stevefrei's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:594
- Reviews Submitted:16
- First Review:February 10, 2013
- Most Recent Review:March 3, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The Big Secret of a Small Town
Find out what is hidden behind the mysterious disappearance of the Mayor.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
Lackluster game in a pretty package.
PostedMarch 3, 2015
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I was a bit disappointed in this game. Big Secret looked so appealing with its original artwork, but the game is hampered by poor mechanics and frustrating pixel hunting. I grew tired of hunting for miniscule puzzle items and solving obscure and difficult puzzles for so little reward, and ultimately the game felt like a fine arts project in need of an experienced game developer. Yes the game is gorgeous, and that's a good thing because you'll probably be looking at those screens for far longer than you'd like to.
I don't recommend this game.
Help Meredith retrieve the ancient tomes and stop the Wizard’s wrath in this hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
69 of 75 found this review helpful
Very well made game.
PostedDecember 5, 2014
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Just wanted to put in a plug for this game, which showed up in Today's New Releases (12/05/14). Myths of Orion: Light from the North is the latest from Croatian developer Cateia Games, which has many other titles on Big Fish. It's an exceptional game -- sets up an interesting story with good voice acting and animation, and continues with a fun and user friendly mix of adventure, mini games, and hidden object scenes. Myths of Orion also contains some hidden achievements usually found in Collector's Editions, and I found this game to be a pleasant surprise.
I recommend this game!
Without warning, a group of mysterious figures arrives and reduces your village to flames and rubble. What do they want... and who is controlling them?
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 18 found this review helpful
Mad Head strikes again!
PostedOctober 31, 2014
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Great to see a great new developer join the already strong lineup of Big Fish regulars. You may know this game maker from their Rite of Passage or Nevertales series -- the new Dark Realm series is an excellent addition to their catalog.
Queen of Flames, the series' first installment, has all the hallmarks of a premium game: lush graphics, compelling characters voice acted professionally, state of the art gameplay and interface, and an urgent if familiar story backed by a wonderful soundtrack. If you appreciate a well-crafted game and haven't already picked up the collector's edition, you'll be pleased with this game and I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Travel through ghost worlds to investigate the mysteries of your family. Can you uncover the mystery of the tribal curse?
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 39 found this review helpful
long on puzzles, short on story
PostedAugust 11, 2014
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
One can often get a good sense for a game by the opening cinematics. Warlock: The Curse of the Shaman is perfunctory with its introduction -- a shaman places a curse on a voodoo doll -- and then it's off to the puzzles, hidden object scenes, and object interaction. After about the sixth or seventh puzzle I began to ask myself 'what am I doing again?'
The music and graphics are subdued to match the pace of the game, and the occasional unvoiced cutscene informs you that you're making progress. If you like puzzles and HO scenes, this game has plenty -- but if you enjoy a good narrative to drive you forward you may find yourself bogged down a bit here.
I don't recommend this game.
Was Veronica West's death an accident... or a cold-blooded murder?
Overall rating
4
/
5
28 of 33 found this review helpful
well done
PostedAugust 10, 2014
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
(Based on the demo.) This is a well made if fairly easy game that checks all the boxes, from a developer with a winning track record. Story involves starlet Veronica West's death after falling from a lighthouse at her island home, and the opening cinematic assures you that you're in good hands here. Graphics are sharp and clear (if not the most up to date), the music moves the narrative along, gameplay is responsive with all the latest innovation, and a unique detection device is introduced to assist with your investigation. Longtime casual adventure players will find themselves moving briskly and pleasantly through this game.
I recommend this game!
Beyond the Unknown: A Matter of Time
It’s time to solve the secret of this mysterious island!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 31 found this review helpful
brand new game looks a bit dusty
PostedAugust 8, 2014
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a pretty bad game, but in a good way. It's a very well made game, clear and responsive and inviting. But the graphics hearken back several years ago and the characters look and speak about as corny as you'll see in this genre. Story had something to do with saving the world. Longtime casual adventure fans will want to play to the end to get all of the nostalgia on tap here.
I recommend this game!
After a suspicious accident, you find yourself stranded at a run-down motel. But you soon realize the area hides a terrifying secret...
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 26 found this review helpful
Well done
PostedJuly 27, 2014
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a very well made game, with high production values and innovative gameplay. Excellent visuals here with topnotch graphics, including FMV (full motion video) for every character you interact with, combined with highly atmospheric music and sound. Hidden object scenes are fully interactive and basically constitute a step-by-step puzzle until the scene is completed. Story so far involves a bus driver and passenger stranded next to a mysterious motel with strange goings on. The attraction of this game is the attention the developers have paid to every detail to present a highly competent adventure game.
I recommend this game!
These nursery rhymes are cursed, and your sister’s been taken by the Crooked Man!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
Somewhat sinister -- but well-made -- game
PostedNovember 9, 2013
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
First off, this game was developed by one of the major studios (Blue Tea), so from the outset you know it will be a competent entry in the HOA genre, high in production values and free of glitches or dodgy gameplay. However, it should be stated that the game follows a somewhat sinister story line involving a man who -- driven to madness by the premature demise of his maiden bride and convinced of her eventual reincarnation -- is cursed to enact his vengeance by kidnapping young girls from the surrounding countryside.
I mention this only because of the dissatisfaction voiced by BF members over the frequent use of dark themes in recent games. Of course, many of these games are simply variations on the decidedly morbid folk/fairy tales of Europe, and it could be argued that the grimness is actually toned down a bit for mainstream consumption. In any case, 'Cursery: The Crooked Man' is such a game.
A map, a journal, an updated task window, multiple difficulty levels, achievements, and morphing objects to find -- all the ingredients are here for a premium game experience. As is customary with this developer, the hidden object scenes involve locating components of one overarching item rather than a list of items. Puzzles are plentiful and tend to be intermediate in difficulty. Voice acting is occasional but well done, and I assume the game has a satisfying length (I played the demo). Nothing groundbreaking here, but no frustrating omissions from the HOA formula we've come to expect.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of these highly wrought games, but I certainly appreciate a well-crafted game and I would snap up the Standard Edition of this game with a club credit. For those who prize the Collector's Editions, this would no doubt be a premium addition.
I mention this only because of the dissatisfaction voiced by BF members over the frequent use of dark themes in recent games. Of course, many of these games are simply variations on the decidedly morbid folk/fairy tales of Europe, and it could be argued that the grimness is actually toned down a bit for mainstream consumption. In any case, 'Cursery: The Crooked Man' is such a game.
A map, a journal, an updated task window, multiple difficulty levels, achievements, and morphing objects to find -- all the ingredients are here for a premium game experience. As is customary with this developer, the hidden object scenes involve locating components of one overarching item rather than a list of items. Puzzles are plentiful and tend to be intermediate in difficulty. Voice acting is occasional but well done, and I assume the game has a satisfying length (I played the demo). Nothing groundbreaking here, but no frustrating omissions from the HOA formula we've come to expect.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of these highly wrought games, but I certainly appreciate a well-crafted game and I would snap up the Standard Edition of this game with a club credit. For those who prize the Collector's Editions, this would no doubt be a premium addition.
I recommend this game!
Your archaeologist fiancé has been abducted in Prague! Unravel an ancient mystery and save humanity from destruction as you rescue him!
Overall rating
3
/
5
23 of 28 found this review helpful
Look for it on sale
PostedNovember 6, 2013
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Basically, 'Lost Civilization' is a bit of a throwback in the sense that it has none of the fancy bells and whistles of similar games from well-established studios and feels reminiscent of early HOA efforts.
The story involves archaeologists attempting to access a cave which apparently provides entry to a top secret WW II-era scientific installation. Gameplay is smooth, graphics are competent, and voice-acting (so far) is limited to the narrator (who, inexplicably, appears to reside in England but has an American accent). HO scenes and puzzles are tutorial-level at first but grow more difficult as you progress, although hidden objects can be quite small and the scenes themselves somewhat muddled. On the other hand, these scenes do include the modern convention of including interaction within the scenes to unveil or complete listed objects.
In short, this is an 'underdog' game produced by a studio with limited resources, and I personally found it more likable than some of the overwrought games currently churned out by the 'major' studios (ERS, I'm looking at you). It's a competent and user-friendly entry which I would happily purchase were I to see it in the Daily Deal, which I believe is a qualified recommendation.
The story involves archaeologists attempting to access a cave which apparently provides entry to a top secret WW II-era scientific installation. Gameplay is smooth, graphics are competent, and voice-acting (so far) is limited to the narrator (who, inexplicably, appears to reside in England but has an American accent). HO scenes and puzzles are tutorial-level at first but grow more difficult as you progress, although hidden objects can be quite small and the scenes themselves somewhat muddled. On the other hand, these scenes do include the modern convention of including interaction within the scenes to unveil or complete listed objects.
In short, this is an 'underdog' game produced by a studio with limited resources, and I personally found it more likable than some of the overwrought games currently churned out by the 'major' studios (ERS, I'm looking at you). It's a competent and user-friendly entry which I would happily purchase were I to see it in the Daily Deal, which I believe is a qualified recommendation.
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
5
/
5
58 of 62 found this review helpful
Wonderful adventure game
PostedSeptember 29, 2013
stevefrei
fromFlagstaff, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Sea of Lies: Mutiny of the Heart is an exceptionally well-made game in every respect. Engaging storyline, convincing characters effectively voice acted, evocative music appropriate to the pirate theme, and well-executed graphics in a realistic style. Gameplay is seamless, interface is user-friendly, puzzles are fun to solve with a varying level of challenge, hidden object scenes are interactive, inventory includes occasional combining of objects. (Have I missed anything?) In short, hat's off to developer Eipix, this is everything you could possibly ask for in a hidden object/adventure game.
I recommend this game!