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:
A young man has hired Detective Dupin to solve a mysterious case in Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Premature Burial!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
I started in the middle.
PostedJune 18, 2013
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
While this is actually the third game in the Dark Tales series from ERS, it was the one that introduced me to the series. I had the great fortune to be one of the beta testers for this game, and I was so disappointed when my trial ran out that I was absolutely determined to buy the game when it was released!
The idea of being buried alive terrifies me, as it would terrify pretty much any sane person. So to have a game where you confront that very fear is really spellbinding. Unlike its two predecessors, this Dark Tale (and all those that come after) includes voice acting for Detective Dupin and the other NPCs you meet. Dupin has a NICE voice!
The graphics are beautiful, the settings seem real despite being animated, and the mystery demands that you stick with it to the very end. The bonus chapter only makes everything that much more disturbing too. Definitely worthwhile!
I recommend this game!
Go on an adventure with Inspector Dupin! Monsieur Mark Davies has reported his wife missing and now it’s up to you to help!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Creepy!
PostedJune 18, 2013
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the second of the Dark Tales from ERS, and brilliantly handled. Once again you're partnered with the dashing Detective Dupin to solve a mystery inspired by Poe's stories. This time, the adventure takes you to a contraption-filled mansion that was once home to an illusionist, and currently belongs to a man named Mark Davies. Monsieur Davies' wife Sarah is missing, and he hires the pair of you to solve the disappearance. But all is not as it seems, because a mysterious black cat keeps appearing... and so does Sarah.
Lots of genuinely scary moments in here, but all in good fun. I loved the mansion where the game takes place. The music enhances the atmosphere without being overwhelming, and the bonus chapter makes everything that much more deliciously creepy as you learn what caused everything to go horribly wrong.
Great job, ERS!
I recommend this game!
Dupin needs your help solving the mystery of the gold bug. Crack the codes and follow the clues to one man’s obsession with an old legend.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A treasure indeed
PostedJune 18, 2013
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The Dark Tales is my favorite series of games from ERS, and this, the fourth such adventure, suited me very well. Excellent graphics and sound, and as usual, very challenging puzzles. The only complaint I can think to offer is that the game didn't make it very clear who the villain is; I figured it out, but it would have been nice if Dupin had stated who the character was. Otherwise, full marks!
I recommend this game!
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Justice?
PostedJune 18, 2013
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The latest and, in my opinion, greatest addition to this series yet. The lavish graphics, beautiful music, and compelling storyline kept me riveted until the very end. The bonus chapter is so good as to definitely be worth the extra money - I don't want to give any spoilers, but I genuinely cried out in shock. Can't wait to see what ERS has in store for the next Dark Tale!
I recommend this game!
Luna's friend calls her to a remote island after unearthing ancient mystery. Now together they face the cult of the Wolf Man.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
A decent way to kill a few hours
PostedJanuary 8, 2013
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I had a coupon to burn and this looked interesting, so I bought it without doing the trial. I don't regret it.
Pros: Playthrough was glitch-free and flowed nicely. Vivid and well-rendered visuals. Nice music. The voice acting was pretty good. The story kept my interest and the puzzles, while not the most challenging I've completed, were innovative and unusual. I particularly appreciated the fact that the HOG scenes weren't your standard junk-pile fare. I also want to express my appreciation for the fact that all of the written dialogue on my screen was spelled correctly! Many times I have complained about blatant misspellings and poor grammar in these games, so it's always a plus with me when I don't encounter that particular problem. I especially enjoyed the sequence of puzzles that Luna had to solve in order to make her way through the castle.
Con: Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see where it was explained that Tara was researching this cult. Since I'd forgotten that from the game's description, I found the opening letter ("all those things we talked about") to be somewhat jarring and confusing. What things did they talk about, exactly? I also thought that the ending left something to be desired, since it there was no explanation offered for how the Wolf King came to be in his predicament, or where the cult came from, or why anyone would want to live in that place. I thought the machine with the discs that Luna found and played as she went along was a clever idea, but I was baffled as to how Brina was able to make them so quickly. And how did Brina know Luna's name? As interesting as the story was, it contained a number of logic holes. I'm also thinking the replay value is probably pretty low.
On the whole, I would give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this game!
Discover the fate of your exiled kingdom, save your people, and end the ancient evil that started it all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
More magic!
PostedOctober 29, 2012
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love the Awakening series, and this was a great addition. It was fun to help Princess Sophia conclude her adventure and become queen. Not everything was resolved, so I'm hoping that upgrading to the collector's edition and gaining access to the playable epilogue will answer those last few questions, but on the whole I was very satisfied. The helpful owl and pocket dragon make a return, and the animation was once again beautiful and lush.
I got a kick out of the pirate character, who was clearly inspired by Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. I also quite liked the cute knight captain Sophia has to rescue; maybe it's me, but I was strongly reminded of the character of Alistair from the popular Dragon Age games. I found myself sort of hoping he and Sophia became an item!
I didn't enjoy some of the puzzles, and made use of my skip button, but that's purely a personal preference. On the whole I have no serious complaints, and I'd like to congratulate the developers on a wonderful series!
I recommend this game!
Help Arok navigate an underground maze filled with tribal magic and ancient denizens so he may fulfill his destiny.
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Hopelessly lost
PostedJuly 16, 2012
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is my third experience playing a Kheops Studio game, and I found it incredibly disappointing. I know they have a proud tradition of not telling you what's going on or giving much in the way of a clue about what to do. However, in previous games that I've played of theirs, I can at least get an idea of things from the shape into which my mouse pointer turns. In this game, not so much. The arrow is comprehensible enough, but I can't understand what the other symbols are or what they mean.
I'm still stuck in the very first part of the game, in which Arok is trapped by the lion, because I don't have the slightest idea what I'm supposed to do. The game has no hint button, no manual, no information of any kind at all.
The graphics are excellent and what little I've seen of the story looked really good. It's also certainly a challenging game - unfortunately, it's TOO challenging because it doesn't provide any information about how to proceed. A simple tutorial, even just information about what the different symbols that the cursor becomes, would have been a big help.
I usually like Kheops games, but I wish I'd never bothered with this one.
I don't recommend this game.
Lead an orphan girl through her life in this exciting role-playing game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
Cute indeed!
PostedMay 8, 2012
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is adorable. I love that it's never the same game twice - you can make so many different choices about the life your character will lead that even if you get the same ending more than once, your path to that ending will change every time. It's a challenge to achieve all the different goals, and yet simple enough for all ages. I've unlocked six endings so far and I'm so interested to see the rest! It's a very absorbing game and a lot of fun. The graphics are a little old-school (the game dates from 2005), but still very cute and the music is also quite enjoyable. Overall, worth the asking price for sure!
I recommend this game!
20 years ago a terrible accident destroyed most of Cyan City. Now, Monica returns to uncover the secrets of her childhood!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
A hit and a miss, all in one.
PostedApril 1, 2012
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Mine is a bit of a mixed review. There are many things I like about this game, and a few things I don't.
The dialogue comes across a bit stilted and wooden, and consequently, so do the characters. The voice acting is very good, and the performers obviously put forth their best effort. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the Old Man; Monica, on the other hand, spoke her lines a little too slowly for my tastes.
The graphics are very good, although the animation is a little dry; however, I do appreciate that the characters' mouths move when they talk. That was something that annoyed me about another game I tried recently.
I do have a lot of praise for the puzzles. Most of them are unique; I really had to think hard. I also liked the fact that within each hidden object scene there was often a second puzzle, many of which were connected with Monica's past.
One thing did make me angry, though: My trial ended while I was in the middle of a hidden object puzzle. I then purchased the game, but when I came back to it, the objects I had already found were still on the list - but had been removed from the scene. I could not continue and had to restart the game.
The story is intriguing, if a little convaluted, and I'm hoping that by the end I'll understand why Monica's mother took such a huge risk and went ahead with her very dangerous experiment. I'm also hoping I'll find out what happened to Monica in the years between the experiment and the time of the game, since at present I don't know how she got out of Cyan City or who raised her.
One final criticism: I am extremely disappointed by the lack of proofreading performed by the game makers with regard to the in-game journal and the written dialogue. I have counted numerous grammatical errors, including missing words in some sentences and extra words in others. It just looks sloppy when the finished product contains mistakes like these.
Overall, based on what I've experienced so far (though I'm nowhere near the end), I'd give it a 7 out of 10.
I recommend this game!
Play chess in a fantastic world where epic battles are waged in 3D.
Overall rating
1
/
5
19 of 26 found this review helpful
Good idea, badly executed
PostedMarch 28, 2012
laurakay76
fromLehigh Valley, PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I love chess, so when I discovered the existence of this game here on BFG, I downloaded the trial. I was profoundly disappointed. The graphics are poor, being rather tiny and pixellated; I suspect this was originally a DOS game. The real problem with it, however, is the complete lack of instruction.
I know how to play chess. When I clicked on the tutorial button, I expected an explanation of how to play THIS game - how to make the pieces move, whether to left-click or double-click or whatever. Instead, I was given a very rudimentary explanation of the ways the different pieces move, and how to execute the en passant and castling moves. Nowhere is there any information of how to actually get your pieces to move on the board.
I've since learned via the forum how to do it, thanks to other players who took the time to figure it out through trial and error. So if you want to give the game a try, go there and read the instructions that the game's makers couldn't be bothered to provide.
I don't recommend this game.