Pilot1's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.8
- Helpful Votes:2,264
- Reviews Submitted:127
- First Review:October 22, 2015
- Most Recent Review:November 26, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Survive a fictional horror turned real-life nightmare in a creepy hotel!
Overall rating
2
/
5
16 of 25 found this review helpful
Turn the page, play another game.
PostedDecember 28, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have eleven of the Haunted Hotel series, so you’d be right in thinking that I like these games.
Now comes Haunted Hotel - Beyond the Page Collector's Edition and, being the cautious purchaser —okay, make that cynical— I downloaded and played the demo instead of just buying it, or using some of the twelve credits I have stored up.
I’m not going to describe the game play-by-play, or the so-called extras, others have done that and there’s no point in reinventing an already well-built wheel.
Compared to some of the other Haunted Hotel games — Death Sentence, Phoenix, The Axiom Butcher, Personal Nightmare, to mention just a few— this game is very disappointing.
Apparently Elephant Games graphics engine needs a tune-up because the clarity, the sharpness, the almost life-like movements of the characters, are all nonexistent in this game. I’m searching for a word or two that adequately describe for you what you’d see. Wait, I’ve got ‘em! Muddy, blurred out-lines, wooden movement! There you go, friends, that ought to give you the, ahem, picture.
I also have to wonder if the writers of the other games have all gone to work for another developer because the quality of this story is far below the games that precede it. Even the dialogue is below par; stilted, trite, even childish.
Speaking of childish, I have to yet again wonder where the directorial finesses has gone when the voice of the child —oh, yes, we have yet another terrorized child here— is so very poorly delivered by an obviously adult performer.
After about ten minutes of playing this game I began to experience a feeling all too common to most of the this past year’s offerings —boredom!
I really don’t expect much from a game, but I do expect that it will keep me engaged and give me some enjoyment.
This game does neither. Nor does it get a recommendation from me that you buy it. In truth, I’d not even recommend it for a try-before-you-buy.
I don't recommend this game.
Dark Reapers kidnapped your mother and aunt! Will you be next?
Overall rating
2
/
5
50 of 73 found this review helpful
Another one for the trash bin!
PostedDecember 8, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The only mystery about this game is why the developer even thought to release it!
Let me ask you this; are you a very young girl, say about ten-years old? You’re not? Well, neither are any of my grandchildren, and they wouldn’t play this ridiculous game either!
Let’s start right at the beginning where you’re greeted as ‘Princess’ and asked for your name. Well, let me tell you that I am no princess —I’m a gray-bearded old guy who’s tired of games that make me play in a skirt, as it were.
Okay, about this game . . . same old music heard in almost every release by this developer; same old gizmo you have to sweep across the screen to find otherwise invisible objects; same boring task of rescuing a hapless victim from an evil entity.
Don’t bother wasting your time or download capacity, unless you’re getting this for your very young granddaughter. No, wait, better not do even that!
I don't recommend this game.
A powerful artifact is stolen, threatening to shatter time itself.
Overall rating
2
/
5
31 of 43 found this review helpful
This as bad as it can get . . . perhaps even worse than that!
PostedOctober 13, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
If you’ve read some of the other reviews, you’re probably as confused as I was before I played the demo.
One reviewer said that the graphics were crystal clear, while another said that the graphics are dark and dreary and void of color.
To call the graphics even ‘dark and dreary’ is to be way too kind to the artist whose work this is. Dull, dismal, washed out, unappealing —yep, much better, or worse, depending on your point of view!
The game was described by a reviewer as having an interesting storyline and characters, yet another said that it was snail-paced.
Even saying this game is ‘snail-paced’ is stretching it quite a bit. I’m trying to think of something that moves even slower than a snail. Wait, I’ve got it! Molasses in an Alaskan winter, after being left outside all night!
The characters are flat, both in artistic rendition and in personality. I could not care less about them or their plight.
The story is one we’ve seen time and time again; wife’s been kidnapped, spirited away, whatever. The culprit is an evil entity, a turncoat friend, a paranormal being, whatever.
Hidden object sequences and mini-games should merge with, and enhance the game play. In this game they don’t do that, not even remotely.
If I had played this demo ten years ago, even five years ago, I might have written a more positive review. I mean, this is what graphics looked like back then. This was the banal storyline we accepted back then. We just didn’t know any better, having nothing else with which to make a comparison. Given the state-of-the-art CGI engines readily available today, and the huge pool of creative and talented people in the industry —as evident in such products as both of the Adam Wolfe games; Path of Sin - Greed Collector's Edition; Maze – Subject 360 Collector's Edition, to mention just a few —this game, Haunted Legends - Twisted Fate, just doesn’t measure up.
I have several of the Haunted Legends games, this one will definitely not be added to my collection.
I’m going to forego my usual caveat that you play the demo yourself and make your own decision. Instead, I’m going to say don’t even bother to do that as it’s certain you’ll find this game a waste of your download capacity and, for sure a waste of your time.
I don't recommend this game.
A chilling tale of death, deception, and the supernatural!
Overall rating
2
/
5
52 of 57 found this review helpful
Burying this game now would not be premature!
PostedSeptember 28, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
With all that Edgar Allan Poe endured during his troubled life, he really doesn’t deserve to be plagued by trashy games trying to cash in on his name and fame!
I played the Collectors Edition demo, which was noted as being an ‘Editor’s Choice' and said then, as I've said before, that Big Fish needs to get some new editors!
I posted a review of that demo, in which I did not recommend the game, and now, having played the SE demo, my opinion has not changed.
The only connection between this game and Poe is the appropriation of the title and his name, nothing else.
This is a dull boring story, even if we discount that it’s one we’ve all seen before. Dull boring graphics, poor lip-sync, background music that is more annoying than game enhancing and, to tell the absolute truth, characters I just could not care less about saving!
The HO sequences and mini-puzzles are more time-wasters than even minor challenges.
Usually I suggest that you download the demo and make your own decision, but this time I’m going to strongly suggest that you waste neither your download capacity nor your time.
I don't recommend this game.
Face the fears in Sebastian's Cinema of Horrors!
Overall rating
3
/
5
26 of 31 found this review helpful
How to take a psychedelic trip without chemicals!
PostedSeptember 8, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This could have been a great game, but I guess the graphic designer was having a really bad day.
I found the story line, HO sequences, and mini-games, while all being somewhat familiar to any experienced gamer, and for as long as I could manage to play, just enough off-center to make them interesting.
But, oh, those graphics! Let me see, what’s the word I’m looking for? Wait, I’ve got it . . . garish! I’ll save you the trouble of looking for that word’s definition: loud, tasteless, gaudy, kitschy! Get my point?
I really wanted to play this demo, but oh those colors! About five or six minutes is all that my poor eyes could stand!
If you’re old enough to know what ‘tripping’ means, you may just be able to play this game without losing your mind, but you'll still risk getting a severe case of eye-strain.
If you’ve got a lot of download capacity, and some aspirin nearby, go ahead, try the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
A chilling tale of death, deception, and the supernatural!
Overall rating
2
/
5
15 of 20 found this review helpful
Another loser!
PostedAugust 30, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
With all that Edgar Allan Poe endured during his troubled life, he really doesn’t deserve to be plagued by trashy games trying to cash in on his name and fame!
If this game is an ‘Editor’s Choice’ then, as I’ve noted before, Big Fish needs to get some new editors!
Dull boring story, even if we discount that it’s one we’ve all seen before. Dull boring graphics, poor lip-sync, background music that is more annoying than game enhancing and, to tell the absolute truth, characters I just could not care less about saving!
Usually I suggest that you download the demo and make your own decision, but this time I’m going to strongly suggest that you waste neither your download capacity nor your time.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you and your sister escape the deadly history of Reed Valley?
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 28 found this review helpful
A game worth playing . . . for a change!
PostedAugust 5, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the standard edition demo and, while there were features found in many other games, there was enough that was different to intrigue me. Then I downloaded and played the collectors’ edition demo, and bought it.
If you’ve read some of my other reviews you know I’m not a big fan of CEs, so the fact that I bought this one should tell you something. Okay, I’ll admit that I used a freebie coupon, but still, me getting a CE game is an unusual event.
The play-by-play has already been well described by another reviewer who always does a good job with that task, so I won’t reinvent that wheel.
The graphics, background sounds and music, are all up to the standard we have come to expect from Eipix, and definitely enhanced the gaming experience.
There are the usual collectibles and morphing objects in each scene and, for the most part, they are not too difficult to find.
There are no helpers or required gadgets which, apart from Elf, I do not care for at all.
This is a spooky game that, somewhat illogically, can be played using logical thinking to move from one scenario to the next. If you get stuck, the interactive map is an excellent and easy to use tool.
Although I do recommend this game, my usual caveat applies —play the demo, either one, and decide for yourself.
I recommend this game!
The killer from an unsolved case returns for more blood!
Overall rating
1
/
5
43 of 51 found this review helpful
Been there, done that . . . again!
PostedJuly 19, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
It’s been a while since I last reviewed a game here. Frankly, that’s because every demo I’ve played was as bad as the last and, in many cases, worse than the next. I have nine tokens in my account, and that should tell you how bad the games offered during the past many months have been!
The only thing ‘grim’ about this game is how boring it is to play. What it should have been called is Clichés ‘r’ Us!
Does any of this sound familiar —a scrap of cloth to wrap around a piece of broken glass to make an instant knife; instant rust remover; a light bulb, to reveal a HO sequence; a drawer handle; scissors to open yet another taped box; and let’s not forget the ink developer to reveal a ‘secret’ code!
I’m not a big fan of mini-games, as you already know if you’ve read any of my past reviews, but even for me the mini-games were a bore, each being merely a re-hash of what we have all seen time and time again.
Once again I have to wonder at the four- and five-star ratings some have tossed out. Come on, folks, I’m sure that Big Fish will still keep feeding you Beta games even if you write an honest review!
As a retired homicide detective, I find this game offensive —especially given the current frenzy of ‘cop bashing' which much of media, and far too many of the general public are engaging in. I’m not saying that there are not some less than sterling police officers, but this game is an insult to the tens of thousands who put their lives on the line every day!
Okay, so here’s a big surprise —don’t buy this game!
I don't recommend this game.
Become the Red Queen and save Chessland!
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 33 found this review helpful
Lewis Caroll woudn't recognize this tale.
PostedJune 7, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Others have done the play-by-play, so I will not re-invent the wheel.
The graphics are very well done, in fact it’s nice eye-candy. The background music and sounds are, likewise well done, and both are scene appropriate.
While the storyline has very little in common with the Lewis Caroll classic, it is somewhat engaging.
The HO sequences offer nothing innovative, nor do the mini-games, but in this game, that really has very little impact.
If you are new to playing these types of games, or are a young gamer, you might enjoy this one. On the other hand, if you like games with substance, challenge, and character development —as I do— then this one is not for you.
As always, download the demo and decide for yourself.
I don't recommend this game.
Just beyond human sight lies an ancient city of magicians, giants, and dwarves. Now you must solve a murder mystery that threatens to destroy it.
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 26 found this review helpful
A trite, banal, boring game from a developer that can and should have done better.
PostedMay 27, 2018
Pilot1
fromTaos, NM
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
In the first few minutes of play you have to find a piece of cloth to wrap around a shard of glass and, voila, you have a knife. Then there’s the can for which you have to find an opener. Oh yes, there’s the fruit to feed the little fire-breathing dragon. Wait, there’s more! Now you have to find the pieces of a pair of pliers. Oh, and let’s not forget the magic glasses so that you can see the so-called secrets.
Does all of this sound familiar? It should, you’ve done these very same things time and time again.
Okay, so the graphics are good, the background music appropriate, the lip-sync acceptable.
I’m not going to describe the play-by-play; others have done so, and there’s no point in doing it again.
It’s a cute game, if you’re into cute.
Sorry, but if you like a game with substance, with reasonable plot, with character development, this is definitely not a game for you.
I don't recommend this game.