its hosts, turning them into zombie-like creatures called Maskwraiths. Further investigation reveals that the evil is preying on an overly ambitious mother, her daughter, Camilla, a disgraced member of the Order - Gabriel, Camilla’s maid and a wealthy suitor vying for Camila.
GRAPHICS: The graphics emphasize the game’s theme of “dark” powers fighting those of the “light.” The graphics use realistic imaging with dark tones throughout to provide a sinister environment. I felt the addition of the stained glass window puzzles was a nice contrast providing some “light” to the otherwise dark ambiance of this game. This contrast is evident with the characters themselves. Our heroine is portrayed as a strong warrior demon hunter. Her presence is contrasted with that of Camilla, the “pretty princess” in this game. The voice overs are excellent as well.
LEVELS: Casual, Advanced, Expert, Custom
General hints and skips: 10 to 120 seconds. Hints for HOP scenes: 2 to 240 seconds. There is a penalty for random clicking.
General hints and skips: 10 to 120 seconds. Hints for HOP scenes: 2 to 240 seconds. There is a penalty for random clicking.
MINI-GAMES: There are 27 puzzles in the game, which almost twice the amount of HOP scenes. They are very creative and innovative. This game is more of an adventure game than a standard HOP game. Much of the game requires some strategy skills in figuring out what actions you need to perform in order to proceed. One of the best examples of this is a “booby trap” sequence in which you need to formulate the steps to take and what inventory you will need to get through the series of booby traps in a cathedral.
As for the standard mini-games found in most standard HOP games, I found the puzzles varied in difficulty and variety. They include matching puzzles, assembly puzzles, sequence puzzles, sliding tiles puzzles, lock pick puzzle, and mathematical puzzles.
INTERACTIVE 3-DIMENSIONAL PUZZLES WITH OBJECT MANIPULATION: This is a NEW CONCEPT for HOP games. As in many of today’s adventure games, there are interactive puzzles with objects in this game. This is not found in most standard HOP games. There are three instances of this within the game. One of these involves a camera in which you must locate and remove a negative within the camera. You must interact with the camera rotating it in a 3-dimensional format by locating and pushing buttons on the camera to open up various parts of the camera. You must then locate items from the camera, placing them back onto the camera in the proper location. You will interact until you finish getting the photographic negative. This same 3-dimensional activity is performed throughout the game with a skull with phrenology symbols and a phonograph, which requires twisting and turning and manipulating items in order to get it to work. (Actually, the phonograph puzzle is similar to one I just played in another adventure game, “The Alphabet Murders”).
REPETITIVE MINI-GAME TO FIGHT EVIL: Throughout the game, each time you encounter an instance in which you must remove the parasitic Maskwraith from a victim, you must play two puzzles. The first puzzle is a “spot the difference” puzzle in which you must locate the token in a set of red tokens which differs symbolically from the symbols in a set of blue tokens. The second puzzle is a storybook one using stained glass windows to tell the story of the victim reflected in their memories. So creative and innovative! There is a variety of puzzles used in the storybook sequences. They include jigsaw puzzles, sliding tiles puzzles, and moving panes of glass into the proper location.
HOP SCENES: There 14 HOP scenes in the game. These are probably the weakest part of the game. Most of the HOP scenes are lists of items (usually a number of one particular item to be located). There are also a few FROG scenes as well to create inventory items. I felt the Bonus Game had more creative HOP scenes. The format for the HOP scenes in the bonus games is different from the rest of the game.
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the start of the game
28 Achievements
Collect 30 Skeleton-like dolls
Replay of 12 HOP scenes and 18 mini-games
Strategy guide – 52 pages
6 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art, Soundtrack, and Cut scenes.
Map is given to you at the start of the game
28 Achievements
Collect 30 Skeleton-like dolls
Replay of 12 HOP scenes and 18 mini-games
Strategy guide – 52 pages
6 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art, Soundtrack, and Cut scenes.
BONUS CHAPTER: Play Gabriel, Sylvia’s brother, trying to escape the prison of the Incarceri Crystal. You must once again fight the Koshmaar which again has been let loose. You will locate the source of the Koshmarr’s power plus face a difficult heart wrenching decision.
There are four puzzles with a storybook sequence and five HOP scenes. I feel that the HOP scenes are better constructed than those in the main game with more variety including silhouette and a little more variety on the lists of items to locate. The puzzles are excellent as well. I particularly enjoyed a mathematical puzzle and a puzzle using mirrors to direct beams to destroy enemies. You will face a difficult choice in this final chapter.
I recommend this game!