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:
As this young couple found, evil never asks for permission to drive a wedge between even the strongest bond.
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 17 found this review helpful
It Is What It Is - Pretty Good!
PostedJanuary 2, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromSometimes an SE from a small company is a better treat than a new CE from a giant developer!
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
4
/
5
Albert has gone off to answer an offer for enough money to allow you two to be married and have a good life. When no letters come, you decide to follow Albert to the address on that first letter with the job offer in it. You arrive to find an abandoned estate, complete with manor house, fountains, swamp, gardens, drives, and grounds all surrounded by a high wall. Undeterred by the ghosts that rise up to meet you, the search proceeds. You quickly find this is a far more bizarre adventure than you could have imagined.
Good Stuff: Story is reasonably intriguing with enough information to lead you on to find out what happened to Albert and the ghosts here. There are HOPs with some interaction, mini-games, and decent artwork and VO's. Really good news: Most of your tools stay with you to be used again! How refreshing.
Bad stuff: Just in case you don't know how to look around a scene, there are eyes over where ever you need to explore. Everything you find, except for an ancient amulet you need 13 pieces for, will be used quickly. The time period seems to be a strange mix of 1800's fashion, 1700's locations, and 20th century social mores.
If you can embrace the good stuff and see past the bad stuff, this is a decent little SE game that promises a LOT of locations to explore with a fair rehash of a save-my-loved-one story. It is a good try by a small company and deserves to be encouraged.
Please try the Demo for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Good Stuff: Story is reasonably intriguing with enough information to lead you on to find out what happened to Albert and the ghosts here. There are HOPs with some interaction, mini-games, and decent artwork and VO's. Really good news: Most of your tools stay with you to be used again! How refreshing.
Bad stuff: Just in case you don't know how to look around a scene, there are eyes over where ever you need to explore. Everything you find, except for an ancient amulet you need 13 pieces for, will be used quickly. The time period seems to be a strange mix of 1800's fashion, 1700's locations, and 20th century social mores.
If you can embrace the good stuff and see past the bad stuff, this is a decent little SE game that promises a LOT of locations to explore with a fair rehash of a save-my-loved-one story. It is a good try by a small company and deserves to be encouraged.
Please try the Demo for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a devious plot against the Vermillion Watch?
Overall rating
2
/
5
36 of 47 found this review helpful
I Am Standing Two Paces Over From Everyone Else!
PostedJanuary 2, 2017
Granny_Gruff
fromA Catchy Title Does Not Make A Good 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
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
After reading through the stellar reviews you should have an idea of the story, which is probably more than you'll get from the demo.
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 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, Lupin, practically begs you to follow him to the big meeting! Not surprising when he left his calling card in the meteor's place!
Good stuff: Usual game elements; nice, but once again dark, artwork; obviously placed collectible lightening; morphing objects in some of the HOPs; and some CE bling.
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 everything including an invitation, you go, get trapped, rescued, and the incredibly short demo ends.
As there is virtually nothing to entice me to follow the investigation, I was not surprised to find I had finished the demo in a third of the allotted time.
You really need to see if you can find more in this short sample of a bland game. Please try the demo for yourself.
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 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, Lupin, practically begs you to follow him to the big meeting! Not surprising when he left his calling card in the meteor's place!
Good stuff: Usual game elements; nice, but once again dark, artwork; obviously placed collectible lightening; morphing objects in some of the HOPs; and some CE bling.
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 everything including an invitation, you go, get trapped, rescued, and the incredibly short demo ends.
As there is virtually nothing to entice me to follow the investigation, I was not surprised to find I had finished the demo in a third of the allotted time.
You really need to see if you can find more in this short sample of a bland game. Please try the demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, or are they?
Overall rating
2
/
5
53 of 70 found this review helpful
Edgar Allan Poe Is Being Buried Again - By This Series!
PostedDecember 30, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromWith apologies to Mr Poe.
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
Allan Dillinger, an archeologist found an artifact on a recent dig. He also fell in love with Lenore. And then he apparently committed suicide. You will investigate with Dupin.
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. There is a little CE bling and minor collectibles.
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. Is it Poe's "Raven?" 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. I'm even sorrier that it is today's game!
Perhaps the Devs could move on to another author.
Please play the demo and make your own determination.
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. There is a little CE bling and minor collectibles.
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. Is it Poe's "Raven?" 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. I'm even sorrier that it is today's game!
Perhaps the Devs could move on to another author.
Please play the demo and make your own determination.
I don't recommend this game.
Acting as a private detective, resolve supernatural cases and follow the trail to your sister.
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Dilemma!
PostedDecember 27, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromI averaged the stars and rounded up just like BFG!
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
4
/
5
Adam Wolfe is still looking for his sister, Allie, and investigating the paranormal. In the first chapter/demo of the second game, Adam will help a painter being haunted by his deceased wife, who has returned as a banshee.
On a more basic level this means that the Devs could reuse cut scenes, locations, and characters from the first story, Adam Wolfe: Flames of Time.
There is very little play in this game as the puzzles/mini-games are simple and you spend a lot of time listening/reading dialogue and watching cut scenes. The rest of the time the game directs you in no uncertain way on what you are to do.
I bought into the story.
This means I owe other players an apology. I have encouraged the people at Madhead Games to turn out three single games for which we will pay three times, while they will reuse elements and collect three times for what is basically a much simpler construct. They don't bother with collectibles, screensavers, or any other CE bling. There will only be six total chapters if the third installment has two chapters like the first two games.
I promise not to pay/fall for this again.
Please try the demo for yourself and stay strong.
On a more basic level this means that the Devs could reuse cut scenes, locations, and characters from the first story, Adam Wolfe: Flames of Time.
There is very little play in this game as the puzzles/mini-games are simple and you spend a lot of time listening/reading dialogue and watching cut scenes. The rest of the time the game directs you in no uncertain way on what you are to do.
I bought into the story.
This means I owe other players an apology. I have encouraged the people at Madhead Games to turn out three single games for which we will pay three times, while they will reuse elements and collect three times for what is basically a much simpler construct. They don't bother with collectibles, screensavers, or any other CE bling. There will only be six total chapters if the third installment has two chapters like the first two games.
I promise not to pay/fall for this again.
Please try the demo for yourself and stay strong.
Solve mysterious crimes and expose insidious criminals in this exciting, multilevel hidden object game.
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 29 found this review helpful
Another Argument for.....
PostedDecember 26, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromSometimes there is one sympathy star!
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
You will be playing HOP after HOP with short dialogue readings in between. Think ten years ago and you will recognize where the game is in space and time.
Unfortunately there is nothing attractive about the HOPs. They have off-colored, out-sized, odd objects in each scene with one inter-active item. The dialogue is insipid and the "story" is bland.
This game is another argument for a suggestion made months ago: Maybe we should have occasional "New Game FREE" days. Not every day has a game available that is good, fun, and challenging - or relaxing, depending on your temperament - and worthy to be a candidate for "Tomorrow's Game Today." I would be more than happy to take another look at an older better game than be handed another sad experience like this poor little effort.
Please play the demo and decide for yourself.
Unfortunately there is nothing attractive about the HOPs. They have off-colored, out-sized, odd objects in each scene with one inter-active item. The dialogue is insipid and the "story" is bland.
This game is another argument for a suggestion made months ago: Maybe we should have occasional "New Game FREE" days. Not every day has a game available that is good, fun, and challenging - or relaxing, depending on your temperament - and worthy to be a candidate for "Tomorrow's Game Today." I would be more than happy to take another look at an older better game than be handed another sad experience like this poor little effort.
Please play the demo and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Team up with experts to uncover a lost underwater civilization!
Overall rating
3
/
5
39 of 48 found this review helpful
Is There a Pun Here?
PostedDecember 23, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromHave a good holiday season 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
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Philip Drake is another rich man. He is in possession of an artifact presumed to belong to an ancient lost civilization. Others, by implication the descendants of that lost people, want the artifact and the clues it can provide to the location of the last outpost of the lost. You have been assigned to help/protect Mr Drake with your partner, Sam. As the people opposed to him are a seeming bunch of hot heads, this will be an interesting case for you and Sam.
I beta tested this one and pleaded for more care. The result is a really average game, much the same as many others. There are no new details, interesting innovations, or even a really coherent story. You will get all the usual game elements and some CE bling.
If you expect the best of HE series games, you will be disappointed. If you expect little, you'll get it.
We should have had a merry Christmas present from Eipix.
Maybe next time.
I beta tested this one and pleaded for more care. The result is a really average game, much the same as many others. There are no new details, interesting innovations, or even a really coherent story. You will get all the usual game elements and some CE bling.
If you expect the best of HE series games, you will be disappointed. If you expect little, you'll get it.
We should have had a merry Christmas present from Eipix.
Maybe next time.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop the Brotherhood of Stone Masks in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 21 found this review helpful
Another Wasted Story With Forgettable Details and NO Logic
PostedDecember 19, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromHave a good holiday season anyway!
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
Louisa and her Dad are going to meet an old friend, Conrad,, a childhood playmate of hers, an adopted son to Dad, to make a purchase from him.
Once again we start with a crash, this time a covered wagon on a deserted muddy road on a rainy night. Naturally the young woman hanging over the abyss manages a couple of puzzles and to hang by one hand while tying a rope on a grappling hook. Wow, what a girl!
After more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs, she rides down the road, bareback, to a tavern.
After more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs, she gets inside and plays waitress for the bartender. Wow, what a girl!
She pays for the artifact that she and dear Dad traveled all this way to purchase. and all heck breaks loose in the tavern.
Running up to her old childhood friend's room, she goes through more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs. She manages to activate the artifact and goes out a window as the fire, started in the bar, spreads upstairs.
Once outside she wants back in since her father and Conrad are still in the burning building. After more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs, she has saved the bartender from the fire and started off to save Dad, kidnapped by bad guys. Wow, what a girl!
There's more, but I'm sure you get the point.
It is a fairly typical game with an artifact that periodically bestows a single use power to Louisa and otherwise there is nothing exciting here. In addition, the game is CE bling light with glaringly obvious collectibles in most scenes.
With a little more care and time, the story had some potential, but it stayed unrealized.
Please be sure to try the Demo for yourself.
Once again we start with a crash, this time a covered wagon on a deserted muddy road on a rainy night. Naturally the young woman hanging over the abyss manages a couple of puzzles and to hang by one hand while tying a rope on a grappling hook. Wow, what a girl!
After more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs, she rides down the road, bareback, to a tavern.
After more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs, she gets inside and plays waitress for the bartender. Wow, what a girl!
She pays for the artifact that she and dear Dad traveled all this way to purchase. and all heck breaks loose in the tavern.
Running up to her old childhood friend's room, she goes through more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs. She manages to activate the artifact and goes out a window as the fire, started in the bar, spreads upstairs.
Once outside she wants back in since her father and Conrad are still in the burning building. After more nonsense/puzzles/HOPs, she has saved the bartender from the fire and started off to save Dad, kidnapped by bad guys. Wow, what a girl!
There's more, but I'm sure you get the point.
It is a fairly typical game with an artifact that periodically bestows a single use power to Louisa and otherwise there is nothing exciting here. In addition, the game is CE bling light with glaringly obvious collectibles in most scenes.
With a little more care and time, the story had some potential, but it stayed unrealized.
Please be sure to try the Demo for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Myths of the World: Bound by the Stone Collector's Edition
Can you stop the evil beasts before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 30 found this review helpful
Sometimes Myths Don't Stand the Tests of Time and Explanation.
PostedDecember 18, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromHave a good holiday season anyway!
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
Each of this series' games starts with a voice intoning the Devs definition of a Myth, a story that stands the tests of time.
This one won't stand up to a reasonable fact or simple explanation.
So we get stuck with the story of a nondescript village trying to perform a vague ritual of unknown type to prevent an occurrence of unspecified nature that will result in the doom of those who may or may not be involved. And we play the apprentice of some arcane skill left to deal with whatever.
If this synopsis of the ghost of a story provided with this game is unclear, I will point out the one irrefutable fact associated with this new entry in the Myths of the World series. There are no five star reviews. What reviews there are, all site some problem that will make you question what the Devs were thinking when they let this sorry excuse leave development.
The good stuff: This game has all the usual game elements.
Better: You can play the demo and get over it.
Bad stuff: No one cared enough to work out a story or come up with anything new or enticing to make you want to purchase this game. The closest the game comes is a squares puzzle you have to complete to use the amulet you have for fighting evil. (It is not a selling point IMHO.)
Please try the demo and then wrap a package, write a card, or sing a carol to get the sour taste out of your mind!
This one won't stand up to a reasonable fact or simple explanation.
So we get stuck with the story of a nondescript village trying to perform a vague ritual of unknown type to prevent an occurrence of unspecified nature that will result in the doom of those who may or may not be involved. And we play the apprentice of some arcane skill left to deal with whatever.
If this synopsis of the ghost of a story provided with this game is unclear, I will point out the one irrefutable fact associated with this new entry in the Myths of the World series. There are no five star reviews. What reviews there are, all site some problem that will make you question what the Devs were thinking when they let this sorry excuse leave development.
The good stuff: This game has all the usual game elements.
Better: You can play the demo and get over it.
Bad stuff: No one cared enough to work out a story or come up with anything new or enticing to make you want to purchase this game. The closest the game comes is a squares puzzle you have to complete to use the amulet you have for fighting evil. (It is not a selling point IMHO.)
Please try the demo and then wrap a package, write a card, or sing a carol to get the sour taste out of your mind!
I don't recommend this game.
The town of Brightfield is under attack by a mysterious infection!
Overall rating
2
/
5
37 of 42 found this review helpful
And ANOTHER Series Hits the Skids!
PostedDecember 11, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromI would keep a list of 2016 bad additions to game series, but I don't want to be that depressed!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
A woman, identity unspecified, is having a poisonous gas pumped out over a small town from an abandoned hospital on a hill. An evil doctor, with many IDs, is her willing henchman. A Dr. Green is being blackmailed to help. You have been dropped in town to solve all this with your doggie helper, Elf. It is unclear if the bad guys hate the townspeople or humanity in general. As the detective sent to work the case, you will run back and forth endlessly, finding the same type of tools, doing tasks that are mundane and end the demo in deep doggie doo-doo (My apologies to Elf.)
Good stuff: There are HOPs, puzzles, CE bling and a story.
Bad stuff: All of the game elements are done in what could be a haphazard manner - if you are charitable. The artwork is fuzzy and very blue. The HOPs, in several instances, need an alternative as they were dark and awkward. The puzzles were not clever and occasionally just bad. The gas mask special feature was an annoyance and could be turned off - at which point you lost your morphing items as they are connected to finding new gas mask filters. As for the story itself, the less said the better. As it is becoming SOP, logic was left in the trash bin as they were developing this game. You know this when you run around getting HOT WATER to pour on a frozen ELECTRONIC bridge control. Or the second time in five minutes that you have to find a lockpick - Spoiler Alert: the second pick is a real lock pick instead of bent wire!
By the end of the Demo, I knew that the Devs had buried another long standing series under a mass of quickie bad game elements, some way to like previous games they've done in the series.
As I have nine earlier MT games, I'm especially sad.
Please play the demo before deciding for yourself.
Good stuff: There are HOPs, puzzles, CE bling and a story.
Bad stuff: All of the game elements are done in what could be a haphazard manner - if you are charitable. The artwork is fuzzy and very blue. The HOPs, in several instances, need an alternative as they were dark and awkward. The puzzles were not clever and occasionally just bad. The gas mask special feature was an annoyance and could be turned off - at which point you lost your morphing items as they are connected to finding new gas mask filters. As for the story itself, the less said the better. As it is becoming SOP, logic was left in the trash bin as they were developing this game. You know this when you run around getting HOT WATER to pour on a frozen ELECTRONIC bridge control. Or the second time in five minutes that you have to find a lockpick - Spoiler Alert: the second pick is a real lock pick instead of bent wire!
By the end of the Demo, I knew that the Devs had buried another long standing series under a mass of quickie bad game elements, some way to like previous games they've done in the series.
As I have nine earlier MT games, I'm especially sad.
Please play the demo before deciding for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a destructive scientist before it's too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
38 of 47 found this review helpful
Jack Is On The Loose
PostedDecember 6, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromI would keep a list of 2016 sad additions to game series, but I haven't that much paper!
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
Once upon a time there was an agency whose function was to keep dangerous artifacts out of the hands of evil doers. At some point they ran out of evil doers and decided to make their own, so now we have Jack!
That is the only explanation I can come up with for the newest addition to the Curio Society Series.
As a defensive organization, the Curio Society employed a mentally unbalanced scientist who invented an offensive weapon that steals your life force.
Then they fired him.
Apparently no one thought through the consequences of angering a deranged individual with the technical knowledge and ability to wreak havoc.
Surprise! He's back for vengeance!
Good stuff: There are the usual varied HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, mini-games that often have a choice of easy or hard levels, dark jewel-toned artwork, four levels of game-play difficulty, and some CE bling with morphing objects and collectibles. There are no cutesy helpers or magic amulets, but you do get a scepter that will lift heavy objects - you just have to find a new centerpiece for it each time you use it.
Bad stuff: You have another rogue agent that has gone off the deep end and wants to take everyone else with him in a story that is ultra-lite on details and hazy on mechanics.
I just did not like this game. Playing it felt too much like work. Trying to piece the almost non-existent story together seemed like a punishment.
Please try the demo before committing your precious leisure hours to the game.
That is the only explanation I can come up with for the newest addition to the Curio Society Series.
As a defensive organization, the Curio Society employed a mentally unbalanced scientist who invented an offensive weapon that steals your life force.
Then they fired him.
Apparently no one thought through the consequences of angering a deranged individual with the technical knowledge and ability to wreak havoc.
Surprise! He's back for vengeance!
Good stuff: There are the usual varied HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, mini-games that often have a choice of easy or hard levels, dark jewel-toned artwork, four levels of game-play difficulty, and some CE bling with morphing objects and collectibles. There are no cutesy helpers or magic amulets, but you do get a scepter that will lift heavy objects - you just have to find a new centerpiece for it each time you use it.
Bad stuff: You have another rogue agent that has gone off the deep end and wants to take everyone else with him in a story that is ultra-lite on details and hazy on mechanics.
I just did not like this game. Playing it felt too much like work. Trying to piece the almost non-existent story together seemed like a punishment.
Please try the demo before committing your precious leisure hours to the game.
I don't recommend this game.