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:
Strange vines have taken over a popular National Park!
Overall rating
3
/
5
31 of 36 found this review helpful
Professional Fence Sitter Needs New Job
PostedMay 7, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromNo logic = No sale, but 3 *s for trying to improve the game since the beta test!
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
I am on the fence with this game for one reason only - I played the beta test version.
The demo is way better than the beta test, which, frankly left me stunned with its badly put together story and games.
I suspect this improvement is largely due to suggestions from the testers.
The story is much clearer now, mini-game instructions have been amended, and the characters are fleshed out.
Unfortunately all those things together do not make this a good game, but I most certainly do not wish to discourage the Devs from listening to the testers.
For all the upgrades, I'm awarding the game three stars.
It has worked its way up to average game play.
The story is still weak and progress illogical, but a lot of it is average.
So many recent games have been a disappointment that average may be your good news for the day!
Please take a look at the demo and see what you think.
You may particularly want to fight raging purple vines today!
The demo is way better than the beta test, which, frankly left me stunned with its badly put together story and games.
I suspect this improvement is largely due to suggestions from the testers.
The story is much clearer now, mini-game instructions have been amended, and the characters are fleshed out.
Unfortunately all those things together do not make this a good game, but I most certainly do not wish to discourage the Devs from listening to the testers.
For all the upgrades, I'm awarding the game three stars.
It has worked its way up to average game play.
The story is still weak and progress illogical, but a lot of it is average.
So many recent games have been a disappointment that average may be your good news for the day!
Please take a look at the demo and see what you think.
You may particularly want to fight raging purple vines today!
Only you can save the kingdom from a mysterious disease!
Overall rating
2
/
5
19 of 30 found this review helpful
Surprise! If you disliked the CE, you'll probably dislike the SE
PostedMay 5, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromNo logic = No sale
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
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I was actually hoping that this game would not seem as illogical and disjointed as an SE as it did as a CE.
Mea Culpa!
The back story is a throw-back of black vs. white. You are a healer called in to help the powers that be deal with a strange illness that seems to turn victims into trees. You will have a bird helper, make potions, and want to run in the opposite direction!
Good stuff: There are the expected game elements with four levels of play, a choice of easy or hard on the puzzles, and a Match 3 alternative to the HOPs. There will be potions to make and a little bird helper. Each potion is different even though the same disease is being treated. You will need to find five ingredients and mix the potion in a special box you carry around.
Bad stuff: The artwork has a distressing tendency to fuzz out as you go from scene to scene and from scene to puzzle. Your little bird helper is day-glo pink and seems very small for the things you send him to get. His color almost fades along-side the highly colored artwork of the game. (I'm not a fan.)
Then there are the logic problems.
You carry around a feather duster till you dust a tapestry in the castle, whereupon it disappears. So you hunt up a WIG to dust a book out in the courtyard a few minutes later!
The bad guy attacks you and flies off on a dragon. You give chase by repairing a ladder, solving a zodiac puzzle, and climbing out a window so you can melt metal, fill a mold, and make a tiny horn to call the imperial gryphons to give chase!
And that, students, is how you hurry!
Somewhere in all this, I bailed, just as I did for the CE.
I would like to appreciate the story as much as others have.
The truth is that a game is a whole package and sometimes there is just too much to forgive to focus on the story.
Please, try the Demo before you buy.
Mea Culpa!
The back story is a throw-back of black vs. white. You are a healer called in to help the powers that be deal with a strange illness that seems to turn victims into trees. You will have a bird helper, make potions, and want to run in the opposite direction!
Good stuff: There are the expected game elements with four levels of play, a choice of easy or hard on the puzzles, and a Match 3 alternative to the HOPs. There will be potions to make and a little bird helper. Each potion is different even though the same disease is being treated. You will need to find five ingredients and mix the potion in a special box you carry around.
Bad stuff: The artwork has a distressing tendency to fuzz out as you go from scene to scene and from scene to puzzle. Your little bird helper is day-glo pink and seems very small for the things you send him to get. His color almost fades along-side the highly colored artwork of the game. (I'm not a fan.)
Then there are the logic problems.
You carry around a feather duster till you dust a tapestry in the castle, whereupon it disappears. So you hunt up a WIG to dust a book out in the courtyard a few minutes later!
The bad guy attacks you and flies off on a dragon. You give chase by repairing a ladder, solving a zodiac puzzle, and climbing out a window so you can melt metal, fill a mold, and make a tiny horn to call the imperial gryphons to give chase!
And that, students, is how you hurry!
Somewhere in all this, I bailed, just as I did for the CE.
I would like to appreciate the story as much as others have.
The truth is that a game is a whole package and sometimes there is just too much to forgive to focus on the story.
Please, try the Demo before you buy.
I don't recommend this game.
An open-and-shut case is suddenly reopened by a violent murder!
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 39 found this review helpful
Number Four in Series is Definitely Not A Charm
PostedMay 5, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromLook out, Gamers, as another bad sequel hits the skids, taking the series with it!
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
Thomas was arrested, tried, and then hanged just two short weeks later. Witnesses claimed he was the man who stole the Chimera relic and murdered the two guards at the museum where it was kept.
Donald is worried. As the judge in the twelve year old case, he is concerned that he will be the next victim of a vengeful murderer. The local prosecutor, Victor has already died after receiving the same kind of marker the judge now holds. Who will be next?
Normal stuff: There are HOPs, tons of mini-games/puzzles, and collectibles - cards, puzzle pieces, and morphing objects.
Bad stuff: The artwork is odd - some is blurry while other items in a scene are brighter and clearer, as though they had been pasted on after the initial scene was drawn. The story is a sad rehash of a mystery of sorts. Everything else is the same stuff you've seen before, often. As the detective you will do many things that defy logic and common sense, including vandalism and stealing.
The first Chimera game was well done. Encouraged the Devs rushed the next one to market. It was not great, but not awful.
Thinking they were on a roll they stumbled on with the third game, which was a lesser effort. Now we have the fourth game in the series and I wish they had taken a bit more time to develop the game and the story, rather than kill the series in this fashion.
I won't bore you with a grocery list of the problems here, just please, play the demo before you purchase the game.
Donald is worried. As the judge in the twelve year old case, he is concerned that he will be the next victim of a vengeful murderer. The local prosecutor, Victor has already died after receiving the same kind of marker the judge now holds. Who will be next?
Normal stuff: There are HOPs, tons of mini-games/puzzles, and collectibles - cards, puzzle pieces, and morphing objects.
Bad stuff: The artwork is odd - some is blurry while other items in a scene are brighter and clearer, as though they had been pasted on after the initial scene was drawn. The story is a sad rehash of a mystery of sorts. Everything else is the same stuff you've seen before, often. As the detective you will do many things that defy logic and common sense, including vandalism and stealing.
The first Chimera game was well done. Encouraged the Devs rushed the next one to market. It was not great, but not awful.
Thinking they were on a roll they stumbled on with the third game, which was a lesser effort. Now we have the fourth game in the series and I wish they had taken a bit more time to develop the game and the story, rather than kill the series in this fashion.
I won't bore you with a grocery list of the problems here, just please, play the demo before you purchase the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Mr. Jenkins is back to help you uncover the mystery of the haunted armor!
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
Anomalies and Anachronisms Abound
PostedMay 1, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromPick either modern electric lights or mid 1800's dress, not both!
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
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Leia is back with faithful cat, Mr. Jenkins, at her side as she comes to the aid of the Duke and Duchess. The Duke has just passed the throne to his son. (Since when do Dukes have thrones? And why is his son referred to as the king?)
The Duke is busy collecting four sets of armor that when brought together unleash four evil knights bent on resurrecting their equally evil king. You ride in in your horse drawn coach, fix the wiring on a spotlight, climb a pole in your floor length dress, and then crawl through an acid puddle, still presumably in that long dress, to get to the city gates.
And that is the most sense you'll get out of this game!
Accents and VO's were lamentable, graphics will arbitrarily start shaking as you interact with a scene or puzzle, puzzles and HOPs were absolutely no challenge, nothing was new or original and what there was made little sense.
The story was not bad, but everything else left me wishing someone had gone back to the drawing board before releasing this new Ominous Objects game.
Someone pointed out that those five star reviews were from people with a need for approval who think they will have larger cheering sections if they have the first reviews on the list.
Gosh, I hope that's true - I'd hate to think they really liked this turkey!
Try the Demo for yourself. Do not be fooled by real reviewer imitators!
The Duke is busy collecting four sets of armor that when brought together unleash four evil knights bent on resurrecting their equally evil king. You ride in in your horse drawn coach, fix the wiring on a spotlight, climb a pole in your floor length dress, and then crawl through an acid puddle, still presumably in that long dress, to get to the city gates.
And that is the most sense you'll get out of this game!
Accents and VO's were lamentable, graphics will arbitrarily start shaking as you interact with a scene or puzzle, puzzles and HOPs were absolutely no challenge, nothing was new or original and what there was made little sense.
The story was not bad, but everything else left me wishing someone had gone back to the drawing board before releasing this new Ominous Objects game.
Someone pointed out that those five star reviews were from people with a need for approval who think they will have larger cheering sections if they have the first reviews on the list.
Gosh, I hope that's true - I'd hate to think they really liked this turkey!
Try the Demo for yourself. Do not be fooled by real reviewer imitators!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you find your Maestro’s murderer in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
24 of 29 found this review helpful
Eipix, Please Stop.
PostedApril 30, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromPerhaps Eipix could hire a historian to vet their period set games.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Your teacher wins yet another music competition and arrives back at his studio for your lesson in time for you to murder him with the poisoned wine some "well-wisher" gave him at the competition. Naturally someone arrives as Maestro hits the floor and yells for the police.
Boy, are you in trouble!
Good stuff: Multi level and interactive HOPs, and mini-games.
Bad stuff: Strangely colored artwork, blurry tiny objects in the HOPs, a particularly faulty story, and unattractive characters.
The plot twist is glaringly obvious and the lady protagonist is implausible.
(Eipix, if you insist on setting your story in a particular time period, at least have a slight knowledge of the era. No young woman in the 1900's and earlier would have been allowed to have a "private" lesson in a male teacher's home without a chaperone, absolutely not in the evening.)
As for the locks and other puzzles as well as the stilted game play, I blush for Eipix.
I've lost count of the disappointing games presented by Eipix so far this year. I'm hoping this is the last!
Boy, are you in trouble!
Good stuff: Multi level and interactive HOPs, and mini-games.
Bad stuff: Strangely colored artwork, blurry tiny objects in the HOPs, a particularly faulty story, and unattractive characters.
The plot twist is glaringly obvious and the lady protagonist is implausible.
(Eipix, if you insist on setting your story in a particular time period, at least have a slight knowledge of the era. No young woman in the 1900's and earlier would have been allowed to have a "private" lesson in a male teacher's home without a chaperone, absolutely not in the evening.)
As for the locks and other puzzles as well as the stilted game play, I blush for Eipix.
I've lost count of the disappointing games presented by Eipix so far this year. I'm hoping this is the last!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you find your long-lost brother in time?!
Overall rating
2
/
5
24 of 34 found this review helpful
Smart Journalists and Logic are Alien Concepts Here
PostedApril 29, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromThe lilac blooming outside our front door smells like spring.
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
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Twenty years ago, your baby brother was kidnapped from the nursery as you played nearby. Now you are a reporter and have received a letter informing you that he has been at a local estate all this time.
Do you research the estate and the owners?
Do you notify authorities?
Do you do anything reasonable?
Of course not.
You run right out to the estate, get drugged, handcuffed, and now will use your limited intelligence to try and escape.
There will be bloody knives, skeletons, and as many supposedly scary gimmicks as the Devs can think up.
Good stuff: The usual game elements done with varying levels of success are set in a story that does NOT need to be told again.
Bad stuff: All the scary stuff isn't. The story is bland and has been told to better effect elsewhere. Mostly the game feels disjointed and ill-conceived. Any time a many starred review apologizes and tries to excuse a lack of logic, you pretty much know where you are going - no place good.
I'll second the thoughts of another reviewer and suggest that you think twice before bothering with the demo.
Do you research the estate and the owners?
Do you notify authorities?
Do you do anything reasonable?
Of course not.
You run right out to the estate, get drugged, handcuffed, and now will use your limited intelligence to try and escape.
There will be bloody knives, skeletons, and as many supposedly scary gimmicks as the Devs can think up.
Good stuff: The usual game elements done with varying levels of success are set in a story that does NOT need to be told again.
Bad stuff: All the scary stuff isn't. The story is bland and has been told to better effect elsewhere. Mostly the game feels disjointed and ill-conceived. Any time a many starred review apologizes and tries to excuse a lack of logic, you pretty much know where you are going - no place good.
I'll second the thoughts of another reviewer and suggest that you think twice before bothering with the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
What happened to the Wolfgrin family?!
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 25 found this review helpful
Haven't We Played This Before?
PostedApril 24, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromThere is so much here you've seen before - over and over and over.....
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
John collects scary masks and artifacts on his travels. He keeps them in a secret room. Even out of sight, they frighten his young daughter, Chloe. Just back from his latest journey, John dies suddenly. Immediately after his funeral, the rest of his family goes missing.
Oddly, the family maid stays on in the house even though she believes someone else is there.
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!
Please try the demo for yourself.
Oddly, the family maid stays on in the house even though she believes someone else is there.
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!
Please try the demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
In the midst of a battle for the Academy of Alchemy, a young promising student, Eliana, is sent on a dangerous mission of retrieving three powerful artifacts, the Dragon Crystals.
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 21 found this review helpful
Another Day, Another Sad Game
PostedApril 24, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromTry to concoctotion that will make this game better - like transmuting lead to gold!
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
Eliana was dropped at the door of the Academy as a baby and has been there ever since. She is now sixteen and receiving her Alchemy certificate. Before the ink on that certificate has a chance to dry, she will be sent off to save the world assisted by her friend, Anna.
Good stuff: HOPs with a Pair Matching alternative, mini-games with fair instructions, clear artwork, and something that could almost pass for a story. You will have both a fairy helper and an amulet to aid you in saving the world.
Bad stuff: Once again this series confuses Alchemy with magic and seems unsure if they really want to commit to their tale.
Many of the characters try to appear sinister or mysterious. With the confusion and all the back and forth during the opening battle, there is little time to tell us much about the story and, consequently, little desire to help Eliana on her quest.
I'm really confused as to why, with an Academy full of Alchemists/Magicians/Wizards, both teachers and students, they would send a sixteen year old beginner out to save the world. And there is little use for carrying around a fairy helper in your inventory after the first few times she helps and there is, of course, an extra puzzle to use that amulet.
When even the head cheerleader can only give this game three stars and a rehashed review of the CE, you really need to play the Demo for yourself.
Good stuff: HOPs with a Pair Matching alternative, mini-games with fair instructions, clear artwork, and something that could almost pass for a story. You will have both a fairy helper and an amulet to aid you in saving the world.
Bad stuff: Once again this series confuses Alchemy with magic and seems unsure if they really want to commit to their tale.
Many of the characters try to appear sinister or mysterious. With the confusion and all the back and forth during the opening battle, there is little time to tell us much about the story and, consequently, little desire to help Eliana on her quest.
I'm really confused as to why, with an Academy full of Alchemists/Magicians/Wizards, both teachers and students, they would send a sixteen year old beginner out to save the world. And there is little use for carrying around a fairy helper in your inventory after the first few times she helps and there is, of course, an extra puzzle to use that amulet.
When even the head cheerleader can only give this game three stars and a rehashed review of the CE, you really need to play 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
1
/
5
31 of 50 found this review helpful
The Epidemic Killing Series Has Spread to Elefun!
PostedApril 20, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromAnother day, another game, another bit of mediocrity.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Another installment of Fear For Sale has arrived. 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. Emma will encounter the usual adventures as she investigates.
Good stuff: All the expected game elements are here - HOPs with a 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. The story is so scant as to be MIA. The VOs were without inflection, except for some bad accents 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. There is no better way to find out if you will enjoy the game.
Good stuff: All the expected game elements are here - HOPs with a 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. The story is so scant as to be MIA. The VOs were without inflection, except for some bad accents 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. There is no better way to find out if you will enjoy the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the Logan Family's terrible secret in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 12 found this review helpful
Haunted Castle on Deserted Island - Check
PostedApril 17, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromAnother day, another Eipix game, another bit of mediocrity.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
On your way to Logan's Island your boat disintegrates. You make it to shore and open your eyes in time to see your boatman disappearing into a dilapidated shack. You follow him in and agree to find a way to leave the island. Eventually he will tell you that the only way to survive is to separately look for the amulet that will presumably save you both from the ghosts.
Oh, yeah. That always works in the movies!
Good stuff: All the expected game elements are here along with CE bling and a story with some potential.
Bad stuff: The boatman's "blind" eye comes and goes - a tip off that he is not all he seems. All the artwork is dark and striving for over-the-top creepy. the music and background noise stops abruptly between scenes and then resumes with a different tune.
This is another Eipix attempt to continue a great series that falls flat. It is not as bad as some of their recent efforts, but it is not great or even particularly well-done. I sincerely wish they would go for Quality over Quantity as I have had to pan so many of their games lately for lack of originality and poor craftmanship.
Please try the demo and decide for yourself.
With today's sale, I will consider getting this as the free game.
Oh, yeah. That always works in the movies!
Good stuff: All the expected game elements are here along with CE bling and a story with some potential.
Bad stuff: The boatman's "blind" eye comes and goes - a tip off that he is not all he seems. All the artwork is dark and striving for over-the-top creepy. the music and background noise stops abruptly between scenes and then resumes with a different tune.
This is another Eipix attempt to continue a great series that falls flat. It is not as bad as some of their recent efforts, but it is not great or even particularly well-done. I sincerely wish they would go for Quality over Quantity as I have had to pan so many of their games lately for lack of originality and poor craftmanship.
Please try the demo and decide for yourself.
With today's sale, I will consider getting this as the free game.