riverdiver's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:2,076
- Reviews Submitted:35
- First Review:November 1, 2015
- Most Recent Review:August 19, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Agent Sarah, famous police detective, is called by the Chief of Police to solve yet another unsolvable crime in this captivating hidden object adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
26 of 31 found this review helpful
HENDID INVITAGONIEST
PostedAugust 19, 2019
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
No lip sync? No different playing modes? No CE?
No, this game was released as FreeToPlay for iOS/Android devices some years ago. It still has many features of an FTP as the high amount of points you earn, revisiting areas, not really an elaborate story and more.
No, this game was released as FreeToPlay for iOS/Android devices some years ago. It still has many features of an FTP as the high amount of points you earn, revisiting areas, not really an elaborate story and more.
I enjoyed playing the game then and I even more enjoy it now: finally on a big screen.
Usually I’m not a fan of revisiting scenes. But the differents modes for HO scenes are fun fun fun. The items change every time you play. My favourite search mode, hence the title of the review, is „scrambled“ clues. You have to find „GAREPS“ or „FGIHHLLSAT“ in one round, in the next one the words are scrambled in a different way.
Usually I don’t enjoy items in HO’s which are out of proportion. Here you’ll have to find moths the size of a gramophone. Never mind, you can try to speed up from round to round and earn more points.
Usually I don’t like playing in a competitative way, here it was fun!
Usually I’m not a fan of revisiting scenes. But the differents modes for HO scenes are fun fun fun. The items change every time you play. My favourite search mode, hence the title of the review, is „scrambled“ clues. You have to find „GAREPS“ or „FGIHHLLSAT“ in one round, in the next one the words are scrambled in a different way.
Usually I don’t enjoy items in HO’s which are out of proportion. Here you’ll have to find moths the size of a gramophone. Never mind, you can try to speed up from round to round and earn more points.
Usually I don’t like playing in a competitative way, here it was fun!
The story is basic, but, whether it was intended or not, so ironically twisted, so overblown I had to laugh out loud.
Yes, the music and the mini-games are repetititive, the game mechanics do not compare to a HOPA.
But a game that is addictive, makes me laugh and scratching my head over scrambled words is pure fun for me.
But a game that is addictive, makes me laugh and scratching my head over scrambled words is pure fun for me.
RTY DNA JYONE!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a powerful foe from taking over Paris?
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 91 found this review helpful
Standing Ovation - Magnifique!
PostedJuly 15, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Vermillion Watch has a case in Paris to solve. As much as I like games set in London, especially during Victorian times, this was a great change and very welcome.
As much as I like playing with many different characters as in former games of the series, it was nice to be mostly on my own. Apart from a little bit of help from my fellow traveller and the local contact. And an animal helper, which had a mind on his own but did not take over.
Nor did the gadget. It was moderately used and made sense.
As much as I like playing with many different characters as in former games of the series, it was nice to be mostly on my own. Apart from a little bit of help from my fellow traveller and the local contact. And an animal helper, which had a mind on his own but did not take over.
Nor did the gadget. It was moderately used and made sense.
Visuals were just breathtaking! There was so much to discover. I love looking at every single scene, taking in as many details as possible. Even if it’s of no use for the gameplay. Can I decipher book titles? Recognise paintings or statues?
A real firework of a game! A superb treat for 14 juillet, the French National Day. Many references to French National Symbols, as a HOS where you had to find roosters.
A good story, challenging HO’s, fun mini-games, a Bonus Chapter that reflected the overall quality of the game and humour, humour, humour. Plus a very catching sound! When I like a game I usually don’t use the transport function of the map, but here, boy oh boy, the sound when you get transported to another location was so catching. I hopped around locations just for the enjoyment of hearing it.
A good story, challenging HO’s, fun mini-games, a Bonus Chapter that reflected the overall quality of the game and humour, humour, humour. Plus a very catching sound! When I like a game I usually don’t use the transport function of the map, but here, boy oh boy, the sound when you get transported to another location was so catching. I hopped around locations just for the enjoyment of hearing it.
Un vrai bijou! - A Real Jewel! Merci infiniment - Thank you so much!
I recommend this game!
What lies within the depths of the pitch-black mirror?
Overall rating
5
/
5
160 of 229 found this review helpful
Superb!
PostedNovember 22, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Finished main game, Bonus Chapter and Extras.
From the intro to the credits, from story to graphics, from HO’s to mini-games, an absolute treat!
As as much as I wanted to prolong playing this game, I soon reached a moment where I couldn’t stop.
I had to be torn away from the computer to do at least some of the minor Real Life matters as cooking a meal. Tradition on MCF release days: Broccoli. Ok, this is a review site, but the recipe for „The Countess“ was stunning and I enjoyed this feast of a game tremendously.
From the intro to the credits, from story to graphics, from HO’s to mini-games, an absolute treat!
As as much as I wanted to prolong playing this game, I soon reached a moment where I couldn’t stop.
I had to be torn away from the computer to do at least some of the minor Real Life matters as cooking a meal. Tradition on MCF release days: Broccoli. Ok, this is a review site, but the recipe for „The Countess“ was stunning and I enjoyed this feast of a game tremendously.
I loved loved loved the details, as the gull flying off when the stone head falls off Codington Bridge, the, sorry, SPOILER!!! pig head morph in the Mansion Yard, the preinstalled 999 code on the padlock, the steaming sock in a HOs, tributes to former MCF games.
Creepy story fine, with a humorous approach even better. Whether intended or not. The sentence „This record is scratched“ sent me to the floor. Those who are familiar with Monty Python know why.
Creepy story fine, with a humorous approach even better. Whether intended or not. The sentence „This record is scratched“ sent me to the floor. Those who are familiar with Monty Python know why.
Gameplay is top notch, I appreciate the clear indication if you have found morphs and collectibles in a scene.
The Bonus Chapter was carefully composed. The main game ends satisfactorily, the story of the BC complements it.
For me the rhythm of the game was perfect, adventure, HO’s and the brilliant super puzzles. All accentuated by the music, a subtle variation of MCF tunes. I’m listening to the sound track right now.
The Bonus Chapter was carefully composed. The main game ends satisfactorily, the story of the BC complements it.
For me the rhythm of the game was perfect, adventure, HO’s and the brilliant super puzzles. All accentuated by the music, a subtle variation of MCF tunes. I’m listening to the sound track right now.
The game made me forget everything around me, took me back to former stages in my life when I played the piano the way you had to do in one of the mini-games, sent cold shivers down my spine, made made me feel sad and made me laugh.
Everything cooked to the point, well seasoned, no wish left opened.
Everything cooked to the point, well seasoned, no wish left opened.
Five stars and Five Toques!
I recommend this game!
All Hallow’s Eve - a night for tricks, treats... and terror!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Great invitation to attend THIS Halloween party!
PostedOctober 26, 2018
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
But - I’ve learned my lesson. From now on I’ll stay away from Halloween parties in real.
Completing the game was great fun though, it’s a replay before next Halloween.
Completing the game was great fun though, it’s a replay before next Halloween.
The preparations for the party, choosing a costume, making a seating plan and who eats which dishes, were a bit slow in my opinion. The occasional appearance of the ghost of the first wife of the Player Character’s husband, Eliot, was not really scary. But then pace was picking up and up. So did the chill and spook factor.
The house, its decorations, the sumptuous finger food, the characters, the atmosphere, I couldn’t stop playing, in spite of flaws in the story.
I didn’t quite get why so many people were killed. Well, if it goes wrong it goes wrong.
But the smooth gameplay, the great puzzles and, for me most important, the fantastic HO scenes helped overlooking this. The HO scene where you had to turn the glasses with the candles was just brilliant. Or the scene on the balcony where you had to find leaves with certain marks.
I replayed all the HO’s several times, enjoyed them so much.
I didn’t quite get why so many people were killed. Well, if it goes wrong it goes wrong.
But the smooth gameplay, the great puzzles and, for me most important, the fantastic HO scenes helped overlooking this. The HO scene where you had to turn the glasses with the candles was just brilliant. Or the scene on the balcony where you had to find leaves with certain marks.
I replayed all the HO’s several times, enjoyed them so much.
The Bonus Chapter was an absolute treat and reason to give four stars. We go back to point of the story and play as a different character. It was packed with action and fun!
And it made me realise that I, as the Player Character, have been playing the main game dressed as Marie Antoinette. Not quite the attire to face ghouls, to rummage a substantial manor. Hats off! We’ve done it in style!
And it made me realise that I, as the Player Character, have been playing the main game dressed as Marie Antoinette. Not quite the attire to face ghouls, to rummage a substantial manor. Hats off! We’ve done it in style!
I recommend this game!
You are sent to a remote island to solve a simple case that quickly turns into a cat and mouse game between you and the culprits.
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
Greed, yet no Glory
PostedSeptember 25, 2018
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Murder Mysteries are my favourite games. So this game seemed to be right up my alley.
A man had fallen off the cliff, my partner and I are called to look into this case on a private island and we soon find out this was not a suicide, but a murder.
A man had fallen off the cliff, my partner and I are called to look into this case on a private island and we soon find out this was not a suicide, but a murder.
I loved the graphics, crisp, detailed, especially in the Hidden Objects scenes.
Five stars to the game’s mechanics: hint button, the interactive map, all first-class.
Five stars to the game’s mechanics: hint button, the interactive map, all first-class.
But: As much as I liked the plot, it didn’t bowl me over. Nothing I have not played before.
Asking several people the same questions got really tedious here. Why not do it in different way? Asking one person, then weave in the other interviews in a different way, a mini game, a HO?
The case file was helpful, but sorting the evidence was not interesting, a matter of persistence, not deduction.
Asking several people the same questions got really tedious here. Why not do it in different way? Asking one person, then weave in the other interviews in a different way, a mini game, a HO?
The case file was helpful, but sorting the evidence was not interesting, a matter of persistence, not deduction.
Several actions were out of my understanding. As towards the very end:
If you opened a gate and a camping trailer is hurling towards you - would you stay put in the middle of the road or hide behind the walls to the left or the right?
Please, please, please: more credibility!
If you opened a gate and a camping trailer is hurling towards you - would you stay put in the middle of the road or hide behind the walls to the left or the right?
Please, please, please: more credibility!
Another but: the music was far too repetitive for my taste. The same tune was repeated over and over and over. There could so much more to be done with it. As complete silence for a while, just a single note and more background sounds, variations in tempo and key.
My last "but" concerns the items in the HO’s. As much as I liked them, occasionally you got something rather strange, as the „Gift case“ in the Kitchen Cellar. I had to take resort to random clicking - and found a barrel with a gear on top?
In my opinion this game is a few steps away from being a really good game. I still recommend it!
I recommend this game!
Can you rid the city of a malevolent monster in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
117 of 121 found this review helpful
A (Ver)million Ton(s) of Fun
PostedSeptember 16, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Finished! Took me a very long time, well, not even a million seconds. I enjoyed every single one!
More than impressed with "London Howling".
More than impressed with "London Howling".
To be honest, when I played the beta my enthusiasm remained rather limited. Werewolves in London? How original ?!
I’m more than glad to have given the game a chance. It turned out to be super brilliant!
I couldn’t stop playing. And when I did and had a snooze, I dreamed about it.
I’m more than glad to have given the game a chance. It turned out to be super brilliant!
I couldn’t stop playing. And when I did and had a snooze, I dreamed about it.
The game is very intense. You play a mini-game and jump into the next one, you open a new location and get, not only one but a handful of tasks. You think you can trust someone, you soon learn this is not really so.
But thankfully you are part of the Vermillion Watch and can rely on the help of allies and specialists.
But thankfully you are part of the Vermillion Watch and can rely on the help of allies and specialists.
The story starts with a shock! From now on you have to live with new powers and have to learn to control your anger. As the character I played I had to focus and check my impatience.
The mini-games are well designed, very much in line with the story, a ton of fun, some quite challenging. As patching up a shroud. You don’t get six pieces and a template that helps you assembling it. You have to think!
Most of them are self-explaining, I hardly ever looked at the instructions.
The HO’s are a myriad of almost everything known in the HOPA world: word lists, outlines, spot the difference, find several items of the same kind. And you have to find items you hardly ever get in games, as „Sleeping Girl“. Some HO’s consist of several parts. Scenes are never repeated and you have a morphing object in them. It took me quite some time to find them, great chance to relax.
My favourite HOs is the one where you have to feed the lemurs, so well done!
The mini-games are well designed, very much in line with the story, a ton of fun, some quite challenging. As patching up a shroud. You don’t get six pieces and a template that helps you assembling it. You have to think!
Most of them are self-explaining, I hardly ever looked at the instructions.
The HO’s are a myriad of almost everything known in the HOPA world: word lists, outlines, spot the difference, find several items of the same kind. And you have to find items you hardly ever get in games, as „Sleeping Girl“. Some HO’s consist of several parts. Scenes are never repeated and you have a morphing object in them. It took me quite some time to find them, great chance to relax.
My favourite HOs is the one where you have to feed the lemurs, so well done!
The main game ends satisfactorily. In the Bonus Chapter you get a new story that picks up motifs from the main game. No loss of pace and quality, no slumps at all.
One minor flaw: I usually toggle the pop-ups which is a feature I love. Here the pop-ups kept popping up, but this was no damp in the overall impression.
Collectibles are pretty easy to spot. I still had to pick up some later on, as I simply forgot about them, being so immersed in the scenes.
One minor flaw: I usually toggle the pop-ups which is a feature I love. Here the pop-ups kept popping up, but this was no damp in the overall impression.
Collectibles are pretty easy to spot. I still had to pick up some later on, as I simply forgot about them, being so immersed in the scenes.
Graphics, music and sound are superb! To take in all the details I will have to play the game again and again.
I love looking at scenes, items, paintings and wondering where do I know this from?
I love looking at scenes, items, paintings and wondering where do I know this from?
As the instrument shown in the screen „Please play with sound“. It reminded me of a Kora, a harp used in West Africa.
You’ll find the connection Victorian London - Africa pretty soon!
You’ll find the connection Victorian London - Africa pretty soon!
I recommend this game!
Turn back the hands of time to free the Lost Lands!
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 20 found this review helpful
Not All Lost in Lost Lands
PostedJuly 30, 2018
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on finished game
The topic of the game, helping a sick person to end her life, could be discussed far and wide, still, I found this game highly entertaining.
Great visuals, clever puzzles (in the main game), HOs where you have to find and use, cut scenes very well done, gripping music, could you ask for more?
Ok, some players might prefer more variety in HOs, more challenge, more of this, less of that.
I enjoyed the main game a lot. Susan, her hair more and more tousled in the process, Maaron as a younger person and then as a very different character from what we know him, Fiora with an unfortunately rather squeaky voice, Helma the witch and many more.
Great visuals, clever puzzles (in the main game), HOs where you have to find and use, cut scenes very well done, gripping music, could you ask for more?
Ok, some players might prefer more variety in HOs, more challenge, more of this, less of that.
I enjoyed the main game a lot. Susan, her hair more and more tousled in the process, Maaron as a younger person and then as a very different character from what we know him, Fiora with an unfortunately rather squeaky voice, Helma the witch and many more.
My enthusiasm was dampened in the Bonus Chapter. For me it fell flat. The story didn't offer any new aspects, apart from learning how to concoct another potion, the puzzles were repetitive.
I would recommend to play the Standard Version, a shining four stars game.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the Revenant before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
73 of 86 found this review helpful
Crime and Punishment
PostedJanuary 19, 2018
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
There is no escape from a crime committed in former years.
Alvin is back from the dead to revenge it and punish those responsible.
The Master Detective has to find the connection behind the murders and to protect the one who is likely to be the next victim.
Alvin is back from the dead to revenge it and punish those responsible.
The Master Detective has to find the connection behind the murders and to protect the one who is likely to be the next victim.
Nowadays I play MCF with bare feet, as my socks get blown off. This game made me jumping off from my seat again and again. Then I had to be picked up from the floor, where I’ve been rolling over with laughter.
The story is great, gameplay fantastic. A lot of attention to details, references to former MCF games, and so much humour!
Hidden Object scenes were super well done, offered a lot of variety. My favourite one was in the Trophy Room, just a pity not all the trophies were labelled. I enjoyed most of the puzzles, I also enjoyed skipping those I didn’t like and getting an achievement for doing so.
I bought, played, enjoyed and loved (most) of the Collectors Edition of the game. For me the Bonus Chapter did not have the same quality as the main game, although I enjoyed „Kicking Leaves“, a collectible, very much. So refreshing to encounter a collectible above cards, puzzle pieces or the like.
My expectations which were probably too high after the main game.
My expectations which were probably too high after the main game.
Enjoy the Standard Version, an absolutely brilliant game!
Can you stop the Revenant before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 20 found this review helpful
Crime and Punishment
PostedNovember 23, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on completed game
There is no escape from a crime committed in former years.
Alvin is back from the dead to revenge it and punish those responsible.
The Master Detective has to find the connection behind the murders and to protect the one who is likely to be the next victim.
Alvin is back from the dead to revenge it and punish those responsible.
The Master Detective has to find the connection behind the murders and to protect the one who is likely to be the next victim.
Nowadays I play MCF with bare feet, as my socks get blown off. This game made me jumping off from my seat again and again. Then I had to be picked up from the floor, where I’ve been rolling over with laughter.
The story is great, gameplay fantastic. A lot of attention to details, references to former MCF games, and so much humour!
I played the length of the beta parallel on two computers and was blown away with the differences. For instance, the modelling puzzle in Malcolm’s workshop had three parts in the beta, just one in the final version, much better!
I played the length of the beta parallel on two computers and was blown away with the differences. For instance, the modelling puzzle in Malcolm’s workshop had three parts in the beta, just one in the final version, much better!
The collectibles were different to the usual offerings. I particularly enjoyed kicking leaves. And if you missed a morph, a pile of leaves, a piece of the letter or a lore card, you can pick them up later. The box, where the lore cards are stored, discreetly opens the lid to indicate a card can be found in the locations.
Hidden Object scenes were super well done, offered a lot of variety. My favourite one was in the Trophy Room, just a pity not all the trophies were labelled. I enjoyed most of the puzzles, I also enjoyed skipping those I didn’t like and getting an achievement for doing so.
The Bonus Chapter was a completely new crime and punishment story. For me it did not have the same quality as the main game, so only 4.25 stars. But 5 for the upcoming Standard Version.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your sister on the Day of the Dead?
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 26 found this review helpful
¡Ay, caramba!
PostedNovember 14, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Wish my Spanish was a bit more elaborate to describe my enjoyment of Myths of the World: Behind the Veil.
Having been made redundant, we are going to celebrate Día de Muertos with family and friends. But, well, it’s a HOPA and soon enough we are in trouble because not everyone is happy with the festivities.
Some elements in the story look very familiar: lovers that have been separated, someone trying to get a deal not crossing the line between life and death.
Some elements in the story look very familiar: lovers that have been separated, someone trying to get a deal not crossing the line between life and death.
The setting is beautifully done. I could smell the marigolds, feel the breeze on my face, sense the discomfort when the fiesta was interrupted.
The story enfolds well enough. But as so often I wished for a diary where I could look up dialogues again. It’s a game, not a book, I can’t turn back a few pages.
The story enfolds well enough. But as so often I wished for a diary where I could look up dialogues again. It’s a game, not a book, I can’t turn back a few pages.
I relished most of the HO’s. In one, my ideas of jewellery collided with those of the makers of the game. Oh well ;)
The mini games were well done, some took very interesting turns on familiar themes, as the one with the thorns in the Bonus Chapter. From former gaming experience you expect having to perform a certain task, then it’s all different.
Of course not all were to my particular likings, but I enjoyed trying them. And, there is a Skip Button, it’s a game, not an exam.
Of course not all were to my particular likings, but I enjoyed trying them. And, there is a Skip Button, it’s a game, not an exam.
There were details I really loved: the Player Character makes notes on her hand. Haven't seen people doing this nowadays.
The moment of shock when a snake curled up „my“ arm. Luckily it turned out to be helpful.
The moment of shock when a snake curled up „my“ arm. Luckily it turned out to be helpful.
Music in a game is very important to me. Some tunes were great, some were too soothing, too monotonous for my taste. But no deal braker, I turned the music down and listened to more spirited, sparkling sounds.
Another issue: the final battle. I’m not a fan of them, I think they are not necessary. Let’s talk, find consensus, not fight!
And Diego, our talking skull - never had the honour of working with one before - he was a bit lame, he could have been much cheekier in the few lines he had.
And Diego, our talking skull - never had the honour of working with one before - he was a bit lame, he could have been much cheekier in the few lines he had.
The Bonus Chapter was stunningly beautiful, different, out of the current gaming world I’ve seen in a long time. I only wish it would be possible to play it again and again and again, simply brilliant! Outstanding!
In a book I can go back and reread passages as often as I want. It would be great to be able to do this in a game as well.
In a book I can go back and reread passages as often as I want. It would be great to be able to do this in a game as well.
Other extras: will get the collectibles I’ve missed later on, will replay the HO’s and puzzles, souvenirs already gathered.
Despite my personal reservations: congrats! The game is on my list of seasonal games.
I recommend this game!