Jem_Jerrica_Guy's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.6
- Helpful Votes:663
- Reviews Submitted:171
- First Review:January 8, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 7, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix
Reunite the Dragon and Pheonix Kingdoms to stop the evil witch!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Like a band whose best album stands out...
PostedMay 25, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Empress of the Deep 3: Legacy of the Phoenix Collector's Edition
(97)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
...there is a reason why this remains ERS' top rated adventure.
ERS put a lot of work into all their adventures, but "Song of the Phoenix" has more to it than any of them.
ERS put a lot of work into all their adventures, but "Song of the Phoenix" has more to it than any of them.
The formula is similar for most sequels:
Part 1, http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/12931/mac/spirits-mystery-amber-maiden-collectors/index.html , was a more happy environment with a cheery ending so players can get used to the character they are representing.
Part 2 is a more darker tale as the character travels to right the wrong in the opponents' territory.
"Song of the Phoenix" did just that... and did it well.
The individual elements throughout the adventure brought back memories from 80's movies to the fairy tale books my grandparents had at their former lake-house.
We have a giant beanstalk like "Jack and the Beanstalk" to giant living stone heads that remind me of 1985's "Space Harrier", http://segaretro.org/Space_Harrier , and the sphinxes in "Neverending Story": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088323/
The fairy mouse is a brief, but lovable moment that reminds me of Thumbelina.
The fairy mouse is a brief, but lovable moment that reminds me of Thumbelina.
What makes "Song of the Phoenix" stand out is that every scene is so beautifully designed, that players will forget the lack of the more advanced map option that automatically transports the character to a certain location.
The scenes vary throughout the environment to be so radically different that one just wants to keep going. This is so unlike modern city adventures where each area is just another part of the similar looking city.
The scenes vary throughout the environment to be so radically different that one just wants to keep going. This is so unlike modern city adventures where each area is just another part of the similar looking city.
From hidden object scenes of both items on a list and silhouettes, this proves the game is varied, and even revisiting both types of hidden object scenes the second time around does not bore the player into thinking ERS was just too lazy to do another scene.
The puzzles match the objects used in them well. They are varied from scene to scene, not just the same types that are simply get harder as the game advances. A player will find some puzzles are easier than others due to all the variation.
No cruelty to animals based on ERS ethics... your player must find less violent ways to deal with them as she is a good princess who wants to represent her kingdom.
In fact, there is very minimal violence, nothing drawn out and certainly not overdrawn at the end.
Finally, I will say there was something about the soundtrack that made it so different. Yes, ERS' tracks are used in many different adventures, but in "Song of the Phoenix", whether that is true or not, the player won't feel like it when being immersed in the dark haunting environment that the princess turns into light.
One of the savable tracks on the Collector's Edition, is a haunting cello track, which reminds me so much of American McGee's "Alice" soundtrack: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_McGee%27s_Alice
Of the slower tempo tunes, they don't linger; they just add feel to the game for the princess to complete her quest.
One of the savable tracks on the Collector's Edition, is a haunting cello track, which reminds me so much of American McGee's "Alice" soundtrack: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_McGee%27s_Alice
Of the slower tempo tunes, they don't linger; they just add feel to the game for the princess to complete her quest.
ERS continue to put out high quality games... and it will be a challenge for them to match "Song of Phoenix". There is a reason that this is ERS' top moment and why this can remain a top rated classic for all time: http://www.bigfishgames.com/top-rated-games/mac/all-time/
I recommend this game!
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Premature Burial Collector's Edition
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
Poe doesn't even have to promote this!
PostedMay 25, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix Collector's Edition
(219)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a great module in itself.
Starting out talking to a ghost raises the suspense already.
As you learn more about what happens, you learn how the good defeats the evil.
I can see what Poe fanatics want every one of these dark tales.
Starting out talking to a ghost raises the suspense already.
As you learn more about what happens, you learn how the good defeats the evil.
I can see what Poe fanatics want every one of these dark tales.
I recommend this game!
Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's The Premature Burial
Overall rating
5
/
5
Poe doesn't even have to promote this!
PostedMay 25, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix Collector's Edition
(219)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a great module in itself.
Starting out talking to a ghost raises the suspense already.
As you learn more about what happens, you learn how the good defeats the evil.
I can see what Poe fanatics want every one of these dark tales.
I recommend this game!
The Saint: Abyss of Despair
Solve a horrifying supernatural mystery and save the life of an innocent child!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Another demon story
PostedMay 20, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Silent Scream II: The Bride
(87)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
But this one goes above the direct approach.
The twists don't come until near the end.
Music gives this game the African feel where the character is.
The twists don't come until near the end.
Music gives this game the African feel where the character is.
I recommend this game!
Castle: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover
Solving murder has never been so much fun!
Overall rating
5
/
5
kept me going until the end
PostedMay 16, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
The Saint: Abyss of Despair
(34)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Loved the who dunnit games.
Like most, if not all, TV adaptions, there is no voiceover, but that doesn't take from anything once you want to keep going.
Hint button charges relatively quickly so use at your convenience.
Puzzles are challenging; I used skip a lot.
The game claims to have worked with the real actors, and it seems to show the fruits of the labor.
Like most, if not all, TV adaptions, there is no voiceover, but that doesn't take from anything once you want to keep going.
Hint button charges relatively quickly so use at your convenience.
Puzzles are challenging; I used skip a lot.
The game claims to have worked with the real actors, and it seems to show the fruits of the labor.
I recommend this game!
Enchantia: Wrath of the Phoenix Queen Collector's Edition
Explore the magical world of Enchantia as you race to save the land from the evil Phoenix Queen.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Understood why this game was rated lower than others.
PostedMay 14, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Castle: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover
(143)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Blue Tea graphics quality, but not storyline. "Macabre Mysteries" and "Dark Parables" were innovative, but this is another human-half-elf-elf-dwarf square.
In a sense it's a twist of "Lord of the Rings."
If you love this stuff, by all means, enjoy Blue Tea's graphic quality, but be warned there is no new music here; the same songs heard in previous adventures.
In a sense it's a twist of "Lord of the Rings."
If you love this stuff, by all means, enjoy Blue Tea's graphic quality, but be warned there is no new music here; the same songs heard in previous adventures.
I recommend this game!
Enchantia: Wrath of the Phoenix Queen
Explore the magical world of Enchantia as you race to save the land from the evil Phoenix Queen.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Understood why this game was rated lower than others.
PostedMay 14, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Castle: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover
(143)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Blue Tea graphics quality, but not storyline. "Macabre Mysteries" and "Dark Parables" were innovative, but this is another human-half-elf-elf-dwarf square.
In a sense it's a twist of "Lord of the Rings."
If you love this stuff, by all means, enjoy Blue Tea's graphic quality, but be warned there is no new music here; the same songs heard in previous adventures.
In a sense it's a twist of "Lord of the Rings."
If you love this stuff, by all means, enjoy Blue Tea's graphic quality, but be warned there is no new music here; the same songs heard in previous adventures.
I recommend this game!
Tales of Terror: Crimson Dawn
Rescue your abducted brother from eternal darkness in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
0 of 2 found this review helpful
Mirror worlds just mirror eachother.
PostedMay 13, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Enchantia: Wrath of the Phoenix Queen Collector's Edition
(139)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Not only that, the story lagged and was not as fast paced as other adventures.
In the end, we only stop a portal so this developer has some growth to do story wise.
But if this is a debut game, it is acceptable.
In the end, we only stop a portal so this developer has some growth to do story wise.
But if this is a debut game, it is acceptable.
I don't recommend this game.
Grim Facade: Cost of Jealousy Collector's Edition
A simple murder investigation in Spain becomes a puzzling whodunit filled with intrigue.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Predictable, but the best in this Grim Facade series.
PostedApril 28, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Fear for Sale: Nightmare Cinema Collector's Edition
(107)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The team that developed this has grown.
Is it twisted with different motives, but it comes full circle at the end.
Even with all this, members say ERS have become predictable, it's not like the first Haunted Legends.
Still, for fans of this series, the best is yet to come.
Is it twisted with different motives, but it comes full circle at the end.
Even with all this, members say ERS have become predictable, it's not like the first Haunted Legends.
Still, for fans of this series, the best is yet to come.
I recommend this game!
Grim Facade: The Cost of Jealousy
A simple murder investigation in Spain becomes a puzzling whodunit filled with intrigue.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Without the bonus Collector's Edition adventure,
PostedApril 28, 2013
Jem_Jerrica_Guy
fromin another dimension
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Current Favorite:
Grim Facade: Cost of Jealousy Collector's Edition
(77)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The story is not complete.
It won't come full circle unless one plays the CE.
It won't come full circle unless one plays the CE.
I don't recommend this game.