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:
A late-night subway ride takes a bizarre turn into a mystical cemetery. You have been summoned by a strange entity to free the cemetery’s lost souls. Will you succeed, or is this the end of the line?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
PUSHED OUT THE DOOR?
PostedOctober 5, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
SUMMARY: I was disappointed because this game did not live up to its predecessors. It was a little short on adventure and lacked the pizzazz I expected. Perhaps it was under deadline and just pushed out the door. Game was only 3 ½ hours - and I take my time enjoying the locations. I hope I got this on sale.
STORY: You and your dog are on a non-stop train, filled with strange-looking passengers, until it lets you out at Redemption Cemetery. Before you can return home, you must help 3 restless souls buried at the cemetery find peace. To add pressure, your dog is held hostage until you achieve your goal. Game is linear in that you must rescue the souls in order.
GAMEPLAY: There are 3 difficulty modes and a map showing objectives and completed area. Although this is an adventure game, it is short on adventure because there isn’t much involved in freeing the spirits. There are only a few HOS, which are silhouette based. In freeing the 1st restless soul, I felt I was playing at an amusement park or zoo. Although it was fun, it didn’t put me in that “rescue mode” this type of game usually entails. The 2nd and 3rd souls were suitably more somber and relevant to the goal.
Voice overs: the narrator set a mysterious tone. Added occasionally were whispery nonsensical sounds emitted from the scene – what’s with that? They seem to be in too many games lately. At first, the nonsensical whispers add mystery, but quickly become irritating. Graphics were about average.
RAVEN: You get a raven who acquires the powers of air (to reach high places), fire (to fly into fire), water (to fly through water, and earth (to dig). It felt a little awkward getting control of the raven’s actions and it took me almost the entire game to be able to use the raven in a fairly smooth manner. It should be easier to use it.
I recommend this game!
A late-night subway ride takes a bizarre turn into a mystical cemetery. You have been summoned by a strange entity to free the cemetery’s lost souls. Will you succeed, or is this the end of the line?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
PUSHED OUT THE DOOR?
PostedOctober 5, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
SUMMARY: I was disappointed because this game did not live up to its predecessors. It was a little short on adventure and lacked the pizzazz I expected. Perhaps it was under deadline and just pushed out the door. Game was only 3 ½ hours - and I take my time enjoying the locations. I hope I got this on sale.
STORY: You and your dog are on a non-stop train, filled with strange-looking passengers, until it lets you out at Redemption Cemetery. Before you can return home, you must help 3 restless souls buried at the cemetery find peace. To add pressure, your dog is held hostage until you achieve your goal. Game is linear in that you must rescue the souls in order.
GAMEPLAY: There are 3 difficulty modes and a map showing objectives and completed area. Although this is an adventure game, it is short on adventure because there isn’t much involved in freeing the spirits. There are only a few HOS, which are silhouette based. In freeing the 1st restless soul, I felt I was playing at an amusement park or zoo. Although it was fun, it didn’t put me in that “rescue mode” this type of game usually entails. The 2nd and 3rd souls were suitably more somber and relevant to the goal.
Voice overs: the narrator set a mysterious tone. Added occasionally were whispery nonsensical sounds emitted from the scene – what’s with that? They seem to be in too many games lately. At first, the nonsensical whispers add mystery, but quickly become irritating. Graphics were about average.
RAVEN: You get a raven who acquires the powers of air (to reach high places), fire (to fly into fire), water (to fly through water, and earth (to dig). It felt a little awkward getting control of the raven’s actions and it took me almost the entire game to be able to use the raven in a fairly smooth manner. It should be easier to use it.
I recommend this game!
Can you defeat the Four Horsemen and save the city?
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 54 found this review helpful
GRABS YOU
PostedOctober 4, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
SUMMARY: A fast-paced adventure game that grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps your interest throughout. There is a lot of action and a lot of things to do. Environments were given a lot of attention to the details of developing them. Colors are a nice palette, fitting to the location.
STORY
Ghostly manifestations have appeared and destroyed much of the town, keeping its inhabitants prisoners in their own homes. They are searching for a particular girl, who of course will be the heroine. There is a prisoner in the tower whom you also have to rescue, since he can help you with the ghosts.
Ghostly manifestations have appeared and destroyed much of the town, keeping its inhabitants prisoners in their own homes. They are searching for a particular girl, who of course will be the heroine. There is a prisoner in the tower whom you also have to rescue, since he can help you with the ghosts.
GAMEPLAY
When you click the ghosts, they will talk to you in a rather spooky manner and animation is spectacular. You will make a cold potion to rid the town of one particular winged ghost, but then you encounter more of them. Guess you should have made more cold potion to battle them.
When you click the ghosts, they will talk to you in a rather spooky manner and animation is spectacular. You will make a cold potion to rid the town of one particular winged ghost, but then you encounter more of them. Guess you should have made more cold potion to battle them.
The prisoner holds the key to getting rid of the ghostly manifestations, so you have to rescue him. Sometimes, it seems the ghosts just want to cause mischief to inconvenience or scare you. Although there is lots to do, what needs to be one in which location is fairly self-evident.
HOS and PUZZLES
The HOS are very nicely done - everything is visible and well defined. Puzzles are widely varied - I must say that the developers are coming up with new and unique puzzles lately or add new twists and turns to some tried-and-true puzzles. They're great and a lot of fun.
The HOS are very nicely done - everything is visible and well defined. Puzzles are widely varied - I must say that the developers are coming up with new and unique puzzles lately or add new twists and turns to some tried-and-true puzzles. They're great and a lot of fun.
OTHER STUFF
The first person I encountered for conversation had a forced and unnatural voice, so I thought "oh boy. Turn the voice volume down." But the people and ghosts encountered later sounded much more professional and their voices fit their characters.
The first person I encountered for conversation had a forced and unnatural voice, so I thought "oh boy. Turn the voice volume down." But the people and ghosts encountered later sounded much more professional and their voices fit their characters.
Animation is terrific and goes a long way in setting the overall mood for the game. Most of the music is relaxing, although there is one upbeat track. It is appropriate to the actions being taken. A good game that's lots of fun at a fairly fast-pace.
I recommend this game!
After the first date with a charming girl named April, our hero wakes up alone in an abandoned city after being drugged.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
MYSTIFYING AND WEIRD BUT IN A GOOD WAY
PostedSeptember 29, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
SUMMARY: This has got to be one of the weirdest games I’ve ever played. I felt like I fell down a deep pit with no way out. The best puzzles and minigames came toward the very end. But on the way there, I had trouble following the surreal story (or was it just a dream).
STORY: You are drugged and wake up on a vacant building and must find clues to secure your freedom. But everytime you find a clue and think freedom is around the corner, you find out differently.
PROS:
- you can read through the dialogue at your own pace.
- there is a magnifier
- HOS – there are small items hidden behind other objects and there are a few dark or shadowy spots, which is where the magnifier comes in handy
- artwork establishes the atmosphere, which is mostly desolate and mysterious
- replayable as objects appear in different places. Levels can be replayed.
- at the end of the game, you can go to the secret store and buy things - usually concept art, something usually found only in CEs.
- you can read through the dialogue at your own pace.
- there is a magnifier
- HOS – there are small items hidden behind other objects and there are a few dark or shadowy spots, which is where the magnifier comes in handy
- artwork establishes the atmosphere, which is mostly desolate and mysterious
- replayable as objects appear in different places. Levels can be replayed.
- at the end of the game, you can go to the secret store and buy things - usually concept art, something usually found only in CEs.
CONS:
- Hint system takes a minute to recharge and the seconds are counted down.
- Timed mode is quite short on time.
- Puzzles appear to be too repetitive.
- Hint system takes a minute to recharge and the seconds are counted down.
- Timed mode is quite short on time.
- Puzzles appear to be too repetitive.
You will need to decide whether this is your cup of tea, since the storyline is somewhat mystifying. I would have liked to see a version of the last puzzles earlier in the game to spice it up.
I recommend this game!
Robinson Crusoe and his friend Friday are back in their greatest adventure yet in Robinson Crusoe and the Cursed Pirates!
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
LOOKS EASY BUT MOST CHALLENGING AND VERY AMUSING
PostedSeptember 29, 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
QUITE CHALLENGING AND VERY AMUSING.
SUMMARY: This game looks and sounds so simple. And it gets more hilarious the further you go. But, I don’t think I’ve played a more challenging HOS game nor had such a difficult time solving “easy” puzzles. This is not a game I would choose when I just want to amuse myself on a rainy afternoon playing an easy and stress-free game. If I didn’t skip puzzles or used a lot of hints, I could easily have added another couple hours to the 6 hours it took for me to finish the game.
SUMMARY: This game looks and sounds so simple. And it gets more hilarious the further you go. But, I don’t think I’ve played a more challenging HOS game nor had such a difficult time solving “easy” puzzles. This is not a game I would choose when I just want to amuse myself on a rainy afternoon playing an easy and stress-free game. If I didn’t skip puzzles or used a lot of hints, I could easily have added another couple hours to the 6 hours it took for me to finish the game.
WHAT’S GOOD:
- Select timed or untimed. I suggest untimed.
- STORY is told through sketches at the beginning of each chapter.
- 12 chapters, each involving a different cursed pirate before you search for Captain Flint, who started it all.
- Different pirates are featured in each chapter and the scenes portraying them are really amusing and get progressively funnier. I couldn’t help but laugh at them. Lifts the spirits.
- Jaunty music.
- Good animation (watch the eyes).
- First HOS at each location is to find X number of a category of objects to help the pirate. Some of them are very well hidden. I seemed to have to use a hint to find the last one quite a bit, even though it was readily identifiable when the hint pointed it out.
- Second HOS at each location is list-based. Objects are usually pertinent to the period (usually because I don’t think bras were invented by the 17th century, yet they make perfect sense for the scene involving the pirate – you should come across this scene during the demo). Thank goodness the hint recharged quickly. Although the objects weren’t hard to find or differentiate after the hint pointed them out, they were so well blended and disguised into the scene that I just couldn’t find the last couple. After using the hint, I had to hit my head and say “duh” when it was clearly right in front of me.
- Puzzles in each chapter looked so easy. Yet I had trouble figuring many of them out. You really have to pay attention because the clues to solving them are covert.
- Testing “black spots” on the monkey, who could turn into a coconut or a pineapple man. You have to keep trying until he finally turns back into a parrot.
- At the end you have to find your way through a maze to find Captain Flint, who is now an Undead. Remember he started the curse. You have to revisit each pirate to get their portion of the map into the maze.
- Select timed or untimed. I suggest untimed.
- STORY is told through sketches at the beginning of each chapter.
- 12 chapters, each involving a different cursed pirate before you search for Captain Flint, who started it all.
- Different pirates are featured in each chapter and the scenes portraying them are really amusing and get progressively funnier. I couldn’t help but laugh at them. Lifts the spirits.
- Jaunty music.
- Good animation (watch the eyes).
- First HOS at each location is to find X number of a category of objects to help the pirate. Some of them are very well hidden. I seemed to have to use a hint to find the last one quite a bit, even though it was readily identifiable when the hint pointed it out.
- Second HOS at each location is list-based. Objects are usually pertinent to the period (usually because I don’t think bras were invented by the 17th century, yet they make perfect sense for the scene involving the pirate – you should come across this scene during the demo). Thank goodness the hint recharged quickly. Although the objects weren’t hard to find or differentiate after the hint pointed them out, they were so well blended and disguised into the scene that I just couldn’t find the last couple. After using the hint, I had to hit my head and say “duh” when it was clearly right in front of me.
- Puzzles in each chapter looked so easy. Yet I had trouble figuring many of them out. You really have to pay attention because the clues to solving them are covert.
- Testing “black spots” on the monkey, who could turn into a coconut or a pineapple man. You have to keep trying until he finally turns back into a parrot.
- At the end you have to find your way through a maze to find Captain Flint, who is now an Undead. Remember he started the curse. You have to revisit each pirate to get their portion of the map into the maze.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD:
- Not a stress-free HOG because of very clever graphics.
- Short on adventure, but it is so amusing that I didn’t care.
- I’ve seen some people say they finished the game in a couple hours – I have no idea how they could do that in my wildest dreams.
- Instructions for puzzles are unclear. You really have to think. If you need a code, for example, it won’t be on a piece of paper anywhere, but will be in another form.
- Not a stress-free HOG because of very clever graphics.
- Short on adventure, but it is so amusing that I didn’t care.
- I’ve seen some people say they finished the game in a couple hours – I have no idea how they could do that in my wildest dreams.
- Instructions for puzzles are unclear. You really have to think. If you need a code, for example, it won’t be on a piece of paper anywhere, but will be in another form.
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 42 found this review helpful
SWASHBUCKLING FUN
PostedSeptember 29, 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
This game is so much fun that time flies. And it was stress-free fun!
WHAT YOU GET:
Journal with objectives
Automatic widescreen
3 volume levels
Very well done voice overs
Realistic sounds
3 levels of difficulty
Match 3 instead of HOS
Jaunty music added to the atmosphere
Interactive map showing objectives (and locations with available actions if playing casual), which can be changed during gameplay
Journal with objectives
Automatic widescreen
3 volume levels
Very well done voice overs
Realistic sounds
3 levels of difficulty
Match 3 instead of HOS
Jaunty music added to the atmosphere
Interactive map showing objectives (and locations with available actions if playing casual), which can be changed during gameplay
GAMEPLAY:
The graphics were hand-drawn and beautiful. Lots of attention to detail in the environments. Story took place when pirates roamed the earth and the interaction between the characters keep your interest throughout. There seemed to be quite a bit of underlying humor in the drawings and dialogues.
The graphics were hand-drawn and beautiful. Lots of attention to detail in the environments. Story took place when pirates roamed the earth and the interaction between the characters keep your interest throughout. There seemed to be quite a bit of underlying humor in the drawings and dialogues.
The HOS were incredibly fun. Everything was easy to find, but within each HOS was a silhouette mini-HOS. I think it was the mix of the two HOS types that contributed to the enjoyment. You could play Match 3 if you wanted, but I was having such a good time playing the HOS that I didn't even bother to try the Match 3s. I don't recall when I had such fun playing HOS.
Puzzles seemed to be in an equal ratio to the HOS. They were easy but were also a lot of fun. Objects sometimes had to be combined to get a needed item to progress the game. There wasn't any wandering around trying to figure out what to do next. Very logical gameplay.
The enjoyment and entertaining value of this game makes it a definite buy for me.
I recommend this game!
One night the ghost of President Lincoln appears, asking for your help. Can you find the hidden Confederate treasure?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
NOT AS GOOD AS OTHER GAMES IN SERIES, BUT ADEQUATE
PostedSeptember 28, 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
Not on par with the prior games in the series. But, the sound effects are fabulous - they make you feel like you are really in the scene, listening to fire crackling or running water, which I appreciate. Nice ratio of HOS to puzzles.
The story, graphics, voice overs, interactive HOS, and puzzles are good - maybe average or a little above in specific instances. Ghosts were nicely done, but are somewhat standard these days. Something seemed historically off in the storyline.
Black crows were difficult to find against dark backgrounds. Clovers were not as difficult - since you know whether there are other clovers in the scene, you don't spend time looking for what's not there. Music was apropos to scenes.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
Overall rating
5
/
5
95 of 102 found this review helpful
REALLY TERRIFIC SEQUENCE
PostedSeptember 27, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
SUMMARY: The first Sable Maze was amazing (I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could). Norwich Caves isn't quite up there, but it's still a really terrific game. Logical gameplay and refreshingly unique story. Definitely worth buying.
HOS/PUZZLES: Ratio of HOS to puzzles is just right. The HOS are uncrowded and sharp. I like that everything requires some sort of interaction to cross objects off your list. There are even puzzles within some of the HOS. Puzzles are greatly varied; none are too difficult - you mostly have to figure out how and where to get the missing pieces. Puzzles are nicely tied to the story.
GRAPHICS/SOUND: The environments are carefully crafted for the right atmosphere, with a lot of attention to detail. Caverns can be quite somber and the graphics bring that out without being drab and dull. Sounds can be individually adjusted, are very realistic and make you feel that you are right in the scene. Voice overs are natural sounding (like real actors) and appropriate to the scenes.
I recommend this game!
Enter Ravenwood Park and discover the secrets hidden in the mists...
Overall rating
4
/
5
25 of 28 found this review helpful
LITTLE AGAINST THE GRAIN
PostedSeptember 26, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Like the achievements, morphs, and the collectibles, as well as collecting evidence. There were also a couple things in the CE that are of interest, but there was no preview of them.
Also like that there are 3 types of HOS: fragments, silhouettes and list (which also allows you to switch to a matching game). All were very and/or accumulating interactive. One PROBLEM I found was that you could have your cursor a full 2-3" from the target object and pick it up or interact with it. I'm not particularly fond of objects that have to be clicked exactly (especially thin objects like a needle), but this is too much leeway.
It seems to take the adventure portion of the story forever to unfold. Too much talking, even if you can speed through it by clicking the scene again. Getting information from the prisoner in bits and pieces if okay - he's a bit entertaining and raises questions of why he is an enemy of the park owner, why hasn't he escaped already if he can help you escape, etc.
Like the spookiness - keeps you interested in finding out more. The evidence board is a good aspect, but it seems that some evidence is collected but can't be put on the board yet. A detective would probably classify it somewhere, at least tentatively.
SUMMARY: I think this is a great game and certainly worth buying, but I just don't think it quite warrants 5 stars along with some of the other games out there lately. That said, I will likely buy the CE over the SE because it offers quite a few benefits.
I recommend this game!
With a perfectly chilling atmosphere and beautifully crafted scenes, Into the Haze will provide a fantastic, horror-filled experience that you'll never forget!
Overall rating
2
/
5
17 of 25 found this review helpful
HO HUM
PostedSeptember 25, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This has to be one of the most unchallenging games I've tried to play. The demo was over in slightly over a half hour. Apparently the entire game has only 10 HOS and I played 3 or 4 in the demo. So I guess the game is rather short.
A fog demon has overtaken the city where your brother lives with his daughter. He leaves you a message that he is doomed but can you please come and save his daughter. A mysterious woman is at your brother's very run-down place. Haven't found out who she is and what's happened to the brother and I don't really care.
You have a journal and 2 modes of difficulty. Automatic widescreen. The color palette is a little on the drab side, which I guess makes sense if you are surrounded by fog. The graphics were okay. There's really no question of what you need to do; game seems very linear. Puzzles are fairly easy.
There were several locations in the demo which seemed to be put there to extend the gameplay by having to travel to them. But they had only a couple activities and then seemed to have served their purpose. No map needed.
I'm sure a lot of effort went into making this game, but it just doesn't do it for me.
I don't recommend this game.