Sheerija's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:8,740
- Reviews Submitted:102
- First Review:April 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:May 4, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Fight your way out of a coma by exploring your deepest memories.
Overall rating
3
/
5
164 of 181 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedNovember 4, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I got the impression that this game was created a long time ago and only now hauled out of the back shelf and dusted off for our consumption. There are no bells or whistles, no collectables, achievements or wide screen.
There is no map, but there are portals available through the hint button which take you straight to the required location, which I realy liked.
The story is bitter-sweet and poignant and brought a tear to my eye on a few occasions. It deals with trauma caused by childhood tragedy and is about redemption from guilt and self-forgiveness. I enjoyed it very much. It makes a welcomed change from ghosts and demons and creepy crawlies and nasty madmen with crazy machines and wicked ideas.
The graphics are well done and I found the music quite nice to listen to.
There are a lot of iHOS but they are well done and quite quick. I did not find them to be junkpiles at all and very clear. The puzzles/mini games are not difficult and quite plentiful. The game play is relaxed and while not wildly exciting or particularly creative, it did not become boring.
The main game is 4 hrs long and the BC 1 hr, so it is fine for length. The only thing I did not really like was that the ending did not go where it was supposed to, according to the character's guide, who told her what she was out to achieve, but it never happened. I have had this happen only once before in a game and it is disappointing.
Vendel have done better than this in the past, but it is most certainly not as bad as some have indicated in the game forum. I have played a lot worse.
For those awaiting the SE, you will not miss out on anything as the main game ends well.
I will not recommend it, however, as there are far better games that have come out recently and I think people would be better advised to go for those, where they see the rave reviews. If you are stuck for something to play, it will afford a good 4 hrs play, but do not look for anything remarkable or out of the ordinary.
I don't 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
10 of 19 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 30, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a 5 hr game with a l hr BC and achievements, so it obviously started life as a CE, but somewhere along the line they changed their minds and did not make a SG and just released it as a SE. Hard to understand when they could have made twice as much profit.
It is truly excellent all the way through. The graphics are terrific on wide screen and it all takes place in an underwater city, which is wonderfully done. The iHOS are fairly frequent but not overly so and are quick and fun, very clear, no junkpiles or dark corners. For those who dislike HOS altogether, there is a game of dominoes to play instead.
The story itself is not original - find your possessed boyfriend who has been taken by the demon. But the game play is so immersive and thoroughly enjoyable that I do not bemoan the fact.
The music is good as are the sound effects. Puzzles are fun, rather plentiful, but doable.
There was some concern about no WT, but the hint button is so helpful that that aspect was soon laid to rest. I never once got stuck or lost.
I loved playing every minute of it and could have carried on playing it indefinitely. No boredom with this one.
Beautiful game, brilliantly designed, perfectly put together, with flawless navigation and an extremely good and satisfying ending.
I have all AM's other games but this one is by far their best yet. They really know their craft.
Thanks, guys. Don't wait too long to give us your next one. We love them. You are easily right up there with the top devs.
I recommend this game!
Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love Collector's Edition
After the Raven Queen crashes her wedding, Thumbelina must save her prince to reclaim her happy ending!
Overall rating
5
/
5
30 of 31 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 28, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The knock-your-socks-off graphics in this game are just breathtaking and wide screen. All the way through my mind was going "Wow, ahh, ohh, look at that."
I used to love Thumbelina as a child and as far as I know, this is the first game based on her and an absolutely delightful one. I so enjoyed the dialogue, especially from the hint button. It speaks to you as though you are personally acquainted and it's really fond of you. It made me smile, a lot. Thumbelina also has some humourous things to say, so hats off to the dialogue writers.
The iHOS are very limited so I did not mind seeing the occasional sparkle, and they also have quite a small number of items to find.
There are collectables and loads of achievements. I even got one for x number of times clicking on the wrong thing! Hilarious.
It is wonderfully inventive and imaginative and the characters I met along the way were great. It also has some utterly, adorably cute little creatures, that would melt a heart of stone.
My personal favourite - a jump map - complete with labels and pictures, so if you can remember where you have to go to use something but not what it's called, hey presto. Terrific.
SG is not bookmarked, but the hint button is all I needed, except for some puzzles I could not figure out. But that was seldom as the puzzles are doable and a lot of fun.
I liked the music very much. I did not seem to be on a loop so it did not irritate me. Navigation, top notch.
The main game ends conclusively. Good news for the SE. However, the BC is great. It looks at the story from someone else's standpoint and also lets you in on a few secrets you do not suspect in the main game. It took me 1.40 hours and was really worth playing.
Altogether, a 6.40 hr game. Value for money in anyone's book.
Thank you, Elephant, for a beautifully crafted and brilliantly executed game, again. You are welcome to my money anytime. And you, BFG, do not ever let go of these devs or I'll come over there and have words with you. But yes, you too - thank you.
I recommend this game!
An evil villain is luring people to his beautiful mansion and preparing them for a terrible ritual. Can you keep your head on the shoulders?
Overall rating
5
/
5
83 of 93 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 26, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I will admit to having been a bit of an ERS basher in the past. With maybe one or two possible exceptions, I have not been impressed, but rather bored mostly. However, their previous and very recent release was a vast improvement and they went up in my estimation.
This one, however, is even better. It was so much fun all the way through and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This because they have abandoned the usual "no frills airline" attitude and incorporated a lot of (not all) bells and whistles which are wonderfully imaginative and quite delightful.
There is no doubt the ERS are the masters when it comes to graphics and this game is just gorgeous to look at.
However, it is not an iHopa as there are no HOS at all. So it is a PA. That is in no way a negative for me as most games include far too many HOS for my liking, which detracts from the enjoyment factor.
The story is creepy, funny and sometimes heart-wrenching, with an element of the eww about it. So for those of a squeamish disposition - beware.
The music is eerie but not heavy. The hint button is not one that points out the direction to take, but only points if there is something in the current scene that has been overlooked, so my SG was well utilized. Otherwise it just says there is nothing to do here now. There is no map at all, but as the game is played in sections containing just a handful of locations, this is not a problem. I prefer this to games that make you trudge from one end of them to the other just to accomplish one thing left undone, and then have to trudge all the way back.
The puzzles are terrific and I hardly ever say that, being someone not very puzzle-minded, but these I really loved. The voice overs are done well enough not to rankle, if somewhat loud. Had to turn down the volume.
It took me 5 hours to play, all inclusive, which I consider a fair and decent length. The main game ends satisfactorily for those waiting for the SE, but the BC, which is an hour long, does bear signifcance to the main game, as it does away with the inference that what happened at the end of the main game, solved the problem. If this is confusing, I am sorry, but any further explanation would spoil it.
When I said bells and whistles, I did not mean collectables or achievements, just to be clear, but the inclusion of some very cute and adorable little creatures which help throughout the game.
All of the above, together with the much improved navigation of both this one and the previous, made it a very satisfying play. Thanks ERS and thanks BFG. Really liking ERS now.
I highly recommend this game to those looking for a not too challenging but whole lot of fun game.
I recommend this game!
Use your botany skills to survive the strange new planet of Botanica. Can you find your way back to Earth in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure?
Overall rating
5
/
5
324 of 342 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 21, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Yes, I have finished it already. Not because it is short, it took me 5.5 hrs, but because it is so awesome I could not stop playing. These devs have just gone to the top of my Best Devs List.
The graphics are wide screen and outstanding. Such exotic and fascinating locations. There is no need for backtracking as it is in sections, which close behind you, once completed.
The story is really good this time, very original. There are unique puzzles which are a lot of fun to do, instead of the usual boring ones. The iHOS are terrific - clear and quick and fun, and actually rather few and far between, in comparison to the usual over-use we find in this genre.
The characters all speak beautifully, quickly and accurately, but they are not voice overs as such, as the characters are not animated. If this sounds like a negative, I personally found being able to click out of them once read, to be a far more preferable format than those games which have such slow speakers, which are mostly out of sync and make you wait till they have finished speaking.
The SG is bookmarked, but I mostly only had to rely on the very helpful hint button. Skip button is fast, but did not use it much. The music is rather haunting and good to listen to.
There is a map but it does not transport. However, like I said, not necessary.
The mechanics are perfect and navigating is as smooth as silk.
There are collectables and achievements. The collectables are not hard to spot, but you need to look at each scene carefully. This I did not mind as I took such delight in looking at this game.
The main game ends logically, which is good for those waiting for the SE. They will not be left hanging. The BC is, however, informative from the standpoint of the young boy. Both the main game and the BC clearly indicate a sequel in the works.
This is the coolest game I have played in yonks and I look forward eagerly to the next one.
Devs, your game is a shining star. Thank you so much for putting your all into this excellent innovative, creative and imaginative game. You are all outstanding.
I recommend this game!
After being called to Paris, you find yourself in the middle of a shocking mystery involving an ancient werewolf hungry for revenge.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 19, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Hidden Mysteries®: Gates of Graceland®
(119)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
ERS have some of the best graphic designers in the business and in this game they were superb. Sharp, clear and well defined with rich vibrant colours. A feast for the eyes.
They must have done something with their programming because unlike their other games, this one ran so much better, about 75% better. That was a huge plus for me, as I used to dread the sluggish mechanics, the lagging and floating I have experienced in the past.
The story is, as is to be expected about the werewolf again, and I don't see how anyone could have expected anything else. I must just say that that werewolf is a work of art. So sinister, savage and beautifully drawn.
The iHOS are not piled on, but just the right amount to make you forget about them till one shows up. However, they are really lovely and easy to do. No junkpiles, dark corners, or miniscule items. A lot of fun
The voice overs are perfectly in synch and well done..
I have only afforded the game 4 stars, however, because there were a few occasions when it lost momentum and became a little tedious, so I started losing interest. But it soon perked up again and I got back into it.
It is not exactly an easy game, but the challenge level is somewhat less than usual, but I like that. The puzzles were really simple for the most part, but I like that too.
The BC is an integral part of the story, as the main game ends up in the air, so I do not know how they are going to justify the SE, unless they slightly change the ending of the main game.
I loved the Parisienne music. On a loop, true, but very effective, keeping me reminded of where the tale is taking place.
It took me 5.5 hrs to finish and I hazard a rough guess at about 4 of those hours, I really enjoyed.
Good work ERS.
I recommend this game!
You’re drawn into a web of deceit when your train stops in Andville, where the Black Widow lies in wait...
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 21 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 16, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Hidden Mysteries®: Gates of Graceland®
(119)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Not to my taste. Nothing to do with the spiders, just the game play was not very interesting. The wide screen graphics were very good. Not many colours, but great use of lighting. Also, the large mechanical insects were beautifully designed. Too many number puzzles, too time consuming, one after the other. Still, there are others which show some ingenuity, just not enough of them. Dull. Too many iHOS, sometimes one straight after another in the same spot. Would have been better if they had let us find both items in a single iHOS. The synchronization between speech and actors was way off and far too slow.
Sorry I cannot vouch for the length. I have just had too many interruptions over the last few days and lost track, but definitely not short and a good BC for the full hour. Let's you see how the whole thing began. Music unremarkable. Story a bit of a stretch, but then aren't they all.
Good SG but easier and quicker to use the hint button, because the jump map, whilst appreciated, is not really very helpful. It does not indicate where one needs to go next. Pretty hit and miss.
Overall I found most of it quite run-of-the-mill. There is a lot fo competition out there and this is just too ordinary.
I don't 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
5
/
5
77 of 83 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 13, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Hidden Mysteries®: Gates of Graceland®
(119)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game has been largely dismissed out of hand in the forum. Big mistake. It has been given a bad reception, all of which I disagree with. Some played 30 mins, some only 10. Their loss.
It has beautiful graphics on wide screen and plays perfectly and the hint button is all that is needed when stuck. Touring through Gracelands with it's authenticly copied interior is an absolute treat. I also went on a trip to Hawaii, a concert at a Fair and to a recording studio, as well as travelled back into the past several times to re-live some special occasions, as Elvis himself.
There are clips from home movies, concerts and interviews, all also authentic. The amount of memorabilia on display in the buildings at the back is awesome. The music, while on a loop, is still fitting and lends atmosphere to the game. I played it with some poignancy and a little sadness, but I mostly played it with delight and appreciation for the huge task these devs set themselves and how brilliantly they pulled it off.
I did not find that it has far too many HOS. What I did find was that quite a few of them are unique - not looking for items from a list, but looking for beautiful, colourful items of one category, in gorgeous scenes.
When all the pieces of the song are found an put together in the end scene, and sung, it is spectacular. He sings of his mother. how he loves her, and how life feels without her. It is extremely moving and exquisitely beautiful. It made me cry and I do not care who knows it.
It is wrong to denigrate the life of this man, who gave us so much fun and enjoyment with his music and his wonderful, never-to-be-repeated voice and I would like to thank these devs for creating a beautiful, nostalgic journey through that life by making a game that is a real tribute to this much loved and much mourned human being.
All hats off and thumbs up to this extraordinary experience.
I recommend this game!
Save Brightfield from a shocking plot by a dastardly organization!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 13, 2012
Sheerija
fromEdinburgh, Scotland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Terrific game from Elephant, again. They have a knack for knowing just how many HOS to put in, so I never dreaded seeing the sparkles. I knew there was not going to be one in every single scene and no repeats. There is a jump map which adds so much to the enjoyment of the game by eliminating the constant trudging to and fro, which I hate in games. Loved Elf in his little Dog Shop and the wonderfully imaginative hybrid animals. The mechanics are flawless, the puzzles are not mind benders and the music blends in perfectly. The SG is very well done, though with such a helpful hint button, I really did not use it at all.
5 hrs long all inclusive and the BC was very good and very more-ish.
My one regret is that we will have to wait so long for the next one. I HIGHLY recommend this excellent achievement.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the mysterious past of a sleepy seaside village and find your missing son in Whispered Secrets: The Story of Tideville!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 23 found this review helpful
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
PostedOctober 8, 2012
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I have never played such a childishly simplistic CE before. The graphics are really good but everything else falls short. It has virtually no fun factor. It's dull and uninteresting and I quickly became very fed up with it. The puzzles are ok and the iHOS are not bad, though a little cluttered and too dark.
But the game play is a real drag. Here is a mother whose child has just vanished in a puff of blue light, right before her eyes and one would think he has just stepped out into the backyard. Her voice, her tone, her pitch and even what she says are completely emotionless. Like an android. Actually all the voice overs are poor.
I kept wondering what age bracket this game was designed for and 10 to 12 year olds seemed to fit the bill. There is certainly nothing to appearl to adults. No excitement, no surprises, no thrills. Just a steady plod through scene after scene with far too many HOS. It did not run very smoothly on my laptop either, very laggy.
It is a decent length and the BC is a nice follow on from the main story, but I was extremely glad to see the back of it.
I'm sorry to be so harsh to these devs, but the truth is there is a definite lack of imagination and innovation here. Lovely graphics are not enough. Not worthy of it's CE title.
I don't recommend this game.