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:
Your librarian friend wants your help as a journalist – he’s found an ancient book that is still unfinished. Can you save the world in the book before their story ends?
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
EVERYTHING I WANT IN A GAME
PostedJune 8, 2014
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
Simply wonderful. This was a buy within 2 minutes of playing. Sometimes you just know.
What's great:
- special effects (and a little animation)
- voice overs
- flawlessly smooth gameplay
- unique mini-games (fit right into the gameplay)
- some spooky sections (like the moving hands on the walkway to the castle, which you could easily miss)
- HOS: good visibility; find a number of similar objects; silhouettes
- beautifully conceived and riveting story (Book rewrites itself while you're in it, just at the most inopportune time)
- graphics, artistry and color palettes (reminds me of Alice down the rabbit hole)
- customizable difficulty
- hint system with teleport map
What's Not So Great:
- skippable dialogue (if you skip it, you don't get the story and what a shame that is). NOTE: If you read faster than the dialogue flows, you can click the box to get to the next exchange.
CE has plenty of extras, achievements and collectibles. I didn't see any morphs, though. But the gameplay is sufficiently able to overcome that little flaw.
What's great:
- special effects (and a little animation)
- voice overs
- flawlessly smooth gameplay
- unique mini-games (fit right into the gameplay)
- some spooky sections (like the moving hands on the walkway to the castle, which you could easily miss)
- HOS: good visibility; find a number of similar objects; silhouettes
- beautifully conceived and riveting story (Book rewrites itself while you're in it, just at the most inopportune time)
- graphics, artistry and color palettes (reminds me of Alice down the rabbit hole)
- customizable difficulty
- hint system with teleport map
What's Not So Great:
- skippable dialogue (if you skip it, you don't get the story and what a shame that is). NOTE: If you read faster than the dialogue flows, you can click the box to get to the next exchange.
CE has plenty of extras, achievements and collectibles. I didn't see any morphs, though. But the gameplay is sufficiently able to overcome that little flaw.
I recommend this game!
Your librarian friend wants your help as a journalist – he’s found an ancient book that is still unfinished. Can you save the world in the book before their story ends?
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 46 found this review helpful
EVERYTHING I WANT IN A GAME
PostedJune 8, 2014
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
Simply wonderful. This was a buy within 2 minutes of playing. Sometimes you just know.
What's great:
- special effects (and a little animation)
- voice overs
- flawlessly smooth gameplay
- unique mini-games (fit right into the gameplay)
- some spooky sections (like the moving hands on the walkway to the castle, which you could easily miss)
- HOS: good visibility; find a number of similar objects; silhouettes
- beautifully conceived and riveting story (Book rewrites itself while you're in it, just at the most inopportune time)
- graphics, artistry and color palettes (reminds me of Alice down the rabbit hole)
- customizable difficulty
- hint system with teleport map
- special effects (and a little animation)
- voice overs
- flawlessly smooth gameplay
- unique mini-games (fit right into the gameplay)
- some spooky sections (like the moving hands on the walkway to the castle, which you could easily miss)
- HOS: good visibility; find a number of similar objects; silhouettes
- beautifully conceived and riveting story (Book rewrites itself while you're in it, just at the most inopportune time)
- graphics, artistry and color palettes (reminds me of Alice down the rabbit hole)
- customizable difficulty
- hint system with teleport map
What's Not So Great:
- skippable dialogue (if you skip it, you don't get the story and what a shame that is). NOTE: If you read faster than the dialogue flows, you can click the box to get to the next exchange.
- skippable dialogue (if you skip it, you don't get the story and what a shame that is). NOTE: If you read faster than the dialogue flows, you can click the box to get to the next exchange.
CE has plenty of extras, achievements and collectibles. I didn't see any morphs, though. But the gameplay is sufficiently able to overcome that little flaw.
I recommend this game!
The rat catcher's after more than rats this time. He's kidnapping fairy folk!
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 93 found this review helpful
BUBBLESHOOTER or HOS - You Choose
PostedJune 7, 2014
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
Myths of the World is a terrific series. This is the fourth of the series that I'm purchasing. Flawless and sound gameplay; fabulous special effects, animation and sounds. Music is lovely and changes to add to the atmosphere of each scene.
A FEW MORE DETAILS: The Monocle of True Visions helps you see and solve hidden spells cast by magicians. HOS and puzzles are interesting and not the "pull your hair out" variety. Play bubbleshooter or HOS as you wish. Very good voice overs. Fantastic graphics. Oodles of fun.
FLAWS: None.
I recommend this game!
When his sister is murdered, you must prove your nephew’s innocence!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
MUST HAVE
PostedJune 6, 2014
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
SUMMARY: A great adventure game with a small amount of HOS and plenty of puzzles. Outstanding cutscenes and graphics. Nice hint system. Good (though slightly unrealistic) story in England. [I.E., you don't discover evidence as the trial starts; it's before.] Smooth gameplay.
STORY: James McGray is accused of killing his sister in order to inherit a rich estate. You play their aunt and, after the initial cutscenes setting the scenarios, arrive at his trial. You are to look over the physical evidence to determine what should be presented at the trial. [Would never happen in real life, but this is a made-up story to encompass all the activities.]
GAMEPLAY: As you look at the evidence, it will take you to different locations, where you will see more of the background story and collect clues. There are quite a few cutscenes that catch you off-balance as they suddenly zoom at you. You can interact with objects, such as clicking on a cat who then purrs (I like that type of play).
You are given tasks to complete. If you need a hint, you will be shown a cutout of a different location to which you can teleport. Alternatively, if there are still things to do in your current location, the hint will point to the activity. Gameplay is relatively straightforward. Usually there are many things to do that are outstanding at one time.
HOS AND PUZZLES: The HOS are mildly crowded, interactive and list-based. They are fair and objects are distinct and of a good size. Puzzles are varied and vary in difficulty; but none are what I'd say are so challenging as to make you want to pull your hair out.
OTHER STUFF: Lots of cutscenes. Great animation and sound. Graphics are colorful and artistically done. Voice overs are realistic (I don't pay attention to lip sync since games are likely translated into other languages and the developers aren't going to redo all the lips for each language). Pleasant music. 3 modes of difficulty.
CE has morphing objects (yeah), achievements, other collectibles, the bonus game and the usual accountrements.
I recommend this game!
Set out with Bella in search of her brother through the pages of well-known novels and true stories.
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 112 found this review helpful
RELAXING
PostedJune 6, 2014
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: This is a relaxing, somewhat linear game in that certain tasks in a scene will not appear until a puzzle is completed. Not an overabundance of HOS or puzzles or mini-games, none of which are difficult. If you need a challenge, this isn't the game for you. And unlike many games where you have to find someone, you don't have that sense of having to hurry. Game provides a nice afternoon of pleasant, relaxing gameplay.
As for the game: You have 5 books to explore, starting with the Call of Cthulhu. In Cthulhu, you have to help a professor save the town he has endangered.
GAMEPLAY: You have 2 modes of difficulty; logical story and relaxing gameplay with easy-going music; tasks assigned; transport map; and at least in casual mode, the game will tell you there is nothing left to do in the scene and to check the map. Although the game is nonlinear, there are some tasks that must be completed before others will appear in the same area. [Ex: the desk in the house in the first scene has no actions available until after you open a safe. Only then will the desk have an activity to perform.]
HOS, PUZZLES: HOS are of 2 types, both are moderately crowded and are almost monochrome. The HOS are either list-based or pictures of objects to find. Puzzles are fairly easy to complete, but you may have to find pieces in another area to complete them. But it's effortless since you have the fast-travel map. Some puzzles won't appear until you have completed a particular activity.
CE v. SE: The CE doesn't have enough extras to warrant its purchase over the SE.
I recommend this game!
Is Martha really a werewolf - or has she been wrongly accused?
Overall rating
5
/
5
22 of 42 found this review helpful
CONTINUING SAGA - PRETTY AWESOME
PostedJune 5, 2014
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
SUMMARY: Another winner that is simply awesome in this continuing saga of Shadow Wolf Mysteries. Graphics and animation are outstanding. Atmosphere is sinister and alarming. Objects to help you in your quest are unique. If you like the other Shadow Wolf Mysteries, this will certainly not disappoint.
STORY: Play as a detective in the 1890s, investigating a town held in peril by ferocious wolves and/or werewolves (you have to decipher which it is). There is a rumor that the next door neighbor is a werewolf herself or is harboring them and releasing them at night. Learn facts about werewolves, including the first one.
GAMEPLAY: Plenty to do; somewhat linear; and lots of places to go, with some back and forth. But you have an interactive map to help you. There are HOS, puzzles and mini-games to help you move forward. Graphics and animation are superb. Wolves are popping out all over.
When you meet someone new, use your "magnifying glass" to find out information about them. If you find an unknown substance, use your analyzer by putting the substance into a box, answer a few questions and get your prize for one of the puzzles.
HOS, PUZZLES AND MINI-GAMES: The HOS are not too crowded and objects are nicely distinct. They are the "find X number of items" that are of a certain type (such as metal or related to werewolves). Good ratio of HOS and mini-games to puzzles. Mini-games are not too difficult, not too unique, and give you a prize. Puzzles are in the form of finding objects needed to complete them and thus move the game forward. Not too difficult, but you if you need 3 objects to complete the puzzle, you must find all of them to use them.
OTHER STUFF: Voice overs for the people are very good; but they could have captured the sounds of real dogs, cats and owls, etc. They sound too mechanical, but still acceptable. You have a moon that illuminates areas where you can interact. You have a diary, but I could not turn the pages back to check something. Don't know if this was a glitch.
CE has achievements and the usual accoutrements and bonus game. I'm going to wait for the SE to make sure that it has the moon, magnifying glass and analyzer before making a decision on which to buy, since I think the CE is a little light (no morphs, no collections).
I recommend this game!
Ghostly warnings in the water are terrifying a grieving family. What's causing them, and what really happened to Julia White?
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
FUN ADVENTURE GAME
PostedJune 4, 2014
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
SUMMARY: Love the Fear for Sale games. I privately grade my games and they are always in the top 10%. They are fun to play, well thought-out, flow effortlessly, colorful and have excellent sound/special effects.
STORY: You play Emma Roberts, called to investigate paranormal water-based anomalies in Greenville. Water is everywhere, even flowing up the walls in the White household.
GAMEPLAY: Mostly adventure game. You have a shell which is used to manipulate the water; realistic sound effects; fantastic visual effects; pleasing bright color palettes; and music to help push you suspensefully along in the appropriate places. Good voice overs. You can customize your level of difficulty (4 total modes).
HOS are fairly crowded, but colorful and distinct. Objects are easy to find and some are interactive, requiring more than one action. You can play a jigsaw puzzle if you don't want the HOS; but the HOS are so nice, I can't imagine not wanting to play them. Puzzles are plentiful as you try to figure out what to do and where to go.
One improvement could be the hint system. It is just not very helpful. Example: fairly early in the game, you come across a raining door which needs 3 objects to open it. If you need help to find one of them, the hint will point out the door. Well duh! I already know I have to put something there - the question is what and how can I find it?
CE or SE? -- CE has 12 collections of 5 pieces each, a number of achievements, and the usual extras. No morphs, but it has enough collections that I will buy the CE instead of the SE.
I recommend this game!
Ghostly warnings in the water are terrifying a grieving family. What's causing them, and what really happened to Julia White?
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
FUN ADVENTURE GAME
PostedJune 4, 2014
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
SUMMARY: Love the Fear for Sale games. I privately grade my games and they are always in the top 10%. They are fun to play, well thought-out, flow effortlessly, colorful and have excellent sound/special effects.
STORY: You play Emma Roberts, called to investigate paranormal water-based anomalies in Greenville. Water is everywhere, even flowing up the walls in the White household.
GAMEPLAY: Mostly adventure game. You have a shell which is used to manipulate the water; realistic sound effects; fantastic visual effects; pleasing bright color palettes; and music to help push you suspensefully along in the appropriate places. Good voice overs. You can customize your level of difficulty (4 total modes).
HOS are fairly crowded, but colorful and distinct. Objects are easy to find and some are interactive, requiring more than one action. You can play a jigsaw puzzle if you don't want the HOS; but the HOS are so nice, I can't imagine not wanting to play them. Puzzles are plentiful as you try to figure out what to do and where to go.
One improvement could be the hint system. It is just not very helpful. Example: fairly early in the game, you come across a raining door which needs 3 objects to open it. If you need help to find one of them, the hint will point out the door. Well duh! I already know I have to put something there - the question is what and how can I find it?
CE has 12 collections of 5 pieces each, a number of achievements, and the usual extras. No morphs, but it has enough collections that I will buy the CE instead of the SE.
I recommend this game!
Enter the enchanted realm of the Snow Kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
18 of 20 found this review helpful
FLAWLESS
PostedJune 4, 2014
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
Graphics and animation are outstanding. Artistry and use of color palettes were spot on. Good voice overs. Flawless gameplay. Liked that in the 3 modes of difficulty, you could choose what you wanted. Nice storytelling - the combination of knowing that an evil plan was in the works and the heroine being enclosed in a snow globe promises ongoing interest.
I recommend this game!
Enter the enchanted realm of the Snow Kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
FLAWLESS
PostedJune 4, 2014
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
Graphics and animation are outstanding. Artistry and use of color palettes were spot on. Good voice overs. Flawless gameplay. Liked that in the 3 modes of difficulty, you could choose what you wanted. Nice storytelling - the combination of knowing that an evil plan was in the works and the heroine being enclosed in a snow globe promises ongoing interest.
I recommend this game!