rosekaufmann's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:18,036
- Reviews Submitted:831
- First Review:April 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 27, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
End a centuries-old war between the Guardians and the Clan of the Nine in 9: The Dark Side!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
PostedDecember 7, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on complete game.
Gameplay: More an adventure game with numerous puzzles and a few HO scenes. Long game, with total time quite dependent on ability and patience in solving the puzzles (see below). Hint: When an apparition disappears, look around to see if anything useful appeared in the scene (besides any item you were specifically given).
Visuals: Quite nice.
Journal: Gave a lot of story background and detail, which was certainly interesting.
Storyline: Found the story difficult to follow. An amulet and a Gateway to the Dark Side together made up the artifact. The Guardians stole and hid the amulet and the priests opened the Gateway to release a deadly mist. So why would the priests want to help the last Guardian find the amulet? I just couldn’t get my arms around it. Usually I don’t care if the story is very good. But this was an interesting story, so I did want it to make complete sense.
HO scenes: The list of items needed to more clearly differentiate between found and unfound objects. The slight contrast between them meant it was very difficult to determine what was outstanding. It looked like different items were outstanding every time I shifted my position or tilted the screen.
Puzzles were many and some were terribly challenging (much more than merely difficult). Quite a few depended on reading glyphs and putting them in the correct order. Sometimes the information could be found elsewhere, but too often it seemed like I should have taken a couple more college-level logic classes to solve them. I apparently had an unknown time limit to solve puzzles, because I used the skip button because I just gave up.
Not quite a 4 1/2 star game because of difficulty in logic of the storyline.
Gameplay: More an adventure game with numerous puzzles and a few HO scenes. Long game, with total time quite dependent on ability and patience in solving the puzzles (see below). Hint: When an apparition disappears, look around to see if anything useful appeared in the scene (besides any item you were specifically given).
Visuals: Quite nice.
Journal: Gave a lot of story background and detail, which was certainly interesting.
Storyline: Found the story difficult to follow. An amulet and a Gateway to the Dark Side together made up the artifact. The Guardians stole and hid the amulet and the priests opened the Gateway to release a deadly mist. So why would the priests want to help the last Guardian find the amulet? I just couldn’t get my arms around it. Usually I don’t care if the story is very good. But this was an interesting story, so I did want it to make complete sense.
HO scenes: The list of items needed to more clearly differentiate between found and unfound objects. The slight contrast between them meant it was very difficult to determine what was outstanding. It looked like different items were outstanding every time I shifted my position or tilted the screen.
Puzzles were many and some were terribly challenging (much more than merely difficult). Quite a few depended on reading glyphs and putting them in the correct order. Sometimes the information could be found elsewhere, but too often it seemed like I should have taken a couple more college-level logic classes to solve them. I apparently had an unknown time limit to solve puzzles, because I used the skip button because I just gave up.
Not quite a 4 1/2 star game because of difficulty in logic of the storyline.
I recommend this game!
Dark magic threatens our world! Can you stop the Shade and his minions before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
FLAWLESS
PostedDecember 7, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I’ll keep this short since there are so many reviews already. Shade is still trying to have a world of eternal winter and even though Fiona defeated and weakened him, he is still trying to exterminate her and her teacher in this wonderful click-and-go adventure. Gorgeous scenery and graphics, incredible color, challenging puzzles, beautiful animation. Flawless gameplay. Twists and turns in the storyline – you never know where you’ll go next. The Otherworld games are near perfect and this one is no exception.
I recommend this game!
Something unnatural is stalking you through an abandoned town! Escape by gathering useful items and solving clever puzzles!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
EASY ADVENTURE; UNIQUE TRAVELING
PostedDecember 6, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
HOS: Plenty of easy HOS; they are a little on the murky side, but you can still find items. As your cursor gets closer to an object on the list, it will glow green. There is no way to turn this off, but since the list is at the bottom of the screen and I memorize several items on the list before looking, I was able to ignore the green glow.
Puzzles: Not too many and pretty easy.
MAP: You travel by photograph instead of by map. A photo is taken of every scene and it denotes whether there are any activities pending. You have a choice of traveling by photo (which may decrease the cohesiveness of the game for you) or by moving forward or backward through the scenes.
MAP: You travel by photograph instead of by map. A photo is taken of every scene and it denotes whether there are any activities pending. You have a choice of traveling by photo (which may decrease the cohesiveness of the game for you) or by moving forward or backward through the scenes.
DRAWBACKS:
- You have to close each close-up manually. Clicking outside of it doesn't do anything.
- You can get a full-screen but not a widescreen setting.
- Objects in find list glow green as you move near them whether or not you like that feature.
- Graphics aren't the crispest, but still passable.
- You have to close each close-up manually. Clicking outside of it doesn't do anything.
- You can get a full-screen but not a widescreen setting.
- Objects in find list glow green as you move near them whether or not you like that feature.
- Graphics aren't the crispest, but still passable.
I recommend this game!
Help Islabelle the Mermaid save an orphanage as you seek and find your way across beautiful underwater locations!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
BRILLIANTLY DONE
PostedDecember 6, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
If you like the Gardenscapes games, you'll like this one. The scenery and artistry is different - you are underwater at an Orphanage, waiting to be upgraded and beautified so that it isn't demolished.
You can choose time or untimed mode. You gather items to sell at market - not everything you collect will have a value but most will. You can send them to market and they'll sell while you scour for additional items. You get a skill bonus for finding objects shortly after they appear on the list. You begin with 5 items, and additional objects appear as each is find. If you see a rainbow fish swimming across the panaramic screen, catch it an it will find an object for you.
Some of the dialogue, especially with outsiders, is humorous. Each room has hidden gems - find them for extra cash and to unlock additional rooms. Take special requests for items for special deals.
Two drawbacks: the font is a little difficult to read (or perhaps it's the color combination) and the graphic details in the closeup HOGs are not crystal clear. Otherwise, the graphics are pleasant to look at underwater and mundane orphanage scenes.
SUMMARY: The location and story is so different from Gardenscapes, that you don't feel like you are playing the same the same type of game. That's how brilliantly done it is.
I recommend this game!
Darkness has engulfed Grimville! Use your cunning and wits to unravel the evil intrigues and save the town!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 22 found this review helpful
HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT; NOT A CLICK-AND-GO
PostedDecember 6, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I really like this game - it is so different from the usual fare. Now, it isn't easy because it is so different. You talk to a lot of people - some have nothing to say while others do. And just because someone has nothing to say now doesn't mean they won't have anything useful later. That's where the hint is useful, it will point you to someone who has a task or help for you.
It's not easy to figure out where to go next. There is no hand holding, except as the hint sees fit to point out. But that's the fun. Most games, you know what to do and/or where to go and do. Here you have to figure it all out. The artistic style is nice - like the City of Fools as someone said. There is no voice over (except for hmphh, duh, et al), but written dialogue.
I like the fact that what you do has an impression on subsequent play and there are different consequences to what you may do (like near the beginning when you have a choice to warn a robbee that he will be robbed or to help the robber).
I expect this game will take some time so complete the investigation into a murder because of its unusual format and style. I will admit that I will have to play this game to completion when I am feeling patient since it isn't a click-and-go adventure like I'm used to - I'll look at it as a growing experience.
I recommend this game!
Journey down a magical road to save two worlds!
Overall rating
5
/
5
55 of 60 found this review helpful
GREAT CHALLENGING GAME
PostedDecember 6, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Very colorful and challenging adventure HOG. Artistry is well-honed to the locations. Great animation. Puzzles are moderately challenging; HOGs are slightly crowded but well defined objects. Adventure story is well thought out and quite different from the usual. The 2 pets are very helpful once you figure out what they do. Hint system not the most helpful but adequate (it just shows where you have an action available, but doesn't tell you how to do what you know you have to do - such as how to light the torch). A pleasure to play.
I recommend this game!
Help Alex and Lisa return to the present, and each other, before a rumbling volcano spews its contents in this Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
ADVENTURE CONTINUES FOR ALEX AND LISA
PostedDecember 5, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Scour the island for four tiles from the magical gateway that landed you on the island, while you repair bridges, chop firewood and other tasks. You’ll first need to collect the tools and supplies you need to accomplish those tasks. You do have to travel back and forth a lot to collect everything for puzzles/mini-games. Nice colorful graphics (probably the best part of the game). The lead characters aren’t very engaging – how do they manage to not bore each other to death? Similar to Treasures of Mystery Island. An okay game, but I don’t think I’d be compelled to pay full price.
I recommend this game!
Alabama Smith is back in an all-new time-twisting adventure involving powerful relics that could alter the destiny of mankind!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL
PostedDecember 5, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A HOG-adventure game in which Alabama will need to frustrate his enemy from finding relics that will give him power over the world. There are puzzles (none is extraordinary or particularly challenging; but they are fun), objects hidden and used around the environments in more than one location. Alabama’s tasks are listed and you can switch between modern Macchu Picchu and the ancient Incan civilization and objects obtained in one era will be used in the other. There are two endings, depending on how successful you are in playing. The graphics are good, story interesting, many locations and, oh yes, you can earn trophies for your good play. Much better than Alabama Smith and the Escape from Pompeii, which was very easy.
I recommend this game!
Use your powers of observation to save your friends from the genetic aberrations that populate a forgotten island in Natural Threat: Ominous Shores!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
UNUSUAL STORY: UNUSUAL SETTINGS
PostedDecember 5, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Here I am, working diligently as the lab assistant for a famous but outcast genetic botanist, learning all I can about crossing plant and human DNA, when suddenly I’m eaten by a strange plant that actually sought me out. Then I’m sailing with a group of friends and we capsize and end up on a strange island. Well, at least I’m on it; I don’t know about my friends until I see one lying unconscious on rocks and one being dragged off by a walking plant. In the end I’m just click-happy (maybe so I don’t change into another person).
Not much happens while I’m a lab assistant. I wish the game put more emphasis on crossing and nurturing strange species with various characteristics instead of merely suggesting it. There wasn’t a whole lot of activity or things going on. By the time I’m shipwrecked, I’m in a normal HOG with a lot of beautiful scenery and making new discoveries of what really happened on the island, including finding my old lab. The Creepy plants are outstanding. Puzzles were somewhat challenging but fun. HOS are either list based or finding, say 25 dead leaves or bugs. It wasn’t particularly difficult to find everything. Music was sporadic – it was on, it was off, why is unknown. Too bad, as the music can do a lot to create a specific atmosphere.
SUMMARY: The change in heroes is sort of cool – you’re two characters who are unrelated. It’s just a way to tell the story. HOS and puzzles are good, as is the music when it plays. Gorgeous artwork. Unusual story and settings. Don’t get too anxious around new and unique plants – it’s just a game.
I recommend this game!
Listen to the Echoes of Sorrow and remember who you are as you explore your memories in this fun Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
HAND-HOLDING; GOOD FOR NOVICE HOGGERS
PostedDecember 5, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You’ve fallen and blacked out. Now you’re trapped in your mind and must unlock repressed memories to get back to reality. You’ll visit your childhood home where you lost your sister, college, church and a prison. Puzzles are few and are quite easy; HOS are standard fare, clear and blended well. Hints recharge fairly fast, but are not always particularly helpful. You are hand-held throughout the game (yet, I managed to get stuck for a while on how to create light in the fireplace when there were no matches and no HOS). There are no choices of difficulty in playing. Nicely-done graphics. Very, very short game; if you’re a very fast player, you can probably finish it during the demo. Good eerie game for those new to the genre.
I recommend this game!