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:
Kate and Oscar are getting closer to the end of their trip, but are now blocked in Komkolzgrad, an industrial town.
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 86 found this review helpful
Without a doubt the best adventure game ever
PostedSeptember 4, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
From The Barrockstadt till you leave Aralbad, help Kate and Oscar to get on with their journey.
No HOS, no help, no maps, no nothing... just plain old good exploring and searching around for answers and solutions.
If you arfe really, really stuck, you can use the blog walkthrough of BF, but it really would be a shame to use this help, because I think it is so much more rewarding to figure the things out for yourself.
Some of the scenes may have a dark and oppressing mood... other are more light... anyway, the road goes ever on.
Those of you who played the previous episodes know what they are up against: complex puzzles and an easy pace of gameplay. So, this is definitely not for those who seek easy and fast playing. No, you have to ENJOY this in a relaxed mood.
One piece of advice: don't buy this episode if you haven't played the previous ones, because it is an on-going story that isn't over yet with this 3rd episode.
No HOS, no help, no maps, no nothing... just plain old good exploring and searching around for answers and solutions.
If you arfe really, really stuck, you can use the blog walkthrough of BF, but it really would be a shame to use this help, because I think it is so much more rewarding to figure the things out for yourself.
Some of the scenes may have a dark and oppressing mood... other are more light... anyway, the road goes ever on.
Those of you who played the previous episodes know what they are up against: complex puzzles and an easy pace of gameplay. So, this is definitely not for those who seek easy and fast playing. No, you have to ENJOY this in a relaxed mood.
One piece of advice: don't buy this episode if you haven't played the previous ones, because it is an on-going story that isn't over yet with this 3rd episode.
I recommend this game!
Mystic Legacy: The Great Ring
Uncover the dark legacy hidden within a Romanian castle to save your friend from an evil spirit!
Overall rating
4
/
5
156 of 199 found this review helpful
A fun adventure game
PostedSeptember 2, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Let's be honest, I never base a review on a half hour or an hour trial, and this game deserves to be played at full length.
I liked the storyline... it is a quite funny variation on the vampire theme. I don't want to spoil the fun for you by divulging the whole story... It's a pity there are no voiceovers; I would have liked those. The comments appear in type and they are cool, funny and detached.
The graphics are a bit fuzzy; they lack the abundancy and exuberance of colour and detail of a lot of games that we got used to off late, but I don't resent this, as they are really decent enough not to spoil the fun....
... also the HOS are slightly blurry, but this does not render them more difficult to finish. Once in a while I used the hint button to find one item in a HOS. The hint button itself recharges fairly quickly, even in hard mode, which I played the game in.
The soundtrack is quite good and never gets on your nerves.
Puzzles are on the easy side, especially if you are somewhat of an experienced player.
On the other hand, there are a lot of interactive things to do with the objects that you find everywhere and some of these actions really require a bit of out-of-the-box thinking. Be creative.
The game itself gives you a lot of help, without really spoiling it for you... a hint is a hint, albeit sometimes a very clear and straightforward one.
You have an interactive map which allows you to see where you are, on which locations you have to do something, and to jump to other locations so you don't have to click on endlessly in order to reach a certain destination.
The journal/notebook helps to remind you of things that are left to do.
Watch out for the active zones... some hotspots are really tiny and difficult to find, but with some patience, you will get there.
And don't forget to look for the lions... when you collect of them, you get access to some bonus gameplay.
All in all, I find this to be a quite decent, relaxing and distracting game.
I liked the storyline... it is a quite funny variation on the vampire theme. I don't want to spoil the fun for you by divulging the whole story... It's a pity there are no voiceovers; I would have liked those. The comments appear in type and they are cool, funny and detached.
The graphics are a bit fuzzy; they lack the abundancy and exuberance of colour and detail of a lot of games that we got used to off late, but I don't resent this, as they are really decent enough not to spoil the fun....
... also the HOS are slightly blurry, but this does not render them more difficult to finish. Once in a while I used the hint button to find one item in a HOS. The hint button itself recharges fairly quickly, even in hard mode, which I played the game in.
The soundtrack is quite good and never gets on your nerves.
Puzzles are on the easy side, especially if you are somewhat of an experienced player.
On the other hand, there are a lot of interactive things to do with the objects that you find everywhere and some of these actions really require a bit of out-of-the-box thinking. Be creative.
The game itself gives you a lot of help, without really spoiling it for you... a hint is a hint, albeit sometimes a very clear and straightforward one.
You have an interactive map which allows you to see where you are, on which locations you have to do something, and to jump to other locations so you don't have to click on endlessly in order to reach a certain destination.
The journal/notebook helps to remind you of things that are left to do.
Watch out for the active zones... some hotspots are really tiny and difficult to find, but with some patience, you will get there.
And don't forget to look for the lions... when you collect of them, you get access to some bonus gameplay.
All in all, I find this to be a quite decent, relaxing and distracting game.
I recommend this game!
Discover the fate of your exiled kingdom, save your people and end the ancient evil that started it all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
It's beautiful, sweet and friendly ... I like it
PostedAugust 31, 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
I like the whole Awakening series for its fairytale qualities.
Moreover, the graphics are really gorgeous and the music is very relaxing. The voiceovers are very good.
HOS are few and easy to do... puzzles are abundant and some of them can prove to be more challenging than you might expect.
Lots of things to do, lots of interaction... and don't forget to use your dragon when needed.
I was rather disappointed with the third installment because I found it too short to my liking, but this episode has a good length: four chapters and an epilogue + the bonus game of course.
Throughout the game, you get all the help you need... when and if you want it. You can use guidelines and a very useful hint button (the wise owl)... and if you want to manage by yourself, well, go ahead... even if you use the guideline every now and then, there will be no spoilers.
The map comes in handy to jump from one location to another.
To conclude: this is a very nice and relaxing game which I recommend very warmly and heartily. Just play and enjoy.
Moreover, the graphics are really gorgeous and the music is very relaxing. The voiceovers are very good.
HOS are few and easy to do... puzzles are abundant and some of them can prove to be more challenging than you might expect.
Lots of things to do, lots of interaction... and don't forget to use your dragon when needed.
I was rather disappointed with the third installment because I found it too short to my liking, but this episode has a good length: four chapters and an epilogue + the bonus game of course.
Throughout the game, you get all the help you need... when and if you want it. You can use guidelines and a very useful hint button (the wise owl)... and if you want to manage by yourself, well, go ahead... even if you use the guideline every now and then, there will be no spoilers.
The map comes in handy to jump from one location to another.
To conclude: this is a very nice and relaxing game which I recommend very warmly and heartily. Just play and enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your daughter, Hannah, from the clutches of an evil witch before it's too late in this chilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
158 of 185 found this review helpful
Been there, done that
PostedAugust 30, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This review is based on the entire game.
Oh yes, this is definitely GOTHIC, but we have seen it all done before: evil witch, evil book, evil plants and children victimized... brave knights fighting the evil and you are the one who will save the day, the children and the world.
OK, how about the graphics? They are good, although a but blurry... bit this adds to the overall atmosphere.
The music, however, does not really go with the gothic theme, but at least, it doesn't get on your nerves.
How about gameplay? Well, it IS a longish game, with lots and lots of locations to explore... there are no HOS, but there are objects hidden everywhere, so at times, you get quite a handful of things in your inventory.
You have a map to guide you, but unfortunately, the map does not allow you to jump from one location to another... so, in the end, you find yourself going back and forth quite a bit, which may get tedious.
It is not always clear what to do, even if the map gives you some indications. So, when you are at a loss what to do next, you are on your own, because the hint button won't help you. It just says that you should go somewhere else, until by chance, you stumble upon a location where you have left something forgotten, like picking up a piece of paper, for instance.
Anyway, when you are at your wit's end, there is always the strategy guide to help you out... even if this is not much of an elegant solution.
Puzzles are not too abundant and they are quite easy to solve... some are even ridiculously simple.
So, what can I say? I have mixed feelings about this game. The graphics and the story are not bad... the absence of HOS is a plus, at least to me... on the other hand, the puzzles are too easy, so you don't have much of a challenge in the entire game.
Going back and forth and turning around and around can get tedious and it is a pity that the map doesn't allow you go easily from one location to another.
This, added to the fact that the hint button isn't much of a help, is a definite minus for the gameplay.
I would say, try it out for yourselves... I spent an agreeable time playing this one, but it could have been so much better, especially for a CE.
Compared to other games and considering the number of similar games on the market, this is definitely not a 5 or even a 4 star game. My advise would be to wait for the SE.
Oh yes, this is definitely GOTHIC, but we have seen it all done before: evil witch, evil book, evil plants and children victimized... brave knights fighting the evil and you are the one who will save the day, the children and the world.
OK, how about the graphics? They are good, although a but blurry... bit this adds to the overall atmosphere.
The music, however, does not really go with the gothic theme, but at least, it doesn't get on your nerves.
How about gameplay? Well, it IS a longish game, with lots and lots of locations to explore... there are no HOS, but there are objects hidden everywhere, so at times, you get quite a handful of things in your inventory.
You have a map to guide you, but unfortunately, the map does not allow you to jump from one location to another... so, in the end, you find yourself going back and forth quite a bit, which may get tedious.
It is not always clear what to do, even if the map gives you some indications. So, when you are at a loss what to do next, you are on your own, because the hint button won't help you. It just says that you should go somewhere else, until by chance, you stumble upon a location where you have left something forgotten, like picking up a piece of paper, for instance.
Anyway, when you are at your wit's end, there is always the strategy guide to help you out... even if this is not much of an elegant solution.
Puzzles are not too abundant and they are quite easy to solve... some are even ridiculously simple.
So, what can I say? I have mixed feelings about this game. The graphics and the story are not bad... the absence of HOS is a plus, at least to me... on the other hand, the puzzles are too easy, so you don't have much of a challenge in the entire game.
Going back and forth and turning around and around can get tedious and it is a pity that the map doesn't allow you go easily from one location to another.
This, added to the fact that the hint button isn't much of a help, is a definite minus for the gameplay.
I would say, try it out for yourselves... I spent an agreeable time playing this one, but it could have been so much better, especially for a CE.
Compared to other games and considering the number of similar games on the market, this is definitely not a 5 or even a 4 star game. My advise would be to wait for the SE.
Travel from the deepest trenches of the Atlantic Ocean to the awe-inspiring wonders of Mars as you solve the greatest archeological puzzle known to man: the origin of Atlantis.
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 16 found this review helpful
Very enjoyable ... something different
PostedAugust 28, 2012
Lao_Zi
fromOstend, Belgium
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Again I would like to denounce people who give a negative review based on the demo. You cannot judge the value of a complex and long game by just playing the intro and the beginning of the main game.
This is a good game, with good graphics, good sound, an interesting storyline, even if it is the eternal humbug of life and water on Mars. Anyway, the exploration of the different locations is interesting, finding ways to unlock doors, chests, lockets, etc is logic, the HOS are interactive - I just regret that they get repeated.
You have a map which indicates you all you need to know and permits you to travel swiftly from one location to another.
You have a journal to keep track of your investigation.
The hint button recharges quickly enough: 60 secs in hard mode.
This game has all it takes to spend a good time and it is a welcome change from the evil witches, ghouls and ghosts of which we have had a bit too much of late.
I would say: go for it, try it out and enjoy.
This is a good game, with good graphics, good sound, an interesting storyline, even if it is the eternal humbug of life and water on Mars. Anyway, the exploration of the different locations is interesting, finding ways to unlock doors, chests, lockets, etc is logic, the HOS are interactive - I just regret that they get repeated.
You have a map which indicates you all you need to know and permits you to travel swiftly from one location to another.
You have a journal to keep track of your investigation.
The hint button recharges quickly enough: 60 secs in hard mode.
This game has all it takes to spend a good time and it is a welcome change from the evil witches, ghouls and ghosts of which we have had a bit too much of late.
I would say: go for it, try it out and enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Help Angelica get her witch-stolen beauty back! Save a young woman suffering from the witch’s sorcery for over 100 years!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Mixed feelings and second thoughts about this one
PostedAugust 28, 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
4
/
5
I can understand that people get enthusiastic over this game after playing the demo, because at first you are awed by the beautiful graphics and the interesting storyline: rummaging through an orphanage and its surrounding grounds to help old ladies who are in fact young girls whose youth has been stolen by an evil witch.
There are lots of things to do and at first the HOS aren't too manifold... but little by little, it all gets tedious: the HOS are repeated and you keep going back and forth and up and down to find one object in one location that you have to bring all the way to the other end of the game to use... really... there is no map, so you just have to go through it: hitting the hint button in order to know in which direction to go and keep on hitting that same button + clicking, and clicking from one scene to another... I remember having to do 16 clicks to find an object, and then to do 16 clicks alle the way back again to use that object.
I have to say that the game is quite lengthy, but this is largely due to this endless turning around and around.
So, no map, and... no notebook to keep track of the tasks to execute... again, your only rescue is the hint button.
These are the pro's and the con's:
+ : good graphics and the soundtrack is OK (I smiled at the Wagner bit in the beginning), good storyline, quite a handful of gameplay
- : no map, no notebook, HOS are repeated, too much turning around and around
For the CE: the bonus play is a real full-fledged game which will take you some time to finish: you have to find or make seven rings in order to beat the witch.
So, do I recommend the game? Well, if you don't mind turning around and if you don't mind replaying the same HOS scenes, yes ... if not, no.
The CE is worth the extra money, because the bonus game is a real game.
There are lots of things to do and at first the HOS aren't too manifold... but little by little, it all gets tedious: the HOS are repeated and you keep going back and forth and up and down to find one object in one location that you have to bring all the way to the other end of the game to use... really... there is no map, so you just have to go through it: hitting the hint button in order to know in which direction to go and keep on hitting that same button + clicking, and clicking from one scene to another... I remember having to do 16 clicks to find an object, and then to do 16 clicks alle the way back again to use that object.
I have to say that the game is quite lengthy, but this is largely due to this endless turning around and around.
So, no map, and... no notebook to keep track of the tasks to execute... again, your only rescue is the hint button.
These are the pro's and the con's:
+ : good graphics and the soundtrack is OK (I smiled at the Wagner bit in the beginning), good storyline, quite a handful of gameplay
- : no map, no notebook, HOS are repeated, too much turning around and around
For the CE: the bonus play is a real full-fledged game which will take you some time to finish: you have to find or make seven rings in order to beat the witch.
So, do I recommend the game? Well, if you don't mind turning around and if you don't mind replaying the same HOS scenes, yes ... if not, no.
The CE is worth the extra money, because the bonus game is a real game.
I recommend this game!
Your friend, Mary, disappears and it's up to you to save her. Uncover an exotic land with unearthly secrets as you find and help your friend leave the flying island.
Overall rating
3
/
5
50 of 56 found this review helpful
A beautiful game, but MUCH TOO SHORT
PostedAugust 26, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really enjoyed playing this one, but was very frustrated when I reached the final scene after only three hours of playing at a leisurely pace.
Beautiful graphics, beautiful drawings, good music, nice storyline... this game has so much going for it.
There are no HOS, only FROGS and they are not hard to finish. The puzzles and minigames are the classic ones, rather on the easy side.
There is no map, but you don't really one as there is not a lot of going back and forth.
The hint button comes in usefully, but you don't really need it often as the entire game is not hard to go through.
So, what can I say? The game is beautiful and charming, but it is WAY TOO SHORT. On the one hand, I would recommend it for its beauty, but with barely three hours of gameplay, I feel rather cheated.
Beautiful graphics, beautiful drawings, good music, nice storyline... this game has so much going for it.
There are no HOS, only FROGS and they are not hard to finish. The puzzles and minigames are the classic ones, rather on the easy side.
There is no map, but you don't really one as there is not a lot of going back and forth.
The hint button comes in usefully, but you don't really need it often as the entire game is not hard to go through.
So, what can I say? The game is beautiful and charming, but it is WAY TOO SHORT. On the one hand, I would recommend it for its beauty, but with barely three hours of gameplay, I feel rather cheated.
When a young woman is found comatose by the side of the road with a bloody knife beside her, it's up to you to unravel her story!
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 119 found this review helpful
A very nice game indeed
PostedAugust 24, 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
I find this to be a very good game. Of course, as always with Elephant, the graphics are impeccable. The soundtrack may be a little unnerving, but it goes with the overall theme. The storyline itself is quite interesting: the idea of being inside the head of someone and of rummaging through his - in this case, her - subconscious, allows for a lot of surrealistic combinations.
There are not too many HOS - which I can appreciate - and they are easy to finish.
Some new puzzles and minigames are introduced... most of them are rather easy, but others offer more of a challenge.
There's some going back and forth, but the map allows you to see where you are, where you still have something to do, which locations are completed and which locations aren't open yet. Moreover, the map allows you to jump from one location to another.
There are a lot of interactive objects to be used, but your inventory never gets overburdened. The actions themselves are mostly quite straightforward, but some of themrequire a bit more creative thinking.
All in all, this is one of the better games that I have played lately.
There are not too many HOS - which I can appreciate - and they are easy to finish.
Some new puzzles and minigames are introduced... most of them are rather easy, but others offer more of a challenge.
There's some going back and forth, but the map allows you to see where you are, where you still have something to do, which locations are completed and which locations aren't open yet. Moreover, the map allows you to jump from one location to another.
There are a lot of interactive objects to be used, but your inventory never gets overburdened. The actions themselves are mostly quite straightforward, but some of themrequire a bit more creative thinking.
All in all, this is one of the better games that I have played lately.
I recommend this game!
Experience the birth of the terror that gripped the island of Tormente! Every story has a beginning, but few are as horrifying as this!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 12 found this review helpful
Short, with no challenge ...
PostedAugust 19, 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
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Barely six hours of gameplay (played it in one go)... no need to use a hint button or to consult a strategy guide... easy puzzles, too easy... HOS that repeat themselves, up to three times!
A lot of back and forth, the map doesn't take you anywhere - it just indicates where there is something left to do ... anyway, if this had been the case, gameplay would have been even shorter.
The graphics are nice, but the music gets on your nerves, because it is much too bombastic.
All in all, absolutely nothing new to this game... if you want to spend your money - maybe because you want to have the entire "Twisted Lands" series - be my guest, but don't expect too much of the game itself.
A lot of back and forth, the map doesn't take you anywhere - it just indicates where there is something left to do ... anyway, if this had been the case, gameplay would have been even shorter.
The graphics are nice, but the music gets on your nerves, because it is much too bombastic.
All in all, absolutely nothing new to this game... if you want to spend your money - maybe because you want to have the entire "Twisted Lands" series - be my guest, but don't expect too much of the game itself.
Link letters to create words and fill in ancient haikus in this fun and relaxing word game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 17 found this review helpful
I always like to come back to this game
PostedAugust 18, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Haiku journey... I keep it installed on my computer and I always like to come back to it, just to play with words, or to get inspiration to write my own haiku's.
I find it soothing and play in puzzle mode... why stress myself with a timed mode? This is not about rushing, running, speeding... this is all about having a good time, playing with words, relaxing, going with the flow of the great Tao.
Haiku journey... just a must.
I find it soothing and play in puzzle mode... why stress myself with a timed mode? This is not about rushing, running, speeding... this is all about having a good time, playing with words, relaxing, going with the flow of the great Tao.
Haiku journey... just a must.
I recommend this game!