Lao_Zi's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,882
- Reviews Submitted:86
- First Review:May 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 28, 2012
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Explore Egypt and discover The Secret Legacy of Kate Brooks’ grandmother in this exciting Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Totally boring
PostedOctober 6, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Current Favorite:
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
(43)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Just one HOS after another, with objects that sometimes are so tiny or so blended into the background that it is hard to find them, even with a hint. Two kinds of HOS in the same location, one with a list, one with silhouettes. Boring, boring, boring.
The hint button takes a full two minutes to recharge.
The minigames are ridiculously easy.
The only plus to this game is the graphic quality.
As for the rest, no need to bother, unless you are totally into HOG.
The hint button takes a full two minutes to recharge.
The minigames are ridiculously easy.
The only plus to this game is the graphic quality.
As for the rest, no need to bother, unless you are totally into HOG.
I don't recommend this game.
Track a mad man across time and investigate a gristly murder from the past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
48 of 60 found this review helpful
This is one giant of a game!
PostedOctober 5, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Absolutely top.
I refrained from buying the CE because I had been fairly disappointed off late with these so-called Collector's Editions. Now, I have some regrets, because this game is really one giant of a game.
The graphics are absolutely gorgeous... Angelica Weaver may easily be one of the most pretty characters ever digitally created and all the locations, decors, backgrounds are worked out in every detail, with beautiful colours and impecaable sharpness.
The storyline of the game keeps you in suspense all along. You really have the feeling to conduct this investigation and the switches between current day Chicago and 19th centure London are fantastic.
How about gameplay? You have no map, but you don't need one. The game is fairly linear, so you don't find yourself turning around and around in search of what to do next. Your notebook is usefull, as well as the hint button. I advise you to play in "advanced" mode and not in "expert" mode. In "advanced" mode, you have to search for dreamweavers in order to gain hints. I found this very amusing, because it is like a minigame within the game.
Besides these dreamweavers, you have to look for sheriff's badges. When starting the game, the number of badges was 40 and when I found myself approaching this number rather quickly, I feared that the game would be over pretty soon. What a pleasant surprise to see that the counter of sheriff's badges to be found went up when I reached the first 40.
There a re few HOS... they get repeated once, but are fairly easy to finish.
I encountered some new minigames... not too difficult, but interesting.
The greatest challenge resides in exploring the different scenes and finding out what to do with the items you find.
I really recommend this game. It may not reach the same level as Syberia, but I sincerely hope this Angelica Weaver is the prequel to a long line of equally interesting games.
I refrained from buying the CE because I had been fairly disappointed off late with these so-called Collector's Editions. Now, I have some regrets, because this game is really one giant of a game.
The graphics are absolutely gorgeous... Angelica Weaver may easily be one of the most pretty characters ever digitally created and all the locations, decors, backgrounds are worked out in every detail, with beautiful colours and impecaable sharpness.
The storyline of the game keeps you in suspense all along. You really have the feeling to conduct this investigation and the switches between current day Chicago and 19th centure London are fantastic.
How about gameplay? You have no map, but you don't need one. The game is fairly linear, so you don't find yourself turning around and around in search of what to do next. Your notebook is usefull, as well as the hint button. I advise you to play in "advanced" mode and not in "expert" mode. In "advanced" mode, you have to search for dreamweavers in order to gain hints. I found this very amusing, because it is like a minigame within the game.
Besides these dreamweavers, you have to look for sheriff's badges. When starting the game, the number of badges was 40 and when I found myself approaching this number rather quickly, I feared that the game would be over pretty soon. What a pleasant surprise to see that the counter of sheriff's badges to be found went up when I reached the first 40.
There a re few HOS... they get repeated once, but are fairly easy to finish.
I encountered some new minigames... not too difficult, but interesting.
The greatest challenge resides in exploring the different scenes and finding out what to do with the items you find.
I really recommend this game. It may not reach the same level as Syberia, but I sincerely hope this Angelica Weaver is the prequel to a long line of equally interesting games.
I recommend this game!
Investigate a mysterious, medieval monastery and reveal the terrifying truth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 14 found this review helpful
Just an average adventure game
PostedOctober 2, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Current Favorite:
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
(43)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This one is certainly NOT for hardcore adventure gamers. Let us say it is OK.
The storyline is nice, with its historic touch. You have an investigation to conduct in a monastary in the Alps. Somehow, it reminded of The Name of the Rose.
The enitre game is very linear. You will not have to turn around endlessly in search of what to do next.
There are no HOS, but you have to look for objects in every location... objects that are added to your inventory and that you have to combine or to use in order to get on with your investigation.
The graphics are not bad, albeit a bit simple, with not much detail. I liked the music, which is very soothing and relaxing. I never got tired of it, anyway. Voiceovers are good and subtitled.
The tasks that you have to execute are fairly easy and the minigames that you will encounter every now and then are of the classic kind (saigon tower, color switching, etc.) and absolutely not difficult at all.
No map, but you don't need one... a notebook containing a task list... a hint button that will lead you through the different locations, should you ever be in need of some guidance.
All in all, I would say that this is a very easy game, quite relaxing and just right to while away some hours on a lazy, rainy afternoon... but don't expect too much of it.
Those of you who are new to the adventure game genre, will most certainly like it. Expert adventure gamers will feel disappointed.
The storyline is nice, with its historic touch. You have an investigation to conduct in a monastary in the Alps. Somehow, it reminded of The Name of the Rose.
The enitre game is very linear. You will not have to turn around endlessly in search of what to do next.
There are no HOS, but you have to look for objects in every location... objects that are added to your inventory and that you have to combine or to use in order to get on with your investigation.
The graphics are not bad, albeit a bit simple, with not much detail. I liked the music, which is very soothing and relaxing. I never got tired of it, anyway. Voiceovers are good and subtitled.
The tasks that you have to execute are fairly easy and the minigames that you will encounter every now and then are of the classic kind (saigon tower, color switching, etc.) and absolutely not difficult at all.
No map, but you don't need one... a notebook containing a task list... a hint button that will lead you through the different locations, should you ever be in need of some guidance.
All in all, I would say that this is a very easy game, quite relaxing and just right to while away some hours on a lazy, rainy afternoon... but don't expect too much of it.
Those of you who are new to the adventure game genre, will most certainly like it. Expert adventure gamers will feel disappointed.
I recommend this game!
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
Experience an incredible space adventure in E.P.I.C!
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 21 found this review helpful
What a wellcome change
PostedSeptember 26, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Even if the graphics are not top notch, the game has all it needs to make it one of the best I have played lately.
It's funny, the storyline is quite good, and it's challenging.
You don't have a map, but you don't need one.
The notebook provides you with ample information about what to do next and the hint button is very effective.
HOS are interactive and challenging. Some objects are really hard to find and you may need the hint button.
There are few minigames, but you get a lot of challenging interacvtive things to do.
The length of the game is good.
All in all a game that I highly recommend. Wish there were more like this one.
It's funny, the storyline is quite good, and it's challenging.
You don't have a map, but you don't need one.
The notebook provides you with ample information about what to do next and the hint button is very effective.
HOS are interactive and challenging. Some objects are really hard to find and you may need the hint button.
There are few minigames, but you get a lot of challenging interacvtive things to do.
The length of the game is good.
All in all a game that I highly recommend. Wish there were more like this one.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your abducted brother from eternal darkness in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
39 of 55 found this review helpful
Nice, but too short and easy
PostedSeptember 22, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I finished the entire game in barely 5 hours.
The graphics are good... music plays in a loop... no voiceovers... no sound effects.
No map, but you don't really need one.
Few HOS which only appear once and are very easy to complete. In the beginning of the game, there is some interaction in the HOS, but later on, this is no longer the case.
Puzzles and minigames are of the usual kind (sliders, saigon tower, ...). I found only one or two of them a bit challenging, but all in all they are way too easy.
The storyline isn't very interesting and the acting of the real actors is very amateurish.
The hint button refills quickly, even in advanced mode. When you are "stuck", the hint button leads you in the right direction.
To conclude, the game in itself is not too bad, but I wouldn't really recommend it, especially not for experienced players.
The graphics are good... music plays in a loop... no voiceovers... no sound effects.
No map, but you don't really need one.
Few HOS which only appear once and are very easy to complete. In the beginning of the game, there is some interaction in the HOS, but later on, this is no longer the case.
Puzzles and minigames are of the usual kind (sliders, saigon tower, ...). I found only one or two of them a bit challenging, but all in all they are way too easy.
The storyline isn't very interesting and the acting of the real actors is very amateurish.
The hint button refills quickly, even in advanced mode. When you are "stuck", the hint button leads you in the right direction.
To conclude, the game in itself is not too bad, but I wouldn't really recommend it, especially not for experienced players.
I don't recommend this game.
Sherlock Holmes VS Jack the Ripper
Sherlock Holmes faces off against England’s most violent and mysterious killer in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 23 found this review helpful
Another great Sherlock Holmes adventure game
PostedSeptember 12, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Current Favorite:
Sherlock Holmes VS Jack the Ripper
(73)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Not only have I read all the SH books (more than once) and seen the movies + series, but I also played all the games.
Going back to Baker Street is always a real treat; feels like coming home.
Once again, the graphics are very good, the voiceovers are real and authentic British English, the sounds bring you back to 19th century London.
Of course, SH never engaged in an investigation against Jack the Ripper, so the storyline is enirely made up by the dev's, but they have followed all the historical knowledge of this case. We all know that Jack the Ripper never got caught and that the murders just stopped overnight... but I don't want to spoil your fun by divulging the outcome of Holmes' investigation.
But I liked The Hound of the Baskervilles and SH vs Arsène Lupin - to name only two - better than this episode. Gameplay is a bit slow. There's a lot of dialogue, "dead" periods are frequent and there is not much change from one chapter to another... at stuck and the only way out is a walkthrough.
You will also have to investigater the murder scenes, collect evidence and put your pieces of evidence together to determine what exactly happened.
You have everything you need for your investigation: an interactive map, a notebook, a collection of the dialogues and documents, your deductions and conclusions, a timeline, ...
So, be patient, put your sleuthing and deductive powers to full use... you will spend hours and hours of entertaining gameplay. I am already looking forward to the next SH adventure.
Going back to Baker Street is always a real treat; feels like coming home.
Once again, the graphics are very good, the voiceovers are real and authentic British English, the sounds bring you back to 19th century London.
Of course, SH never engaged in an investigation against Jack the Ripper, so the storyline is enirely made up by the dev's, but they have followed all the historical knowledge of this case. We all know that Jack the Ripper never got caught and that the murders just stopped overnight... but I don't want to spoil your fun by divulging the outcome of Holmes' investigation.
But I liked The Hound of the Baskervilles and SH vs Arsène Lupin - to name only two - better than this episode. Gameplay is a bit slow. There's a lot of dialogue, "dead" periods are frequent and there is not much change from one chapter to another... at stuck and the only way out is a walkthrough.
You will also have to investigater the murder scenes, collect evidence and put your pieces of evidence together to determine what exactly happened.
You have everything you need for your investigation: an interactive map, a notebook, a collection of the dialogues and documents, your deductions and conclusions, a timeline, ...
So, be patient, put your sleuthing and deductive powers to full use... you will spend hours and hours of entertaining gameplay. I am already looking forward to the next SH adventure.
I recommend this game!
Step into the shoes of detective Sarah Green and solve the mystery of Dr. Magnus' disappearance in this beautiful Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
91 of 97 found this review helpful
A delightful story
PostedSeptember 9, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a delightful story which makes a welcome change to the abundancy of wicked ghosts and witches gothic stories.
I don't want to divulge anything, but if you are really attentive, you should be able to guess the outcome half through the game.
The graphics are very beautiful as well as the music. Sadly enough, I would have liked more of this music... large stretches of gameplay are not accompanied by music.
There are no voiceovers, which would have added an extra dimension to the storyline.
There are lots of plain HOS, too much to my liking and they are repeated, sometimes even immediately after you get out of one. This is something I really don't like. If the dev's want you to find two objects in the same scene, then they could give them to you right away instead of making you play the same HOS all over again.
Puzzles and minigames are few and they offer absolutely no challenge.
There is no map, but you don't really need one as each chapter is completely closed and there is not a lot of backtracking to do in a chapter.
The hint button doesn't help you when you get stuck; It just tells you that there is nothing left to do or encircles an area of interest in case there is one. The hint button recharges at a reasonable speed.
You have a journal to keep track of your investigation.
There are lots of achievements to be won... be on the lookout for the "eyes of Horus" that are hidden all through the game.
The length of the game is fair enough for a SE. I finished it off in 6 hours in "advanced" mode.
To sum up:
- good story
- beautiful graphics and sound
- no voiceovers
- no extra help by way of map or hint button
- lots of HOS... easy to do, but they are repeated
- few puzzles/minigames that offer no challenge whatsoever
- reasonable length.
I would recommend the game for its qualites, but you can hardly call this a "WOW" game.
Newcomers to the genre will most certainly love it.
I don't want to divulge anything, but if you are really attentive, you should be able to guess the outcome half through the game.
The graphics are very beautiful as well as the music. Sadly enough, I would have liked more of this music... large stretches of gameplay are not accompanied by music.
There are no voiceovers, which would have added an extra dimension to the storyline.
There are lots of plain HOS, too much to my liking and they are repeated, sometimes even immediately after you get out of one. This is something I really don't like. If the dev's want you to find two objects in the same scene, then they could give them to you right away instead of making you play the same HOS all over again.
Puzzles and minigames are few and they offer absolutely no challenge.
There is no map, but you don't really need one as each chapter is completely closed and there is not a lot of backtracking to do in a chapter.
The hint button doesn't help you when you get stuck; It just tells you that there is nothing left to do or encircles an area of interest in case there is one. The hint button recharges at a reasonable speed.
You have a journal to keep track of your investigation.
There are lots of achievements to be won... be on the lookout for the "eyes of Horus" that are hidden all through the game.
The length of the game is fair enough for a SE. I finished it off in 6 hours in "advanced" mode.
To sum up:
- good story
- beautiful graphics and sound
- no voiceovers
- no extra help by way of map or hint button
- lots of HOS... easy to do, but they are repeated
- few puzzles/minigames that offer no challenge whatsoever
- reasonable length.
I would recommend the game for its qualites, but you can hardly call this a "WOW" game.
Newcomers to the genre will most certainly love it.
I recommend this game!
Investigate a mysterious and deadly curse! Save a town from the grip of supernatural hysteria!
Overall rating
2
/
5
38 of 51 found this review helpful
YAWN
PostedSeptember 8, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I always oblige myself to base a review on the complete game and not on a trial. Sometimes, this forces me to sit through some tedious hours... which has been the case for this one.
Sorry folks, but there is absolutely nothing new, nor interesting, nor challenging in this game.
Storyline: same old hogwash about a curse inflicted by an unjustly burnt so-called witch upon a family.
Setting: gothic castle, annex cemetary, etc. etc. ... owls, crows, angry dogs, etc. etc.
Music: sorry, but this kind of heavy symphonic orchestra music really gets on your nerves after a while... so, I switched it off.
The sounds are OK... voiceovers are very good.
Graphics: good
Help: none whatsoever... no map, so you keep turning around and around, until you stumble upon something that you have overlooked or just another HOS in a location where you already have played a HOS... When you are stuck, the hint button just tells you that there's is nothing left to do... the journal keeps track of what you have done, and that's it.
Challenge: no challenge... lots of HOS and you will visit each and every one twice.
Few puzzles or minigames: too easy to offer any real challenge.
For the rest, you can rest assured that locks will be rusty or missing one or two pieces - which you will rapidly find - and so on and so forth.
I had some misgivings right at the beginning of the game: you stand in front of a gate, there's a car... you need to get into the booth of the car... the key is inside the car... you open the booth and you have your first HOS... inside the car, you need to open the glove compartment, but the knob is missing... not to worry, you get the knob from the HOS in the booth...
and I said to myself: Oh, seems like I have done all this before...
well, that is what this game is like.
No doubt some of you will like it, but I regret the money and the time spent on this one.
Sorry folks, but there is absolutely nothing new, nor interesting, nor challenging in this game.
Storyline: same old hogwash about a curse inflicted by an unjustly burnt so-called witch upon a family.
Setting: gothic castle, annex cemetary, etc. etc. ... owls, crows, angry dogs, etc. etc.
Music: sorry, but this kind of heavy symphonic orchestra music really gets on your nerves after a while... so, I switched it off.
The sounds are OK... voiceovers are very good.
Graphics: good
Help: none whatsoever... no map, so you keep turning around and around, until you stumble upon something that you have overlooked or just another HOS in a location where you already have played a HOS... When you are stuck, the hint button just tells you that there's is nothing left to do... the journal keeps track of what you have done, and that's it.
Challenge: no challenge... lots of HOS and you will visit each and every one twice.
Few puzzles or minigames: too easy to offer any real challenge.
For the rest, you can rest assured that locks will be rusty or missing one or two pieces - which you will rapidly find - and so on and so forth.
I had some misgivings right at the beginning of the game: you stand in front of a gate, there's a car... you need to get into the booth of the car... the key is inside the car... you open the booth and you have your first HOS... inside the car, you need to open the glove compartment, but the knob is missing... not to worry, you get the knob from the HOS in the booth...
and I said to myself: Oh, seems like I have done all this before...
well, that is what this game is like.
No doubt some of you will like it, but I regret the money and the time spent on this one.
I don't recommend this game.
Follow orphan Eva on a trip to mystical Prague. Will she find out about her Royal origins, find real love, and save the world from a monster? It’s all up to you.
Overall rating
3
/
5
29 of 46 found this review helpful
A good eery HOAG, but with some flaws
PostedSeptember 7, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As always, I base my review on the entire game and not on a hour of trial.
To begin with I like the graphics and the sound. It has an eery feeling which gives it a pleasant touch.
The 360° view works very well. The scenes and the characters are well designed. Some locations have been replaced with real photographs, but these have been treated in such a way that they do not clash with the digitally drawn scenes.
Voiceovers are OK.
The storyline is good... the story has something spooky about it and the alchemy theme works well.
Gameplay is not bad. You get a lot of help to get on with the game: there is an interactive map which shows you all you need to know and takes you where you want to be... the journal helps you to keep track of your tasks... the hint button points you in the right direction and shows you where something is to be done. The hint button recharges very quickly, even in advanced mode.
HOS are repeated - which I don't like. They are not difficult and contain some interactivity. Some locations act as a HOS.
Puzzles and minigames are too easy ... they really don't offer a challenge. Some of them are repeated more than once - this I don't like either.
All in all the game is not bad. It is well conceived but it has some flaws:
- too easy
- HOS and puzzles are repeated
- it only took me 6 hours to finish in advanced mode
I would have given it 4 stars, but the flaws push me to accord only 3 stars.
To begin with I like the graphics and the sound. It has an eery feeling which gives it a pleasant touch.
The 360° view works very well. The scenes and the characters are well designed. Some locations have been replaced with real photographs, but these have been treated in such a way that they do not clash with the digitally drawn scenes.
Voiceovers are OK.
The storyline is good... the story has something spooky about it and the alchemy theme works well.
Gameplay is not bad. You get a lot of help to get on with the game: there is an interactive map which shows you all you need to know and takes you where you want to be... the journal helps you to keep track of your tasks... the hint button points you in the right direction and shows you where something is to be done. The hint button recharges very quickly, even in advanced mode.
HOS are repeated - which I don't like. They are not difficult and contain some interactivity. Some locations act as a HOS.
Puzzles and minigames are too easy ... they really don't offer a challenge. Some of them are repeated more than once - this I don't like either.
All in all the game is not bad. It is well conceived but it has some flaws:
- too easy
- HOS and puzzles are repeated
- it only took me 6 hours to finish in advanced mode
I would have given it 4 stars, but the flaws push me to accord only 3 stars.
I recommend this game!
Help Sonya save her sister from unknown villains! After Lily’s life force is stolen it’s up to Sonya to get it back!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
A nice game, but with too many HOS
PostedSeptember 5, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played this game after having played The Land Inbetween, which disappointed me by being much too short for a decent game (3 hrs of gameplay). So, I had some misgivings about this game, but the overall reviews seemed to be good enough to give it a try.
First, I really do like the graphics... I love these beautiful comic strip drawings for the cutscenes and the graphics of the game are nicely coloured, crisp and full of detail.
Second, the length of the game is decent... double the time you can spend with The Land Inbetween.
Third, the level of challenge is not high. There are a lot of HOS and they are repeated - something I dislike very much. On the other hand, the HOS aren't difficult at all and I kind of like the interactive object scenes. Puzzles are few and not very challenging.
There is no map, but you don't really need one... the hint button is quite effective; whenever you are stuck, it will set you back on track.
Notebook and task button help you to keep track of the game.
All in all, I don't regret having played this one. I think it's decent enough to give value for your money.
First, I really do like the graphics... I love these beautiful comic strip drawings for the cutscenes and the graphics of the game are nicely coloured, crisp and full of detail.
Second, the length of the game is decent... double the time you can spend with The Land Inbetween.
Third, the level of challenge is not high. There are a lot of HOS and they are repeated - something I dislike very much. On the other hand, the HOS aren't difficult at all and I kind of like the interactive object scenes. Puzzles are few and not very challenging.
There is no map, but you don't really need one... the hint button is quite effective; whenever you are stuck, it will set you back on track.
Notebook and task button help you to keep track of the game.
All in all, I don't regret having played this one. I think it's decent enough to give value for your money.
I recommend this game!