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:
Someone in the Order has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five! Only Sarah can prevent the Order’s destruction!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
ERSTWHILE GRIFFIN
PostedJuly 18, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
After the newest and youngest member joins the Secret Order of the Griffins, he steals a mask and commences to wreck havoc. You are out to stop him and find a time-travel ship hidden in the Griffins museum for eons. So, of course, you will be traveling a lot and fetching things for the people of the eras. Quite a few cutscenes. Many locations with beautiful graphics.
Nicely-put together adventure HOG with 3 different modes of difficulty. Great voice overs. There is a separate volume control for voice overs and you can select aspect correction if needed. Your journal has your notes, objectives and a fast-travel map. Good ratio of HOS to puzzles. Instead of HOS, you can play mah-jong. The HOS are fairly large and uncluttered, but objects are well hidden and many have shadowy areas. Plenty of different types of puzzles, none of which is mind-blowing impossible.
The CE has the bonus chapter, music soundtracks, game art, movies, minigames and 21 wallpapers
I recommend this game!
Vampire Legends: The True Story of Kisilova is an incredible adventure based on the true story of the first documented case of vampirism ever!
Overall rating
5
/
5
36 of 37 found this review helpful
LIKED IT BETTER THE MORE I PLAYED
PostedJuly 18, 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
PROS:
- Skillfully told story of investigating the sudden and gruesome deaths in Kisilova, Serbia in 1725.
- Realistic sound effects. Very nice natural-sounding voice overs.
- Journal listing objectives, notes and map which tags locations with objectives.
- Gorgeous graphics
- Regular and expert modes; aspect correction; 4 sound volumes.
- Plenty to do; hint system is very helpful.
- True delight to play.
- Skillfully told story of investigating the sudden and gruesome deaths in Kisilova, Serbia in 1725.
- Realistic sound effects. Very nice natural-sounding voice overs.
- Journal listing objectives, notes and map which tags locations with objectives.
- Gorgeous graphics
- Regular and expert modes; aspect correction; 4 sound volumes.
- Plenty to do; hint system is very helpful.
- True delight to play.
CONS:
- Can’t think of any. Very polished production.
- Can’t think of any. Very polished production.
CE/SE DIFFERENCES:
If you’re debating between the SE and CE, the CE’s extras include the bonus chapter, interviews, pictures of Kisilova, 14 music tracks, and concept art (sketches of places, draft and final and interim sketch of characters).
If you’re debating between the SE and CE, the CE’s extras include the bonus chapter, interviews, pictures of Kisilova, 14 music tracks, and concept art (sketches of places, draft and final and interim sketch of characters).
I recommend this game!
Vampire Legends: The True Story of Kisilova Collector’s Edition is an incredible adventure based on the true story of the first documented case of vampirism ever!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 13 found this review helpful
LIKED IT BETTER THE MORE I PLAYED
PostedJuly 18, 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
PROS:
- Skillfully told story of investigating the sudden and gruesome deaths in Kisilova, Serbia in 1725.
- Realistic sound effects. Very nice natural-sounding voice overs.
- Journal listing objectives, notes and map which tags locations with objectives.
- Gorgeous graphics
- Regular and expert modes; aspect correction; 4 sound volumes.
- Plenty to do; hint system is very helpful.
- True delight to play.
- Skillfully told story of investigating the sudden and gruesome deaths in Kisilova, Serbia in 1725.
- Realistic sound effects. Very nice natural-sounding voice overs.
- Journal listing objectives, notes and map which tags locations with objectives.
- Gorgeous graphics
- Regular and expert modes; aspect correction; 4 sound volumes.
- Plenty to do; hint system is very helpful.
- True delight to play.
CONS:
- Can’t think of any. Very polished production.
- Can’t think of any. Very polished production.
CE/SE DIFFERENCES:
If you’re debating between the SE and CE, the CE’s extras include the bonus chapter, interviews, pictures of Kisilova, 14 music tracks, and concept art (sketches of places, draft and final and interim sketch of characters).
If you’re debating between the SE and CE, the CE’s extras include the bonus chapter, interviews, pictures of Kisilova, 14 music tracks, and concept art (sketches of places, draft and final and interim sketch of characters).
I recommend this game!
Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus
Welcome to a world of danger and suspense in Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus, a thrilling Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
4 1/2 STARS EASY
PostedJuly 18, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A little over 4 hours to complete game.
STORYLINE: Just as you arrive for a reunion with several classmates on Tantalus Island, Greece, you see a “SOS” written on the beach and your plane explodes. You find there is no way off the island. Then your classmates begin dying one by one. All evidence points to a classmate’s uncle, who owns the island.
STORYLINE: Just as you arrive for a reunion with several classmates on Tantalus Island, Greece, you see a “SOS” written on the beach and your plane explodes. You find there is no way off the island. Then your classmates begin dying one by one. All evidence points to a classmate’s uncle, who owns the island.
GAMEPLAY: For every 12 mosaics you find (3 per location), you learn a little history. You aren’t told about the mosaics until you accidentally click on one. You have a jump map which shows where you are and where there are activities to do. The map works slightly different than most – you have to click on the location (for which you are given a preview of what it looks like) and then click a white arc next to the hint button.
HOS are not very crowded but do have slightly darker spots and objects are not always distinct. Puzzles are not too difficult – in fact, if you need something to complete them, you only have to look at your jump map to see what new areas of activities to do have appeared. You’re usually given clues of what needs to be done and, in conjunction with your jump map, you should have no trouble getting through the game.
OTHER: Graphics are very nicely done. Most of the dialogue is written but, near the end, some of the characters had rather nice voice overs. The voice overs should have been done throughout (which is the deduction). ENDING WAS QUITE A SURPRISE!
I recommend this game!
There are screams heard in Silent Hollow... Trouble at the Mystery Trackers headquarters means you're called in to help.
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 36 found this review helpful
INTRIGUING AND OUTSTANDING
PostedJuly 18, 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 love the Mystery Tracker games and this one seems the best so far. The story is fantastic; the dazzling graphics, voice overs and gameplay are outstanding. A beautifully conceived and polished production that is a real pleasure to play. Agency pets have been seen around without their agents, which is quite disturbing. Agents are found indisposed or worse. Your pet Elf is entertaining as well as helpful in exploring those out-of-the-way places. The developers again did a fantastic job of putting together an outstanding game and they're just getting better and better if that's possible. Can't find a single negative.
4 difficulty modes; graphics gamma, turn special effects on or off, and control 4 volumes. The CE has a lot of extras beyond the usual: music tracks, video, secret room, 17 achievements, 28 dossiers, collect 15 pets and shop for them.
I recommend this game!
Peel back the curtains and search for treasure in one of the grandest buildings in the western world – Buckingham Palace!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
LEARN FACTS OF THE PALACE AS YOU PLAY
PostedJuly 15, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Short but delightful game – slightly over 3 hours on casual. Sound effects are astounding (such as running water). You have to find gems hidden in the palace and a round is concluded when you find one of the gems.
You start each round with 10 hints and will search 3 to 5 locations. There are 2 crowns hidden in each location which will give additional hints. HOS are list-based and are artistically well detailed. Most objects are easy to find. If you need a help, you can get a silhouette for 1 hint credit, a picture of what it looks like for 3 hint credits and where it is for 5 hint credits. There's really not a story; instead you are told very interesting facts about the history of the various Buckingham Palace rooms you visit. Glorious graphics.
After you find a gem and the round is over, you have a puzzle to solve, using your inventory items. Your cursor will flash purple as your move around a room to determine where to use your inventory; but I didn’t think the flashing purple was very distinct. That’s my only complaint. Very nice and entertaining production.
I recommend this game!
Confront an ancient evil and uncover your true! After a startling revelation changes your world forever, you must embark on an epic journey to save mankind.
Overall rating
4
/
5
110 of 115 found this review helpful
VERY GOOD ADVENTURE
PostedJuly 14, 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
4
/
5
Great adventure with HOS thrown in. You collect and carry a lot (and I mean a lot!) of inventory items which will not be used until later. And there will be backtracking to use some of the inventory.
HOS are finely detailed, so it's not a problem finding things. Puzzles are varied in variety and in difficulty (also some will take a bit of time even though not very hard). Voice overs for the characters are natural sounding and very nice to listen to. You get a map of the approximate 24 locations, as well as a journal.
Hint system works in and outside of HOS. Casual mode has sparkles and it takes about 1 minute for hint to recharge (but there's so much to do that you won't notice that it takes that long). Harder mode takes 2 minutes for a recharge and there are no sparkles. Story is well developed for the heroine. Very substantial game.
I recommend this game!
A lone FBI agent has come to the Haunted Hotel, from which no one can escape, until its mysteries are unraveled.
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
COULD CERTAINLY BE BETTER (AND LONGER!)
PostedJuly 13, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This has to be the shortest game I’ve ever played – 2 hours 5 minutes. I had played another Haunted Hotel recently and I recollect that it also was very short. I think this was a continuation of that story. Music was sometimes okay; other times NOT. The journal holds the story. The dialogue (written only) was too fast to read completely and I saw no way to repeat it.
You start with 5 hints on each level and if you don’t have a LARGE WIDE screen or the sharpest eyesight, you’re going to need every one. I have never seen objects SO ABSOLUTELY TINY – it’s really like finding the needle in the haystack. Fortunately, I have a large wide screen, so was able to finish the game, although my eyes would have given out if it was double the length. If you have a widescreen, you need to uncheck full screen in the options memo to actually get the widescreen. The graphics were actually nice and a lot could have been done with the story. The ending was suspenseful and I think the sequel should have been added to this game. If the HOS were better sized and the story actually developed, I might recommend it. As it is, it felt like the developers had to get a game out as fast as possible and just released whatever had already been done. As it stands, unless you have the large widescreen, I don’t recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.
Remove an evil curse that has caused a whole kingdom to be trapped in their dreams! Save a beautiful princess before it’s too late!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF HOG
PostedJuly 13, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
3 ½ hours casual. Collect 65 maples leaves in each scene (you will need them in the ending). Nicely-told story and good graphics for a variety of locations.
STORYLINE: A prince leaves his kingdom seeking happiness and to help an old man he’s been seeing in his dreams. Free the characters from the evil curse by doing a task associated with them (such as forging a dagger for the blacksmith or making a gown for the seamstress).
GAMEPLAY: This is a HOS-adventure that is quite hard to describe and it can be a little confusing until you become used to it. When you enter a new location, click on the cursed person for a short blurb about him/her. Then move your cursor around the scene looking for something active. If you don’t find anything, wait a little while and you will see a little sparkle. Clicking on it will provide the tray of objects to find.
MORE GAMEPLAY: objects to find are sort of a cross between HO and fragments. You may have to find 3 bowls of grain, for example, to fill the object (your progress in completing it will be shown). Or you may have to find a handle and a blade to complete a knife. When you finish a location, it tells you what location is next. If you have an object in your Tools with tiny yellow footsteps, clicking on the object will show you where to find or use it and you will be transported there immediately. So there is no traveling through unnecessary scenes or having to open an interactive map.
Once you learn how to interact, the gameplay is quite enjoyable. You will also interact with the characters after they are freed of the curse and learn more of the story. The only problem I encountered was I was not able to decorate the baker’s cake for the king.
I recommend this game!
You've arrived in the peaceful resort town of Aurora Peak to investigate some mysterious local crystals. But the devious plot you uncover there could endanger the entire world!
Overall rating
4
/
5
85 of 96 found this review helpful
PRETTY GOOD
PostedJuly 13, 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
Gorgeous graphics and good storyline. Stuff happens at the beginning and you enter into a mystery. Pleasant music and nicely-done voices. Did I say the gorgeous graphics and wonderful animations - especially liked the changing birds and flowers. Collect souvenirs. Good ratio of HOS and puzzles. CE extras include ability to replay HOS, puzzles and music, as well as look at the preview art, in addition to the normal bonus game and wallpapers. 3 modes of play. Very good production values. An entertaining play.
I recommend this game!