Lolyta_IceWalker's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:410
- Reviews Submitted:34
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:August 26, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
Words kind of fail me.... just Wow.
PostedNovember 25, 2011
Lolyta_IceWalker
fromGold Coast, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This game...I'm more than a little stunned, but I'll do my best here.
To start off, of course, the warnings only made me want it more (hehe# but I'll admit, this was creepy. In a totally awesome way. Thanks to the fact that there are several locales, this game manages to collect some of the scariest HOG 'cliche' creep-fests, combine them and make them not just gross-out "this place is grimy, ooooh, scary" kind of way, but in a genuinely chilling fashion. I was very pleased that they resisted having things jump out at the screen, too. That type of 'scare' - more of a startle - lends a cheapness to things that Escape doesn't go anywhere near. So cudos to the designers on that.
Visually, this is quite possibly the most stunning game I've ever encountered, and I don't just mean HOGS. I'm talking, console, MMO, the whole shebang. There were those grimy moments, but at the same time there was an inventiveness to object placement, to scenery, to setting, to the whole thing, along with the perfect colour palette and just the right amount of detail. I was blown away repeatedly for the better part of the game. Sound, not bad at all, but unfortunately I can't go in depth because I had it turned down, and got so absorbed in the game I completely forgot to listen to it!
The actual gameplay ... to begin with, it felt like a tired re-hashing of all the other case-file games. I admit to being underwhelmed. But if the intention was to lull us into a false sense of security and 'this is nothing new' before completely blowing our minds, I'd say it worked for me. And I'm not just talking about looking for morphing objects instead of a list of words #though there is a single homage to regular HOs in here too!#. Simply everything about this incredibly story-based play through had me ecstatic. Being CaseFiles, of course the story is centric #which is why I love them so#. But this one is so absorbing, detailed and, it seems, well-researched, as to make its believability the most creepy thing about the game!
As to the CE features - I fully advise checking out the spoilers in the forum before making a decision. I fully support my haphazard 'I know I'll love it, and I want it NOW' decision, but many people have their regrets, because CE features is something else they threw away the book on. I thought it was magnificently done, and enjoyed it far, far more than the usual kind, but it is a matter of personal opinion, and there's no point in souring your experience with such a unique and magnificent game over the quibbles about extras.
Wait for SE if you must, but this is definitely a player. Magnificent, perfect, creepy, and quite frankly, so close to home at times it was terrifyingly outstanding! Love the play, love the story, LOVE the ending... the game has it's faults, but it's hard for me to even think about them, so drowned out they were by the crazy good work that made this game everything it is.
To start off, of course, the warnings only made me want it more (hehe# but I'll admit, this was creepy. In a totally awesome way. Thanks to the fact that there are several locales, this game manages to collect some of the scariest HOG 'cliche' creep-fests, combine them and make them not just gross-out "this place is grimy, ooooh, scary" kind of way, but in a genuinely chilling fashion. I was very pleased that they resisted having things jump out at the screen, too. That type of 'scare' - more of a startle - lends a cheapness to things that Escape doesn't go anywhere near. So cudos to the designers on that.
Visually, this is quite possibly the most stunning game I've ever encountered, and I don't just mean HOGS. I'm talking, console, MMO, the whole shebang. There were those grimy moments, but at the same time there was an inventiveness to object placement, to scenery, to setting, to the whole thing, along with the perfect colour palette and just the right amount of detail. I was blown away repeatedly for the better part of the game. Sound, not bad at all, but unfortunately I can't go in depth because I had it turned down, and got so absorbed in the game I completely forgot to listen to it!
The actual gameplay ... to begin with, it felt like a tired re-hashing of all the other case-file games. I admit to being underwhelmed. But if the intention was to lull us into a false sense of security and 'this is nothing new' before completely blowing our minds, I'd say it worked for me. And I'm not just talking about looking for morphing objects instead of a list of words #though there is a single homage to regular HOs in here too!#. Simply everything about this incredibly story-based play through had me ecstatic. Being CaseFiles, of course the story is centric #which is why I love them so#. But this one is so absorbing, detailed and, it seems, well-researched, as to make its believability the most creepy thing about the game!
As to the CE features - I fully advise checking out the spoilers in the forum before making a decision. I fully support my haphazard 'I know I'll love it, and I want it NOW' decision, but many people have their regrets, because CE features is something else they threw away the book on. I thought it was magnificently done, and enjoyed it far, far more than the usual kind, but it is a matter of personal opinion, and there's no point in souring your experience with such a unique and magnificent game over the quibbles about extras.
Wait for SE if you must, but this is definitely a player. Magnificent, perfect, creepy, and quite frankly, so close to home at times it was terrifyingly outstanding! Love the play, love the story, LOVE the ending... the game has it's faults, but it's hard for me to even think about them, so drowned out they were by the crazy good work that made this game everything it is.
I recommend this game!
Save Witchville before it's too late in Guardians of Beyond: Witchville, a thrilling Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
51 of 55 found this review helpful
Interesting, if a little cliche
PostedNovember 21, 2011
Lolyta_IceWalker
fromGold Coast, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
*Game-travel spoilers, if you will)
Certainly a good little game. For me, story tends to be all important, and in this case it just wasn't enough. Filled with cliches of the genre and with plot twists one can see a mile off. However, if you're new to gaming, or don't mind so much about these niggles, overall it was a cute if somewhat forced plot.
The gameplay was very interesting. HO scenes are faily easy for junkpile style, and interactive (moving things around and using objects on each other within the junkpile# which I positively love.
Moving around, there aren't too many times when you feel like you're travelling more than playing. Joyfully, you find a map and in moments when you do have to go from one end of the island to another, you get a cutscene and your character does it for you. Another great surprise.
Mini-games are few and far between, making this more pure HO and adventure, but somehow I didn't really mind thanks to the fun gameplay. :#
Music added a creepy feel and substance, and the background noices #and mouseclick noises# certainly added a je ne sai quois to the playing.
As for the challenge - I played it on the middle level #what most games call a hard level, with no sparklies and slow hints - there's a level with no hints at all!) and there were certainly moments when I needed a little help, but no more than the hint system offered. Most often I was just missing interactive areas because of real-world #read:boyfriend!) distractions.
So, to sum up, good gameplay, sparse minigames, good traveltime, good challenge. Definitely a purchase, and I can't wait to see if there are more GotB games in the future!
Certainly a good little game. For me, story tends to be all important, and in this case it just wasn't enough. Filled with cliches of the genre and with plot twists one can see a mile off. However, if you're new to gaming, or don't mind so much about these niggles, overall it was a cute if somewhat forced plot.
The gameplay was very interesting. HO scenes are faily easy for junkpile style, and interactive (moving things around and using objects on each other within the junkpile# which I positively love.
Moving around, there aren't too many times when you feel like you're travelling more than playing. Joyfully, you find a map and in moments when you do have to go from one end of the island to another, you get a cutscene and your character does it for you. Another great surprise.
Mini-games are few and far between, making this more pure HO and adventure, but somehow I didn't really mind thanks to the fun gameplay. :#
Music added a creepy feel and substance, and the background noices #and mouseclick noises# certainly added a je ne sai quois to the playing.
As for the challenge - I played it on the middle level #what most games call a hard level, with no sparklies and slow hints - there's a level with no hints at all!) and there were certainly moments when I needed a little help, but no more than the hint system offered. Most often I was just missing interactive areas because of real-world #read:boyfriend!) distractions.
So, to sum up, good gameplay, sparse minigames, good traveltime, good challenge. Definitely a purchase, and I can't wait to see if there are more GotB games in the future!
I recommend this game!
Experience a deeper magic in this sparkling sequel, brimming with more than 20 puzzle books of classic tales.
Overall rating
5
/
5
55 of 64 found this review helpful
Stunning and entertaining
PostedNovember 19, 2011
Lolyta_IceWalker
fromGold Coast, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
As an avid reader, I loved this part even more than its predecessor, 'Azada'. No longer is each section between story a series on unconnected puzzles - in Ancient Magic you delve into well-known stories to help familiar characters solve problems.
A mix of the non-conventional HO scenes from part one along with both logical, object-based problems and simple puzzles, there's plenty of variety here to keep you interested.
As a quick puzzler, however, I got about half-way through in the one-hour trial. Nonetheless, a worthwhile buy, I thought, despite the shortness. Very, very entertaining.
Overall, fine graphics, unintrusive music #I kept it low, but listened to it somewhat#, cute mini-stories and an absorbing story arc. Reccomended.
I recommend this game!
What is Azada ™? Uncover the secret in the missing pages of an enchanted book and break free from a magical puzzle prison.
Overall rating
4
/
5
31 of 40 found this review helpful
An interesting challenge
PostedNovember 19, 2011
Lolyta_IceWalker
fromGold Coast, Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
While the story is minimal, this game does have something I've not found before - it's a pure puzzle game (no traditional HOs# but it's not all the same puzzle.
I don't mind games with level upon level of bubble-puzzle or strategy puzzle #like Youda Survivor, a good game#, but I do get very bored after a few levels. This game had many, many different kinds of puzzles, of differing levels of difficulty. There are one or two very fun hidden-object-type scenes littered through as well, but not the junk-pile style, rather an interactive image requiring a small handful of objects.
Overall, the imagery was magnificent, and the sound/music was not bad at all. The gameplay was thoroughly involving. Only my love of deep, complex stories to my games dropped a star on this one for me, but as I said before, there's a reason for solving the puzzles, and you do talk #in a way) with the person who's asking you to solve them. A very good game, much reccomended. :D
I recommend this game!