voodoogueen's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:677
- Reviews Submitted:60
- First Review:November 18, 2011
- Most Recent Review:January 6, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Down by the deep and muddy Mississippi, something’s not right. A ghostly riverboat brings to light a new conspiracy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A Devil of a Mystery!
PostedMay 24, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Visually this game has it all and then some! From the opening sequence to the dramatic ending, the animated cutscenes are a treat for the senses. Devil on the Mississippi is one long spookfest filled with memorable characters, both historical and fictional, resurrected for your pleasure. The story gets a little convoluted at times but I had so much fun playing I never let the flights of literary fantasy get in my way. You travel not only the world but through time at the request of Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, to solve more than one mystery. Hidden object scenes are clever and reward you with useful objects in unlocking key areas or solving puzzles. There are a lot of scenes and you need to be on the lookout for tools and interactive areas. A journal and task list provide some information and the hint system will not only explain the next objective but directs you to items and areas you might have missed. I thought the puzzles were the weak point in this game. The mechanics were not always clear and I had to resort to clicking about to figure out how they worked. As a result I solved some puzzles purely by accident. This game offers achievement awards for stellar gameplay. There are also ravens and clovers to be collected along the way. Ravens add extra hints. Clovers unlock unlimited hidden object scenes after the completion of the main game. The music and sound effects are quite nice and the when certain scenes are triggered there are some wonderful and startling results. All in all, a great game for a dark and stormy night!
I recommend this game!
Reunite the Dragon and Phoenix Kingdoms to stop the evil witch!
Overall rating
5
/
5
It's No Mystery Why This Game is So Great!
PostedMay 23, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The studio that created this gem has produced one great game after another. Each new release gets better and better and they have achieved a new pinnacle of perfection with Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix! The graphics are lovely and every scene is filled with wonder and enchantment. The story is a simple fairy tale but the journey is a unique adventure that can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. What I loved best about this game is the way it unfolds graphically. You don't just complete a task, solve a puzzle, pick up a tool and get dropped into the next scene. You are rewarded with a visual treat! Castle doors open with a flourish, brambles wither and die before your eyes, mythical creatures and animals act out their roles, and enemies vanish in a puff of smoke. And this happens throughout the game, not just a few cutscenes! Even simple hidden object areas are filled with interactive extras that unfold gracefully. The puzzles are beautifully presented and integrated into the story. Several were completely new to me and others were a unique spin on familiar gameplay. I was glad to have a journal that kept track of my travels. The world is a large one and I did need my memory jogged a few times to so I could revisit locations and complete tasks. The dramatic music can be turned down as it does get a bit repetitive, but I thought the voice acting was convincing and really added depth to the characters. I don't usually buy Collector's Edition games but I do when ERS puts one out. Their bonus chapters are always a treat and this one was no exception. It is an additional story that has all the satisfaction of a good dessert! I can see myself enjoying this game again in a few months. That is of course if I am not too busy playing whatever they come up with next!
I recommend this game!
Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Unpleasant Dreams!
PostedMay 21, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have played other games in this series and although I have found them painfully subtle and difficult at times, this one just plain bored me. The artwork is lovely, the music and voiceovers are very nice but the story seemed pointless and unfinished. Dream Chronicles always leave a loose end or a plot twist in anticipation of a sequel, but this chapter in the saga offers no closure whatsoever. It starts out well enough with clever problem solving but the story never develops. Puzzles are beautifully presented and some are very innovative. However, some were so difficult that even after I figured out how they worked, completing them became a chore instead of a pleasure. I was tempted to click the skip button more than once, something I rarely do. There are wonderful things about The Book of Air, but the fun dissolves under the weight of tedious, repetitive tasks. I would like to see this series return to the mystical, magical game it used to be instead of a hurried chapter promoting the next game.
I recommend this game!
Unlock the secret rooms in the Howard’s mansion and restore a precious antique collection hidden there.
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Auction Feature Too Much of a Secret!
PostedMay 19, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
HEADS UP! This game is pleasant enough but it has a fatal flaw. I wasn't the only one to be caught out but I did feel pretty silly. The AUCTION features of the game must be played before the game comes to an end. Once the final piece of the puzzle is played out, GAME OVER and you cannot stroll back to the gallery to enjoy the auctions. I played one, assuming I could take a closer look later and was shocked when the game concluded and I realized I would have to start over. Now this is not a bad game and it's my own fault for not paying attention, but I think the gallery should have been available at the end of the main game before the credits started rolling. Credit is due for crisp, clean artwork, an engaging story and some truly clever and amusing characters. I really enjoyed the puzzles, some of them were new to me and they were by far my favorite part of the game. The hidden object scenes were difficult due to small and well concealed objects, but I have to admit they were fair. If I used a hint it was a "Gosh, I should have seen that," moment. As for the Gallery/Auction feature, collecting and upgrading is not generally my thing but I would have liked the chance to explore it further. So, kudos to the developer for some fresh and funny stuff but give us dunderheads a break next time!
I recommend this game!
Your family is missing and the town is in chaos in Small Town Terrors: Livingston!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Small Terrors
PostedMay 9, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Small Town Terrors has a great look to it and I especially enjoyed the subtle animations which enhance the scenes. I had a lot of fun problem solving my way through town to open up new areas. When you complete an area you move into the next which cuts down on backtracking and makes it possible to take a break from the game between chapters. A task list, a map and a good hint system are available to keep you headed in the right direction. The hidden object scenes are challenging but fair. There is a good variety of puzzles and I found some of them downright diabolical! The cutscenes have a gritty comic book style and they advance and explain the plot. It's the same story I have come to know and love in other games but this one is pretty weak in some areas. Wake up in an abandoned hospital. Travel through deserted town on a rescue mission. Avoid zombies created by evil experiment gone wrong. Sounds great, doesn't it? My complaint is the zombies never posed a real threat. If a laboratory disaster is going to cause a creature fest, don't let me down on the drama, please!
I recommend this game!
An endearing 1930s love story set around a traveling circus.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A Stroll Down Memory Lane
PostedMay 2, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
You don't have to be a member of the older generation to play this game but I think those of us who used to dance to the music of Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, in dresses we made ourselves, are going to have more fun. Runaway With The Circus has some lovely features that make for a unique game experience. The artwork is bright and colorful and captures the 1930's era. The music is delightful, a revolving soundtrack of fifteen vintage songs that set a whimsical mood. The story of our orphaned heroine, working her way up to become the star of the bigtop and finding romance along the way is charming. A diary records the story and as you progress in the game you are rewarded with old newsreel clips to enjoy. The clips don't seem to have anything to do with the story but they are highly entertaining nonetheless. Now for the bad news. The hidden object scenes are BADLY constructed. Many objects are hard to identify because they are too small, only partially exposed, badly drawn or blend into the background. Some objects are found only in a circus poster within the scene. These areas within the scene are highlighted by a subtle sparkle when you run the cursor over them. They are easy to miss and judging from other reviews, players who were not lucky enough to stumble across the secret must have gone crazy. Hints are available, but here again, frustration can run pretty high. The hint sparkles are so brief you really have to be lucky to catch them and adding insult to injury, they sparkle in the general area of the item you wish to find instead of pinpointing the object. More than once I had to wait for the hint button to recharge, click again, and still had to scour the area to find the item. There is also a penalty for too many random clicks. Puzzles between hidden object scenes are simple and repetitive. This game had a great deal of potential and I enjoyed seeing the story unfold but I cannot give a high rating for what I consider frustrating, unfair gameplay.
I recommend this game!
Can a mysterious tattoo cure a phobia or will it turn a patient into a victim and make him crave for death?
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
Our Worst Fears : Bad Writing
PostedApril 24, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Our Worst Fears: Stained Skin has a very dark theme that I found more sad than spooky. I am a reader and given a journal or a cutscene with dialog, I'm not going to miss a word. I usually love games with ghosts and goblins, murder and mayhem, but this one left me feeling flat. I don't mind if a game asks me to suspend belief, bend logic, or make a leap of faith, but bad writing takes what might have been an interesting plot and chokes the life out of it. Imagine the worst short story written by a high school student taking Creative Writing because Drama Class was full. Call the Guidance Counselor, PLEASE! If writing were not such an integral part of this game I would have given it a much higher rating. It has some innovative puzzles and gameplay. Hidden object scenes have a puzzle mode that is very interesting and can be toggled on and off. I thought the artwork was very well done. Each chapter of the story has a distinct environment that cuts down on the amount of backtracking you have to do to complete tasks. The hint system in casual mode is helpful but I have to admit I was outsmarted several times. You really have to pay attention to each scene in the chapter, but competed areas are clearly announced to help narrow your search. The plot actually has some surprises and I did enjoy the puzzles so this game wasn't a dead loss. It held my interest until the bitter end. I would recommend it to happy, well adjusted players or those who don't bother to read dialog.
I recommend this game!
Stop the evil Vansig family before they point their vengeful wrath at your friend Christine in Nightfall Mysteries: Black Heart!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
A Good Finish To A Great Trilogy!
PostedApril 23, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I absolutely adored the first game in the Nightfall Mysteries series. I was disappointed with the second, and although this final chapter has many fine qualities and I would definitely recommend it, I am going to play devil's advocate. I ONLY write reviews of games I play to conclusion and this review is based on the Collector's Edition of Black Heart. I was thrilled that the plot tied together all three games in this final battle with the evil Vansig family. The game does stand alone if you have not played the other two, but it was a nice touch for those of us who have. This game has glorious artwork and the cutscenes are frequent and fabulous. I thought the voice acting was terrific, especially the vengeful Vansig clan. That evil laugh! You can hear Christine go from firm resolve to controlled desperation, and eventually sheer terror. The Detective sounds like he just wants to close the case, but frankly, Viggo is a bit of a dish rag. No wonder it takes three people to rescue him! The plot is very involved and has you moving through two distinct environments. Once you claw your way into the mansion, the real fun begins. The music is good and the sound effects change to match the scenes in the game. There are clever puzzles and lots of items to be tracked down. Hidden object sequences are clear and fair for the most part. Most have a few simple interactive areas and of course a useful tool or clue is the reward for completion. At first I thought none of the HO scenes were going to repeat. I don't mind backtracking, especially in a game as attractive as this one is, but it got to be a bit much for me. Also, and this was a shocker, it asked me to find many of the same items on the second go round. By this time my inventory is getting huge and I am getting tired of hauling all my prizes around. Luckily I have a journal and a fabulous map that keeps me on track. After a long, hard, dangerous journey I expected to be rewarded with another fabulous cutscene. But when I pulled that final piece of the puzzle out of my inventory and used it, BOOM! Thank you very much, we are all going to live happily ever after...Well, darn. No parade? No medals? And hopefully, no sequel.
I recommend this game!
Join Steve the Sheriff in an all new Hidden Object Adventure crime saga set in the zany town of Neptuneville.
Overall rating
4
/
5
28 of 29 found this review helpful
Sit Down With a Slice of Pie and Steve the Sheriff
PostedApril 21, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have been playing this game for months. Literally. Every once in a while you need to kick back and goof off for a few minutes. This is the perfect game for that! I can't imagine trying to burn through this game. The jazzy music, the bad puns and the silly characters never failed to cheer me up, but a little goes a long way. But a week or so would go by and I would be back in Neptuneville, hunting for the Missing Thing! The hidden object scenes are actually pretty sophisticated. They are never repeated, contain little extras and always lead to a puzzle. Objects are fairly easy to locate with the exception of those last one or two items. Some items are small and the hint system recharges slowly so don't be lazy! Young or inexperienced players might actually find it a bit of a challenge. There is a politically incorrect cigar smoking theme in the game as well, so parents beware. The characters and dialogue are clever and silly as can be. So relax and have fun!
I recommend this game!
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 12 found this review helpful
Search Out the Faceless Ones!
PostedApril 21, 2012
voodoogueen
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
When I first started playing this game I thought it was going to be another mindless romp in the pretty park. I was thrilled to find a dark, exciting adventure! The story is engaging and as the game progresses, clues are revealed in a refreshing way. The locations and characters are beautifully drawn. Although the hidden object scenes are standard fare, you are rewarded with objects that are crucial to other areas of the game. Some tools must be earned by searching the various environments or by solving clever puzzles. Make sure you take the time to pick up and read the various documents you see scattered about. The music and sound effects are fantastic and the animated sequences, including the spectacular finish, are brilliant. I had to check to make sure I had purchased the Standard Edition of this game. It was as complete and satisfying as any CE I have ever played. I hope you think so too!
I recommend this game!