valjoy's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:84
- Reviews Submitted:19
- First Review:August 14, 2015
- Most Recent Review:March 22, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Can you save your hometown from the Headless Horseman?
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
A game by a committee
PostedMarch 22, 2021
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Have you ever been on a committee where the members just don't communicate? Every one gets on with their task and the result is an elephant...like this. Being Domini, the basic structure, the collectibles and quality of graphics etc are good, hence 3 stars. But the love is missing. So with no consistency or unified purpose, some designers painstakingly craft items that are true to the time, while others can't care less resulting in modern wrist watches, lighters etc.
Most annoyingly, the endless chores are repeated time and time again whether feeding animals, putting rings on statues, repairing ladders, cutting anything and everything or putting out fires. Once is enough guys! Getting a new tool for all the similar tasks is also ridiculous; one knife, one hammer and torch will do. Even when you have a clawed hammer, you can't use it to take out nails but need to find part of a weather vane instead. Aaargh!
The story would have been OK but it is lost in the countless tasks that are trivial and often absurd. Your boyfriend is tied to the stake, ready to be burnt? There's no need to distract the crowd members who have been howling for blood; they calmly watch on as you cut his bonds and walk away together. Any suspense before the climax is gone when, with your friend in mortal danger - again - you wander around solving puzzles like assembling a fan and entertaining animals. The main villain could have been interesting, but the complex set up from the start is soon lost, alas.
The story would have been OK but it is lost in the countless tasks that are trivial and often absurd. Your boyfriend is tied to the stake, ready to be burnt? There's no need to distract the crowd members who have been howling for blood; they calmly watch on as you cut his bonds and walk away together. Any suspense before the climax is gone when, with your friend in mortal danger - again - you wander around solving puzzles like assembling a fan and entertaining animals. The main villain could have been interesting, but the complex set up from the start is soon lost, alas.
During lockdown, we are desperate for games I guess and too many developers have become lazy and careless. And greedy. Once this grim time passes and we can become more choosy we will look to those who are true story tellers, delighting in sharing a rollicking tale like Mad Head's latest offering.
I don't recommend this game.
A routine flight becomes a perilous adventure as you struggle to survive the dangerous way of life inside the Bermuda Triangle!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Bravo! Mad Head rules!
PostedMarch 16, 2021
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is an exceptional game! It was already worth 5 stars for the long, well thought out story, original puzzles, high quality graphics and voice acting. I loved that the morphs and collectibles were hard to find. Better yet, I was caught out presuming some puzzles were the same old same old only to discover that the formula had been twisted and I had to actually read the instructions.
And then along came Collins. Worth another star at least for this deliciously funny, quirky character and the quite bonkers twist. I don't think I have ever laughed out loud before while playing a game. What fun! Game of the year for sure.
I recommend this game!
Your daughter’s uncanny gift draws the attention of a sinister organization!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Strong story, solid achievement
PostedMarch 5, 2021
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
How refreshing to play a game with a strong and original storyline. No villains, no monsters and all tasks are relevant. There has been time in developing this game rather than rushing it through production with cookie cutter activities. And I love morphs and collectibles, especially when they are hard to find!
I recommend this game!
The most perfect town in the world hides a terrible secret!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Short changed!
PostedJanuary 8, 2021
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The premise was original and suggested so much...but there was no attempt to answer the questions raised. I kept playing hoping for an explanation and back story about the two brothers, their problems and the strange obsession with the roses. After wasting time in irelevant, repetitive and unoriginal tasks I realised the developers had no interest in the plot. All hook no fish. There was also too little bling and the game was surprisingly short. No Elf either alas.
I've liked Elephant Games for a long time and still appreciate the sophistication of the production but the heart and soul is missing in this assembly line game.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a deadly evil waiting in an abandoned school?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Bravo Mad Head!
PostedJune 29, 2020
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Bellissimo! This was by far the best game I've played in yonks. It was gripping and imaginative from the start to very last line. Literally! Unlike say Redemption Cemetery, each sequence featured not only a different character and scenario but a different central conception, such as the 2nd chapter where you have to navigate the 'real life' and 'nightmare' version of a scene. Throughout, there were continual twists and turns. The tension never relaxed for a moment. And to top it off, a Bonus Game that was as strong and essential as the main game. This restored my flagging faith. Loved it!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a mysterious monster terrorizing a new amusement park?
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Yes but....
PostedJune 7, 2020
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This should have been a great game. Fun, a bit demented with a decent story line which mightn't be original but which was fast paced. I liked the imaginative if dotty use of tools and there were a few nice twists and turns, especially near the start. So what went wrong? As with so many games recently the lack of editing and checking was poor. I have never needed so many hints to try and find out what to do but directions were misleading and often wrong. A note would say 'Nothing to do here' when there was a task to complete; the map and Hint would direct you to a a scene where you couldn't do anything until you had gathered other items. I ended just roaming around tapping everywhere and using random items because I had no idea of the purpose of them or the required action. Very frustrating!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you traverse the Underworld and make it out alive?
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
Worth sticking with!
PostedMay 6, 2020
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
At the start I thought that this game was not for me. I don't like fantasies, the story seemed humdrum and I hated the cat. Thank goodness for thoughtful comments from reviewers I trust! I persevered and appreciated this twisting tale more and more as I continued. It is long but not boring, voice acting is good and the dry humour adds to the fun. By the end I enjoyed it all immensely. Even the cat.
I recommend this game!
Can you clear an innocent man’s name in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Wake Up Domini!
PostedMarch 27, 2020
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
So disappointing! I love a good murder mystery but this wasn't one. Your time is wasted doing repetitive and illogical tasks. Looking for a killer? Let's stop and play a video game. Throw away any tools so you can boost the economy by buying new ones again and again and again. It becomes less and less clear how or why you are trying to solve this obscure murder. You find a USB and put it into a computer; surely you are going to at last find some info about the crime but no - just another drawer opens and you find yet another object . This is lazy craftsmanship that assumes we don't care about the story or pace or travelling forward on a journey. Boring. Come on Domini - show some respect to us and your brand!
I don't recommend this game.
A recent expedition uncovered unique, priceless artifacts, but at what cost?
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
Intriguing story to the very last sentence!
PostedMarch 22, 2020
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This was a pleasant surprise! A twisty original story with two equally important protagonists. Every step was logical and led forward. The off beat humour and stronger than usual characters are what really set this apart. Capped off with a great bonus game that really completed the jigsaw...with maybe one missing piece to justify a sequel. Good fun!
I recommend this game!
What's more important - the fate of the world or the destiny of your family? Find out in this amazing hidden object adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 7 found this review helpful
Lost Lands worth finding!
PostedMarch 7, 2020
valjoy
fromSydney, Land of Oz
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
A long and engrossing game. I don't usually like fantasies but this won me over. The relationship between mother and son was not mushy and gave a nice edge to the story. Puzzles were original and absorbing. Collections were multiple and hard to find, which is great by me. The bonus game was as detailed and well considered as the rest of the game, completing the story.
Bravo 5BN!
Bravo 5BN!
I recommend this game!