derekthedj's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:428
- Reviews Submitted:4
- First Review:January 8, 2012
- Most Recent Review:May 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
derekthedj's Review History
Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover™
Welcome back to Gardenscapes! Turn the hall into a masterpiece!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 19 found this review helpful
Translation errors mar an otherwise perfect sequel
PostedMay 26, 2012
derekthedj
fromWhiterun, Skyrim
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Gardenscapes is one of my all-time favorite hidden-object games and this is a faithful sequel. I was a little disappointed when Farmscapes tried to combine hidden object along with match-3 and other puzzles so I'm glad Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover returned to the gameplay resembling the original game.
Your faithful butler, Austin and pet dog return with a new area to renovate. In the first Gardenscapes, you renovated the outside, now you are renovating the inside of the mansion. The rooms have changed, a few new songs have been introduced and you even get to hear Austin for the first time (not what I expected.) Still, there is a feeling of sameness a the sound effects, completion music, and Austin's antics and interactions with his dog and other people remain largely unchanged. That's a good thing in my book because it was hard to improve upon the original game. It's cheery and whimsical and rewards you for your sleuthing by allowing you to purchase improvements to your house.
Like most Playrix games, it's not too difficult so hidden-object aficionados seeking high challenge and complex puzzles will probably need to search elsewhere. The rest who want a true "casual" gaming experience will love this game.
The only reason I can't give this game five stars is because I have discovered too many vague and incorrect English translations. For instance, I scoured an entire area searching for a "tennis ball" and decided on a whim to select a baseball instead. Sure enough, that was what was being sought. Other times I get requests for vague items such as "for baking". This becomes a problem when you are searching a kitchen! From the numerous items that could have qualified as a baking item, it turns out I was supposed to find a rolling pin. If this only happened on occasion I could overlook the issue but it seems like I'm rolling my eyes at least once per game. This is while playing version 1.0. Hopefully Playrix releases an update correcting these issues.
I recommend this game!
Find the Lost Regalia that will help Grandpa Scruff prove that he is the true Duke of Scrufford in The Scruffs 2: Return of the Duke!
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
A buggy disappointment compared to the first
PostedMarch 7, 2012
derekthedj
fromSkyrim, Tamriel
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The Scruffs (original) was the very first hidden object game I played. It remains one of my favorites so I probably have some high expectations for the sequel that I bought on day one. I don't think they're unrealistic, though, it's just this latest iteration strays from the formula that made the first game great. The changes are not for the better.
Gone are the scribbles and in their place is a game that seems to resemble a point and click adventure puzzle. You start off finding 12 of an item for a family member. You trade them for a scroll which lists about 15-20 items each in a few different locations. Once you find everything the "fun" begins. I've never been a fan of adventure games because I tend to overthink puzzles and I get frustrated when reasonable solutions don't work. The Scruffs 2 takes a silly approach involving following odd recipes or instructions. For instance, one puzzle involves prodding a bear in a specific manner to get him to move off an item you need. Another involves getting a silly creature to fall in love. The puzzles are whimsical but they don't always work out correctly.
People have already experienced frustration with a so-called "polishing cloth" puzzle that was buggy to the point of game-breaking. This is supposedly fixed in the latest iteration here at BFG. I'm stuck on an adventure puzzle on level eight. Most people enjoy the dog as it barks rapidly as you approach a hint item. I find the mutt to be rather useless and buggy as the hints he gives are usually incorrectly ordered, especially if we are stuck on the adventure puzzle.
Hidden object aficionados will probably want to pass on this as well. BFG's own staples (i.e. Mystery Trackers, Mystery Case Files, etc.) provide much more challenge. I'm more a casual player so I don't mind that it's easy. I'm just a little disappointed that it's lost the charm and it's become a buggy adventure quest instead. Get the first game if you haven't played it yet.
I don't recommend this game.
Sharpen your intellect with fun, challenging, brain-building games that can help increase your reaction time and improve your memory.
Overall rating
4
/
5
33 of 36 found this review helpful
Very easy at first but it's worth repeated play
PostedFebruary 21, 2012
derekthedj
fromSkyrim, Tamriel
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
The biggest problem I had with this game was figuring out how to increase the difficulty. If you play the different games in "practice" mode, they won't contribute to your overall score. Just remember you will need to complete a skill circuit or a full circuit before the difficulty increases.
There are six different skills the game tests you on such as Spatial, Math, Reasoning, etc. In each of the six skills there are five different challenges for a total of 30 games. A few of the games aren't explained very clearly so you may fail the first couple of times until you figure out what they expect out of you. Most are easy to figure out after a couple practice tests.
You will start with some grade school level questions to start (i.e. 3 + 1 = ?) but the challenge will ramp up as you complete circuits. Many of the games test not only your knowledge but the speed at which you can get the correct answer.
Brain Training for Dummies isn't really a game like the popular hidden-object or time-management games on this site. It is, however, a new and different way to exercise your mind and massage the brain cells a little bit. You'll actually feel it once the questions get challenging. Brain Training for Dummies will also point out the skill sets you tend to do well in and the areas that need improvement. If you like puzzle games or brain teasers, try this one out.
I recommend this game!
Create a prosperous island paradise for your industrious, intelligent tribe with this real-time Brain Teaser!
Overall rating
5
/
5
373 of 412 found this review helpful
I liked this much better than Virtual Villagers
PostedJanuary 8, 2012
derekthedj
fromBermuda Triangle
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Brain Teaser, Strategy
Current Favorite:
Plants vs Zombies
(329)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
My review is basically the exact opposite of Grimreapr476's. I tried two different Villagers games and was bored to tears. My Tribe, on the other hand, features characters that actually move around and follow your commands instead of wandering around aimlessly in slow motion. It's what I expected a Robinson Crusoe style game to be like.
There are a few puzzles you'll discover but it's not a puzzle solving game. Your job is to help grow the tribe and collect resources to provide food, shelter, and improve their lives. Tribe members improve their skills the more they work on a particular task. They also work faster and more efficiently. Unfortunately even the hardest working or most intelligent tribe members will ultimately succumb to old age so managing relationships is important in order to keep the tribe prosperous.
If you want a game that simulates being stranded on a desert island, My Tribe is worth the download.
I recommend this game!