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:
Explore the incredible underwater hidden object world of Aquascapes.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
LIKE A MEGA FISHDOM
PostedMay 9, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Game is like a mega fishdom - you have 8 aquariums, 18 kinds of fish, oodles of colorful and useful decorations and plants, and a whole lot of achievements. The Fishdom games (original and the second) have a lot less. Lots of fun decorating and redecorating your aquariums by earning money on HOS searches (very easy) to spend at the store. Beautiful graphics. Relaxing fun for the entire family.
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
1 of 1 found this review helpful
OBTAIN PARANORMAL ABILITIES
PostedMay 5, 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
3
/
5
Lengthy game (I forgot to record ending times once or twice so don’t know exact hours). Very well developed and highly polished adventure/HOG. Overall, very good graphics.
STORYLINE: Orphans possessing paranormal abilities and their caretaker were lost in a fire claiming the Cinderstone Orphanage. Picking up objects will cause cutscenes to tell you the story. The story and any documents you find are added to your journal. Nice voice acting.
GAMEPLAY: You will save the children by finding items their favorite things and, as you save them, they will give you their paranormal ability, which you will use during gameplay. That’s great fun – you think you just can’t find something or don’t know what to do, only to remember the abilities you’ve collected so you can finally solve the problem. Fairly intuitive gameplay, but if you need them, hints recharge quite rapidly on regular difficulty and show you where to go if outside of a HOS. Although there is quite a bit of back and forth, it is reasonable as there are a limited number of scenes.
HOS and PUZZLES: 2 types of HOS: object lists and placing objects in their proper locations – objects in HOS scenes have good visibility and scenes are not too crowded. When you play a HOS again, the objects will be in the same place as the first time. Doesn’t bother me, but it does for some people. Puzzles are fairly easy to complete (to be fair, I play an awful lot of HOGs, so I may think puzzles are easier than they are just because I’ve probably encountered them so often).
Overall, imaginative and very entertaining.
I recommend this game!
When the entire audience disappears from a film screening at an old theater, you must go behind the scenes to find out who is running the mysterious Nightmare Cinema!
Overall rating
5
/
5
32 of 39 found this review helpful
LOVE THE FEAR FOR SALE SERIES
PostedMay 3, 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
Interesting story and facts. Liked that the ticket taker knew it wasn't your ticket before he locked you out of the theater - added more mystery. Seems the people who have been invited to prior showings and disappeared are still around somewhere. Questions are: Where are they? What are they doing? What is their purpose to the culprits?
You get an interactive map of sorts, showing where there were outstanding tasks, which I like in casual play. There are other levels of difficulty, if you so choose. HOS had nicely spaced and detailed objects.
Graphics are slightly bland, which fits the mysterious atmosphere and time of night perfectly. Voice overs and sound effects are natural sounding. Puzzles are nicely done. Seems to be a limited number of locations. Nice that the "map" shows a picture of the location, so you can better recall where you want to be.
I recommend this game!
Dr. Sigmund Fraud has been released from the asylum, and is up to his old tricks. Help Detective Ravenwood track him down!
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY BUT GRUESOMELY FUN
PostedMay 3, 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
Didn’t record all the time playing, but it was for several hours. Storyline and superb graphics are DISTURBING AND GRUESOME – that’s what made it a lot of fun (not everyone will think that). The evil and insane Dr. Fraud was committed to his own asylum for treatment after redrum. Inside, he created nightmares in 10 patients whom Rose (with the help of her detective uncle) has to save by entering into their world. Very wild and bizarre scenes add to the nightmarish atmosphere. Broody, spooky music interspersed with screams.
Interactive map updates as new rooms are found. There are 2 main branches off a central fountain with a number of locked rooms. You are aided by a crow which brings you helpful items besides giving you a rose for each patient who has been rescued by Rose and her detective uncle (although he is quite playful with one, as he keeps flying off as you are about to collect the rose). Add the roses to the central fountain until it has been drained to reveal its contents at the bottom. Crow will also bring you the means to open up new rooms.
Wide variety of HOS (object list, find 20-30 like items, find section of picture matching those in your tray) and a wider variety of puzzles. Some are quite challenging, but don’t give up. Persistence will pay off – just take a break and see another patient for awhile. Newspaper accounts of the deeds of each doomed patient are outside of the entrances to each room. Graphics are truly nightmarish and imaginative. After rescuing the 10 patients and seeing what the bottom of the fountain reveals, an unexpected disaster strikes. So enter sequel.
I recommend this game!
With your carriage broken, and a wolf nearby, you must find shelter. What awaits you in the village just ahead?
Overall rating
4
/
5
97 of 107 found this review helpful
GREAT FOLLOWUP TO THE OTHERS IN THE SERIES
PostedMay 2, 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
Extras include videos, concept art, wallpaper and ability to replay HOS. 3 difficulty levels. You can choose either a large cursor or a slow motion (I opted for cursor). Your diary has the story and a list of tasks.
STORY: You are engaged by the town in which you grew up to be the town doctor since your foster dad (who was the doctor) disappeared. You're traveling by buggy and your horse is scared by a wolf, crashing your carriage. So you'll be looking for dad in addition to being the doctor.
GAMEPLAY: More of an adventure game with HOS. Nonlinear, but what needs to be done and where actions are required is logical. Some back and forth with quite a few locations. Nice HOS - clear objects although the scenes are a bit crowded. Graphics are very good and support the spooky and mysterious atmosphere the game starts with. Puzzles are not mind-boggling (caveat: I play an awful lot of HOGs, so I don't find that many puzzles very difficult anymore). Definitely worth a try.
I recommend this game!
Save yourself from an unknown disease and leave the island!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
WHY ALL THE NEGATIVES
PostedMay 1, 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
Game was relatively easy for me - but I play an awful lot of adventure/HOGs so most games are fairly easy. Still it was fun. Nice storyline. Graphics weren't spectacular but quite adequate and nice. Limited locations, so you don't get lost. Hints were very helpful. If you don't want help figuring out where to go or what to do, play hardcore (or at least advanced) or don't use the hints.
HOGs were crowded, a little on the darkish side, a little interactive, but not impossible. Achievements were really easy to get, so there could certainly be more. Production standards were good, though not outstanding. A fun little game. Maybe I'll play it in the dark.
I recommend this game!
Explore the zombie island and break an ancient curse! What caused the disaster? Was it a virus or magic?
Overall rating
3
/
5
58 of 73 found this review helpful
PLEASANT UNDEAD STORY
PostedApril 30, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Who doesn't love the undead? So I was excited to see an adventure/HOG with them. An island has been infiltrated by them and your team needs to rescue the island from their grasp.
You have a journal with the story and an interactive map showing locations to search for useful objects and scenes with actions to be performed. Very helpful if you get stuck. Locations have twinkles to highlight where the next action is. I couldn't find a way to shut it off.
Gameplay appears to be somewhat linear in that objects twinkle after you perform some other action - clicking the object before that action seem to have no effect. Not a real biggie, but I like to be able to collect objects as I encounter them. On the other hand, you can use objects as you collect them (my preference over having to first collect an entire set).
Graphics are average for a game of this nature. You can select the written dialogue to some extent. Although not an outstanding game, you should have a pleasant afternoon of play.
I recommend this game!
Protect your tribe from an evil spirit! Become the chosen one and go on an incredible journey in Tulula: Legend of a Volcano!
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 21 found this review helpful
VERY FUN WHIMSICAL GAME
PostedApril 30, 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 is one of my favorite games - I've played it several times and doubt that I will ever tire of it. Fairly lengthy. Storyline is very imaginative and skillfully constructed; love entering into the little girl's pictures. Her imagination in drawing pictures allows so much creativity in telling the story. Also love the way her guardian "supervises" her - his notes to her are hilarious.
Exceptional production values. Gameplay and picturesque graphics are outstanding. Challenging and innovative. I can't think of anything negative to say about it, except that the developers haven't come out with a sequel. If you like well-crafted games that will surely amuse you, try this game.
I recommend this game!
After using a secret alias to board the Titanic, things go terribly wrong and you find yourself trapped among the wreckage. In order to earn freedom from your watery tomb you must appease your captor by re-writing history and freeing the spirits trapped aboard the 'unsinkable' luxury liner as well as discover why fate has chosen this destiny for you.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
NICE SOLID GAME
PostedApril 27, 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
4
/
5
I like the Hidden Mysteries sagas - soon after the Titanic sails in this game, it crashes. There are 24 locations to explore - some of them in 2 different "worlds" - i.e., before and after the crash. But you have a map that shows where you are and where there are tasks to complete. The journal gives the story as well as puzzle clues.
I like the story: You have several trials to complete in order to redeem yourself after the crash, helping others, before you will get the chance to find your way out. There are several mysterious black forms which block you passage to different areas, and they will not disappear until you have successfully completed a trial.
I find the game sufficiently challenging for me - you are not led by the hand. Graphics are decent - of course, after the wreck, everything is in grey mode. But the before crash is nicely bright and picks up the opulence the Titanic offered at that time.
I recommend this game!
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
5
/
5
53 of 80 found this review helpful
IF IT'S ERS, YOU KNOW IT'S GOT TO BE GOOD
PostedApril 25, 2013
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
NOT SO GOOD
First, the artwork (especially of Dupin) doesn't seem to be up to par with prior games of the series. Second, the bottom of the screen is too crowded - on my 27 inch screen, there is over an inch of unused space on each side - makes the inventory tray rather small in comparison.
VERY GOOD
Production values are what you'd expect from ERS - an interactive map, artistic graphics, diary, interesting story (true to Poe), logical game play, various achievements and well-detailed interactive uncrowded HOS. You can take pictures with your camera as often as you want and they will be saved to a book in your office. A delight to play. I love all the Edgar Allan Poe games.
First, the artwork (especially of Dupin) doesn't seem to be up to par with prior games of the series. Second, the bottom of the screen is too crowded - on my 27 inch screen, there is over an inch of unused space on each side - makes the inventory tray rather small in comparison.
VERY GOOD
Production values are what you'd expect from ERS - an interactive map, artistic graphics, diary, interesting story (true to Poe), logical game play, various achievements and well-detailed interactive uncrowded HOS. You can take pictures with your camera as often as you want and they will be saved to a book in your office. A delight to play. I love all the Edgar Allan Poe games.
I recommend this game!