kateblue222's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:3,417
- Reviews Submitted:179
- First Review:May 6, 2014
- Most Recent Review:July 28, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Enjoy an exciting gangster hunt and track down the notorious bandit Bill "The Wild" Killwood and his Bloodbrothers gang!
Overall rating
1
/
5
17 of 22 found this review helpful
deleted
PostedJanuary 19, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Current Favorite:
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
(44)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
It said it was a match three, but the first thing was an ugly hidden object screen with a BAD click penalty. I thought we were done with those is 2010!
It's very brown.
The music is really great western music that sounds as if it belongs in a cowboy movie.
Not for me. Try it. I would like to listen to the music, but no.
I don't recommend this game.
Your son is lost in a deserted mansion. Discover the strange things that occurred here to save your child!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Beautiful, but clunky, so it seems slow.
PostedJanuary 18, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Current Favorite:
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
(44)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I am torn about whether to give this three stars or four because it is SO clunky and slow.
There's not much of a story. You are just traveling to grandma's house when your way is blocked, first by a detour, and then by a downed tree. Your young son disobeys you while you inspect the tree, getting out of the car and squeezing through the fence into the grounds of the spooky mansion. But I won't remember that. That's why I write it here. There's nothing in the journal to start, so you can't go back to the journal to find out what the story is if you come back several weeks later (which I tend to do).
I will be getting this game because it is beautiful and unique. It also is slightly spooky looking because it's set on a foggy day.
The music is more like tonal mood settings and very fitting.
But there really don't seem to be puzzles of any sort except for those to proceed though the game--like get over the fence, unlock the door. This is fine because my favorite thing is to wander around and look at the pretty worlds the devs have created, anyway.
Except here's a list of annoyances:
At first, I was stuck because I apparently did not use the first two object I found the EXACT right way. Eventually, I tried everything again, and it worked the second time.
When there is a comment at the top of the screen, you have to click it closed.
Hint refresh is too long even on the casual setting. There's no real reason for this, devs! Make it short for us relaxed sorts.
Plus, the hint is spent and must recharge even when you have to go somewhere else, or there is nothing to do in the close up and it's telling you to go do something else. With the longer hint time, this is a true flaw.
Also, the hint works oddly. When I was trying to put the flyer together, I tried to skip (I often skip during demos to give the game a more of a chance) but there was no skip. So I tried the hint, and it pointed me down a path translucently shown behind the flyer puzzle instead of showing me how to put the flyer together.
There's an 8 digit number you have to memorize or write down because it is in your journal, which you can't see at the time that you must use the number.
You have to click on the words "Go Now" and not on the picture when you use the jump map to change locations.
There are these metallic looking lines for close ups and sometime just put one the screen even it you are not in a close up, apparently just to focus your attention. Don't click on these. They are not umbrella tines or part of a window frame.
Anyway, it's slow but beautiful. I guess , , , benefit of the doubt . . . four!
I recommend this game!
You've been summoned to save the Fantastic Worlds from evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
A nice game, but 18 five star reviews vs 4 not? It's not THAT good.
PostedJanuary 16, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Current Favorite:
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
(44)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I think the reason that this is not a five-star game for me is I find the story a little confusing. I'm not really sure what I am supposed to be doing. I found the queen, but she got snatched away again, and then I went through a magic mirror to some other place. I found a man I was looking for (not sure why I was looking for him) and he sends me to research something in a library. So am I still looking for the queen? What's my goal? Not sure.
For me, this lack of clarity in the story damages the ability of the game to be immersive. Getting sucked in and not realizing it's past my bedtime is the immersive quality that the true five star game should offer. Of course, this is subjective, so you will have to decide for yourself.
Still, I am having fun. There are already great detailed reviews out there by other reviewers, but here are my thoughts:
==This game has nice art, nice music.
==I'm having fun looking around and progressing through the game. There's not too much back and forth. For example, you find the last of the blue crystals right near where you use them. I always forget where I saw something if it is too many locations away.
==HOPs are not anything special, but there are a few short ones that pop up in windows, a nice touch.
==I'm really liking the minigames. Many are "assemble the picture" types, which is one of my favorite types.
==I'm having fun looking around and progressing through the game. There's not too much back and forth. For example, you find the last of the blue crystals right near where you use them. I always forget where I saw something if it is too many locations away.
==HOPs are not anything special, but there are a few short ones that pop up in windows, a nice touch.
==I'm really liking the minigames. Many are "assemble the picture" types, which is one of my favorite types.
CE features are good. There's a bonus game, an extra pop-up book game (sounds interesting), and replayable HOPs and mini-games, plus some extra things to find. And there's the usual art and music.
One question is unanswered--I am not sure how long this game really is. Though I didn't run out the demo, I'm already well into the the 2nd chapter, "the Mansion," according to the Strategy Guide. Maybe the first chapter was just short, or maybe I'm just getting better at these games. But it makes me wonder--will I be disappointed that the game is short once I am done with it?
Still, I am having a good time and will be buying the CE. It's not like I gotta have it right now, though, so it's not a five star game for me. Five star games should make you want to keep playing, right now, and this game didn't do that for me.
Try it. It's not as good as a couple we have had lately, but you will probably like it too.
I recommend this game!
The past isn’t set in stone. Now’s your chance to change it!
Overall rating
1
/
5
27 of 39 found this review helpful
I quit after 23 minutes because it's so illogical. I just wasn't having any fun. Sorry!
PostedJanuary 16, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Current Favorite:
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
(44)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
it's just not for me. Here's some reasons why. Some spoilers follow, but I only played for 23 minutes, so not too much of the game is covered. Nonetheless, I found many problems in only 23 minutes.
The storyline is not particularly clear, and I don't feel like going back to check it further for this review as I normally would. You are flying a small plane in a fierce storm to get to your scientist(?) uncle(?) to help him do something or other. Your phone call is dropped so not much initial information is conveyed.
Art, kind of blurry and not really very attractive despite some bright colors in spots.
Cliched. I'm tired of:
1. Plane crashes to start.
2. Flying into a fierce storm.
3. Electrical wires falling in front of me to block my way.
4. Found objects being immediately lost.
1. Plane crashes to start.
2. Flying into a fierce storm.
3. Electrical wires falling in front of me to block my way.
4. Found objects being immediately lost.
Very illogical to the point where I could not be bothered to continue. A game cannot be immersive if it makes so little sense.
For one thing, the order in which things happen is stupid:
1. While flying a plane, take an antique relic out of padded briefcase with an indentation specially made for it--so it must be really valuable and breakable--and do this three scenes before you need the antique relic.
2. Beat open the stuck door to the plane (while flying it and before it goes down) before you put your parachute on.
3. Turn the power off to the whole town because of the fallen wires you can't cross, but thereafter help construct an electrical apparatus and turn it on. Also, after the power is off, there appear occasional beams of light that look like searchlights from above, not lightning strikes, yet we see no flying saucers.
1. While flying a plane, take an antique relic out of padded briefcase with an indentation specially made for it--so it must be really valuable and breakable--and do this three scenes before you need the antique relic.
2. Beat open the stuck door to the plane (while flying it and before it goes down) before you put your parachute on.
3. Turn the power off to the whole town because of the fallen wires you can't cross, but thereafter help construct an electrical apparatus and turn it on. Also, after the power is off, there appear occasional beams of light that look like searchlights from above, not lightning strikes, yet we see no flying saucers.
Other illogical things:
1. The directions to the minigame to turn the power off say you are turning the power on when you are turning it off.
2. You go "Ew" about the previously chewed bubblegum, and you scrape it off with a rather large metal sign to collect it. But later, to apply it somewhere else, you apparently use your hands.
3. There's a totally unnecessary conversation with a cop character that does not advance the story in any way.
1. The directions to the minigame to turn the power off say you are turning the power on when you are turning it off.
2. You go "Ew" about the previously chewed bubblegum, and you scrape it off with a rather large metal sign to collect it. But later, to apply it somewhere else, you apparently use your hands.
3. There's a totally unnecessary conversation with a cop character that does not advance the story in any way.
The one HO I played before quitting=a good concept=find objects to put together a machine, but the finding key itself is just a silhouettes list and it really isn't interactive at all. So it's just ok. Plus, you're finding several gears, but one is not collectable, and you are also collecting vacuum tubes, but one looks as if it's being used as a light bulb in a gooseneck lamp--so I had to use the hint to see it.
Good things:
1. I like the music.
2. The game works well.
3. I could find no extras menu button that allowed replay of mini-games, but you can play the HOPs over, and the other CE bells and whistles are there.
1. I like the music.
2. The game works well.
3. I could find no extras menu button that allowed replay of mini-games, but you can play the HOPs over, and the other CE bells and whistles are there.
There are so many better games out there. Try it, but I bet you will agree that there are so many better games out there. It was especially disappointing given that some of this developer's games are some of my favorites.
I don't recommend this game.
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
There’s more to this restoration project than meets the eye.
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 43 found this review helpful
Great puzzles.
PostedJanuary 11, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love the minigames. That's my favorite part.
Everyone has already written such great reviews that I will only say why I think the game is so great.
I got sucked into the world and almost ran the demo out. When I went back in to play my last few free minutes and was collecting hot pink flower petals, I groaned when the demo did run out. So immersive, the mark of a great game.
Progress through the game makes sense. The objects that you find are actually identifiable as having something to do with an action you are trying to fulfill. Always.
I'm not sure I know what is going on with the bad guys, but hey, I can live with a little confusion. After all, it's a mystery!
Art and music are great.
CE bells and whistles are all present.
Buy the CE now, seriously. I know we are only a week into the new year, but this one will be on the list of best game of 2016, at least if everyone remembers it by the end of 2016!
And thanks developers. I think you really listened when some of us said we were not as happy with "Hidden Expedition: Dawn of Prosperity" as we had been with previous entries in the series. Really, thanks for this one.
I recommend this game!
The past isn’t set in stone. Now’s your chance to change it!
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
Beautiful but nonsensical, yet still fun.
PostedJanuary 11, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The story is some sort of a quest, chasing after your friend who has turned evil. He is supposed to be trying to save his supposedly dying fiancé, traveling though time and collecting objects to do so. And in the process, apparently, changing history.
This review is based upon playing the demo + about an hour.
The art is really great, in my opinion, and that is one of my favorite things.
The music, ok.
The main problem with the game is that it doesn't make any sense. Also, the things that you collect to use in actions that you must take to progress through the game don't make much sense, either. Hence, pretty constant use of the hint button.
Plus, one puzzle was so mystifying that I took a computer snapshot of the strategy guide, fired up my second monitor (a retired TV too small for the living room but without the proper number of pixels to be a great computer monitor) and read the solution off as I clicked. And in the three step maze leading to the fiery garden, the skip wouldn't work even though it appeared in the lower right hand corner.
Despite these problems, I bought the CE. The game played seamlessly other than the items mentioned above. I had a good time because the HOPs are decent and the minigames fun.
Another reason I bought the CE is that the Extras are good. There are collectibles, achievements, puzzle pieces, a bonus chapter, and the usual art and music. Also, it includes my favorite feature, replayable HOPS and mini-games.
Try it and see if you agree . . . beautiful but nonsensical, yet still fun.
I recommend this game!
Complete a massive variety of puzzles, recover the missing ancient amulets, and restore nature's harmony!
Overall rating
5
/
5
58 of 65 found this review helpful
I actually bought this--a straight HO game and a mahjong game! And I usually don't like either game type!
PostedJanuary 11, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game is odd, yet addicting. I am not a pure HO fan. I don't like mahjong. But even though these are the two main components of this game, I still bought. OK, OK, so I used a free coupon, but I'm STILL playing it.
The story is not much. You are on a quest to find ancient Chinese amulets. But the gameplay seems to have nothing to do with looking for them. There are 5 amulets, and I am still looking for the first.
The instructions are good and you can review them over.
There's a relaxed mode. Don't forget to set it if you play these games to relax.
You earn hints and other bonus actions by finding pearls.
The gameplay is in three repeating parts:
First, it gives you a HO scene with objects viewed from above. Some are words, some are "find several of the same thing," and some are outlines. Beware, there's a BAD click penalty. And the objects are kinda small. But so far, the objects are neither too similarly colored in comparison to the background nor disguised in any way.
Next, it gives you a mahjong of the "match the changing tiles at the bottom" type. As you work the mahjong, you also find letters that form a word, and when you have formed the word, you beat the level. A free tile "cat" appears every so often and allows you to remove any tile. Look for the most matches with a bottom tile because of an increasing bonus as you go. (The only problem is, I can't figure out what bonus points are for!)
Finally, you spin a wheel, and wherever it stops, you get a "bonus game." These can be matching, bingo, tiling, or memory. It has not given me "memory" yet (6 tries), but the others are slightly different from what I expected from the title.
==The bingo numbers move along like a marble popper of the "Luxor" type.
==The matching only has two items that match on a page instead of the usual match all.
==The tiling is a jigsaw puzzle/"Patchworkz"-type game.
==The bingo numbers move along like a marble popper of the "Luxor" type.
==The matching only has two items that match on a page instead of the usual match all.
==The tiling is a jigsaw puzzle/"Patchworkz"-type game.
You can skip the bonus games. Personally, I would have liked to play JUST the bonus games. But the only option outside the quest is "Zen Mahjong."
The art is clear, bright and pretty.
The music is too repetitive but orientally fitting, and then sometimes resolves into something that sounds like it belongs in a Western.
There are lots of options about what the mahjong tiles can look like. Some seem unusual, but then I am not a Mahjong person.
All in all, the best thing is--it's DIFFERENT. I thought I would hate it. Yet it is still running in the background as I write this. Try it!
I recommend this game!
Someone's out for revenge, and she'll stop at nothing to get it.
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
CE or SE? Hard to say because what special features are offered is not clear.
PostedJanuary 10, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As always, I write to advise whether to buy the CE or the SE because that is what I want to know if both are out and I have bought neither.
One problem about making the decision whether to buy the CE or the SE is that you cannot see the EXTRAS menu at all before you finish the entire main story. OK, so Big Fish tells us that we get a bonus game, art, music, and trinkets that will unlock bonus mini-games and HOPs. But I'd rather look at the extras menu for myself to see what shelling out that extra money for a CE buys me.
Nonetheless, I bought the CE and I do not regret it. Though I am somewhat confused sometimes about what I am supposed to do, and I am using the hint rather a lot, I am still having fun. I have played perhaps an hour more after the demo period.
My other thoughts about the game:
--The HOPs are often unique, though sometime cause eyestrain.
--The ART is well drawn and appropriate to the subject matter, semi-dark but not monochromatic, with a creepy cast to it. It sets the mood nicely.
--Some of the MUSIC is quite good. There is one Myst-like piece that I might actually want to listen to outside the game.
--Some MINIGAMES are too easy, and some don't have great directions, but still OK fun.
--The HOPs are often unique, though sometime cause eyestrain.
--The ART is well drawn and appropriate to the subject matter, semi-dark but not monochromatic, with a creepy cast to it. It sets the mood nicely.
--Some of the MUSIC is quite good. There is one Myst-like piece that I might actually want to listen to outside the game.
--Some MINIGAMES are too easy, and some don't have great directions, but still OK fun.
Here is a gripe that I have about other games as well as this one--too many objects that should serve the same function, but don't. Here’s just one example (slight spoilers): The game tells you that you can’t remove boards from a door with your bare hands, but the axe that you already have won’t work either. You need something else. Then, later, you use that axe on an almost identical door.
Even so, this game is worth playing. If you really like the game enough to play the bonus chapter and want to see what the other Extras are after they can be unlocked, try the CE. Otherwise, the SE would be a good buy because this game, though not totally immersive, is fun and worth playing.
I recommend this game!
Final Cut: Fade to Black
The rivalry between two movie studios escalates into deception and murder!
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 29 found this review helpful
Definitely buy the CE because of the extras, or at least buy the SE.
PostedJanuary 3, 2016
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Current Favorite:
Sable Maze: Soul Catcher Collector's Edition
(34)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As I always try to do, I write to recommend whether to buy the CE or the SE after the SE is out--because that is what I want to know if they are both out and I have bought neither.
There are some great reviews of the CE that describe the features better than I ever could, so I will explain the features that made this game a definite 5 star immediate buy for me as a CE.
First, the art is bright, clear and beautiful. I love looking at it.
Second, the Extras are a real selling point for the CE. You get the usual collectibles, a bonus chapter, achievements, replayable movies, and all the art and music. Best of all, you get replayable puzzles, and not just for this game. There are HOPs and minigames to replay from previous Final Cut games, also. You win them by finding candy canes and Christmas stockings.
Third, I got totally sucked into the world and ran out the demo without realizing how long I had been playing, even though the story is a little "whaaaat?" in places. Example: there is a place where a character tells you "you can't come in here," and then proceeds to watch you while you break into some object right in front of him. Didn't make sense. But I was still totally sucked in. The mark of a great game, that is!
So I recommend the CE. It is a bargain because of the extras that you get and because it is beautiful. But even if you don't want to shell out the money for the CE, try the SE. The game is really fun. Really.
I recommend this game!
After being contacted by a secret organization of elite mystery solvers, you're sent out in the field to prove your skills. This job interview may be your last!
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 26 found this review helpful
CE or SE? Really good art, but otherwise, nothing special, so you decide.
PostedDecember 29, 2015
kateblue222
fromSecond star to the right and straight on 'til morning
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
As I always do, I mostly write to recommend whether to buy the CE or the SE after the SE is out because that is what I want to know if they are both out and I have bought neither.
This review is based upon playing the demo of the CE.
Here's my review of various aspects of the game, kept short because so many others have written long reviews explaining why this game is nothing special, so I will not bore you with repetition:
The art = bright and colorful, sometimes beautiful.
The music = so annoying I had to turn it off.
The HOPs = word lists and outlines, not particularly interesting
The Mini-games = can’t really remember
The Story = unclear
Extras = No ability to play mini-games and HOS over, though there is a bonus game and achievements.
So not memorable.
The art = bright and colorful, sometimes beautiful.
The music = so annoying I had to turn it off.
The HOPs = word lists and outlines, not particularly interesting
The Mini-games = can’t really remember
The Story = unclear
Extras = No ability to play mini-games and HOS over, though there is a bonus game and achievements.
So not memorable.
I think the SE might be a better buy that the CE because
==cannot play HOS and Minigames over and
==when I first played the CE, I had a two day break during the demo because Iife intervened. When I went back to it, I could not remember the first 20 minutes I played, except I thought "oh, this is that pretty one." If I couldn’t remember the game after 2 days, them perhaps the CE is not a good investment.
==cannot play HOS and Minigames over and
==when I first played the CE, I had a two day break during the demo because Iife intervened. When I went back to it, I could not remember the first 20 minutes I played, except I thought "oh, this is that pretty one." If I couldn’t remember the game after 2 days, them perhaps the CE is not a good investment.
But the art is bright and makes me want to look at it more. Of course, that is one of my favorite things, wandering around and looking at the pretty worlds that developers create.
So try it. Maybe you will like it better than I did. And I definitely think it is worth the purchase of this SE at least.
I recommend this game!