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 dark fog is taking over Bremen!
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 30 found this review helpful
The New Living Legends Game is a Game!
PostedFebruary 18, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromEvil fog and animal dolls and lots of characters with purple glowing eyes.
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
We have a new addition to the Living Legends series. Twin sisters who have gone in different directions in life will meet when one sister is slated to play at the Bremen Music Festival and invites her twin to attend. Naturally nothing goes as planned.
Good stuff: All the usual game elements you expect along with some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The usual lapses of logic and bland everything.
It is an old story twisted to a new slant. There is everything you usually get and nothing particularly original. Please try the demo for yourself.
Good stuff: All the usual game elements you expect along with some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The usual lapses of logic and bland everything.
It is an old story twisted to a new slant. There is everything you usually get and nothing particularly original. Please try the demo for yourself.
Can you stop these stone-cold conspirators in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 49 found this review helpful
Confusion Reins!
PostedFebruary 12, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromI'm going to get a stone parrot to replace my hubby, too!
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
Sculptor makes living statues to replace dead loved ones for the people in his town. Tristan, the sculptor, is now missing and his wife, Olivia, shows up at your door with a pigeon to ask for your help. The pigeon is to bring her word when you find Tristan.
So I'm confused, not just by the story, but by the reviews. How can you be "surprised" by a statue moving when the entire game is built on that premise? I'm also bewildered about a game that has one reviewer giving stars for graphics and another saying it’s great for beginners and children. Say what!?!
OK, let's just try to move on.
Good stuff: Lots of orange and yellow and red scenes, all the usual game elements, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: I know I'm singing to the choir here but - SPOILER ALERT - Tristan is locked behind a door that requires multiple steps in two locations to open and he presumably put himself there. How did he hide all the lock pieces and puzzle bits before he closed the door? And when Olivia arrives to greet her missing hubby, why is she holding a knife and rushing to attack a STONE statue? I am flummoxed by the lapses in judgment and the required actions in this game.
I can't recommend what I won't purchase, but I can urge you to try this demo for yourself. Please, BEFORE you decide to buy the game.)
So I'm confused, not just by the story, but by the reviews. How can you be "surprised" by a statue moving when the entire game is built on that premise? I'm also bewildered about a game that has one reviewer giving stars for graphics and another saying it’s great for beginners and children. Say what!?!
OK, let's just try to move on.
Good stuff: Lots of orange and yellow and red scenes, all the usual game elements, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: I know I'm singing to the choir here but - SPOILER ALERT - Tristan is locked behind a door that requires multiple steps in two locations to open and he presumably put himself there. How did he hide all the lock pieces and puzzle bits before he closed the door? And when Olivia arrives to greet her missing hubby, why is she holding a knife and rushing to attack a STONE statue? I am flummoxed by the lapses in judgment and the required actions in this game.
I can't recommend what I won't purchase, but I can urge you to try this demo for yourself. Please, BEFORE you decide to buy the game.)
I don't recommend this game.
Cure a deadly virus that causes patients to suffer endless nightmares!
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 32 found this review helpful
Thank Heaven For Reviews
PostedFebruary 10, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromWatching another smoky monster and lots of graves
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
3
/
5
Another Redemption Cemetery game has landed and the story is more obtuse than usual. Luckily the other reviewers and the game notes tell you what the demo doesn't.
College friend Jane has called for your help, even though she did not believe in your work with spirits. You arrive to a dark foreboding building with a lighting caused fire outside and the main gates locked. Once you get inside it is to find Jane relieved to see you and locked in isolation. You will be given files of information about people, but it is not clear if they are to be rescued, old patients, or just random info to go with the collectible statues you find. You do see and are threatened by a shadowy dark creature. He seems to think you will be one of his victims. Good luck!
Good stuff: I like the style of the artwork in these games. There are those collectible statues, CE bling, and the game elements you expect in these games.
Bad stuff: While you travel to another reality using the soul sphere from one of Jane's patients, it is hard to see how this will tie into the main theme of the RC game series, saving the souls of already dead people. Nothing but the story is outstanding here and the story stands out for the wrong reasons as being muddled and dreary.
I will revisit this game when the SE comes out or there is a stellar sale. Right now I'm not drawn by the story and the rest of the game is too average.
Please try the demo for yourself and see what you think!
College friend Jane has called for your help, even though she did not believe in your work with spirits. You arrive to a dark foreboding building with a lighting caused fire outside and the main gates locked. Once you get inside it is to find Jane relieved to see you and locked in isolation. You will be given files of information about people, but it is not clear if they are to be rescued, old patients, or just random info to go with the collectible statues you find. You do see and are threatened by a shadowy dark creature. He seems to think you will be one of his victims. Good luck!
Good stuff: I like the style of the artwork in these games. There are those collectible statues, CE bling, and the game elements you expect in these games.
Bad stuff: While you travel to another reality using the soul sphere from one of Jane's patients, it is hard to see how this will tie into the main theme of the RC game series, saving the souls of already dead people. Nothing but the story is outstanding here and the story stands out for the wrong reasons as being muddled and dreary.
I will revisit this game when the SE comes out or there is a stellar sale. Right now I'm not drawn by the story and the rest of the game is too average.
Please try the demo for yourself and see what you think!
Accompany Samantha on a magical and unbelievable quest to revive ancient deities and uncover the Secret of a royal throne!
Overall rating
1
/
5
23 of 31 found this review helpful
Played through months ago!
PostedFebruary 6, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromDad needs to get a hobby and I'm going back to bed!
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
2
/
5
On your birthday, Dad sends a note instead of his usual visit. You have to travel to India to help him. You show up only to see him kidnapped and dragged away. You will have to search out and collect tokens from 13 Indian deities to place in a special plate to save him.
You need to know: Old style game, slow hint recharge, basic game play, simple elements and sorry story line in a six month old game.
All the reviewers are on point this time - take a hint.
If you are that bored, try the demo. But we warned you!
You need to know: Old style game, slow hint recharge, basic game play, simple elements and sorry story line in a six month old game.
All the reviewers are on point this time - take a hint.
If you are that bored, try the demo. But we warned you!
I don't recommend this game.
A malevolent monster is causing accidents in Universe City!
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 34 found this review helpful
Even Evil Has Rules!
PostedFebruary 6, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromI'm wearing the protective bracelet no matter what I saw near Dad's hospital room!
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
Sarah is investigating the cause of an ever increasing number of accidents in her city. For some reason she has enlisted her father's help and he will pay the price first.
Dad receives information leading him to send his assistant to collect a magical bracelet that will allow the wearer to "see" an evil entity, Dolor, and other mystical items and hopefully protect the wearer from Dolor. Sarah picks up the broken bracelet, previously retrieved from a tree in the park; finds the missing pieces in a plant room at the assistant 's house; and repairs it. She puts it on in time to see Dolor cause another accident.
Good stuff: There are all the usual game elements and some CE bling.
Mediocre stuff: The HOPs, mini-game/puzzles, artwork, and characterizations are all bland and pedestrian.
Bad stuff: Dolor is the first bad guy with rules: he has lots of power to cause accidents and kill people, but each time he must write out the plan in three steps. Sometimes those three steps are unrelated and bizarre. So much for all that power.
Sarah uses the bracelet constantly, but to little purpose - at one point finding a invisible red evil mouse to give to an invisible evil red cat!
Game play is slow and slowed even further by the animation and conversations that should be moving the story along. As if that isn't discouraging, there are cutesy animals showing up including a basset hound that is trained to sit on items you need and a raccoon in an invalid's hideout that will need to be bribed.
The artwork is over-colored. It fuzzes and darkens out between scenes and during animations.
This is a another illustration of a game being rushed to market without any thought and vetting.
Please try the demo.
Dad receives information leading him to send his assistant to collect a magical bracelet that will allow the wearer to "see" an evil entity, Dolor, and other mystical items and hopefully protect the wearer from Dolor. Sarah picks up the broken bracelet, previously retrieved from a tree in the park; finds the missing pieces in a plant room at the assistant 's house; and repairs it. She puts it on in time to see Dolor cause another accident.
Good stuff: There are all the usual game elements and some CE bling.
Mediocre stuff: The HOPs, mini-game/puzzles, artwork, and characterizations are all bland and pedestrian.
Bad stuff: Dolor is the first bad guy with rules: he has lots of power to cause accidents and kill people, but each time he must write out the plan in three steps. Sometimes those three steps are unrelated and bizarre. So much for all that power.
Sarah uses the bracelet constantly, but to little purpose - at one point finding a invisible red evil mouse to give to an invisible evil red cat!
Game play is slow and slowed even further by the animation and conversations that should be moving the story along. As if that isn't discouraging, there are cutesy animals showing up including a basset hound that is trained to sit on items you need and a raccoon in an invalid's hideout that will need to be bribed.
The artwork is over-colored. It fuzzes and darkens out between scenes and during animations.
This is a another illustration of a game being rushed to market without any thought and vetting.
Please try the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you rescue her from a mysterious monster in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
51 of 69 found this review helpful
Aunt Gray and Richard Return AGAIN
PostedFebruary 3, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromPlease let's bury poor Richard's remains and give Auntie a long holiday.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Yes, Gamers, the duo has returned to rescue yet another family member from their own folly. This time it is Stacy who is looking into her family tree and investigating Victor Gray. Naturally Stacy opens a portal to the past and gets sucked in. As usual Auntie will ride to the rescue, once again bringing along Richard's ghost to provide all the banal advice you could want as well as bits and pieces to help Auntie in her search.
Good stuff: As usual with the Grim Tales games, the artwork is beautiful and clear; the HOPs and mini-games are plentiful; and there are morphing objects and lots of collectibles.
Bad stuff: Stacy performed a ritual and was sucked into the past. So how did the various items for the ritual end up buried, hidden, or locked behind bars or in boxes?
Beyond the lack of logic in story and scenes, there is nothing that you have not seen in these games before - you will look for amulets until your mind goes numb and wander through bland puzzles that do nothing to bring back any feeling.
I would like to second the motion of LunaNik: We've been here and done this and Elephant Games needs to move on to another family and let poor Aunt Gray rest in peace.
I urge you to play the demo to make your own decision, please.
Good stuff: As usual with the Grim Tales games, the artwork is beautiful and clear; the HOPs and mini-games are plentiful; and there are morphing objects and lots of collectibles.
Bad stuff: Stacy performed a ritual and was sucked into the past. So how did the various items for the ritual end up buried, hidden, or locked behind bars or in boxes?
Beyond the lack of logic in story and scenes, there is nothing that you have not seen in these games before - you will look for amulets until your mind goes numb and wander through bland puzzles that do nothing to bring back any feeling.
I would like to second the motion of LunaNik: We've been here and done this and Elephant Games needs to move on to another family and let poor Aunt Gray rest in peace.
I urge you to play the demo to make your own decision, please.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a devious plot against the Vermillion Watch?
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 13 found this review helpful
No story, No Fun, No Sale!
PostedJanuary 31, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromDoes not hold a candle to the first Vermillion Watch game!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Young Hawkes, having inherited his deceased Uncle's worldly goods along with his place in the Vermillion Watch, a group dedicated to fighting crime, is pressed into investigating what would appear to be a simple theft of a meteor piece. Because the Red Queen, chief villain, is involved, all of the Vermillion Watch is on High Alert. Something bad is in the wind.
And that is as much story as you'll get, other than the fact that the thief of the meteor piece, Lupin, practically begs you to follow him to the big meeting of the bad guys! He even left his calling card in the meteor's place!
Good stuff: Usual game elements; nice, but once again dark, artwork; and morphing objects in some of the HOPs.
Bad stuff: There is nothing to draw you into this flimsy pretense of a story. The biggest mystery seems to be why Lupin challenges you to follow him to his secret meeting knowing you belong to the Vermillion Watch. Since he leaves you every possible clue including an invitation, you go, get trapped, rescued, and the incredibly bland demo ends.
There is virtually nothing to entice me to follow the investigation, especially since I found I had finished the demo in a fraction of the allotted time.
You really need to see if you can find more in this sample of a bland game before you buy.
And that is as much story as you'll get, other than the fact that the thief of the meteor piece, Lupin, practically begs you to follow him to the big meeting of the bad guys! He even left his calling card in the meteor's place!
Good stuff: Usual game elements; nice, but once again dark, artwork; and morphing objects in some of the HOPs.
Bad stuff: There is nothing to draw you into this flimsy pretense of a story. The biggest mystery seems to be why Lupin challenges you to follow him to his secret meeting knowing you belong to the Vermillion Watch. Since he leaves you every possible clue including an invitation, you go, get trapped, rescued, and the incredibly bland demo ends.
There is virtually nothing to entice me to follow the investigation, especially since I found I had finished the demo in a fraction of the allotted time.
You really need to see if you can find more in this sample of a bland game before you buy.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save reality from the Imaginary World?
Overall rating
2
/
5
48 of 72 found this review helpful
It's No Fun to See Logic Trampled Under Foot!
PostedJanuary 28, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromAn average bolt of lightening can contain up to one billion volts of electricity.
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
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Alexandria is managing Uncle Paul's Antique store and taking over his position as the Keeper of Antiquities. A sudden rash of strange plants and even stranger animals has broken out in the city. Citizens are asked to stay home. A manticore breaks into the shop and Alexandria must confine it and decide how to deal with the crisis.
Up to this point, I was with the Devs and their story. And then Alexandria BURNED the wax seal of a PAPER wrapped package. Moments later She constructed a kite upstairs from a two part frame, a cover, and a SKEIN of STRING. She came downstairs and proceeded to look for STRING(!?). She found some knitting yarn in her car, attached it and managed to fly the kite out the window to collect lightening to curse through the spear in a statue of Zeus and get rid of the manticore. Yarn? Conducting electricity? A bolt of lightening in the enclosed shop? Ouch.
Good stuff: Collectibles, morphing objects, and puzzle pieces are to be found in the scenes along with the usual game elements and CE bling.
Bad stuff: There are lots more of those breakdowns in logic to annoy and aggravate. I like the story, I just don't understand why the silly stuff?
I really enjoyed the first Keeper game, I wish I could say the same for this one.
Please try the Demo and decide for yourself.
Up to this point, I was with the Devs and their story. And then Alexandria BURNED the wax seal of a PAPER wrapped package. Moments later She constructed a kite upstairs from a two part frame, a cover, and a SKEIN of STRING. She came downstairs and proceeded to look for STRING(!?). She found some knitting yarn in her car, attached it and managed to fly the kite out the window to collect lightening to curse through the spear in a statue of Zeus and get rid of the manticore. Yarn? Conducting electricity? A bolt of lightening in the enclosed shop? Ouch.
Good stuff: Collectibles, morphing objects, and puzzle pieces are to be found in the scenes along with the usual game elements and CE bling.
Bad stuff: There are lots more of those breakdowns in logic to annoy and aggravate. I like the story, I just don't understand why the silly stuff?
I really enjoyed the first Keeper game, I wish I could say the same for this one.
Please try the Demo and decide for yourself.
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, or are they?
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 45 found this review helpful
Poor Alan, Poor Dupin, Poor Us!
PostedJanuary 27, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromMy sincere apologies to Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven.
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 once again investigate with Dupin. This time we have the case of Allan Dillinger.
Allan, an archeologist, found an artifact on a recent dig. He also fell in love with Lenore. And then he apparently committed suicide. Remember that "apparently."
Good stuff: All the game elements are here, HOPs, mini-games, locked everything, and a story made up using names from Poe's poem and not much else.
Bad stuff: Every corpse bleeds from the mouth. I have no explanation for that.
There are, of course, several corpses and lots of mystery around a story-line that seems rather apparent by the end of the demo. Does it have anything to do with Poe's "Raven" other than names? NO.
Dupin has been altered from previous games - not to the better. He now stands around while you do all the work. He also looks rather tired and scruffy.
I am sorry that once again I have to review a sorry addition to an established series. Perhaps there is another author whose work the Devs can butcher.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
Allan, an archeologist, found an artifact on a recent dig. He also fell in love with Lenore. And then he apparently committed suicide. Remember that "apparently."
Good stuff: All the game elements are here, HOPs, mini-games, locked everything, and a story made up using names from Poe's poem and not much else.
Bad stuff: Every corpse bleeds from the mouth. I have no explanation for that.
There are, of course, several corpses and lots of mystery around a story-line that seems rather apparent by the end of the demo. Does it have anything to do with Poe's "Raven" other than names? NO.
Dupin has been altered from previous games - not to the better. He now stands around while you do all the work. He also looks rather tired and scruffy.
I am sorry that once again I have to review a sorry addition to an established series. Perhaps there is another author whose work the Devs can butcher.
Please try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
The mind is a powerful enemy in this gripping thriller!
Overall rating
2
/
5
39 of 54 found this review helpful
If the Ghost Doesn't Get Her, The Yard Will - For Destroying Evidence!
PostedJanuary 27, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromThere's easy and then there is childish, followed by boring and inane, swiftly followed by stupid!
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
You are called in to help with the investigation into the deaths of the staff of a printing house. All of the deaths appear to be suicides. Unfortunately all of the victims were involved in helping to publish a book about a serial killer whose victims also seemed to commit suicide. And the circle of suicides is spreading as you save the detective who called you in from shooting himself and another victim's housekeeper from an overdose. Now lucky you are also a potential victim!
Good stuff: there are the usual game elements, four levels of game play, a pair of glasses to help you see into the past, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The artwork is over colored and fuzzes out when you need to use the glasses. The mini-game instructions are sometimes just as fuzzy. The most disappointing part of the game is the story logic - or lack thereof. Blasting guns at locks and lighting fixtures makes little sense to begin with, but doing it in police sealed areas is just beyond comprehension. Then you blast a chandelier while you are in possession of a ladder. Why would you shoot at something just overhead?
And would the police not check out the computer of one victim, but just leave her bird holding the key? And what's with all the pets left at various crime scenes to presumably starve behind the police tape sealing each location? Was this written by the Dev's kids as a lark? Was it a school assignment gone wrong?
There's LOTS more, but I'm sure you will find plenty of these sorry details for yourself.
Please try the demo and remember you thankfully get a choice.
Good stuff: there are the usual game elements, four levels of game play, a pair of glasses to help you see into the past, and some CE bling.
Bad stuff: The artwork is over colored and fuzzes out when you need to use the glasses. The mini-game instructions are sometimes just as fuzzy. The most disappointing part of the game is the story logic - or lack thereof. Blasting guns at locks and lighting fixtures makes little sense to begin with, but doing it in police sealed areas is just beyond comprehension. Then you blast a chandelier while you are in possession of a ladder. Why would you shoot at something just overhead?
And would the police not check out the computer of one victim, but just leave her bird holding the key? And what's with all the pets left at various crime scenes to presumably starve behind the police tape sealing each location? Was this written by the Dev's kids as a lark? Was it a school assignment gone wrong?
There's LOTS more, but I'm sure you will find plenty of these sorry details for yourself.
Please try the demo and remember you thankfully get a choice.
I don't recommend this game.