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:
The Brothers Grimm have assigned the task of revealing the truth behind missing children in the town of Arbourshire; it is up to you to discover the secrets of the Fairy Tale Mystery, before it is too late.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
It was a dark and stormy night
PostedDecember 2, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
It was a dark and stormy night, only without the stormy. At least that was original. Otherwise we were in repeat land. More dark, more town in trouble, more children/people missing, more misdated HO items.
I have seen some really great HOS with cleverly hidden items that were not in deep shadow or darkness. And please someone tell me why there are modern objects in HOS that are supposedly a couple hundred years or more back? Maybe it's the black magic!
It is a disservice to the beautifully drawn artwork to pay only casual attention to the puzzle details. And if the lights are burning torches or candles, how are buildings lit up brightly, only to find not even a candle in sight when you enter? And the opening mob apparently just evaporates. Population now zero. This leaves the local pub open but unmanned, a burning forge left untended, fires burning in the streets.
These are, on the one hand, minor considerations; on the other hand, plenty of developers give more consideration, research, and thought to their games. So why should I pay for a CE version that does not beckon me into another world, but jars on the nerves instead?
So:
Art work, good
Puzzles, so-so
Music/sound effects, tolerable
Story, more puppets and missing children.
If you just want something to pass the time this is something to do that with. And that's what it's recommended for!
I have seen some really great HOS with cleverly hidden items that were not in deep shadow or darkness. And please someone tell me why there are modern objects in HOS that are supposedly a couple hundred years or more back? Maybe it's the black magic!
It is a disservice to the beautifully drawn artwork to pay only casual attention to the puzzle details. And if the lights are burning torches or candles, how are buildings lit up brightly, only to find not even a candle in sight when you enter? And the opening mob apparently just evaporates. Population now zero. This leaves the local pub open but unmanned, a burning forge left untended, fires burning in the streets.
These are, on the one hand, minor considerations; on the other hand, plenty of developers give more consideration, research, and thought to their games. So why should I pay for a CE version that does not beckon me into another world, but jars on the nerves instead?
So:
Art work, good
Puzzles, so-so
Music/sound effects, tolerable
Story, more puppets and missing children.
If you just want something to pass the time this is something to do that with. And that's what it's recommended for!
I recommend this game!
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 10 found this review helpful
The Fun Keeps You Afloat
PostedOctober 29, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Ok, stop here if you hate unbridled enthusiasm, which you won't get from me very often! You can't see me, but I'm jumping up and down with excitement.
First off, the storyline is good enough to pull you in and make you keep on going. There are three difficulty levels and gorgeous artwork. The various locales are incredibly well done, crisp and clear where reasonable, and hazy and wavery under water - watch the sharks. The music is not great, but not horrendous and can be turned down. HOS are bright and interactive; dominos are an alternative to the HOS. Mini games are average, but the adventure is in getting there.
While I don't normally like scarey games, there are several "discoveries" that definitely made me jump! Far from discouraging me, they actually contributed to the story and atmosphere. I want more.
I know I could wait for a sale or my next credit, but I want this game NOW!
First off, the storyline is good enough to pull you in and make you keep on going. There are three difficulty levels and gorgeous artwork. The various locales are incredibly well done, crisp and clear where reasonable, and hazy and wavery under water - watch the sharks. The music is not great, but not horrendous and can be turned down. HOS are bright and interactive; dominos are an alternative to the HOS. Mini games are average, but the adventure is in getting there.
While I don't normally like scarey games, there are several "discoveries" that definitely made me jump! Far from discouraging me, they actually contributed to the story and atmosphere. I want more.
I know I could wait for a sale or my next credit, but I want this game NOW!
I recommend this game!
Hidden Mysteries®: Gates of Graceland®
Explore the home of the King of Rock and Roll while searching for clues about a lost song!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
That's All Right, Teddy Bear
PostedOctober 14, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Graphics good -check.
Sound good - check.
Decent mini games - check.
HOS not too dim and grainy - check.
Plausibility factor - goose egg.
For a die-hard fan, this could be fun. Colors are bright, scenes are attractive. If you've never seen Graceland, you'll at least get a sense of it.
But otherwise, I was disappointed and will give this one a pass even though I have six other Hidden Mysteries games.
Sound good - check.
Decent mini games - check.
HOS not too dim and grainy - check.
Plausibility factor - goose egg.
For a die-hard fan, this could be fun. Colors are bright, scenes are attractive. If you've never seen Graceland, you'll at least get a sense of it.
But otherwise, I was disappointed and will give this one a pass even though I have six other Hidden Mysteries games.
I recommend this game!
Guardians of Magic: Amanda's Awakening
Open your eyes to a wondrous world in Guardians of Magic: Amanda's Awakening, a spectacular adventure of science and spell-casting.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Innocent easy fun
PostedOctober 1, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I loved this one as a kid's game - no gloom, monsters, ghosts, skeletons, or other scary stuff. The story is decent and interesting. The graphics are cartoonish but clearly drawn, puzzles are not overwhelming. There are enough clues along the way to keep you playing to the finish. I'm giving this one to the grandkids.
I recommend this game!
E.P.I.C: Wishmaster Adventures
Experience an incredible space adventure in E.P.I.C!
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 8 found this review helpful
Exasperation
PostedSeptember 26, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Do you want to be exasperated, frustrated, and generally p****ed? Have I got the game for you.
Yes, the story does not start off with a car crash - Hurray!
But the opening leaves much to be desired with few facts, little character development, and no animation or voice over.
The first puzzle was aggravating with the same hint being given even after I had used it. As for HOGs, there were not a lot of them - lucky for the player as several objects were invisible even with a hint. I ended up just clicking around that area till I got something - and this is with a huge monitor. The cartoonish drawing was without clear edges and definition for the objects.
I will say that I was severely challenged. If that's what you are looking for, go for it. I would have liked some desire to help the lead character. Without any motivation, I abandoned game.
Yes, the story does not start off with a car crash - Hurray!
But the opening leaves much to be desired with few facts, little character development, and no animation or voice over.
The first puzzle was aggravating with the same hint being given even after I had used it. As for HOGs, there were not a lot of them - lucky for the player as several objects were invisible even with a hint. I ended up just clicking around that area till I got something - and this is with a huge monitor. The cartoonish drawing was without clear edges and definition for the objects.
I will say that I was severely challenged. If that's what you are looking for, go for it. I would have liked some desire to help the lead character. Without any motivation, I abandoned game.
I don't recommend this game.
Save the besieged alpine village of Martlet and rescue its residents from the mysterious living statues in this exciting Hidden Object Adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
19 of 25 found this review helpful
It was OK
PostedJune 15, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Please be advised that I only played the demo and I really need a good story to get into a game.
That said, this game had what we've come to expect: good graphics, decent music, sound effects, a combination of HOS and good mini-games, and a story.
But getting to that story is a long road and at the end of the demo, I really didn't know enough to care about buying the CE.
I know all developers walk a fine line between too little story and too much, but they need to give us enough story to engage our interest to want to buy the game. In this case, the meager bits given out did not make you want to travel to the end.
I had to refer to the strategy guide for several actions that were more than strange - having your rooster fetch heavy things for instance. (Note to developers: I'll buy almost any crazy thing you send me - vampires, ghosts, time travel, lights and fireplaces blazing in long abandoned buildings. But not a rooster that flies to the top of a tower to retrieve tools - especially after I apparently reached up from the ground and helped myself to something else from the same place!)
The SE might be worth the cost, but for a CE, there are more worthy candidates.
That said, this game had what we've come to expect: good graphics, decent music, sound effects, a combination of HOS and good mini-games, and a story.
But getting to that story is a long road and at the end of the demo, I really didn't know enough to care about buying the CE.
I know all developers walk a fine line between too little story and too much, but they need to give us enough story to engage our interest to want to buy the game. In this case, the meager bits given out did not make you want to travel to the end.
I had to refer to the strategy guide for several actions that were more than strange - having your rooster fetch heavy things for instance. (Note to developers: I'll buy almost any crazy thing you send me - vampires, ghosts, time travel, lights and fireplaces blazing in long abandoned buildings. But not a rooster that flies to the top of a tower to retrieve tools - especially after I apparently reached up from the ground and helped myself to something else from the same place!)
The SE might be worth the cost, but for a CE, there are more worthy candidates.
I don't recommend this game.
Free the trapped souls and reunite a love long lost in Haunting Mysteries: The Island of Lost Souls!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
How can it be over - I was having fun!
PostedJune 4, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I finished the game in 3.5 hours according to the in-game time tracker. But I really enjoyed the time I spent on it. Scenes were beautifully and intricately drawn. Searches were challenging but not impossible. Mini-games were good over all.
Mostly I enjoyed the story line - cohesive and involving! I really like a good story - and I'll forgive a lot when there is one!
Mostly I enjoyed the story line - cohesive and involving! I really like a good story - and I'll forgive a lot when there is one!
I recommend this game!
The Mona Lisa has been stolen! Travel between the past and present to gather clues and unravel a sinister plot.
Overall rating
2
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
English as a second language and other challenges
PostedJune 4, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Beautiful art work and a decent bit of music do not a great, or even good, game make.
Somewhere in the world, someone will make their fortune correcting English in PC games and someone else will edit and repair their stories. They can start here.
The opening scenes involve reading a monologue that reminded me of all the grammar gone bad in the world. Most of it would and should have been easy to correct. Unfortunately, after that intro, I surmised things would not get better. And they didn't.
So after extensive instructions, you are basically going to do two HOS for each location, one in the past, one in the present. Does anyone beside me see a problem in a list that includes "bench" and you are looking at a beach scene with a dozen identical benches? Or "black camera" where there are several? How about a time gauge that moves glacially? Or past and present scenes that are almost interchangeable in the time frame of their contents?
With no interest in the storyline, no excitement in the chase, and nothing innovative, I'm giving this one the heave ho!
Somewhere in the world, someone will make their fortune correcting English in PC games and someone else will edit and repair their stories. They can start here.
The opening scenes involve reading a monologue that reminded me of all the grammar gone bad in the world. Most of it would and should have been easy to correct. Unfortunately, after that intro, I surmised things would not get better. And they didn't.
So after extensive instructions, you are basically going to do two HOS for each location, one in the past, one in the present. Does anyone beside me see a problem in a list that includes "bench" and you are looking at a beach scene with a dozen identical benches? Or "black camera" where there are several? How about a time gauge that moves glacially? Or past and present scenes that are almost interchangeable in the time frame of their contents?
With no interest in the storyline, no excitement in the chase, and nothing innovative, I'm giving this one the heave ho!
I don't recommend this game.
After their hiking trip takes a tragic turn, a group of friends are forced to travel between realms to undo an old wrong and save the Cypress Witch.
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Not my cup of tea
PostedMay 30, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OK, at this point I pretty much expect good graphics and this game has that. But the story is weak at best and the characters are too. Puzzles were mediocre. HOS were basic but at least they were not done in darkness. But then you are left with the story, or lack there of.
"Hey, gang, there's been an accident in the forest. Let's see if we can have one too!"
I axed this after a half hour of torture. It made little sense and less entertainment.
"Hey, gang, there's been an accident in the forest. Let's see if we can have one too!"
I axed this after a half hour of torture. It made little sense and less entertainment.
I don't recommend this game.
Journey into the world of imagination and recreate sumptuous Japanese woodblock prints by moving the shadows in this innovative puzzle game for players all ages!
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 6 found this review helpful
Frustration unlimited!
PostedMay 17, 2012
Granny_Gruff
fromLouisville, KY
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
I agree with other players that the music is lovely and the concept is innovative. Unfortunately I also have to agree that innovation is not always good.
After going through the tutorial, I had NO hints when playing. After putting all the pieces on the screen and rotating, there was no way to tell if I was even close to the solution. I tried different puzzles, different groups, and still was in the dark.
I concede the field of battle to the developers. Obviously they want to win.
After going through the tutorial, I had NO hints when playing. After putting all the pieces on the screen and rotating, there was no way to tell if I was even close to the solution. I tried different puzzles, different groups, and still was in the dark.
I concede the field of battle to the developers. Obviously they want to win.
I don't recommend this game.