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:
Travel the globe with Samantha Swift to find the ancient waters that hold the secret to the Fountain of Youth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
HAND DRAWN AND PAINTED
PostedNovember 27, 2012
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
EXTRAS: There are a number of trophies you can earn. Some require perfect play (such as using no hints, never getting a click penalty). Recommend that you view the available trophies before playing and plan your attack. The Unlimited HO mode is unlocked once you find 60 Swifts (you will get a notice). You select the HOS and find the items fast. Your time is recorded so you can try to beat it again. Your find list will differ each time.
GAMEPLAY: 6 chapters, each with 5-8 HOS plus several inventory tasks and a couple of mini-games. Collect the 2 swifts and the 1 lightning bolt in each scene (and sometimes in the puzzles). Collecting all of them will earn you 2 trophies. There is no time limit. The lightning bolt will give you an additional hint. Clicking on an item in the object list will show you that item’s silhouette in the scanner (does not count as a hint if you’re trying for the no hint trophy but does count is you’re trying for a trophy for never using the scanner). Click hint to get more detailed instructions for the puzzles and mini-games (this does not count as a hint).
BASICS: Only 1 mode of play. No option for widescreen, although at one point it became a widescreen after leaving and returning to the game automatically. Objects have a hand-drawn and hand-painted look. In windowed mode, many of the objects were small, although the scenes were uncrowded, so they could be found. Game took about 5 hours.
I recommend this game!
Become a Hunter of darkness to cope with possessed owner of theater and revived shadows. Help other people by correcting their wrong fulfilled wishes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
LOVELY & INTERESTING
PostedNovember 26, 2012
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
Well developed and thought out story and gameplay similar to CE qualify. As the Hunter of Darkness, Elu, you help a shadow theater owner, seamstress, boatman in love with a mermaid and others get free of the evil shadows possessing them. Good blend of adventure, HOS (interactive, uncrowded, large objects) and interesting and creative mini-games and puzzles (wide variety with difficulty ranging from mild to moderately challenging). Task list. Map shows completed locations. 3 modes of play (casual, challenge and extreme). Lovely graphics, though some HOS scenes are on the drab side. Fluent gameplay with low-level amount of backtracking. Fast hint recharge and about 6 to 7 hours playtime on casual.
I recommend this game!
Explore The Dark Hills of Cherai and find The Regal Scepter in this unique Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
COMPLEX SWAPPING AND FUN
PostedNovember 26, 2012
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
4
/
5
GAMEPLAY: Unique adventure-HOG game is much more complex than usual. You take turns playing the 3 characters (Tara, Maya and Rahul) as they follow their own path in looking for the Royal Scepter. Each character has their own path of lovely Indian locations to follow (12-16 each) and, as they encounter puzzles which they can’t complete because they lack the necessary objects and as they find certain objects that they can’t themselves use, they must exchange objects to pursue their quests. The switching is done at the Meeting Place. Call areas that require attention sparkle in casual mode. Storyline is cohesive when taking all 3 characters into consideration but some may find it convoluted because you are changing characters so frequently.
HOS: Not too crowded; clearly defined objects. PUZZLES: Wide variety of very interesting puzzles; most are unique; difficulty ranges from easy to very challenging. Skippable.
OTHER STUFF: What is a lot of fun is the complexity of swapping. You need (1) a terrific memory (2) pen and paper or (3) W/T to keep track of which character needs what to complete their tasks because it isn’t always obvious who needs what. Otherwise, you’ll be playing for days swapping objects, characters and revisiting locations at random. Location graphics are absolutely gorgeous from the palace to the waterfall. Great animation and visual effects. Over 5 ½ hours in casual. Satisfactory Ending
BASICS: Casual or advanced modes. Can chose “aspect ratio.” 2 Hint options: mirror (use as often as you want) or the Peacock (when it is full). If you don’t know what to do with an object, place it over the peacock, which will tell you where to use it and which person needs it.
GLITCH: One glitch that doesn’t appear to be fixed or reported in the forum, is that 3 or 4 times, I couldn’t back out of the closeup of a scenes (ex: placed a couple urns at the oxmill, but couldn’t get back out of it). Only solution was to close the program and reopen it. Problem solved.
I recommend this game!
An evil villain is luring people to his beautiful mansion and preparing them for a terrible ritual. Can you keep your head on the shoulders?
Overall rating
5
/
5
97 of 134 found this review helpful
ABSOLUTELY SUPERB
PostedNovember 23, 2012
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 interesting and unique. The artwork is gorgeously done, the sound effects and animation superb, and I especially like the intriguing surprises that show up. The brain showing areas of interest was especially well done. You're supposed to stay out of the right wing because of "renovations" - well it just begs you to go exploring when the master of the house isn't around. There is so much to do and see here. If there's one negative, it's that people's lips don't track with the dialogue. This is a game that I will definitely play more than once or twice. A very well developed, polished game.
I recommend this game!
Unlock the secret rooms in the Howard’s mansion and restore a precious antique collection hidden there.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY; GNOMES CAN'T DANCE
PostedNovember 21, 2012
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
4
/
5
BASICS: 7 Chapters. Notes are strewn about; collect them and they will be recorded in your journal. The journal will also record your objectives and, if you want, give you a hint of obtaining them. You can mute sound and hide tips. Jaunty music. There are scrolls in scenes which must be picked up before you get the list of objects to collect.
STORYLINE: You are called to recently deceased Tycoon Howard’s mansion to restore his antique collection, which has been scattered around the estate, including secret rooms. You occasionally find ominous notes from Howard; later, they sound funny as he becomes exasperated. One thing I’ve learned: gnomes can’t dance, though they appear to have fun trying. Ending was as I suspected it might be as I passed the midpoint of the game.
GAMEPLAY: Sometimes it is difficult to get the inventory to automatically attach to the cursor. HOS are large, not overly crowded. Very wide variety of new and unique puzzles, which vary from easy to moderately difficult. Some of the scenes and puzzles are an awful lot of fun – don’t know which would be my favorites. The upside down room was ingenious (it’s not just upside down; it’s what it does). The High Noon Painting puzzle with the Last Chance Saloon was absolutely fabulous. Loved the 3 carpentry projects – very unique way of handling. The developers really thought outside the box.
OTHER STUFF: Map looks interactive, but it’s not except for opening the next area. No matter what room you click, you’ll end up in the next area. The map just shows you the layout of the land. Graphics are bright and crisp. Not much dialogue. It would be perfect if you could play just the games after finishing the game.
I recommend this game!
The Brooks family boarded the Neptune hoping for a relaxing family vacation, but what they got was an incredible adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
SUNK AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED
PostedNovember 21, 2012
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
1
/
5
BASICS: Play easy or normal. You can adjust sound effects and voice overs or mute all sound. Subtitles can be turned on or off. You have a diary with includes a map, objectives, and location of those objectives. Good cutscene intro. Voice overs aren’t bad, but they aren’t good either. Music is okay for the story. HOS are large and bright, not too crowded.
STORYLINE is absurd. I usually don't care too much about the story. But this is too far fetched. The ship is flooded and going down. As you try to rescue your son, why look for a key to open a floating suitcase. (Okay, it has a screwdriver and hacksaw, but really, who’d pack that.) Then water is pouring from the ventilation system onto your son, who is up to his chin in the flooded chin, and you think turning off the water is going to help. Then your son’s leg is trapped and instead of trying to get it free, you decide to look for someone to help - hey! Everyone has left the ship except your family (and maybe anyone who isn’t bright enough or able to get to the top of the ship where the rescuers are, but there's no indication of that). I can’t get past the ridiculousness of the story. Maybe if the ship were just starting to sink, some of it might make sense, but not after the rescuers have rescued everyone in sight and the ship is flooded to your chin.
I don't recommend this game.
Murder, She Wrote 2: Return to Cabot Cove
Take on the role of beloved murder-mystery writer Jessica Fletcher and return to lovely (but lethal) Cabot Cove!
Overall rating
4
/
5
180 of 195 found this review helpful
ONE OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE SLEUTHS - FINALLY
PostedNovember 21, 2012
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
4
/
5
I have been waiting for this 2nd game to make its debut for months and months. Finally! Same jaunty music. Still looks like the picturesque 60s (nice to be ageless). 3 murders to solve. Casual and expert modes. Gameplay is the same as it was for the first Murder She Wrote. Jessica discovers a murder and helps the sheriff solve it – seeing clues no one else sees the importance of.
HOS are nicely sized, crisp and clear. There are limited hints – earn extra hints by finding all 6 vowels in the HOS, which will fill in the words in the object list. Graphics are bright and clear. Maintains the same atmosphere as small town America in the 60s. Storyline’s as finely tuned as the first game and the TV program – murder, but nicely handled without all the grisly details. Jessica is one of my favorite sleuths.
It doesn't have the pizazz that some of the newer HOGs (like Surface, Dark Parables, the new MCFs), but it just wouldn't be Jessica with all that. One problem was a puzzle where you had to move everything around - my cursor wouldn't stick to anything, nor would the touch screen work on the scene. Don't know if that's a glitch or just my computer.
I recommend this game!
Save your sister from the grave! After receiving a troubling phone call from your brother-in-law, you’re off on an adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
ALWAYS WATCH OUT WHEN TOO MANY WIVES HAVE DIED
PostedNovember 21, 2012
rosekaufmann
fromLos Angeles
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
STORYLINE: Richard Rainheart’s five wives have died mysterious deaths at his castle and you find yourself at the castle looking into the deaths (his 5th wife was your sister). You find a picture of Richard dated 1873 – well, that just can’t be! You find out that his wedding rings have taken the souls of those who loved him for 100 years. The antidote is to enter the netherworld of the deceased wives’ dreams and release their souls before your sister becomes permanently dead.
BASICS: Casual and challenge modes. Volume controls for music, special effects and the environment. Wide screen is available. Game took a little over 5 hours in casual mode.
GAMEPLAY: You are looking for the rest of each wife’s statutes and her ring. There is little overlap between the scenes for the various wives. Dialogue is written. Nice mix of HOS and puzzles. HOS are interactive and not too crowded and objects are large and well defined. Puzzles are easy to moderately challenging (depending on your skill). Hints are very helpful and recharge quite fast in casual mode.
OTHER STUFF: Graphics were nicely detailed, though frequently on the drab side. Sometimes, if you had only a partial inventory of needed objects for a puzzle, you could use them as you found them; other times, you needed the complete set of 3 or 4. Plot was well developed and a lot of thought went into the scenes and activities for each wife. Very polished gameplay. Though fitting, the ending was rather abrupt – it could have been dawn out a bit more to have a more dramatic effect and be more satisfying.
I recommend this game!
The residents of Bitterford, Maine have fallen prey to a terrible curse. It’s up to you to unravel the series of mysterious events that led to the town’s downfall and uncover the evil that was responsible.
Overall rating
5
/
5
90 of 136 found this review helpful
SO TERRIFIC IT'S HARD TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE
PostedNovember 20, 2012
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 good production values. The MCFs keep getting better and this is the best one yet. They’ve come a long way since Huntsville. You can play casual or expert modes, in high definition and with subtitles. You have separate volume controls for sound effects and the environment. Music is relaxing. You have a map and a case book which lists your tasks and your notes on the case. For once, we have cutscenes with good live actors who act and sound natural – it’s about time! Delve into a good well thought-out and interesting plot. Adding the ghost hunters is good -- more mystery is added as to why they took off so fast, while leaving quite a bit of their equipment behind. Very good graphics.
I recommend this game!
Scour the world uncovering clues and apprehending Interpol`s most dangerous criminals!
Overall rating
3
/
5
32 of 34 found this review helpful
MORE REASONABLE LENGTH THAN THE FIRST INTERPOL
PostedNovember 19, 2012
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
Game follows the same structure as the 1st Interpol and uses those locations. The scenes are large and not too crowded; objects are well defined. There are 24 missions to solve. You are on the tracks of “The Collector” and his team, who are wanted for larceny, theft and deception. You visit two or three locations and search for 18 or 28 objects for each mission. You then solve the crime by looking for 10 of a single object or differences between 2 pictures.
You are timed for a maximum time of 24 minutes per mission. You can set the ambient, sound effects and music volumes. Game took 3 ½ hours vs. the 8 ½ hours for the 1st game (which had you visiting many more locations per mission). Comparing the two games, the 1st game was too long, this one a little short (but that may be because I found most everything without hints since the locations were familiar).
I recommend this game!