andibeard's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:311
- Reviews Submitted:68
- First Review:February 20, 2012
- Most Recent Review:January 3, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Dark magic threatens our world! Can you stop the Shade and his minions before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Better Than the First
PostedJanuary 19, 2015
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I like this one better than the first Otherworld game. The visuals in both were excellent (though it's kind of amusing that this story is supposed to be set in Britain but very few of the voiceovers have British accents), but the story here was more interesting and less monotonous. There was also a map, which was a vast improvement over the first game in the series! The minigames, too, were more challenging, varied, and interesting without being too hard (though a few were still simple and one or two were frustrating, particularly the last one). The HO scenes were very easy but there weren't many of them, so it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the game. I particularly liked that this game, unlike most HOA games, let you keep two very useful items throughout most of the game (a knife and a lantern), which makes a lot more sense than having us drop things after one use and then requiring the exact same type of object less than ten minutes later. It's not a great game, but it's a good one and definitely worth a sale price or game credit.
I recommend this game!
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Other world: Spring of Shadows!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Strong Beginning but Lost Momentum
PostedJanuary 14, 2015
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I started out loving this game--if I'd checked the demo first I would have bought the game based on that. The graphics are beautiful, the storyline seems a bit more original than most, and I love fantasy-themed games. However, the longer I play, the more bored I become by it. Maybe it's because the mini-games are repetitive, or because I have to spend so much time doing a lot in a very small setting (which gets monotonous quickly) or just because the storyline kind of peters out instead of keeping the drama engaging as you go. The hints are also abysmal--they either are so vague as to be useless, or give no information at all, or in one case, are coded wrongly so that they literally say something like "chapter_15_hint_medium." Ugh. I wanted to love this game and I bought it based on the previous reviews, but I'm truly disappointed. I hope the sequels are better.
I don't recommend this game.
Once again black powers have seized the kingdom of Orion. The entire city is gripped by fear and it's up to you to save them, and yourself!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Could Have Been Stronger
PostedJanuary 3, 2015
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I so wanted to like this game, but there were certain elements of gameplay that consistently annoyed me. First off, there was no map, interactive or otherwise, so there was an awful lot of clicking to keep returning to various scenes in the game. There also tended to be a sort of "unsolved puzzle pileup" effect where I had encountered a dozen or more puzzles awaiting different pieces to solve but none of the ten or more objects I had could help. This was really confusing; it was hard to keep track of where the unsolved puzzles were, so when I found an object that I knew I needed, I had to hunt around all the scenes again to figure out where it was supposed to go. Again, a map would have been helpful in this regard. (If there is a map, it was impossible for me to find.) There was also a general slowness of transition throughout the game--when useful items were found, it might take two or three clicks and several seconds for it to go into my inventory (this is not computer-related, as other games move much faster in these types of actions and it wasn't true of all the actions in this game either). Many of the repetitive puzzle types got clustered up so you ended up doing the same puzzle type several times in a row (esp. in the bonus scene) rather than spreading out the same types so that they mixed in with other types of play during the game. Also, occasionally, a hint would tell me to complete a task I didn't yet have all the objects for. So despite the fact that the game was incredibly long (actually, a bit too long for me!), had a great variety of puzzles and HO scenes, good graphics and an interesting story, the design of the gameplay itself just wasn't what it should be, to me. It needed better flow and an interactive map, particularly in the CE. I loved "Citadels of Time" and hope that the next Echoes of the Past game returns to that standard.
I recommend this game!
Dreampath: The Two Kingdoms Collector's Edition
Your sister, the Queen, has fallen deathly ill. Now you must travel to a faraway kingdom to find the cure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
This One's a Keeper
PostedNovember 8, 2014
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a highly enjoyable game--the storyline makes sense and though the Adventure tasks and puzzles are challenging, they don't seem pointlessly complicated like so many that the developers just try to make "hard." The solutions are logical! And there aren't too many of the same puzzle type, like with a lot of games. The HO scenes are pretty easy but there are fewer of them than Adventure/puzzles to solve. The "helper" Muir is cute and not intrusive and I love the dragons! Great artwork. This one probably isn't dark or realistic-looking enough for some players but I don't mind at all--nice to have a break from the bleak storylines for a change! My children also can play this one, though they may need help on (or to skip) some of the puzzles. And while I usually mute games while I'm playing, I like the voices & music on this one. Highly recommended!
I recommend this game!
When his sister is murdered, you must prove your nephew’s innocence!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Good Game, Could Have Been Better
PostedNovember 6, 2014
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Though I enjoy the Grim Tales series, and there is a lot to enjoy here, I feel I can't quite rave about this game like others have done. I found myself tired of the storyline at times, and there were far too many "fit the specially-shaped object into the impression to open the thing" puzzles to solve (it almost became comical by the end). Gathering items to solve puzzles and play games seemed arbitrary at times, too, like I have to go to this room across the entire castle to get one thing, to take it back to the other side of the castle, only to find something that I was looking for on the *other* side of the castle, etc. There is a map so the navigation is fairly easy, but I feel that these games are too good for these kinds of cliches. I like the "investigating the past" angle of the story, and there is certainly a lot to do in the CE (morphing objects, collectibles, multiple tasks in each part of the game, etc.), so you won't be bored! The HO scenes certainly don't overwhelm the action--I get tired of too many in a game, and this had just enough to be interesting. There's a nice lengthy bonus chapter, too. Overall, an enjoyable game.
I recommend this game!
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles
Charles Baskerville is the latest victim of a centuries-old curse! Help Holmes break the curse before the next murder occurs!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A Great HOA Game!
PostedOctober 22, 2014
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The plethora of 5-star ratings is deserved here! This game is challenging without crossing the line into "pointless and frustrating," the balance between story and game is very good (except toward the end, when the adventure/puzzles become a bit more arbitrary and the HO scenes are briefly more frequent), and the visuals are pleasing. There is a fair bit of dialog/story and lengthy cut scenes, but these can be skipped easily without really losing out on anything important. I was suprised by the relative challenge of the HO scenes as well as the minigames--these days a really decently challenging HO game is hard to find--and though the Adventure aspect of the game was not always immediately obvious, the solutions always made sense in the end. The map was a great help in navigating from one scene to another. I do wish that these games would have "hint" options within the minigames (sometimes I'd just like a little boost instead of skipping it entirely!) but otherwise I have no quibble at all with this game. I wish I'd bought the CE!
I recommend this game!
With your carriage broken, and a wolf nearby, you must find shelter. What awaits you in the village just ahead?
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
A Good Adventure with some HO too
PostedOctober 19, 2014
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is structured pretty much how I prefer my HOA's--mostly adventure/problem-solving with some HO and minigames only when it aids the story. The HO scenes are a bit tough because of the artwork, but I enjoyed the level of challenge here (some HO's are just too easy). The HO scenes also involved little problems to solve to find certain objects--a lot more demanding than most in this regard. Some of the minigames were pointlessly hard, but for the most part they were fine, too, and there weren't so many of them that I felt it interfered with the flow of the game (which is common in HOA's). The storyline was nothing particularly new or exciting, but it at least made sense. The Adventure part of the game was a bit challenging and I would have preferred an interactive map rather than having to travel all over the game to get what I needed, but at least the setting is not extensive. Some of the locations that were no longer needed sort of closed themselves once I was done with them, but others just stayed and I think it would have been better if the game could have closed them or told me that I was finished there. But otherwise, I have no complaint game-wise. Visually, the game is a monochromatic (lots of dark/grey/rainy sorts of locations) which supports the mood but does become kind of bland to look at after a while. Really, I'd like to give this one 4.5 instead of a 4 or a 5! Overall, though, I recommend it if you like adventure games!
I recommend this game!
Your librarian friend wants your help as a journalist – he’s found an ancient book that is still unfinished. Can you save the world in the book before their story ends?
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Fun HO/Adventure Game
PostedOctober 4, 2014
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game was just the right balance of HO, puzzles, and adventure. It has a lot of options (difficulty levels, the choice of a game versus HO scenes, etc.) as well as a variety of HO scene and mini-game types. Some of the minigames were simple and others were more challenging. The storyline was not particularly original but the game was well-designed to follow the story logically. The artwork is lovely and the rabbit character is charming. I did skip a few games rather than play them more than once, but overall I found the game compelling. Unlike a lot of the darker games, this one is also older-kid friendly (though possibly a little complex for younger children). I wish now that I had bought the CE version so I could play more! I hope there will be more in this series.
I recommend this game!
A wonderful story of the citizens of Joyville. Can you change their destiny? You will see – nothing is impossible.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Not up to Puppet Show standards
PostedSeptember 28, 2014
andibeard
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I loved the first few Puppet Show games--the storylines were creative, the art was amazing, and the gameplay was compelling. This game, however, falls short of that standard, in my view. The HO scenes would be ridiculously easy except for mis-named objects, or things that are too badly-rendered to be clearly identified. The storyline makes no sense whatsoever, and there doesn't seem to be a logical flow of events and locations--sometimes once you complete a task, you have to go back several screens to some completely unrelated location to catch a new HO scene or object before you can progress. Some of the art work is still beautiful, but it's highly inconsistent, and though some of the mini-games are interesting and challenging, they tend to go on too long to keep the momentum of the game going. I have found the game more tiresome than fun, I'm sorry to say.
I don't recommend this game.
Help Kiera Vale discover her ancestor’s history as she explores Blackwater Asylum in Nightmare Adventures: The Witch’s Prison!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Much Better Than Expected
PostedMarch 26, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I liked that this game was all adventure, with no HOS included; I don't mind HOS but these kinds of games are more challenging and more fun. Other pluses included the variety of mini-games and puzzles; the funny comments the main character makes to respond to your actions (it's much more thorough and creative than most games in this respect!); and that while you are working on a particular area, you can only search within that limited area for clues and items. It's always confusing when you can return to every area in the entire game, even when you don't need to!
Negative points: There are no instructions for the mini-games and puzzles. Clicking "Hint" merely tells you the answer or part of the answer, whereas with some of them I just wanted to know what to do! Also, there is no indication of when you are finished with a particular area; I do prefer when games will tell you that you no longer need to look around in certain screens. However, these are minor complaints for a game that is far above the usual game quality in so many other respects. Definitely recommended for the adventure players who like a certain level of challenge!
Negative points: There are no instructions for the mini-games and puzzles. Clicking "Hint" merely tells you the answer or part of the answer, whereas with some of them I just wanted to know what to do! Also, there is no indication of when you are finished with a particular area; I do prefer when games will tell you that you no longer need to look around in certain screens. However, these are minor complaints for a game that is far above the usual game quality in so many other respects. Definitely recommended for the adventure players who like a certain level of challenge!
I recommend this game!