Granny_Gruff's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.6
- Helpful Votes:22,850
- Reviews Submitted:883
- First Review:December 23, 2011
- Most Recent Review:November 23, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A masked man declares war on the Monster Hunters Academy!
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 52 found this review helpful
Benifit of the Doubt!
PostedDecember 14, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromWrapping is more fun anyway!!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
You are on your way to your first day at the Monster Hunters' Academy when you meet Thomas. Your mother is one of the professors and Thomas' father is Professor Tesla. You will have your special Beastiary Book to help you cope with monsters by collecting 3 different items and playing a different puzzle to defeat each monster. Before you even enter the building, you will be using your knowledge to defeat a Kraken and save Thomas. Things deteriorate when your Mother is kidnapped after the school head, Priscilla, is attacked. You will need to follow as quickly as possible to save her.
Good stuff: The artwork is beautifully drawn and colored. The collectibles include morphing geodes, different inventions and sapphires to use to decorate, Priscilla's office. There are a variety of HOPs, puzzles, and mini-games, along with a nice assortment of CE bling.
Bad stuff: I can buy into almost any crazy scenario that you want to pitch at me: fairies, vikings, aliens, spirits, ghosts, curses, portals through time and space.
But I will not play along when you place ridiculous tasks in my way. Using a bird skull instead of tweezers - especially egregious when both Thomas and I had tweezers in our hands just minutes before - is just silly. And using a wooden plate holder to break a padlock? What were they thinking?
There's more that I'll leave up to you to spot. Added to the odd speeches by the characters - "I don't want to hurt you." and then he leaves an enormous T-rex to growl at you! - leaves the player confused at best.
But I will not play along when you place ridiculous tasks in my way. Using a bird skull instead of tweezers - especially egregious when both Thomas and I had tweezers in our hands just minutes before - is just silly. And using a wooden plate holder to break a padlock? What were they thinking?
There's more that I'll leave up to you to spot. Added to the odd speeches by the characters - "I don't want to hurt you." and then he leaves an enormous T-rex to growl at you! - leaves the player confused at best.
Bottom line: The story wasn't bad, just not good. The game play was what you are familiar with from other games and developers. I did not feel any compulsion to continue after the Demo without any interest in the story or the characters.
Please try the Demo for yourself. This may be just your cup of cocoa.
Please try the Demo for yourself. This may be just your cup of cocoa.
Who will save Fairytale land when Dame Gothel threatens to end Christmas forever?
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 46 found this review helpful
Take Away the Christmas Decorations and What Do You Have?
PostedDecember 12, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromLooking for more than average!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You have a nice average game.
The story revolves around a wicked stepmother, Dame Gothel, practicing witchcraft to free Rumpelstiltskin and other evil doers to rewrite Grimm's tales and destroy Christmas forever.
The game is full of elements we've seen in hundreds of other HOP games. There are Christmas decorations everywhere in every corner - Santa's picture is the amulet to open the oven in Granny's house.
If you did remove all the ornament balls, garlands, gifts, etc., you would be left with a decent average game.
I’d suggest you try the Demo.
The story revolves around a wicked stepmother, Dame Gothel, practicing witchcraft to free Rumpelstiltskin and other evil doers to rewrite Grimm's tales and destroy Christmas forever.
The game is full of elements we've seen in hundreds of other HOP games. There are Christmas decorations everywhere in every corner - Santa's picture is the amulet to open the oven in Granny's house.
If you did remove all the ornament balls, garlands, gifts, etc., you would be left with a decent average game.
I’d suggest you try the Demo.
Can you help the train’s passengers save their holidays in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 21 found this review helpful
Take Away the Snow and Christmas Decorasions and What's Left?
PostedDecember 9, 2019
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Gretel and brother Hansel are on their way home when a train pulls into the station and Hansel hops on after an invite from the conductor. For reasons known only to Elephant Games, the conductor is more menacing than they may have intended and has a pronounced Irish brogue - well done, but why?
Gretel must work her way through three different stories to save her little brother and herself and get home for Christmas. The conductor claims that the train is a special Christmas train to help those who have done something naughty before Christmas and need to repent. He then seems to go out of his way to make things difficult for Gretel! He not only turns Hansel into a mouse, who works as Gretel's helper, but also seems to "change" things to make her journey more difficult, if not impossible, all while holding her to a strict time limit. Poor Gretel!
There are all the usual elements of a HOP adventure CE game including collectibles and morphing objects among the CE bling.
While the artwork is more upbeat than we've seen for months, the story seems just as dark as many others this year - Sort of like Santa torching your tree and making off with your presents.
As another reviewer pointed out the children in the story, including Gretel and Hansel are being punished for being children. Example: The little boy in the first story is lost after trying to go keep his father company when Dad is forced to work late at Christmas. He is left out in the cold and snowy forest with a very unhappy bear roaming around.
While the artwork is more upbeat than we've seen for months, the story seems just as dark as many others this year - Sort of like Santa torching your tree and making off with your presents.
As another reviewer pointed out the children in the story, including Gretel and Hansel are being punished for being children. Example: The little boy in the first story is lost after trying to go keep his father company when Dad is forced to work late at Christmas. He is left out in the cold and snowy forest with a very unhappy bear roaming around.
Basically this is an average game with lots of snow, ice, and Christmas decorations, along with a disturbing story.
Please play the demo.
Board the SS Wonderland Princess and get ready to visit the most festive places on earth!
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 44 found this review helpful
Stick to the BFG Blurb!
PostedDecember 9, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromFinalizing shopping lists!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Sometimes you get so much more information about a game from the BFG blurb that you wonder how they found all of it out as little to none of what you read seems part of the demo - and, sometimes, not part of the finished game.
This is one of those games.
There is no actual story, unless you consider Santa delivering gifts at Christmas as a story. There are locations packed full of hundreds of objects to search through to find the dozen or so you need to find along with a list of collectibles to also search for. As a clutter HOP, this beats all I've seen, hands down. There are hundreds of objects, many very tiny, hidden in a picture that is deceptively busy. You go from location to location to do your HOPs, with a variety of puzzles to fill in between HOPS.
I like a bit of story and locations to search through. This is not my kind of HOP, but it may be yours. Please try the demo for yourself.
This is one of those games.
There is no actual story, unless you consider Santa delivering gifts at Christmas as a story. There are locations packed full of hundreds of objects to search through to find the dozen or so you need to find along with a list of collectibles to also search for. As a clutter HOP, this beats all I've seen, hands down. There are hundreds of objects, many very tiny, hidden in a picture that is deceptively busy. You go from location to location to do your HOPs, with a variety of puzzles to fill in between HOPS.
I like a bit of story and locations to search through. This is not my kind of HOP, but it may be yours. Please try the demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Make matches, find objects, solve puzzles, climb the Tower of God in this innovative Match 3!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
A New Match 3 Has Landed
PostedDecember 5, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromGetting stockings hung for St. Nick!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This new entry to the ranks of Match 3 games has differing Match 3 levels interspersed with other puzzles: jig saws, matching pairs, HOPs, sliders, etc. It has a variety of choices in the menu to make the game easier or harder for the individual player, depending on how challenged you wish to be. The graphics are nice, the sound can be adjusted, and there is little to distract from basic game play and no story.
For those familiar with other Match 3 games, the minimal instructions and lack of distraction will be welcome.
For those familiar with other Match 3 games, the minimal instructions and lack of distraction will be welcome.
If you are in the market for a new Match 3 with some variety thrown in, you need to check out the Demo for Tower of God.
I recommend this game!
A visit to Manchester Asylum takes a dangerous turn into madness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
53 of 76 found this review helpful
Can We Talk?
PostedNovember 26, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromFixing smoked salmon appetizers for the family!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Mystery Case Files was my first favorite series. I felt I'd discovered gold when I downloaded my first one in 2011. Naturally I came back and purchased earlier MCF games.
This new MCF game takes me back to the golden years of the MCF series.
This new MCF game takes me back to the golden years of the MCF series.
You will play as the detective called in to investigate when a "Jane Doe" confounds the staff of the mental institution where she is confined by drawing a black crown on the wall of her cell.
Good news: Good puzzles and HOPs with some of those multifaceted puzzles that are unique to this series as well as collectible crabs and morphing objects among the CE bling.
Bad news: I'm still confused as to why the drawings of a black crown by an obscure unremarkable patient in a mental institution that looks more like a prison should lead to our detective character being called in to consult. Perhaps if there had been more story foundation, it might have made things clearer. As it was, I got more story information out of reviews and the BFG blurb.
The collectible crabs stood out in each scene. I never saw the morphing objects change shape - I picked the most out-of-place item in each scene and clicked on it.
The collectible crabs stood out in each scene. I never saw the morphing objects change shape - I picked the most out-of-place item in each scene and clicked on it.
Bottom line: It is a new and better MCF game than quite a few of the games sent out since I found my first one several hundred games ago. I'm onboard for this Thanksgiving treat from Eipix.
Please try the Demo for yourself as tastes vary greatly.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
And Happy Thanksgiving!
I recommend this game!
Can you prove your innocence after a string of magical burglaries?
Overall rating
2
/
5
63 of 86 found this review helpful
Someone Is Out To Embarrass All Fairy Godmothers!
PostedNovember 21, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromThere are comic possibilities here, but no real game!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
There has been a series of robberies in Fairyland. Now Cinderella has arrived at your door to see you, her Fairy Godmother. She has come seeking your help. You apparently are incompetent to fill that post as you need several puzzles and a pair of chopsticks just to open your own front door from the inside! Walking in the door right behind Cinderella are a pair of peacekeepers who have a search warrant for your home. While you are still looking at the search warrant, the first guy in the door pops up with a glass slipper he found in your front room. As glass slippers have been left at the scene of all the bank robberies, you seem to be the guilty party - and an incompetent criminal who leaves damaging evidence laying around!
Along with the over saturated and darkly colored artwork that seems to blur between scenes, the story itself is a dismal failure both as a fairy tale and as a mystery.
Nothing makes sense. Really.
You break out of your jail cell and proceed to leave the building several times, only to climb back inside to do "essential" stuff like give a ball to a dog, or cut metal guitar strings with nail clippers!
You "follow" the real criminal to a dorm only to see her climb in a window. A student standing outside does not notice the criminal going in the window, but does notice her hand bag being stolen. As an incompetent fairy godmother and criminal, you decide she needs a sedative - you might as well add medical quack to your list of occupations.
You "follow" the real criminal to a dorm only to see her climb in a window. A student standing outside does not notice the criminal going in the window, but does notice her hand bag being stolen. As an incompetent fairy godmother and criminal, you decide she needs a sedative - you might as well add medical quack to your list of occupations.
I would heartily recommend that you play this demo - it will provide endless fodder for jokes with your friends.
If you are looking for a good mystery or fairy tale game, keep trying.
If you are looking for a good mystery or fairy tale game, keep trying.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you right the wrongs of the past to save your world?
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 23 found this review helpful
If You've Seen One......
PostedNovember 18, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromSometimes those old sayings are perfect for the occasion.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
...You've seen them all.
I'll make this short and sweet.
I'll make this short and sweet.
If you have played any of the Redemption Cemetery Games, this one will be more of the same.
This does not make the game bad, but neither does it make it any more desirable.
This does not make the game bad, but neither does it make it any more desirable.
You will do pretty much what you always do in the RC games: save three souls and stop a demon/fallen angel/ demented soul from destroying time and the world.
There are all the elements you expect from a CE game and specifically a Redemption Cemetery game. There are keys, tokens, and amulets at every turn with the usual sad stories of each victim you must save and the villain taunting you as you work to defeat him/her.
Please play the demo, especially if you are new to this series.
As a RC fan, I will wait for a really impressive sale.
As a RC fan, I will wait for a really impressive sale.
Can you rescue your daughter and save both realms in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
46 of 66 found this review helpful
Misunderstood and Confused Princess Sets Out To Rescue Kidnapped Daughter
PostedNovember 14, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromWhy didn't the sorceress use some of her power to protect her people and defend her kingdom?
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Daughter Dear is kidnapped by Sorceress Thalia, who feels that Mommy Princess is to blame for her hidden underworld kingdom being destroyed by falling rocks. Mommy Princess quickly follows Daughter Dear and runs straight into a trap baited with Daughter Dear.
No good will come of this.
There are all the usual game elements, with potions to create and magic to perform. The artwork is pretty and VO's well done. There is a fine assortment of CE bling and collectibles.
Mostly it was an OK game, if you can enter into the story.
Mostly it was an OK game, if you can enter into the story.
I wasn't interested and felt that there was something missing - perhaps just some emotional connection that would make me want to help the Princess rescue her daughter. I don't like games where I have to play the bad guy and don't know how I got there. I play for relaxation and enjoyment. I don't want to be depressed and stressed.
Please try the demo for yourself. I pass.
Can you save your friends from their family’s tainted past?
Overall rating
2
/
5
19 of 24 found this review helpful
1920 and a Lady Detective?
PostedNovember 11, 2019
Granny_Gruff
fromOn my way back from Emi's Party!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
You will enter a whole new world where the women of 1920 are emancipated and ready to carry guns, believe in monsters, and play with seashells. Sail to the island ruled by the Livingstons, who for the last forty years have been stalked by a curse that threatens to destroy the few remnants of the family.
It was at this point, that I knew there was a problem - if the old king only had one surprise son and a sister, how were there enough people in the family to keep being killed over a forty year period?
And once you get to that point, what is left of the story's premise?
And once you get to that point, what is left of the story's premise?
The scenes are not overly dark, considering you apparently have arrived at night. What is surprising is that after forty years, there are at least three family members left after a fourth was recently murdered. Why did the avenging monster suddenly decide to get rid of all of the remaining family members in a sudden flurry of attacks?
There was little to draw you into the game and a lot to turn you off.
Please just try the demo for yourself.
I did and I want my fifty minutes back!
I did and I want my fifty minutes back!
I don't recommend this game.