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:
Expect the unexpected as this unusual plot twists and turns its way through the seemingly sleepy lakeside location.
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 21 found this review helpful
Alicia Should Have Taken a Staycation!
PostedMay 24, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromWhen I finished the game, I wondered if I could sue for my time back!
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
2
/
5
Our detective, Alicia, is on vacation. She arrives in a small town, Turmville, looking for the cabin she has rented. Unfortunately she has arrived just after the second murder in fifty + years. Sheriff Williams, a retired military man, asks for Alicia's help. He is woefully unprepared to investigate the murder of Melissa Darling, a famous writer.
Good Stuff: It's a game.
Bad stuff: This sucker is slow to the point of madness, with endless dialog to be clicked thru and lots of back and forth. Nothing is done in three steps where six could do it and eventually you will just want to RUN! The artwork seems to start most scenes in dark mode and then lighten up. The four game play levels are minimally adjustable. The puzzles are all very familiar. Most objects to be found on screen are quite small.
I played all the way through on another site a couple months ago and sincerely wished the story had fallen into better hands, as it deserved a better treatment than it got here.
Please, please play the demo and decide for yourself.
This one is not really worth even a free coupon!
Good Stuff: It's a game.
Bad stuff: This sucker is slow to the point of madness, with endless dialog to be clicked thru and lots of back and forth. Nothing is done in three steps where six could do it and eventually you will just want to RUN! The artwork seems to start most scenes in dark mode and then lighten up. The four game play levels are minimally adjustable. The puzzles are all very familiar. Most objects to be found on screen are quite small.
I played all the way through on another site a couple months ago and sincerely wished the story had fallen into better hands, as it deserved a better treatment than it got here.
Please, please play the demo and decide for yourself.
This one is not really worth even a free coupon!
I don't recommend this game.
What happened to the Wolfgrin family?!
Overall rating
2
/
5
17 of 24 found this review helpful
If No Family Members Are Left, Why Is The Maid Still There?
PostedMay 21, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromIf you wear leather gloves to bed, have I got a game for you!
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
A knock at your door. A constable stands at the door in the rain and hands you a note as he apologizes for waking you. You take the note in your leather GLOVED hand. Shortly the two of you are in a carriage on the way to investigate the mysterious disappearances at the Wolfgrin estate.
The owner of the Estate, John Wolfgrin, traveled and collected strange artifacts and masks. He died suddenly and was buried. Shortly after the funeral, members of his family started disappearing, leaving only the maid in the house. She is convinced someone else is there in the house with her.
Good stuff: All the usual game elements, most so recognizable, you will check to see when you played this game last!
Bad stuff: With the overused plot, tired game play, and stock characters, you might just want to trot out a game you already own and like!
This game is rife with the logic lapses I have come to recognize as some Devs' idea of normal. I prefer to hope that they will see the error of their ways eventually and try to turn out quality products once again.
In the meantime, No Sale.
Please try the demo for yourself.
The owner of the Estate, John Wolfgrin, traveled and collected strange artifacts and masks. He died suddenly and was buried. Shortly after the funeral, members of his family started disappearing, leaving only the maid in the house. She is convinced someone else is there in the house with her.
Good stuff: All the usual game elements, most so recognizable, you will check to see when you played this game last!
Bad stuff: With the overused plot, tired game play, and stock characters, you might just want to trot out a game you already own and like!
This game is rife with the logic lapses I have come to recognize as some Devs' idea of normal. I prefer to hope that they will see the error of their ways eventually and try to turn out quality products once again.
In the meantime, No Sale.
Please try the demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
What will you do when a fairy tale curse shows up on your doorstep?
Overall rating
1
/
5
20 of 29 found this review helpful
Elefun Is No Fun in This One
PostedMay 21, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromI'm thinking that Smoke must be really easy to animate as it seems to be showing up in a lot of games lately.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Alice is summoned home by a panicked call from her daughter. A strange package, addressed to Alice and opened by her husband, has disgorged a troupe of smoky fiery orbs that are turning both her husband and her daughter to stone. (Lesson: Do not open other people's packages!)
When Alice does arrive home, she is greeted by a magical fox who informs her that she needs to travel to a magical kingdom, Spectra, that Alice remembers from her grandmother's stories. Hopefully she will find what she needs to save her family in Spectra.
Good stuff: HOPs with a puzzle alternative, mini-games and puzzles, lots of collectibles, a story, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The HOPs are full of tiny items on my giant monitor. The puzzle alternative to the HOPs is more frustrating than anything else. The mini-games and puzzles in the game are lackluster and oh so average. The story is a mish-mash of bits and pieces left from other games that the Devs didn't want to “waste.”
I came away with a lost feeling, as though I had wandered off the path and couldn't find my way back. Little of this game made any kind of sense. I spent lots of time being frustrated by the map being placed almost on top of the hint. I often had no idea what I was trying to do, regardless of the goals in the "diary."
Please, try the Demo for yourself.
When Alice does arrive home, she is greeted by a magical fox who informs her that she needs to travel to a magical kingdom, Spectra, that Alice remembers from her grandmother's stories. Hopefully she will find what she needs to save her family in Spectra.
Good stuff: HOPs with a puzzle alternative, mini-games and puzzles, lots of collectibles, a story, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The HOPs are full of tiny items on my giant monitor. The puzzle alternative to the HOPs is more frustrating than anything else. The mini-games and puzzles in the game are lackluster and oh so average. The story is a mish-mash of bits and pieces left from other games that the Devs didn't want to “waste.”
I came away with a lost feeling, as though I had wandered off the path and couldn't find my way back. Little of this game made any kind of sense. I spent lots of time being frustrated by the map being placed almost on top of the hint. I often had no idea what I was trying to do, regardless of the goals in the "diary."
Please, try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore the dangerous landscape of Drummond Island as you hunt for a kidnapper!
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 23 found this review helpful
SE Not As Aggravating As CE - Must Be The Lower Price!
PostedMay 19, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromI want to disappear too - to look for a better game!
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
2
/
5
Our favorite Fear For Sale reporter, Emma Roberts is led by the spirit of a missing girl, Linda Swan, to investigate the disappearances of young people from nearby Drammond Island. The missing people, including Linda's brother, Tim, had gone to the island for a reality game. Linda had followed him there to search and also disappeared. Emma will encounter the usual adventures as she investigates.
Good stuff: All the expected game elements are here - HOPs with a jigsaw puzzle alternative, mini-games, a story, VO's, and CE bling.
Bad stuff: HOPs are very simple and basic in the demo. The mini-game/puzzles had some instructions, not always helpful. Luckily they were pretty basic and easily finished. The story is so scant as to be MIA. The VOs were without inflection, except for a bad accent by one character. There is no diary and the task list is embarrassingly simplistic. All of this added up to a "fear-less" Fear for Sale game.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
Good stuff: All the expected game elements are here - HOPs with a jigsaw puzzle alternative, mini-games, a story, VO's, and CE bling.
Bad stuff: HOPs are very simple and basic in the demo. The mini-game/puzzles had some instructions, not always helpful. Luckily they were pretty basic and easily finished. The story is so scant as to be MIA. The VOs were without inflection, except for a bad accent by one character. There is no diary and the task list is embarrassingly simplistic. All of this added up to a "fear-less" Fear for Sale game.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
He can’t be stopped. And he’s digging your grave!
Overall rating
4
/
5
51 of 62 found this review helpful
If you like dark, scary, and creepy, have I got a game for you!
PostedMay 18, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromQuiet Grove is definitely NOT Quiet
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Jessica and her mentor - you - are on their way to solve the mystery of Quiet Grove. Quiet Grove was a popular resort that was closed suddenly years ago, presumably due to guests disappearing without a trace. As journalists, you will try to figure out what happened and dig up a great story about the faceless gravedigger, rumored to be responsible for the mystery.
Unfortunately, Jessica is kidnapped shortly before you even get to the gates of Quiet Grove. Can you save her?
Good stuff: Creepy scenes, scary bad guy, wicked demon dog, a frightening story, a good variety of HOPs and mini-games, and a little CE bling.
Bad stuff: There are a few logic lapses, but nothing as egregious as we've been seeing in some of the established series. I'm thinking the Devs were more careful with their first entry in a series to get it established.
I liked the story development in this game - not too much and not too little. It will be interesting to see where it goes.
Today, I'm happy to recommend you try this Demo, as I think you will find something interesting!
Unfortunately, Jessica is kidnapped shortly before you even get to the gates of Quiet Grove. Can you save her?
Good stuff: Creepy scenes, scary bad guy, wicked demon dog, a frightening story, a good variety of HOPs and mini-games, and a little CE bling.
Bad stuff: There are a few logic lapses, but nothing as egregious as we've been seeing in some of the established series. I'm thinking the Devs were more careful with their first entry in a series to get it established.
I liked the story development in this game - not too much and not too little. It will be interesting to see where it goes.
Today, I'm happy to recommend you try this Demo, as I think you will find something interesting!
I recommend this game!
Search the Siberian forests for your missing husband.
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 36 found this review helpful
More Fog, More Monsters, More Vengeful Spirits, More Disappointment
PostedMay 15, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromAnd another one bites the dust!
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
2
/
5
Long ago, the Merchantess, founder of the town,was in love with a boy. Boy had wandering heart.
Girl fell for boy. Merchantess has boy killed. Girl kills all involved in the death.
Your husband, Dave, apparently awakened the still vengeful girl, in his quest for the legend's source. Then Dave and his expedition vanished.
You come looking for Dave, who's spirit has called out to you. You meet locals, including Bogdan looking for his missing wife. Soon you two are searching together.
Good stuff: Usual game elements, done in the usual way, as well as the standard mini-games, a well-used story, artwork, and average CE bling, with the addition of an extra bonus chapter if you find all the hidden owls, some of which morph.
Bad stuff: Been there, done this.
The characterizations were odd - a couple of characters had accents, meant to be Russian, while most spoke English with no accent, including Bogdan, the local hunter with the missing spouse. Several times characters spoke in two different moods in the same sentence, sounding sharp or angry for a phrase and then switching to a milder tone abruptly.
As is now standard, logic wandered from the picture, leaving us with a village elder, upset over a missing girl, whom we find just over the hill under a pile of logs. Since those worried about her didn't both to even look for her, it is lucky we did!
I, a young woman, am sent to get the power of a bear from a totem to enable me to move the logs off of Anna. Bogdan, the burly huntsman, will stand right there and watch me do it!
The oddest thing in the game is what is missing.
Previous games revolved around the Guardians and their work guarding stuff. They've disappeared from this entry in the Reflections of Life series. Very confusing.
Please try the Demo before you buy. You may enjoy a rehashed old story with fog and monsters.
Girl fell for boy. Merchantess has boy killed. Girl kills all involved in the death.
Your husband, Dave, apparently awakened the still vengeful girl, in his quest for the legend's source. Then Dave and his expedition vanished.
You come looking for Dave, who's spirit has called out to you. You meet locals, including Bogdan looking for his missing wife. Soon you two are searching together.
Good stuff: Usual game elements, done in the usual way, as well as the standard mini-games, a well-used story, artwork, and average CE bling, with the addition of an extra bonus chapter if you find all the hidden owls, some of which morph.
Bad stuff: Been there, done this.
The characterizations were odd - a couple of characters had accents, meant to be Russian, while most spoke English with no accent, including Bogdan, the local hunter with the missing spouse. Several times characters spoke in two different moods in the same sentence, sounding sharp or angry for a phrase and then switching to a milder tone abruptly.
As is now standard, logic wandered from the picture, leaving us with a village elder, upset over a missing girl, whom we find just over the hill under a pile of logs. Since those worried about her didn't both to even look for her, it is lucky we did!
I, a young woman, am sent to get the power of a bear from a totem to enable me to move the logs off of Anna. Bogdan, the burly huntsman, will stand right there and watch me do it!
The oddest thing in the game is what is missing.
Previous games revolved around the Guardians and their work guarding stuff. They've disappeared from this entry in the Reflections of Life series. Very confusing.
Please try the Demo before you buy. You may enjoy a rehashed old story with fog and monsters.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your friend from a frozen fate?
Overall rating
2
/
5
36 of 50 found this review helpful
(Endless = Never Ending) + (Fable = Legend/Myth) = Interminable Story
PostedMay 15, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromThis equation means the story moves so slowly, you may never reach the end awake!
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
2
/
5
Old college friend, Claudia, has traveled north with her husband, Peter. Peter wishes to study the origins of Norse Myths and wants to explore an old coal mine.
There is an explosion in the mine and only Peter's assistant, Dan, is pulled out. Peter cannot be found. Claudia begs you to come investigate. Good stuff: Usual SE game elements are here: HOPs with a pair matching alternative, mini-games and puzzles, music, artwork, and a tiny story. All done as simply and ordinary as possible. Bad stuff: Once again, logic left the building BEFORE the game was built. So the caduceus and letter H in your luggage belong to the hospital where Cynthia works as doctor. Presumably she sent them to you and did not plan on going in the cabinets for equipment and meds till you arrived! You force a key from the lock of the inn to get inside. You are chasing the man you just saw freeze a monument and erect a wall of ice at the end of the street. Presumably you will protect yourself with your smile! You need the save the newly frozen innkeeper. The amulet to open the cache of firewood out in the street is buried in the ashes of the old fire. Presumably you always search through stove ashes before looking for firewood!
Once you thaw out the frozen innkeeper, he sends you, a young woman, after the being who just froze him. Chivalry is dead! The caduceus and letter H in your luggage belong to the hospital where Cynthia works as doctor. Presumably she sent them to you and did not plan on going in the cabinet and lock box for meds and equipment till you arrived! After every development there is a repetition of the dramatic music thought appropriate for drama. The story, such as it is, moves at a pace that makes glaciers look like race cars! There is very little drama in spite of the music and very little interest developed in where we are headed in this fable.
In the nature of full disclosure, I should tell you that I never reviewed the CE of this game because I fell asleep very early in the CE Demo. Now I know why! Please try the demo for yourself to help you make an informed decision. Keep some coffee warm.
There is an explosion in the mine and only Peter's assistant, Dan, is pulled out. Peter cannot be found. Claudia begs you to come investigate. Good stuff: Usual SE game elements are here: HOPs with a pair matching alternative, mini-games and puzzles, music, artwork, and a tiny story. All done as simply and ordinary as possible. Bad stuff: Once again, logic left the building BEFORE the game was built. So the caduceus and letter H in your luggage belong to the hospital where Cynthia works as doctor. Presumably she sent them to you and did not plan on going in the cabinets for equipment and meds till you arrived! You force a key from the lock of the inn to get inside. You are chasing the man you just saw freeze a monument and erect a wall of ice at the end of the street. Presumably you will protect yourself with your smile! You need the save the newly frozen innkeeper. The amulet to open the cache of firewood out in the street is buried in the ashes of the old fire. Presumably you always search through stove ashes before looking for firewood!
Once you thaw out the frozen innkeeper, he sends you, a young woman, after the being who just froze him. Chivalry is dead! The caduceus and letter H in your luggage belong to the hospital where Cynthia works as doctor. Presumably she sent them to you and did not plan on going in the cabinet and lock box for meds and equipment till you arrived! After every development there is a repetition of the dramatic music thought appropriate for drama. The story, such as it is, moves at a pace that makes glaciers look like race cars! There is very little drama in spite of the music and very little interest developed in where we are headed in this fable.
In the nature of full disclosure, I should tell you that I never reviewed the CE of this game because I fell asleep very early in the CE Demo. Now I know why! Please try the demo for yourself to help you make an informed decision. Keep some coffee warm.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop the cemetery’s dark keeper in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
34 of 46 found this review helpful
Please Stop.
PostedMay 12, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromNow you know where the unused scenes and bits of games go!
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
2
/
5
For the tenth time we are presented with a game in the Redemption Cemetery Series.
Once again you will enter a cemetery and save souls.
Once again it is you vs. evil.
Once again there will be tried and true simple mini-games and average HOPs.
Once again there will come a time when you wonder why you thought buying essentially the same game over again was a good idea.
I don't need to go over the plot, such as it is, as we've been here done this.
I needn't tell you about the mini-games, as we've played these before.
I don't need to bemoan the game elements that are repeated in the demo.
I am pretty sure you know I'm not happy that another well liked series is being beaten to death.
PLEASE try the demo before you buy.
Just saying...
Once again you will enter a cemetery and save souls.
Once again it is you vs. evil.
Once again there will be tried and true simple mini-games and average HOPs.
Once again there will come a time when you wonder why you thought buying essentially the same game over again was a good idea.
I don't need to go over the plot, such as it is, as we've been here done this.
I needn't tell you about the mini-games, as we've played these before.
I don't need to bemoan the game elements that are repeated in the demo.
I am pretty sure you know I'm not happy that another well liked series is being beaten to death.
PLEASE try the demo before you buy.
Just saying...
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
32 of 38 found this review helpful
Slow, Yes. Old, Yes. Story, Better. Outcome, Promising
PostedMay 10, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromSOmetimes an average new effort is better than a bad entry for a great series!
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
4
/
5
Over a hundred years in the future, a shuttle returns from a space station. Hope has just arrived back at the underwater city where she lives with her father. Barely arrived, she receives a message that her father has disappeared. Another message, this one from Dad, tells her to find his research and run, but not to look for him.
Good stuff: No fairies here , folks. The Sci-fi setting gives us new possibilities and locations as well as vehicles that fly through space and water. the game elements are all here, HOPs, mini-games and puzzles, and a twist on the "saving a family member" story.
Bad stuff: Those hint and skip buttons recharge slowly, oh, so slowly. (So while you are waiting, sweep the scene again, because you likely missed a corner to explore.) The items in rooms and HOPs are VERY small. I have a monitor that is huge and some items were smaller than the period at the end of a sentence. There were a couple of "off" translations - cutters in a HOP were a tiny part of a nail grooming kit, next to a pair of scissors - which you might think were the referred to article - especially as they looked like a thin small pair of scissors!
If you are patient and would like something that is out of the ordinary, you should check this Demo out to see for yourself.
It is a quirky little effort that deserves to be encouraged, especially if you have a coupon!
Good stuff: No fairies here , folks. The Sci-fi setting gives us new possibilities and locations as well as vehicles that fly through space and water. the game elements are all here, HOPs, mini-games and puzzles, and a twist on the "saving a family member" story.
Bad stuff: Those hint and skip buttons recharge slowly, oh, so slowly. (So while you are waiting, sweep the scene again, because you likely missed a corner to explore.) The items in rooms and HOPs are VERY small. I have a monitor that is huge and some items were smaller than the period at the end of a sentence. There were a couple of "off" translations - cutters in a HOP were a tiny part of a nail grooming kit, next to a pair of scissors - which you might think were the referred to article - especially as they looked like a thin small pair of scissors!
If you are patient and would like something that is out of the ordinary, you should check this Demo out to see for yourself.
It is a quirky little effort that deserves to be encouraged, especially if you have a coupon!
A pearl is stolen, leading you on a worldwide chase!
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 27 found this review helpful
Please Stop Breaking Our Series!
PostedMay 8, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromSad City, State of Discouraged, Gamer Country
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
Explorer Marco Polo has a treasure he entrusts to a valued friend as he lays dying. Friend heads off to Figi to avoid the Zambetti family, who apparently have a grudge against Marco and Venice.
Fast forward to today and the treasure is now a large black pearl - or perhaps it is inside the pearl. The pearl has been stolen and you are the H.E.L.P. agent sent to recover it.
You arrive at the scene of the crime so fast, the thief is still around. Eventually they escape via your helicopter and you are sent a BOAT to help you chase them.
And that's where Eipix lost me as far as the story goes.
Think about it.
H.E.L.P. can get an agent to the crime scene before the criminals leave, but sends a boat to chase a helicopter?!!
Good Stuff: All the multi layered HOPs, mini-games, artwork, good characterizations, and bits of humor you've come to expect from this series.
Bad Stuff: The story is not very convincing or engaging. Why is there a vendetta still being carried out by the Zambettis hundreds of years after Marco Polo's death? There’s some nonsense about a flood and nobles of the 14th century not happy about sleeping in tents, but surely that is just a smoke screen.
I'll leave you to ponder the rest of the logic flaws on your own.
You need to try the Demo for yourself.
Fast forward to today and the treasure is now a large black pearl - or perhaps it is inside the pearl. The pearl has been stolen and you are the H.E.L.P. agent sent to recover it.
You arrive at the scene of the crime so fast, the thief is still around. Eventually they escape via your helicopter and you are sent a BOAT to help you chase them.
And that's where Eipix lost me as far as the story goes.
Think about it.
H.E.L.P. can get an agent to the crime scene before the criminals leave, but sends a boat to chase a helicopter?!!
Good Stuff: All the multi layered HOPs, mini-games, artwork, good characterizations, and bits of humor you've come to expect from this series.
Bad Stuff: The story is not very convincing or engaging. Why is there a vendetta still being carried out by the Zambettis hundreds of years after Marco Polo's death? There’s some nonsense about a flood and nobles of the 14th century not happy about sleeping in tents, but surely that is just a smoke screen.
I'll leave you to ponder the rest of the logic flaws on your own.
You need to try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.