pdbugdoodle's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:257
- Reviews Submitted:4
- First Review:November 6, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 24, 2014
- Featured reviews0
pdbugdoodle's Review History
Defuse a toxic plot and reveal the truth behind Kate Drew's death!
Overall rating
5
/
5
37 of 40 found this review helpful
Nancy does it again in 1 of the Best in Her Interactives Nancy Drew series.
PostedOctober 24, 2014
pdbugdoodle
fromApple Hill, Northern CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is filled with challenging mini-games, charged with emotional connection & character development heretofore nearly missing in the series of 31 varied games dedicated to the girl detective who always manages to outsmart even the most fiendish of villains. In MHO this episode which has excellent voice overs (with multiple & varied accents) is one of the top 3 or 4 in the series (with my choices being 1-5: Ghost of Thornton Hall, Tomb of Lost Queen, Silent Spy, Shattered Medallion, Curse of Blackmoor Manor...of 30 games, since I just started #31). While the puzzles are rather challenging (especially at the close of the mystery) the big draw in this particular game is the 1st appearance (in the storyline) of Nancy's long-dead former spy Mother - Kate Drew. Nancy is pulled into the ongoing open case by unknown forces & against her father's wishes & without his aid she travels on to Scotland to neutralize a biochemical weapon set to impact the populace of Glasgow, Scotland. While there Nan becomes a proficient code breaker, learns the art of playing the bagpipes, attempts to best Kate's Crossbow score, & she zip-lines across the hotel quad (between floors#. She strives to obtain vital clues that may unmask an enemy or possibly reveal an important ally under cover.
Just a few tips:
1.) There may seem to be an overwhelming amount of expository reading in the beginning, but slogging through it in this case will definitely payoff to ensure you not only know what's happening but you're also far more likely to enjoy yourself.
2.# You need to earn money for this episode #a sometimes occurrence in the series) and there's really only one smart way to make the amount of funds required to just purchase the train tickets, as well as earn enough for the souvenirs required to advance the storyline. That method is "Jammie Sandwich" making located just outside your hotel at the food stand. Other methods for obtaining funds also include the "twinkling light" coin collecting where you double click on the spots that appear to "twinkle" onscreen throughout the game which will increase your purse by a few pence at a time. So keep your eyes peeled because these spots can appear anywhere!
Lastly, Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A local contest turns into an arson scene and now deceit smolders among the charred ruins of the River Heights Town Hall.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
I hate to say it, but this was a big disappointment!
PostedMay 23, 2013
pdbugdoodle
fromCamino, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
After a set of recent winning releases in the series (The Captive Curse & Shadow at the Waters Edge, Warnings at Waverly Academy) this particular episode comes as a big disappointment! I had looked forward to an episode set in Nancy's hometown but found myself barely able to trudge through to the end and saddened at the wasted potential.
To its credit the characters were interesting & quirky. I would have liked to have seen more done with them. The level of challenge also seemed far less than is customary for ND games (even while playing on the expert setting - which I usually don't as I like the check-off lists...though this once I found no need of them).
While the switching off between lead characters was new and mildly interesting I felt it could have been used in a much more entertaining & productive fashion instead of just making it a boring new method for exposition (different faces with the same old traipsing about for info... there just seemed to be so much more of it!). Ho hum.
Still, I would recommend this game (although mostly for ND fans and those newer to the ND world; it has history & background story information that is not provided in such concentration in the other ND games [with the exception of the Anniversary Edition "Secret of the Old Clock" episode]). With all this said the game is still worth both the time & the money requested, it's just not on parallel with the other ND offerings.
I recommend this game!
Unearth sinister secrets in an ancient Egyptian tomb!
Overall rating
5
/
5
191 of 210 found this review helpful
I've played them all & this is one of (if not THE) Very Best!
PostedMay 21, 2013
pdbugdoodle
fromCamino, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have been a Nancy Drew fan since I was a child (quite some time ago now) & I have played all of this developers ND series of games (although I always pre-order straight from the developers - sorry BF I can never get myself to wait even for your much reduced price offering). That being said I can honestly say that this episode is one of (if not THE) very best (imho) and very worth the minimal cost! I paid more than double the BF price and would happily do it again. I know that without the trial it is difficult to get an idea of the game & whether or not you will enjoy it. In this instance I think "fear not" because this game has something for everybody; exciting story that keeps you guessing, mystery with unconventional & challenging puzzles, 2 levels of difficulty, involving storyline, unique characters, creative & entertaining achievements, an in-game hint system, Easter eggs & more. I rarely take the time to write reviews but for very special games and this is one. Give it a try & see if you agree!
I recommend this game!
Continue the jigsaw puzzle fun in Jigsaw Boom 2 as you piece together wonderful high quality pictures.
Overall rating
4
/
5
25 of 27 found this review helpful
Puzzled Puzzler - Piece size is adjustable! Demo it yourself & see.
PostedNovember 6, 2012
pdbugdoodle
fromCamino, CA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Family, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Don't overlook this game based solely on other reports of miniscule piece size... Puzzle size is variable and choices include: a Magnifier, Borders, Sorting, Achievements / Awards etc. - Everything a puzzle fan could want plus even more! The only slight detracting factor could be picture selection (of which only a small minority are a bit dark & not the picture perfect quality you should be able to expect from a game of this sort) but this game is far from an immediate "Pass" other reviewers have suggested. I don't often take the time to write up a review but felt compelled to even the odds a bit which have been skewed with mistaken impressions. Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings (but anyone can be mistaken) ;-] If you enjoy puzzling give it a try & decide for yourself!
I recommend this game!