laurakay76's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:723
- Reviews Submitted:154
- First Review:November 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:February 13, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Chaos has emerged from Pandora's Box! Only you can stop the apocalypse!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Nice game but not for me
PostedFebruary 13, 2024
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I gave up after about 15 levels. It's a nice time management game - beautiful colors, pleasant music, reasonable level of challenge. But it just didn't do anything for me. The story wasn't interesting enough to keep me going through the very repetitive levels. There was also no way to turn off the tutorial in the first level, which is frustrating to someone who knows what they're doing. But it's a great game for TM beginners or young players.
A couple's fixer-upper is haunted by a fierce creature.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Too scary for me.
PostedJanuary 28, 2024
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I normally enjoy games from Eipix, so when this was being offered as the Catch I took a shot.
Let me be clear - the game itself is, mostly, fine. The puzzles are excellent. The graphics are pretty good. The music is suitably creepy.
The storyline is interesting, but a little unpolished in places. We're not given a particularly coherent background on the family who owned the house or how the monster turned out to be the way that it is. What's driving its bloodthirst? Why does it feel compelled to murder every person who comes into the house? How is it even surviving?
But the hardest part, for me, was just how dang unsettling the whole thing was. I don't enjoy the horror genre in general and in particular I don't like jump scares. This was just way too out of pocket for my tastes, and then the bonus chapter was even worse. If you enjoy genuinely scary games, you'll definitely want to give this one a try, but it's definitely not my cup of tea. A good solid game all around, just not for people who don't like to be scared.
End a centuries-old war between the Guardians and the Clan of the Nine in 9: The Dark Side!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Wow! I mean... just wow!
PostedJanuary 24, 2024
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This review is based only on the trial, but holy smokes, do I need to play the rest of the game! Not since "The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana" have I played a puzzle game that challenged me so thoroughly. It's positively delightful. There's very little hand-holding, it's got all sorts of achievements to unlock, and it's got a compelling story with a fantastic mythology behind it. The atmosphere is perfect too, with the creepy castle and the occasional sinister chuckle of a disembodied voice. I've gotten a little spoiled by games with interactive maps that show me where I have something to do, so this time I really have to use my wits to keep on top of everything. It's just a great, great game and puzzle lovers will definitely want to try it.
I recommend this game!
Plantera is a cute farming game for all ages. It offers many upgrades, fun gameplay, and your very own garden to watch.
Overall rating
2
/
5
No instructions?
PostedJanuary 20, 2024
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I couldn't play the game because there was nothing offered in the way of a tutorial, instructions, or even an introduction to the setting. There were three bugs on my screen, and I clicked on them to earn one coin each. That... was it. That was all I could work out how to do. I'm just glad I downloaded the trial before buying the game. If you have some experience with this kind of game and know how they work, you'll undoubtedly enjoy it more than I did, but I suggest doing the trial before spending any money. I won't say I don't recommend the game, because I don't feel like I actually got to play it, but it is definitely not for me.
Embark on a festive journey as the Vikings prepare for Yule!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Another delightful Viking adventure
PostedJanuary 20, 2024
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've grown quite fond of these Viking siblings, so when I saw they had a new game out for the holidays I was looking forward to getting a chance to play it. VH5 did not disappoint! The graphics are as charming as ever, the heroes got some new accessories for the holiday season, and the story is entertaining. I love the relationship between the four heroes and the addition of the Yule cat was purr-fect. Everything about it was enjoyable and satisfying, and I'll look forward to a sixth game in the future.
I recommend this game!
Restore ancient castles in a fantasy world in this Solitaire adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Endless options!
PostedJanuary 7, 2024
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I rarely play solitaire or match 3 games, but I make an exception for those crafted by Suricate Studios. Their games are gorgeously rendered and offer all kinds of additional challenges. I've played several of their games and enjoyed them all, and this might be the best of the bunch. Not only are there tons of levels to go through and work toward earning three stars, but along the way you'll unlock additional solitaire games, little quests, challenge levels, sliding levels, and even mahjong games. As I told a friend, I think you could play this game for a year and not get through everything it has to offer! Absolutely worth the purchase price and then some, and I highly recommend it for solitaire fans.
I recommend this game!
Travel across a wintery wonderland for over 200 levels of holiday Match-3 fun!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A beautiful holiday time-filler
PostedDecember 7, 2023
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I don't usually bother with Match 3 games because I find them kind of mindless. But I rather like the Jewel Solitaire series when I do want to play one. They're beautifully rendered, have pretty background music, and are just extremely soothing. This one is no exception, and the holiday theming is very festive. I enjoyed gathering the elements to craft a gorgeous winter village with brightly colored decorations. The challenge is quite good as well, as the levels grow increasingly difficult with multiple screens, conveyor belts, missing keys, and other little twists. Definitely recommend for a Match 3 fan or someone who wants to pass a few pleasant December hours.
I recommend this game!
Join the dynamic duo on an adventure full of deceit, corruption, and heroism!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Best one in this series for a while
PostedDecember 4, 2023
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm very fond of this series and a new game is a must-buy for me. That said, I wasn't too excited by the last couple of installments; the second one is probably my favorite in the series to date. But this comes pretty close!
The story is interesting and has some refreshing elements. New to this installment is the additional challenge of finding pieces of evidence concealed in certain levels; you get a big conspiracy board (complete with red string) to connect the dots between the clues you uncover. Who is the masked man Ace? What does he really want? Who's actually behind all the trouble plaguing Jack and Jill's new friends in Oklahoma?
The game mechanics are pretty much the same as they've always been. I play on untimed mode, and I found the challenge satisfying without being distressing. The music is cheerful, the graphics colorful and enjoyable, and on the whole it's a great addition to the series. If there's to be a seventh game, I'll be sure to buy that too.
I recommend this game!
Follow a mystical story full of secrets and puzzles after a severe storm forces you to seek refuge in an old wax museum!
Overall rating
3
/
5
It's a decent short game
PostedNovember 7, 2023
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This was the only one of the new "mini games" that caught my interest, and after finishing the fifteen-minute trial I bought the full thing. It took me roughly another half hour to complete, but for less than three dollars I'd say I got my money's worth.
The graphics are done well and the music is appropriately creepy. The storyline is rather thin - not bad, just very bare bones. I'm not generally one for 'junk pile' types of hidden object games, but this was okay, since it made sense that there would be random objects cluttering the scenes. Mostly I just felt like it didn't have much challenge to it; it was very hand-holdy, telling you exactly where to click to find clues to solve the overarching mystery. But it's a decent little game and if you like spooky stuff and hidden objects, you'll probably enjoy it.
Prepare to be enthralled as you unearth hidden objects in this extraordinary Antiquarium!
Overall rating
3
/
5
Is this an older game?
PostedNovember 3, 2023
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I get the impression that this game is a bit older than it seems, judging by the lack of animation and voice acting. If that's the case, I'm sure it was very cutting edge when it was first released, but hasn't aged particularly well.
The game has no story. You're working in a place called the Antiquarium. The only non-music sounds you hear through much of the game are someone's footsteps on a wooden floor, which gets really annoying after a while. In the primary hidden object scenes, you have to find the specific item that a customer wants, and the longer it takes you to find the item, the less money you'll earn. Problem is, the items are small, the scenes are variously dim, and in some cases, I had no idea what the item being sought even *was*. The hint button refills quickly, so that's a plus at least.
I just couldn't get into it. If you enjoy an endless game that has no particular plot, you might want to give it a try, but it wasn't for me.