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:
Can you save your world from darkness in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
43 of 51 found this review helpful
From One Grandma to Another: Way Too Average!
PostedSeptember 11, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromNo logic, no reason, no hope. Sorry, female relative of an unknown age!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Your younger Sister/relative is celebrating a birthday and you almost give her an ancient crystal ball. Suddenly a bunch of guys in hooded robes pop up and grab her. Lucky you gets a hood thrown over your head from behind and you're tied up. Then they set your antique store on fire.
Rather than call 911, once you get loose, you run around the place completing puzzles to open the cabinet where you hid the fire extinguisher. You run outside to see them going off, dragging Sis. (They must be REALLY slow!)
Again you ignore the possibilities in calling 911, and run around getting a map and helping a neighborhood stray cat to walk vertically up a ribbon to hiss at a bird. This is actually a good thing, no matter how impossible, as the bird had stolen the key to your sister's new motor scooter. You pause to see the front of your shop collapse from the conflagration and take off after the bad guys.
Did I mention you are carrying around that crystal ball you almost gave your sister/daughter as a present? It has the spirit of a seer in it and she'll be your helper on this adventure.
Good stuff: The artwork is well done. There are the usual HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, mini-games, and another bout between good and evil.
Bad stuff: You've seen it all before. This is another repetitious sequel in a series that has no need of a sequel - especially since the earlier games dealt with the Guardians and this one has switched to the Seers. It's just another good and evil battle with a helper who waves her arms a lot. I also completed the demo in a distressingly short amount of time - never a good sign.
Now that we've rejected any pretense at logic and reason, we get to the bottom line.
If you want average, check this game demo out before you buy. If you are looking for a good story with innovative details in game and puzzles, keep moving!
Rather than call 911, once you get loose, you run around the place completing puzzles to open the cabinet where you hid the fire extinguisher. You run outside to see them going off, dragging Sis. (They must be REALLY slow!)
Again you ignore the possibilities in calling 911, and run around getting a map and helping a neighborhood stray cat to walk vertically up a ribbon to hiss at a bird. This is actually a good thing, no matter how impossible, as the bird had stolen the key to your sister's new motor scooter. You pause to see the front of your shop collapse from the conflagration and take off after the bad guys.
Did I mention you are carrying around that crystal ball you almost gave your sister/daughter as a present? It has the spirit of a seer in it and she'll be your helper on this adventure.
Good stuff: The artwork is well done. There are the usual HOPs with a Match 3 alternative, mini-games, and another bout between good and evil.
Bad stuff: You've seen it all before. This is another repetitious sequel in a series that has no need of a sequel - especially since the earlier games dealt with the Guardians and this one has switched to the Seers. It's just another good and evil battle with a helper who waves her arms a lot. I also completed the demo in a distressingly short amount of time - never a good sign.
Now that we've rejected any pretense at logic and reason, we get to the bottom line.
If you want average, check this game demo out before you buy. If you are looking for a good story with innovative details in game and puzzles, keep moving!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your new friend before it's too late?
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 21 found this review helpful
One Star For Mr Jenkins!
PostedSeptember 10, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromCome home with me, Mr. Jenkins. I won't take your picture!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Once again Leia, youngest daughter from the first Ominous Objects: Family Portrait game is asked to investigate something strange with her faithful pet cat, Mr. Jenkins. They arrive to find the museum locked and a young woman, Morganna, who will serve briefly as an assistant. You will be investigating a camera that seems to have a sinister connection to its photographic subjects. People photographed by the camera are missing without a trace.
Good Stuff: The game has all the game elements expected in an SE HOG and Mr. Jenkins as helper.
Bad stuff: Little clarity in a scant story with muddled characterizations and incredibly average everything else.
Once again we are presented a very bland entry into an established series that gives gamers little reason to play it through.
Please try the demo before deciding on adding this game to your collection.
Good Stuff: The game has all the game elements expected in an SE HOG and Mr. Jenkins as helper.
Bad stuff: Little clarity in a scant story with muddled characterizations and incredibly average everything else.
Once again we are presented a very bland entry into an established series that gives gamers little reason to play it through.
Please try the demo before deciding on adding this game to your collection.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you bring peace to the kingdoms in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
17 of 23 found this review helpful
Not Again!
PostedSeptember 9, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromHarlon and Valera deserve each other and the Healer!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The first cut scene, of a prisoner being deprived of her wings and exiled from the Wind Kingdom gives away the plot. The second cut scene shows two rulers, Queen Valera and King Harlon, finally coming to their senses and declaring peace. The ink is not dry on the peace treaty before there is an attempt on Queen Valera's life and her beloved friend, Nathaniel, offers up his life for hers. Unquestioning, Queen Valera follows the orders of the Healer who luckily knew just how to keep Nathaniel alive temporarily and defeat the Wind Kingdom.
If you can't guess the rest, consider yourself lucky!
Look, the game looks OK, but the story is a rehash of so many other games, I've lost count. The mini-games are repetitious, easy, and boring. I don't want to save these silly people or their kingdoms again. The last game in the series was bad enough.
For heavens' sake, play the demo and take reviews with a grain of salt!
If you can't guess the rest, consider yourself lucky!
Look, the game looks OK, but the story is a rehash of so many other games, I've lost count. The mini-games are repetitious, easy, and boring. I don't want to save these silly people or their kingdoms again. The last game in the series was bad enough.
For heavens' sake, play the demo and take reviews with a grain of salt!
I don't recommend this game.
Help young Sam save Princess Aurora and stop the villain from seizing control of the Kingdom of Aurelia in this puzzle adventure.
Overall rating
2
/
5
20 of 28 found this review helpful
Now I remember the first game - didn't like it either!
PostedSeptember 8, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromNo matter how cute the robot helper, I don't want to repair eveything in sight.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Sam, a young boy, is called upon by the king to travel in search of the Magician/wizard who helped liberate the kingdom once before from the bad guys. This time the princess is poisoned and Sam is the king's pick as secret agent to save the poor princess. Doesn't the king know any trustworthy grownups?
Once I saw the one legged mechanic, I remembered the first game which ended with the release of the Kingdom from the bad guys. I also remembered the confused story and aggravating game mechanics as soon as I embarked on this demo. I stuck it out anyway.
Good stuff: The artwork is beautifully drawn and colored, the characterizations are good, the HOPs and mini-games are OK, and there is a cutesy robot helper to reach things you can't. You also get a special Mind Reader, with which you can read any human or robot's mind.
Bad stuff: About that mind reader - This is so you won't notice the places where the Devs threw in an extra puzzle to prolong the agony and couldn't explain it any other way. Case in point: The villain runs out the town gate. The robotic worm breaks the robot that presumably opens the gate, which you can't open without his help. So you repair the robot. The gate does not open. Why? Read his mind - you need to go find a halberd for him to pull down the handle to the gate - a halberd which is locked in a column in the center of the town square. So how did he open the gate for the bad guy to take off? Basically the story is as badly muddled as is every bit of technology you have to repair as you forge ahead to try to save the princess. Why steampunk in a magical land? Why a child to run off into the wild to search for help for the poisoned princess? Why ten steps back for every one forward?
Please try the demo for yourself. I can't recommend the game.
Once I saw the one legged mechanic, I remembered the first game which ended with the release of the Kingdom from the bad guys. I also remembered the confused story and aggravating game mechanics as soon as I embarked on this demo. I stuck it out anyway.
Good stuff: The artwork is beautifully drawn and colored, the characterizations are good, the HOPs and mini-games are OK, and there is a cutesy robot helper to reach things you can't. You also get a special Mind Reader, with which you can read any human or robot's mind.
Bad stuff: About that mind reader - This is so you won't notice the places where the Devs threw in an extra puzzle to prolong the agony and couldn't explain it any other way. Case in point: The villain runs out the town gate. The robotic worm breaks the robot that presumably opens the gate, which you can't open without his help. So you repair the robot. The gate does not open. Why? Read his mind - you need to go find a halberd for him to pull down the handle to the gate - a halberd which is locked in a column in the center of the town square. So how did he open the gate for the bad guy to take off? Basically the story is as badly muddled as is every bit of technology you have to repair as you forge ahead to try to save the princess. Why steampunk in a magical land? Why a child to run off into the wild to search for help for the poisoned princess? Why ten steps back for every one forward?
Please try the demo for yourself. I can't recommend the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the secret of the Qin dynasty?
Overall rating
2
/
5
29 of 37 found this review helpful
Dear Sam, I Resign as Your Partner
PostedSeptember 3, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromDemo played, disappointment resulted.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I'm starting to wish I'd kept a list of the horrible sequels that have shown up this year - you know, those sad additions to long established series that appear to have no viable reason for existing.
This time it is Hidden Expeditions that has a sad attempt at a game - note: I did not say new game, as there is nothing new here.
Opening animation shows workers completing work on the emperor's tomb and being locked inside it without warning. They run for the exits as they are slammed closed.
Fast forward more than two centuries.
You show up at the excavation site for the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in time to help fellow agent, Sam, whom you've worked with in the past, open the three outer locks of the tomb. You are accompanied by the lead archeologist and the head historian.
Once inside the tomb you are able to disarm a barrage of traps to look around the interior. Yet despite the threat of those traps, everybody scatters and explores. Naturally things soon take a deadly turn and you are left to presumably save the world, or maybe just stop one megalomaniac. From the Demo's closing animation, it is hard to tell which outcome is more likely.
Good stuff: All the elements you expect from a CE are present - HOPs, mini-games and puzzles, decent artwork, VOs, collectibles, and CE bling, much like the Hidden Expedition games that have come before this one.
Bad stuff: Oddly enough, I saw the bad turn coming and resent the fact that there was absolutely NO story to tell me that or back up the events in the game. It would have been ridiculously easy to give us some back story to explain the craziness from one character, instead we are left wondering what the Devs were thinking. Did they have Beta testing? Did anyone question the story? Did they try writing a synopsis that made sense and then use it?
I'm sorry to say that this game has all the marks of being "phone in" by the Devs with no story, no innovation, and no reason for me to buy it - not even with this weekend's sale!
Please try the Demo for yourself.
Perhaps you will see something you like.
Good luck.
This time it is Hidden Expeditions that has a sad attempt at a game - note: I did not say new game, as there is nothing new here.
Opening animation shows workers completing work on the emperor's tomb and being locked inside it without warning. They run for the exits as they are slammed closed.
Fast forward more than two centuries.
You show up at the excavation site for the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in time to help fellow agent, Sam, whom you've worked with in the past, open the three outer locks of the tomb. You are accompanied by the lead archeologist and the head historian.
Once inside the tomb you are able to disarm a barrage of traps to look around the interior. Yet despite the threat of those traps, everybody scatters and explores. Naturally things soon take a deadly turn and you are left to presumably save the world, or maybe just stop one megalomaniac. From the Demo's closing animation, it is hard to tell which outcome is more likely.
Good stuff: All the elements you expect from a CE are present - HOPs, mini-games and puzzles, decent artwork, VOs, collectibles, and CE bling, much like the Hidden Expedition games that have come before this one.
Bad stuff: Oddly enough, I saw the bad turn coming and resent the fact that there was absolutely NO story to tell me that or back up the events in the game. It would have been ridiculously easy to give us some back story to explain the craziness from one character, instead we are left wondering what the Devs were thinking. Did they have Beta testing? Did anyone question the story? Did they try writing a synopsis that made sense and then use it?
I'm sorry to say that this game has all the marks of being "phone in" by the Devs with no story, no innovation, and no reason for me to buy it - not even with this weekend's sale!
Please try the Demo for yourself.
Perhaps you will see something you like.
Good luck.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel to a Klondike Gold Rush town to solve a murder!
Overall rating
2
/
5
31 of 39 found this review helpful
Poor Seth Savage Went into the Water Wearing his Signet Ring!
PostedAugust 28, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromAttention given, disappointment received.
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
(Trust me, you'll understand the significance in a minute.)
Snowbird Creek is a tiny town with big problems – for a start the death of Seth Savage, a prominent businessman embroiled in the construction of a tunnel. The workers are upset when construction is halted, another local business man is upset over his failing business and his wife, the town mayor, has an expensive necklace, a gift from the victim. As the detective you will need all your wits about you as you try to find the killer.
Good stuff: Pretty snowy artwork – a gift for those players still in the heat of summer, lots of various HOPs with a morphing object in them, minigames, puzzles, fish trophies to collect, and a interesting cast of characters, as well as CE bling.
Bad stuff: There’s not much hope for the detective – he arrives with his badge locked in his broken suitcase and has to fish it out. The detective was warned that he would not be welcomed in the small town, but as he proceeds to break into the mayor’s desk, tear up a historical exhibit, and help himself to various other things, it is no wonder. Don’t worry if he seems like a bull in a china shop, as the game play works to his peculiarities.
Did you know that if you find a cowboy spur stuck in a wooden window shutter, it makes a great little can opener?
And simply holding a refrigerator magnet against a demagnetized compass will set it working again?
Plus small tent stakes make great levers for moving huge wooden poles that are too difficult for a grown man to lift!? And that the victim's ring will jump out of the water and be hiding in the lodge lobby bird lamp by the time you get there?
What I find annoying is that the Devs think we won’t notice these lapses in intelligence. I find that odd as players trying to solve a mystery would be focused on the details in the story, but then I would have expected the same or greater attention from the Devs!
So give the demo a whirl. Take it out for a trial spin before you commit. I'll just walk away – somewhat dizzy from the details, but still on my feet.
Snowbird Creek is a tiny town with big problems – for a start the death of Seth Savage, a prominent businessman embroiled in the construction of a tunnel. The workers are upset when construction is halted, another local business man is upset over his failing business and his wife, the town mayor, has an expensive necklace, a gift from the victim. As the detective you will need all your wits about you as you try to find the killer.
Good stuff: Pretty snowy artwork – a gift for those players still in the heat of summer, lots of various HOPs with a morphing object in them, minigames, puzzles, fish trophies to collect, and a interesting cast of characters, as well as CE bling.
Bad stuff: There’s not much hope for the detective – he arrives with his badge locked in his broken suitcase and has to fish it out. The detective was warned that he would not be welcomed in the small town, but as he proceeds to break into the mayor’s desk, tear up a historical exhibit, and help himself to various other things, it is no wonder. Don’t worry if he seems like a bull in a china shop, as the game play works to his peculiarities.
Did you know that if you find a cowboy spur stuck in a wooden window shutter, it makes a great little can opener?
And simply holding a refrigerator magnet against a demagnetized compass will set it working again?
Plus small tent stakes make great levers for moving huge wooden poles that are too difficult for a grown man to lift!? And that the victim's ring will jump out of the water and be hiding in the lodge lobby bird lamp by the time you get there?
What I find annoying is that the Devs think we won’t notice these lapses in intelligence. I find that odd as players trying to solve a mystery would be focused on the details in the story, but then I would have expected the same or greater attention from the Devs!
So give the demo a whirl. Take it out for a trial spin before you commit. I'll just walk away – somewhat dizzy from the details, but still on my feet.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the secrets of Crimson Hollow in time?
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 26 found this review helpful
Auntie Gray is Back!
PostedAugust 25, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromA computer from the 21st Century, a car from the 20th, dresses from the 19th and 20th. When is this?
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Yes, Auntie Anna Gray is back, quite young, and still investigating. This time she is visited in her office by Rosette Darkwood, head mistress of a girls' school and in need of a detective. She claims several students have disappeared after being with Dorian Black in his mansion, Crimson Hollow. Rosette wants help in finding the last missing student, Sylvia Gray. Auntie jumps in her car after a few preliminary mini-games and puzzles, and breaks into Dorian's house by picking the front door lock - we all do that when no one answers the door, right?
Dorian tricks her into a trap and our adventure is off and running. Beware - not all is as it seems.
Good stuff: Artwork is up to expectations for this series, as are VOs, characterizations, and ambient sound. There are a variety of HOPs, lots of mini-games and puzzles, morphing objects, collectibles, a full range of CE bling, Daddy's skull, and a time shifting charm. Daddy's skull is apparently so precious that Auntie takes it out of the safe to bring it on her adventure. Every once in a while, it will glow and Dad's ghost appears to impart bits of information and suggestions, and sometimes an item you need. The time amulet is one that dear old Dad gave to Dorian Black and you "recover it" to use in your investigation. It enables you to take those trips back in time that make these stories so special.
Bad stuff: For some reason, your Task List keeps popping up on it's own. There are several scenes that you may want to avoid if you are squeamish, as well as gratuitous use of blood in several places - Hey guys! Blood dries brown - not red. And once again, the time period is unknown.
But I'll forgive all of that just to have a better entry into the Grim Tales series than the things we've seen for some other series so far this year.
Please try the Demo and see if this is a game you want to add to your collection.
Dorian tricks her into a trap and our adventure is off and running. Beware - not all is as it seems.
Good stuff: Artwork is up to expectations for this series, as are VOs, characterizations, and ambient sound. There are a variety of HOPs, lots of mini-games and puzzles, morphing objects, collectibles, a full range of CE bling, Daddy's skull, and a time shifting charm. Daddy's skull is apparently so precious that Auntie takes it out of the safe to bring it on her adventure. Every once in a while, it will glow and Dad's ghost appears to impart bits of information and suggestions, and sometimes an item you need. The time amulet is one that dear old Dad gave to Dorian Black and you "recover it" to use in your investigation. It enables you to take those trips back in time that make these stories so special.
Bad stuff: For some reason, your Task List keeps popping up on it's own. There are several scenes that you may want to avoid if you are squeamish, as well as gratuitous use of blood in several places - Hey guys! Blood dries brown - not red. And once again, the time period is unknown.
But I'll forgive all of that just to have a better entry into the Grim Tales series than the things we've seen for some other series so far this year.
Please try the Demo and see if this is a game you want to add to your collection.
I recommend this game!
Something terrible lurks in the halls of Iron Gate Asylum…
Overall rating
4
/
5
30 of 42 found this review helpful
Conundrum: How Scared is Too Scared?
PostedAugust 20, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromHiding under the bed - at least in my mind - and pretending I'm OK!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You have gone under cover at an isolated Prison asylum to try to save your younger sister, Layla, from murder charges. Only you and Warden Michael know your true reason for being in the prison. Trust me, all is NOT well.
Good stuff: HOPs and mini-games are well done, characterizations are great, artwork impressive, story line is immersive, and there is plenty of CE bling.
Bad Stuff: This is one scary game!
Try the demo and see what I mean. This is much like being on a roller coaster - I know I am safe and yet the game is quite scary - so I'll pass on buying but you may be more of a thrill seeker than I am.
Give this one a try!
Good stuff: HOPs and mini-games are well done, characterizations are great, artwork impressive, story line is immersive, and there is plenty of CE bling.
Bad Stuff: This is one scary game!
Try the demo and see what I mean. This is much like being on a roller coaster - I know I am safe and yet the game is quite scary - so I'll pass on buying but you may be more of a thrill seeker than I am.
Give this one a try!
The ones who touch the artifact must die. Will you be next?
Overall rating
3
/
5
25 of 36 found this review helpful
Continuity Bites the Dust
PostedAugust 20, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromStill out looking for a better game and a better story!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
By now you've got the gist of the story - Uncle dead, you in possession of his estate, need to figure out what killed him, so investigation is in order. Apparently dear old uncle had hold of an artifact that got him killed by a ghost. Lucky you may be the next victim.
Good stuff: The bit of story you get is clear, there are all the usual game elements, including an alternative to the HOPs, and the usual CE bling. Artwork is good, characterizations are fair, there are collectible harps, morphing objects in the HOPs, and the sound is appropriately rainy and thunderous.
Bad stuff: You will be reminded of previous Myth series games with every strange step you take. As usual, no one thought through the story. Example: You wake in the middle of the night to find the house well engulfed in flames after being hit by lightening, which did not wake you. You jump out of bed, and find yourself trapped by flames. Naturally you will stop to solve several puzzles and then run out into the still pouring rain to find one of uncle's friends at the gate - except you are still in your nightclothes and presumably barefoot. Hey gang, let's head out to the forest and explore some caves - especially the water drenched one that uncle used to hide some of his treasures - don't all antiquity collectors keep things in the worst possible conditions? There's more, but I'll leave you to be aggravated on your own. Let's just say that once again, no one read through the script from beginning to end.
There is also the time wasting addition of a special charm/artifact, Valor's Light, which has a puzzle to use it to find hidden caches and another puzzle to use it for defense, not to mention the multiple steps/puzzles to get it charged.
This is an OK game if you are looking for a time filler for the weekend, just not the game that grasps and uses all the potential it has available. Please try the demo and see what you think.
Good stuff: The bit of story you get is clear, there are all the usual game elements, including an alternative to the HOPs, and the usual CE bling. Artwork is good, characterizations are fair, there are collectible harps, morphing objects in the HOPs, and the sound is appropriately rainy and thunderous.
Bad stuff: You will be reminded of previous Myth series games with every strange step you take. As usual, no one thought through the story. Example: You wake in the middle of the night to find the house well engulfed in flames after being hit by lightening, which did not wake you. You jump out of bed, and find yourself trapped by flames. Naturally you will stop to solve several puzzles and then run out into the still pouring rain to find one of uncle's friends at the gate - except you are still in your nightclothes and presumably barefoot. Hey gang, let's head out to the forest and explore some caves - especially the water drenched one that uncle used to hide some of his treasures - don't all antiquity collectors keep things in the worst possible conditions? There's more, but I'll leave you to be aggravated on your own. Let's just say that once again, no one read through the script from beginning to end.
There is also the time wasting addition of a special charm/artifact, Valor's Light, which has a puzzle to use it to find hidden caches and another puzzle to use it for defense, not to mention the multiple steps/puzzles to get it charged.
This is an OK game if you are looking for a time filler for the weekend, just not the game that grasps and uses all the potential it has available. Please try the demo and see what you think.
Imagine a sunny day at a cozy Parisian cafe. People are walking around, drinking coffee and laughing. Suddenly a bright flash wipes out all life on Earth!
Overall rating
2
/
5
155 of 167 found this review helpful
You Will Jump Right In!
PostedAugust 16, 2016
Granny_Gruff
fromStill out looking for a better game!
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
And I mean that literally - You open the game and you are in a sidewalk cafe. There is the sounds of plates clinking and people talking, and then… nothing. You are presumably left alone and confused.
Trust me, the confused part will remain.
There are no levels, no player names, and minimal instructions.
You are in the game immediately and you will wish someone had included written detailed instructions.
There is a map – it is your main screen and has about sixteen locations on it, of which you may open four during the demo.
Across the bottom of the screen, superimposed on the map are small icons - to the bottom left:
Store – where you can buy stuff, the usefulness of which is questionable as you don’t have a clue.
Inventory - where there are minimal explanations of things, different types of hints, talismans, energy, etc.
Collections – where there are “collections” of items you get after successful HOPs and which you will trade for odd items after a particular collection is complete, with no explanation of why you are trading or why you need the item offered.
To the bottom right are:
Log Book – with repeats of quotes or facts from the historical characters you “meet,” and short blurbs that are neither helpful nor descriptive.
Trophies – lots of these for the usual minor reasons
Settings - where you can set language and turn off or on music and sounds.
There will be a horizontal banner to the left of the map screen - choose an item with an exclamation point next to it and, when the window with the character and their quote opens, you can choose search and go to the next HOP or game – Match 3 or gambling games.
Good stuff: The artwork is crystal clear, well colored, and attractive. The radio buttons carry cheerful messages and you will be collecting all kinds of things after each HOP - except they weren't in the HOP, you just get them afterwards.
Bad stuff: You will spend a lot of time reading blurbs and facts from famous historical figures, who will then request some small item. You will repeat locations - I went to the same three locations four or more times. They are varied in that sometimes you are looking at a mirror image of the last time you were there. Unfortunately, the lists are also repeated, with the items occasionally moved around the scene. The Match 3 has a limited number of moves to clear the board of certain colored squares. The gambling game features different backgrounds and workings after you choose red or black. (Remember the house usually wins!) You will need energy and there is no explanation of this – you find out when a window pops up to tell you that you need more energy.
So basically you are racking up a score and getting “stuff” to trade or buy other “stuff” but without knowing what is going on or why you are doing any of this. The story is so minimal that the introduction on BFG is an encyclopedia of information compared to what you get in the game itself.
I think perhaps today’s game was dug out from behind a file cabinet during the ten year cleanup.
I’d put it back.
Trust me, the confused part will remain.
There are no levels, no player names, and minimal instructions.
You are in the game immediately and you will wish someone had included written detailed instructions.
There is a map – it is your main screen and has about sixteen locations on it, of which you may open four during the demo.
Across the bottom of the screen, superimposed on the map are small icons - to the bottom left:
Store – where you can buy stuff, the usefulness of which is questionable as you don’t have a clue.
Inventory - where there are minimal explanations of things, different types of hints, talismans, energy, etc.
Collections – where there are “collections” of items you get after successful HOPs and which you will trade for odd items after a particular collection is complete, with no explanation of why you are trading or why you need the item offered.
To the bottom right are:
Log Book – with repeats of quotes or facts from the historical characters you “meet,” and short blurbs that are neither helpful nor descriptive.
Trophies – lots of these for the usual minor reasons
Settings - where you can set language and turn off or on music and sounds.
There will be a horizontal banner to the left of the map screen - choose an item with an exclamation point next to it and, when the window with the character and their quote opens, you can choose search and go to the next HOP or game – Match 3 or gambling games.
Good stuff: The artwork is crystal clear, well colored, and attractive. The radio buttons carry cheerful messages and you will be collecting all kinds of things after each HOP - except they weren't in the HOP, you just get them afterwards.
Bad stuff: You will spend a lot of time reading blurbs and facts from famous historical figures, who will then request some small item. You will repeat locations - I went to the same three locations four or more times. They are varied in that sometimes you are looking at a mirror image of the last time you were there. Unfortunately, the lists are also repeated, with the items occasionally moved around the scene. The Match 3 has a limited number of moves to clear the board of certain colored squares. The gambling game features different backgrounds and workings after you choose red or black. (Remember the house usually wins!) You will need energy and there is no explanation of this – you find out when a window pops up to tell you that you need more energy.
So basically you are racking up a score and getting “stuff” to trade or buy other “stuff” but without knowing what is going on or why you are doing any of this. The story is so minimal that the introduction on BFG is an encyclopedia of information compared to what you get in the game itself.
I think perhaps today’s game was dug out from behind a file cabinet during the ten year cleanup.
I’d put it back.
I don't recommend this game.