spenny1's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:454
- Reviews Submitted:40
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:March 17, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Satisfy your never-ending hunger for brains in this light-hearted zombie puzzle game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
45 of 48 found this review helpful
You'll need to use your braaiiins for this one
PostedApril 22, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is such a simple little game, but actually rather addictive. It starts off with a little tale telling you how you got where you are (a zombie), and then it's onto 'making friends' and collecting your dinner - brains! I didn't see any instructions, so was hitting all the keys in an attempt to get my little character to move, but you actually just highlight him, then drag a path with your mouse.
It's an easy enough concept, but the task gradually gets trickier with more people out to stop you, with various weapons, and obstacles in your path. There are also different zombie types, each with their own abilities, so you have to choose the right ones, get your timing right, and use a little logic. You can also 'buy' abilities and various random items to dress your little guy.
This is a prime candidate for my PCC, a quirky little puzzler. Give it a go, and give it a chance, you'll soon know if it's for you.
I recommend this game!
Trivia Machine Reloaded
Climb to the top of the ladder by answering fun questions from the trivia machine! The game features thousands of fun trivia questions in 9 categories.
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
Highly addicive
PostedApril 8, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I just can't put this down, and find myself even dipping in during ad breaks. I am someone who loves quizzes and trivia though, and have quite often been 'that' person in the pub shouting at the quiz machine, or desperately shouting out sports questions to try to get the answer from blokes at the bar. This is great as you can stop and save your game at any point.
It is a bit trickier playing as a Brit, as people have already mentioned. The TV and history questions are mainly American, but on the plus side, many of the genius level questions in those topics are quite easy for me as they're European or world questions You can definitely employ a bit of strategy in that sense, with a bit of luck. As well as the three difficulty levels, you can also choose to ditch one or two of the wrong answers from the four provided, although you do lose points awarded. I am now seeing this a personal challenge, so far I've not made it past round 8, or answered a whole lightening round correctly.
If you like this sort of thing, try the demo. You'll soon find out if it's your bag or not.
I recommend this game!
Scrabble
The fantastically fun crossword game is now specially designed for your PC or Mac!
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 15 found this review helpful
US English
PostedMarch 24, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This is scrabble as you would expect it, but I found it a bit frustrating as a Brit. I was entering words I know full well are in the the dictionary, but they weren't accepted. I kind of expected that, but still a bit annoying.
Everyone is frightened by the sights and sounds of something large stumbling through the darkness. Can you solve the mystery before the monster adds another chapter to this legend?
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
Are you sitting comfortably?
PostedMarch 23, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Well I thoroughly enjoyed this game, although before I played it, I was a little concerned after reading reviews saying that it has too much dialogue, personally I didn't find this to be the case. The characters are well rounded, with distinctive personalities, and you have to take clues from the dialogue to solve the case. I guess if you view this as an interactive story, and are happy to enjoy the ride, it probably won't be a problem for you. I understand this might not be for everyone, but it really does make the game play a richer experience story wise.
People have already talked about the game contents and story, so I'll just add a few of my own comments. OK, so it's not really a new story, but it did keep me engaged, and I always felt as if I was doing things for a reason, and progressing in my detective duties. The two ongoing board games are fun, and I really enjoyed the Raid game, and went back many times. The puzzles were good Nancy Drew standard, and a couple had me scratching my head for a bit, but perseverance paid off (and taking a break now and then!). I even managed to find an 'Easter egg', totally unaided, which was a lovely surprise.
It didn't take me long to get my bearings in the castle, but the forest and the maze can be a bit of a pig. There are maps to be found in game, but I have to admit to sourcing my own before came across them. I also let out a massive groan when I discovered, right near the end of the game, that I didn't need to dial my own phone numbers, you can just click which one you want from the list, doh!
I thought the music was lovely, and the atmosphere just right. I'm not up on German accents, but I did enjoy talking to Lucas, and thought the way he told his 'secrets' was very cute.
If you enjoy Nancy Drew, I don't think you'll be disappointed, and even if you haven't played one before, give it a go (I'd recommend junior detective mode). On to the next one now I think.
I recommend this game!
In a house full of trap doors and secret tunnels and suspicious fires, one misstep means Nancy won't stand a ghost of a chance!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Solid sleuthing
PostedMarch 16, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Don't be put off by the fact that this is an older game. You soon get used to the screen layout if you haven't played one of these older ones before, and although the navigation can take a little getting used to, I soon forgot I had even thought about it.
I played on senior level, and found the level of challenge just right for me. You still have access to hints through phone calls to your friends. There are plenty of puzzles, riddles to solve, and clues to find.
I really felt like I was poking around an old house, looking for clues and answers, with the sort of hidden areas I always wanted to find in real life as a child. The eerie sound effects and 'did I see that?' visuals in a couple of places add to the atmosphere. The characters are well done and the story rolls along nicely. You do have a basic journal in the bedroom, but note taking is imperative for solving the riddles, and helps if you get to a point where you need a reminder of what possible actions you could be taking.
All in all, a very enjoyable game, one I'd definitely recommend.
I recommend this game!
Tour the Sunken City while interrogating suspects to nail the masked thief in this authentic Adventure game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
My favourite Nancy Drew yet!
PostedMarch 13, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've played quite a few of these now, but this really is my favourite. I haven't played any for a while, so I played on junior detective, and I had the checklist for clues to remind me what I was doing, although I didn't need them much, and as soon as the game started, it was like being back with an old friend. The story was engaging from the start, and I always felt I was moving forward and achieving something. The graphics in this one are the best I've seen in in these games, and the characters are well animated and all have plenty of personality, they are also all very well voiced. I also found the controls and navigation easy to use. In my opinion these is just the right amount of talking and information gathering, I never felt anyone was waffling on, well, maybe Prudence Rutherford a bit, but that suits her character.
It really has a bit of everything. You have a map, so the exploring and navigation is simple, and the gondolier rides are beautiful. There are plenty of puzzles, all solvable but with a good level of challenge. The mini games are great, the dancing is great fun, and the scopa is really quite addictive, could be a good stand alone card game. There's even a chance to get a bit of shopping in, should you fancy it, which adds to the few necessary wardrobe changes. There are places where you can come to harm, but this adds to the excitement, and you do get second chances (and third and fourth as I found out!) I have to admit to glancing at a walkthrough for one part really near the end, but compared to most adventure LGFs, it's nothing really.
Everything is logical and makes sense, I really felt like I was conducting an investigation, and the whole game is just really great fun, hours of fun! I don't think I've ever given a full 5 star rating before for fun factor etc, but this really does have it all for a great adventure game. I got a genuine sense of achievement when I wrapped the case up, although I would have happily played on for another day. Let's hope we get another new style Nancy Drew at Big Fish really soon.
I recommend this game!
Help Kiera Vale discover her ancestor’s history as she explores Blackwater Asylum in Nightmare Adventures: The Witch’s Prison!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Size isn't everything
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
To all intents and purposes, this could be seen as a fairly basic game, but that's actually one of the reasons I like it so much. It's not a big hidden object puzzle game with whizz bang effects and cinematics (which I also love to play), but that's exactly how it should be for this one. The graphics are well drawn and on the creepy side, and the occasional music and sound effects compliment them well. The illustrated cut scenes are beautifully drawn, and you control the speed of the written speech. It's a slow burn, eerie adventure puzzler, strong on story and game play.
Don't be fooled by the small file size though, it gave me a good 4 hours of totally engaging game play. I wasn't too sure at first, but the story line and feel soon pulled my in. You have a PDF which acts as a journal, which only briefly pops up with a new entry, no annoying flashing at the bottom of the screen. You also have a camera which takes photos of clues and hints you'll need further on for puzzles, and make no mistake, there are plenty of puzzles, so if you're not a big puzzle fan like me, this one might not be your bag. There is only one hidden object scene to speak of.
There is no hand holding, no annoying sparkles anywhere, and like most adventure games, no difficulty choice. Having said that though, if you do get stuck the hint is helpful. You can also use the hint on puzzles if you need a clue but don't want to skip. The puzzles range from riddle based to visual and logic ones, a few easier to get you going then with a good level of challenge, but all perfectly solvable. The comments the main character makes throughout the game are believable with a bit of humour and occasional sarcasm. I especially liked the 'Big Fish' reference I got whilst looking around one room. You do have to look around and explore properly. This is definitely one to settle into and not rush, even better in the evening with the lights turned off!
I only got this after playing the demo of Nightmare Adventures The Turning Thorn, as I wanted to play the start of the story before playing the sequel. I can't think why I passed over this the first time around, but am so pleased I found it now. It had a great ending, and I'm now off to play The Turning Thorn, let's hope it lives up to this one.
I recommend this game!
Your brother is kidnapped during an air show. Search for him in a beautiful world where the sky is as wide as your imagination.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Lovely game, but not quite as good as the others
PostedFebruary 1, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As with the previous Surface games, and as is usual from Elephant, this one has stunning graphics. Everything is bright and clear, and even the detailing around the screen is beautiful, like an antique brooch. You still have the basic journal with the option to replay cinematic journal entries, and the jump map. The game is broken up into three smaller areas, so you don't get lost, or have to make notes. The flowers you collect are used as currency to repair the various areas, and there are achievements. The latter were fairly basic though, mainly handed out for things you have to do anyway, and extras for not using hints/ships and 'philanthropy', ie restoring the ares.
This is still a lovely game to play, but I did feel there wasn't quite as much challenge as the previous two games. The puzzles and mini games are fun, and all a bit different to the norm, but all pretty easy. Working out what needed doing and where was all very straightforward too, not much thinking required. I think the main was only around 3 1/2 hours game play, maybe 4, so not the longest game out there but still a fairly decent length.
I also found the story a bit far fetched, yes I know it's fantasy, and I'm a big fantasy fan, but some things were still a bit of a stretch or made little sense. I was left with a few unanswered questions, but I shan't put them here so I'll put them on the forum where I can white them out, so people can look if they want to. I guess it's just my bug bare, but I didn't feel the story flowed quite as well as the first two games.
The bonus chapter was a good hour long for me, and is a proper bonus with extra story content. I think the quality was just the same as the main game, not stuck on as an afterthought to qualify it as a CE.
So all in all, still a lovely game, but just not quite as challenging as the others. I hope Elephant is going to start to sacrifice quality for quantity, as they seem to have released quite a few of late. Please devs, take note!
I recommend this game!
After finding an artifact, you're whisked away to a dying world. Can you save it from the darkness?
Overall rating
2
/
5
27 of 40 found this review helpful
Dissapointed
PostedJanuary 28, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
After seeing good reviews and the screen shots, I was looking forward to playing this one. However, I've been left wondering if I'm even playing the same game!
The graphics were really fuzzy, were the cut scenes. There seems to be rather a lot of them too, but maybe it was just because the poor quality was bugging me. The hidden object scenes were poor quality graphics wise too, but still very easy. I think I got my "10 objects in 10 seconds" in the first or second scene. The puzzles were also far too easy for me, all bog standard ones that we've all seen before, and required very little thought to quickly complete. I also found objectives constantly popping up, even though it was pretty obvious what to do next, and everything I clicked on gave me exact instructions what to do as well. I know the sparkles debate goes on, but if I choose the harder setting which specifically states there will be none, that's what I expect, why offer it then not deliver? Big intrusive sparkles over every hidden object screen, which on top of everything else, made me feel as if I was playing on a very easy difficulty level.
The music and sound effects were good, and would have gone well with the settings had the graphics been better. There are also achievements and collectibles, which I also like. The story line could have been interesting too. Such a shame, could have been a good game, but let down by poor graphics, far too much 'hand holding', and little to no challenge during game play.
I don't recommend this game.
Help a mage find the missing love of his life! Explore a dark forest and find the evil kidnappers in this Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 23 found this review helpful
...and now for something completely different
PostedJanuary 25, 2013
spenny1
fromWiltshire, UK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I can't remember how I stumbled onto this little gem, but I'm so pleased I have. As others have said before me, at first I really wasn't sure it was going to keep my interest, and then all of a sudden the hour was up and I was reaching for a punch card credit to purchase and carry on.
It's really quite different to anything else I've played on Big Fish, and brilliant in it's simplicity. The music is perfect for the game and not at all intrusive. The graphics are pretty simple, but it doesn't need 900MG of stunning graphics, special effects and cut scenes like my usual fare, as it's just all about simple game play.
Basically look for objects and spells in fragmented object scenes (not my favourite but I forgive this game), so that you can fight enemies in an RPG style battle. The only thing is you have to find all the items on screen of whatever potion you want to use, before the enemy gets you! Totally addictive. In between there are also other puzzles to complete, such as match 3, jigsaw, and 'find the pairs'. None are particularly challenging, which is another thing I usually go for, but it just all adds up to a really lovely, 'unputdownable' rounded little bundle of fun.
I really would recommend you to give it a go, whatever your usual game preference is.
Must dash, have foes to vanquish and potions to make!
I recommend this game!