szeb's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.5
- Helpful Votes:113
- Reviews Submitted:6
- First Review:February 12, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 9, 2016
- Featured reviews0
szeb's Review History
The ancients have disappeared, leaving behind mysterious mosaics, whose secrets only you can unravel!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 12 found this review helpful
I've been waiting for this for a while now...
PostedJanuary 9, 2016
szeb
fromSweden
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I don't review games often, but I felt I had to review this game since I feel it has gotten an undeserved low rating. I first played Mystery Riddles over a year ago and loved it. It's one of the very few games I replayed and I checked every so often if there was a new one out. And happy holidays a new one did come out! I'll be honest, I only play the Fill-A-Pix ( I think it's called) in which you fill in a picture by coloring in the number of filled in boxes that are supposed to be in a 3x3 grid. So if the number in the center is 9, then all are filled, easy enough. The challenge comes with the lower numbers and the fact that all the 3x3 grids, which do overlap, have to work. It's difficult to explain, so I recommend trying it in the demo. In the end you do get an image, though they are usually not obvious while you are doing the puzzle, and I never quite focus on that since I get too engrossed working with the logic of the grids. There are 10 levels with 10 puzzles each and they get progressively harder. I really enjoy these puzzles.
The other way to play is the standard mosaic, which I have to admit I haven't played. After being challenged by Fill-A-Pix, which I have never come across in any other game, the standard mosaic lost it's magic for me. If that's all you want to play in this game, then you're likely better off looking at a game which specializes only in that (like Mystery Mosaics) as other reviewers have said. However, if you enjoy logic puzzles, want to twist your brain a bit and try something new, I highly recommend this game.
Please Big Fish, more of this type of puzzle!
I recommend this game!
Re-enter the enchanted world of Drawn in the highly anticipated third installment of the cinematic series!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Stands the test of time
PostedSeptember 10, 2015
szeb
fromSweden
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File, Word, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game came out a few years ago but somehow I just ended up playing it tonight. Loved it! While I did have some issues with Win 8.1, the game was rather slow to load and froze up my computer once, it was still a great game. Beautifully drawn with puzzles that are somewhat more challenging than those in recent games. This whole series is a winner, one I highly recommend. There are more in depth reviews to be read, but I'm writing to let others who may have missed the game the first time around that it is still a game worthy of your credits, or even full price. I miss these games, honestly. Wish they would do more.
I recommend this game!
You're called to a health spa in the Alps, where an evil professor has something terrible in mind for his unwitting patients.
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 24 found this review helpful
Truly Top Notch! (Review of Completed Game)
PostedDecember 10, 2013
szeb
fromHungary
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
What an extraordinary game! This fourth game in the series is now my favorite. The first game was good, the second good, the third was not (at least for me, I know plenty loved it), but this one definitely brings the series back on track. Congratulations to the developers on an excellent job! This is a game worthy of being a CE.
I normally don't like HOS, but in this game I enjoyed every last one. You have place the items back, silhouette, list with some interaction and a new kind where you also replace items to where they belong but you find them within the scene itself with no clue underneath. Most of them weren't difficult, but some items were tricky. You played each scene twice but this was not annoying, as they were so well done.
I play these games for the puzzles and these puzzles were great! They were different, with some I hadn't seen before and some old ones with a twist. They ranged in difficulty and I actually skipped two because I didn't have the time to truly solve them. I thought I could replay them at the end but, and this is my only complaint, not all of them were available in the extras.
There is no map, which could have been helpful at times, but the hint was directional and highlighted the area with an available action, so it wasn't a problem. My biggest gripe with the third game was the endless backtracking and this was definitely improved in this game. While there was some backtracking, and it wouldn't be fun if there weren't, each "chapter" was contained in about 6 or 7 scenes. So there was no going back to the very first scene after an hour to pick up a screw since once one patient's story was done, the areas associated with them were completed.
The bonus game is not necessary to the story (it's a prequel) but was well done and worth playing. It was rather long (I guess about 1.5 hrs) and there were puzzles and a variety of HOS. So often a great game with interactive HOS will have just list HOS in the bonus, but that's not the case here. The bonus game wasn't just an afterthought and opened up some new areas. For me, it was completely worth it.
There are achievements, and a cane to find in every scene, with some of those quite well hidden. There is a separate chapter in the SG that shows their locations, which is a plus for me, since I don't like having to go through every page to see if I missed something. There is also the rest of the usual CE fare, though no replayable HOS.
All in all, I highly recommend this game. Everything about it from the artwork to the story was well done and a pleasure to experience. Try the demo and I'm sure you'll agree.
Excellent game developers!!! Thank you!
I recommend this game!
The Emperor’s son has a mysterious illness. As legendary healer Daiyu, you’re called to the palace to save him, but you end up having to save yourself!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Beautiful game but...
PostedJuly 4, 2013
szeb
fromHungary
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
...way too many HOS!!! For me that's not a good thing, but for some that's a bonus so I didn't bring down my star rating. There are 2 types of HOS, list with some interaction and shadow clues. However, you could switch to mahjong, which I often did when I found myself groaning, "not another one..." The puzzles were also ridiculously simple (I played the medium difficulty), which was a downer for me, too, since I love these games for the puzzles. For me, this got to the point where I could hardly wait to finish the game. So, for me it was a bit disappointing.
However, the length was decent, the bonus chapter is in a completely new area and takes the story further (though the main game ends satisfactorily enough to not make playing it a necessity). I don't think those waiting for the SE will feel cheated, though the bonus does bring the story to completion. Considering it lasted only about 35-45 minutes, though, you have to decide based on the demo if you like the game enough to buy the CE.
The artwork is beautiful and it filled my widescreen with no distortion. The story is interesting, if a bit predictable. Game play was not difficult in advanced mode, don't know about hardcore mode. Aside from a dragon and a demon that weren't very frightening, I can't remember anything that was too mature in content, so I think this could be a good family game to play with kids over 5, though check out the demo first and judge if it's right for your family.
The CE content was the before mentioned bonus game, wallpapers, re-playable HOS and mini games, music, very few examples of concept art and a very short "making of" movie. The credits were witty, and I enjoyed reading them (since I always read the credits, it's nice when you get a little surprise). There were also achievements and each scene had a hidden crane. A little crane in the toolbar is either filled or empty, depending if you found it in the scene or not. I liked that, however I still managed to miss one...obviously not one of my strengths.
So, while this game was not among my favorites, it is a well made game, a beautiful game. It was nice to be somewhere else besides an asylum, abandoned town or haunted whatever. I think you have check out the demo and see for yourself.
I recommend this game!
A new breed of virus has spread throughout the City of Oxford. You must search the city for a missing girl who holds the key to stopping the global epidemic!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Bonus not worth it, but game is good
PostedMay 20, 2013
szeb
fromHungary
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm a little late reviewing this game, but I just got the chance to play it. The story was very good, and this could have been thrilling, but it left some unanswered questions. Don't get me wrong, the main game has a good resolution, but there were just some things the developers would have delved further into.
I thought maybe in the bonus game, but no. Actually that is why I am writing this review, to let others know not to buy the CE. The bonus game is very short, takes you to no new areas, and doesn't take the story any further, nor give you anymore background. The rest of the extras were concept art, wallpapers, and one interesting video about the making of the game...but that still doesn't make it worth the CE price. I'm glad I had bought it on sale.
So, I highly recommend getting the SE for this game, and I do recommend this game. I had fun and the story kept me intrigued. The HOS were interactive but with some items difficult to find. The adventure aspect was of medium difficulty, running around was not too bad. I would recommend downloading the trial first, though, as it might not appeal to everyone. Also, though the subject matter could have opened the door for plenty of gore, I can't remember seeing any truly disturbing images.
I recommend this game!
Save the souls of prodigy children and their caretaker who disappeared during the fire in The Agency of Anomalies: Cinderstone Orphanage!
Overall rating
4
/
5
64 of 69 found this review helpful
The bonus game was a sore letdown...
PostedFebruary 12, 2012
szeb
fromHungary
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I loved Mystic Hospital so I was really excited about this game, but by the end I just wanted the game to end. However, since not everyone has played the first game, I will try to judge the game based on its own merit.
As a stand alone game, it was a good game. The HOS were clear and they alternate between traditional lists with one interactive object and placing objects back into the scene where they would logically go (my FAVORITE type of HOS). The HO scenes repeat, though each time you will have to find/place different items. Items previously found in a search will be there again next time. In every one you will obtain an inventory item to be used elsewhere (these don't reappear), frequently to be able to solve a puzzle. The puzzles were rather simple but I ended up skipping 3 of them because my laptop ran them sluggishly (though it meets the specs). There are 33 locations in the main game and it's of a decent length. There are badges to be earned and a postcard to be found in each scene.
The storyline was interesting with each chapter involving helping one of the orphans, who gives you their power when you succeed. So, to be fair, as a stand alone game I gave it four stars. It is a good game...for a SE.
However, it does not live up to expectations after the first one. I can't really put my finger on why, maybe that it's too easy compared to the first one? The characters seem a bit forced? Because puzzles accept only one correct answer even if there is more than one (happened twice)? I just found myself getting annoyed the more I played and rather than be sad, I was glad when I finished.
And as for the CE, NOT worth it in my opinion. You get a strategy guide, but you have to access it from the main menu and it doesn't hold your place. You can replay the minigames, but they aren't randomized so it's the same simple puzzle you solved before. The bonus chapter was awful! The puzzles in it were interesting, probably better than the main game, but there weren't that many. It was at least an hour long, however there was so much gratuitous backtracking that I was grinding my teeth after a while. As an adventure game lover, I normally don't mind backtracking, but this was ridiculous (sometimes 4-5 back to back backtracking to complete 1 task!). The main game has a satisfactory ending and though the bonus takes the story a bit further it does not get resolved!!! I may have been so annoyed at this point that I missed it, but I found myself just more confused by the bonus ending.
So, in the end, as a stand alone it's a good game, worth it as an SE (not a CE). As the sequel to an excellent game it's a disappointment, worthy of only 3 stars at best.
I recommend this game!