laurakay76's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:723
- Reviews Submitted:161
- First Review:November 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 14, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Build-a-Lot: The Elizabethan Era
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
This was a treat!
PostedJanuary 19, 2019
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've never tried any of the Build-a-Lot games, but I enjoyed this one very much. I love Elizabethan history, so I got a kick out of the characters speaking in "ye olde Englische" as they explained how the game mechanics worked. It was challenging but not frustrating, and I was genuinely disappointed when my hour's trial was over. I'll be keeping this one on my future purchase list!
I recommend this game!
Emerland Solitaire: Endless Journey
Discover a land of wonder and danger! Be the hero the world needs!
Overall rating
4
/
5
The best of its kind
PostedNovember 11, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I've tried nearly all of the games that are offered free to download in my game manager. Some of them refused to run on my computer; others I found tedious (like Gummy Drop) or downright obnoxious (like Found: A Hidden Object Adventure). This one, however, I considered worth keeping. Yes, you run out of lives, but the game generates more for you after enough time has passed. The graphics are bright and enjoyable, the music is soothing, and the game is just challenging enough for my tastes. I've played a few solitaire games from Big Fish and I would have to say this one is my favorite!
I recommend this game!
In this hidden object murder mystery, a single page from a journal leads a woman down a dangerous path of deception to track down a murderer.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
It's not the worst.
PostedNovember 4, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is based strictly on the demo. I like the concept of this game but it just didn't really do it for me.
Pros:
- The music is nice and relatively soothing.
- The graphics during gameplay are good and nicely detailed.
- The puzzles are pretty decent, although a few of them (like the piano) were utterly skippable.
- The music is nice and relatively soothing.
- The graphics during gameplay are good and nicely detailed.
- The puzzles are pretty decent, although a few of them (like the piano) were utterly skippable.
Cons:
- The voice acting is mostly lame; why are they all pretending to be British? Kate the detective was the only one whose voice didn't annoy me. Amanda's husband Lucas is the worst - dude, you could at least *pretend* to care that your wife is dead!
- Cutscenes are not only very cartoonish but the animations are very jerky, which gave me a slight sense of motion sickness.
- I lost my sense of immersion the instant Kate invited Ellen to call her by her first name; no law enforcement officer worth their salt is going to do that with someone they just met. They have to maintain professional distance from the people involved in their cases.
- The story doesn't make a lick of sense. If the killer really didn't want Ellen to figure out what was going on, they did a terrible job of preventing it.
- The voice acting is mostly lame; why are they all pretending to be British? Kate the detective was the only one whose voice didn't annoy me. Amanda's husband Lucas is the worst - dude, you could at least *pretend* to care that your wife is dead!
- Cutscenes are not only very cartoonish but the animations are very jerky, which gave me a slight sense of motion sickness.
- I lost my sense of immersion the instant Kate invited Ellen to call her by her first name; no law enforcement officer worth their salt is going to do that with someone they just met. They have to maintain professional distance from the people involved in their cases.
- The story doesn't make a lick of sense. If the killer really didn't want Ellen to figure out what was going on, they did a terrible job of preventing it.
I considered burning a coupon on the full game once I reached the end of the demo, but based on some of the lower-rated reviews, I'll pass. I get the impression that my displeasure with the story would only be made worse by the ending. I don't recommend the game; but I don't not recommend the game. If the puzzles are more important to you than the story, this might be a good one for you, but it's a no-buy for me.
It was a dark and stormy night... for Solitaire! Jewel Match gets spooky in this new Solitaire adventure! Play 200 levels and build 5 eerie castles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Nice long game!
PostedOctober 26, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
With as many levels and bonus games as this offers, it'll keep players entertained for hours. A great one for a rainy autumn afternoon, as the haunted layout is spooky but not overly so. It's a nice Halloween treat and I'm glad I was able to grab it.
I recommend this game!
Help the heroes overcome all obstacles in their journey and save King Artos from a terrible curse!
Overall rating
4
/
5
A nice little timekiller
PostedOctober 22, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'll admit that I bought this one purely out of amusement - the fabled hero's name is Kevin, which is my husband's name, so I gave it a go since there was a sale. I'm not usually a fan of time and resource management games, but I liked it.
Pros: Nice bright graphics, amusing sound effects, lighthearted music, and a fairly straightforward plot. Lots of achievements to unlock. The extra levels are good too. You have the option to replay any or all levels as you desire.
Cons: Several of the achievements require you to get two or three stars in the assorted levels, but at no point (that I could find) does the game actually explain HOW to get those stars. Looking at the map, there's no indicator of which levels have how many stars, nor which ones I would need to replay to improve my star level. There is absolutely no hint as to whether or not I achieved the right number of stars, since the animation at the end of each level shows three stars no matter how I did. I found that extremely confusing.
Overall, it's just a pleasant romp through a fairytale setting. A good one to share with your kids.
I recommend this game!
Queen's Quest: Tower of Darkness
The sins of the long-forgotten past have returned to haunt the royal family. Help the princess protect her kingdom and the ones she love the most!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Couldn't get through the demo
PostedSeptember 24, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I wouldn't even bother with the review, but this game just bugged me so much that I feel compelled. I downloaded the trial of this and I just could not deal with it. The story, which is always the most important thing for me, is actually the worst part. Not only is it corny, it's nonsensical - the opening narration says that the Prince and Princess are blessed with a baby girl a year after their marriage; yet the in-game objective book claims that the child is receiving the royal blessing on her first birthday. So which is it? Is she a newborn or is she a year old? If the game can't even keep its basic concepts straight, then I just don't see a point to following it any farther.
In its favor: I didn't have any difficulty with the actual gameplay. The illustrations are lavish and beautiful, even though the animation isn't good. The voice acting is decent. This might be a good game for someone who doesn't prize the story as highly as I do, but it's not for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover the secrets buried under Karkhala Peak.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
The stunning conclusion!
PostedSeptember 23, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As I mentioned in my review of the previous game, I recently binged on all three collector's editions of this series. This third game is not quite as dark as the second one was, but still chilling and full of edge-of-your-seat excitement.
I was really happy to see that the detective and "Rick" have become such good friends. Once again the story was tight and well-paced, the graphics are beautiful, the characters are likable and have great voice acting, and the puzzles are just the right amount of challenging. The reveal about Asmodai's hiding place was a real surprise and the ending was thoroughly satisfying.
Full props to Artifex Mundi for this wonderful, wonderful trilogy!
I recommend this game!
Enigmatis: The Mists of Ravenwood Collector's Edition
Enter Ravenwood Park and discover the secrets hidden in the mists...
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A LOT creepier than the first one!
PostedSeptember 23, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I loved the first Enigmatis, even though it made me jump quite a bit, so I bought the two sequels in collector's editions. I recently binged on all three for three nights in a row, because I'd never gotten around to playing the second and third. I won't rehash the plots in my review, since everyone does.
The second game is a lot darker than the first. The first was creepy but the second is like being trapped in a horror movie. I am not normally a fan of scary things but I really love these games, because they're so intelligent. The stories are engaging and there are no twists that don't make sense. The mythology of the game world is an intriguing blend of Christianity and original ideas. The voice acting is terrific and the characters are likable... even when they shouldn't be.
I enjoyed the addition of achievements this time around, and the collector's edition has a neat little bonus called the "Redwood Encyclopedia," which gives real world facts about the redwood trees. I found that fun to read.
All in all, an excellent middle part to a fascinating game trilogy!
I recommend this game!
Uncover a conspiracy against the king!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
LOVE this!
PostedSeptember 10, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
As of this writing, I'm nowhere near finished with this game, but I already think it's one of the best games I've ever played from Big Fish. It's hitting all my sweet spots - engaging puzzles that are just the right level of challenge, beautiful visuals, lovely music, and a story that keeps my attention. I love the fact that you're not actually playing as the long-lost royal heir but as someone who loves him and wants to help him. It's so refreshing! Everything about this game is delighting me and I can't wait to see what comes next.
I recommend this game!
Will yours be your downfall?
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Didn't even finish.
PostedSeptember 10, 2018
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Strategy, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I love the Spirits of Mystery series, so my disappointment with this installment is tremendous. The visuals and sound quality were superb, the voice acting was fine... but the story just killed it. Absolutely too much suspension of disbelief is required. Why were you supposed to lock yourself in for safety if the person telling you to lock yourself in wanted to kill you? Why did he wait 25 years before doing so? None of it adds up at all.
The puzzles were variable. The HOS were fine, most of the other puzzles were at least mildly interesting, but the business with the mother's amulet to uncover the hidden symbols in the air was both difficult and boring. After the big reveal about a third of the way through the game, I realized that I just didn't have enough interest to continue. There are very few BF games that I couldn't at least persuade myself to finish, but this is on that short list.
I don't recommend this game.