charlene_lane's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:7,522
- Reviews Submitted:475
- First Review:March 13, 2013
- Most Recent Review:January 29, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Nightmares from the Deep: Davy Jones Collector's Edition
Escape the cold incarceration of Davy Jones' brig and discover the otherworldly origins of his galleon in this thrilling Hidden Object adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
CLASSIC PIRATE ADVENTURE
PostedSeptember 9, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME AND BONUS
This is on the top 10 on my list of favourite games to play. I loved the story line and the tale of how Davy Jones came to be what is he is. There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Diary;
* 33 Achievements;
* Find 10 Pirate Cards, 12 Seahorses and 24 puzzle pieces.
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Diary;
* 33 Achievements;
* Find 10 Pirate Cards, 12 Seahorses and 24 puzzle pieces.
The graphics are very colourful, a bit cluttered, but objects and items are easy to find. I would stop at every scene to have a good look around because you never know what you will find and have a play with. There is plenty to accomplish in every scene, so I took my time making sure to remember where tasks are to do.
Sound is very good and the music is fast orchestral and piano.
There is every imaginable HOP that you can think of in this game - interactive straightforward, silhouette, fragmented parts, find one item to use to find another, etc. These all had a very good challenge to them and I played them all. You can also play Mahjong if you fancy a change from HOPs.
There are a huge variety of mini-games to play - ranging from fairly easy to hard. Some only take a couple of minutes, while others I spent some time on. The instructions on how to play them are clear and I played them all without any feeling any frustration or boredom. There are mini-games there for everyone - like making potions and getting machinery to work. I loved them all.
Finding the 10 pirate cards, 12 seahorses and 24 puzzle pieces have a good challenge to them. I checked at the beginning of each scene to make sure I grabbed them before I moved on.
The interactive map works well. I turned everything off at the beginning of the game playing on Expert, but I think in Casual and Advanced you can have the option of seeing where tasks are to do if you get a bit stuck.
All up the game and bonus took me a good 12 hours (maybe more) to play. Its a huge exciting game, so it may pay to get comfortable.
Overall, a fabulous game and so worth getting. Definitely well worth your hard earned money. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
Save mankind from demonic forces in this thrilling hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
DEFEAT THE DARK ONES - TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURE
PostedAugust 30, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
What a fabulous game - absolutely unbeatable for a SE. There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue)
* Amateur, Casual and Expert modes of play;
* Journal;
* 30 Achievements;
* Interactive map.
* Amateur, Casual and Expert modes of play;
* Journal;
* 30 Achievements;
* Interactive map.
You play Kate Evans and it all begins where you have to put together a fashion wardrobe. Once that's done, then its off to save the world.
The graphics are very colourful and well defined. I loved going through the scenes and stopping to have a good look around. Items are clear to see and easy to find.
Sound is very good. The music is a woman singing, piano and orchestral. All are lovely and I had it turned up very loud.
The hidden object games are interactive silhouette and straightforward - find one item to use to find another etc. There are also items to put back to their original place and FROGs (fragmented pieces). These all had a good challenge to them and I thoroughly enjoyed them all. A great variety of HOPs is my ultimate favourite.
There are a huge range of mini-games ranging from fairly easy to downright hard. There were two puzzles that took me a good 20 minutes each to do (getting all the lights to turn off and the checkers game). I enjoyed them all and wished there had been more.
Keep an eye out in your journal because there are clues and answers in there to help you move on. It doesn't take long.
I managed to get all but one of the achievements. I didn't get one because I didn't lie to the psychiatrist.
The game is really long. I must have played well over 6 hours. I was disappointed when it finished. I hope they make another one.
So overall a fantastic adventure. If you love plenty of action and time travel, then this is the game for you. Don't pass this one by because its absolute gem. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
Something terrible lurks in the halls of Iron Gate Asylum…
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 30 found this review helpful
GET OUT OF IRON GATE PRISON
PostedAugust 26, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME AND BONUS
This is a terrific game and I really enjoyed it. There is:
* Dusk, Nightfall, Midnight and Eclipse modes of play;
* Voiceovers (with dialogue)
* Interactive map;
* Journal;
* 11 Achievements (some with 3 stars);
* Find 38 collectibles;
* Lots of extras.
* Voiceovers (with dialogue)
* Interactive map;
* Journal;
* 11 Achievements (some with 3 stars);
* Find 38 collectibles;
* Lots of extras.
The graphics are great - colourful, well defined and clear. All items I needed were clear to see and grab. The music is piano, orchestral and a few other instruments playing solo.
The hidden object games are interactive straightforward, silhouette and finding pairs. You also have three HOPs where there are sliders which go downward and upward to bring together the pictures and then grab the item you need. I saw this in a previous game and loved it, so I'm glad we got more of these in this game. I can really see this taking off as it makes a change to do a HOP in a different way.
There are a huge variety of mini-games to play - some of them are easy and you get back to the game quickly, and others which take a bit of time. The hardest one was at the end of the main game (where you are fighting the skeletal beast). That one took a while to conquer - well, actually I had almost given up when I thought "hang on, I need a teenager - any one will do". Well, he did it in less than two minutes, where I had been battling for 30 minutes!
Finding the 38 collectibles is a breeze because they are easy to spot in each scene and you just grab them on the way. Get them all and you get an achievement.
I found that I didn't need to use the interactive map at all because you are only going a couple of steps forward or backward, so there was no need to use it.
Getting all the achievements was near on impossible for me. I just can't get 10 items in so many seconds, but I'm sure there are many fishies out there who can. I didn't do a HOP in under a minute either. But I'll try again down the track and try and do better next time round.
All up the game and bonus took me about 6 hours, not hinting or skipping anything. I found the game fun and was disappointed when it ended.
Happy playing fishes.
I recommend this game!
After your father dies, your sister Violet requests your help at the Family Castle. Get to the bottom of a dark mystery!
Overall rating
2
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
DEFINITELY NOT
PostedAugust 13, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME
There are Casual and Advanced modes of play and a diary. There are no voiceovers.
The graphics are very dark and grainy and I had difficulty finding items that I needed. The music is orchestral.
In the hidden object games I couldn't even make out what items were, so I had to resort using the hint, which I hate doing.
The mini-games are standard and fairly easy to do. I didn't see anything new or remotely interesting.
I spent about 3 hours playing the game, which I regret.
Definitely trial before you buy. This game is not for everyone.
I don't recommend this game.
Save your kidnapped daughter Jessica by solving the secrets of the castle. Rescue the trapped souls from captivity and defeat Groth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
RESCUE JESSICA AND GET RID OF GROT
PostedAugust 13, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This truly is a terrific game and so worth playing. There is:
* Casual, Intermediate, Expert and Hardcore modes of play;
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Find 50 morphing objects; and
* Find fragments of the mirror.
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Find 50 morphing objects; and
* Find fragments of the mirror.
I played on Hardcore mode throughout the game because I love a challenge. However, if you decide to change your mode of play from Hardcore later in the game, then you will have to start again at the beginning.
The graphics are pretty good. They are kind of grey and dirty but its easy to find everything you need. Its an older game without many bells and whistles but definitely worth playing.
The hidden objects games are slightly interactive straightforward which you will do twice. Each one takes about 5 minutes each to do. Some of these had a good challenge and I enjoyed them all.
There are a good variety of mini-games and a few of them took me a while to do. Its not that they were too hard but it was just getting everything in their right place. I played them all without any frustration or boredom.
There are 50 morphing objects to find throughout the game. A hand DOES NOT come over them, so there is a good challenge there. You will find them in hidden object games as well. The mirror at the bottom of the screen will glow when there are morphing objects to find. I only found 32 of them (which is pathetic) so I hope you do better than me.
There is no backtracking in this game. You will stay in the same room until all tasks have been performed and you receive a glass shard to progress through the mirror into the next realm.
All up the game took me about 5 hours and I really enjoyed it. Go and have a look at this game as I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Its a great time filler between all those big games that we play.
I recommend this game!
You're the sole survivor of a shipwreck, but you can't leave the island until the captain's cursed ring is destroyed.
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 11 found this review helpful
THIS GAME ROCKS - DESTROY THE RING
PostedAugust 5, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What a awesome game and so worth playing. There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Normal, Hard and Custom modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Diary;
* Mr Gibbons, the parrot, to help you get items out of reach;
* Find lots of doubloons (coins) to fix the ship.
* Casual, Normal, Hard and Custom modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Diary;
* Mr Gibbons, the parrot, to help you get items out of reach;
* Find lots of doubloons (coins) to fix the ship.
The graphics are lovely - crisp and with plenty of colour. Even in the darker scenes, like in the caves, it is easy to find everything you need.
Sound is very good and the music is orchestral.
You can turn off Skip and Hint to make the game more challenging, which is an absolute favourite of mine.
The hidden object games are slightly interactive straightforward, some of which you do twice. These don't take long to do because every item is clear to see. However, if you feel like a change then you can play Mahjong instead.
There are a huge range of mini-games to play and I loved all of them. Most of them are relatively straightforward and fairly easy to do, but some of them took a while to get to their right places and colours. A couple of them took me about 20 minutes each - what looked easy turned out harder than I thought.
Throughout the game you will find doubloons (coins) to fix the ship.
Early in the game you will rescue Mr Gibbons, the parrot, who will keep you company and to get items out of your each.
All up the game took me about 6 hours to play, not skipping or hinting anything, which is good value for money.
Overall, a fantastic game with lots of bells and whistles. I liked the characters to the story and really felt that I wanted to help them. I'm sure you will love this too. The game is sort of old school but I think its a classic. This game can be played by all members of the family and definitely a great time filler between all the other much bigger games we play.
Well worth playing this game - its a gem. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
Uncover the secrets buried under Karkhala Peak.
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 19 found this review helpful
HUNT THE PREACHER
PostedJuly 30, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME AND BONUS
There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements;
* Find 15 white feathers, 21 morphing objects and flowers.
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements;
* Find 15 white feathers, 21 morphing objects and flowers.
The graphics are terrific - very clear and precise. Colour is good (with none of that blue haze or bright purples).
Sound is good and the music is orchestral and very loud and fast.
The hidden object games are highly interactive straightforward, silhouette and find so many bits to make it whole (like find all the parts to make the stretcher). These had a good challenge to them, which I loved. However, if you don't feel like playing a HOP then you can play matching pairs instead. I did a bit of both.
The mini-games are easy to medium. There is a lot of making potions but they are not hard to do. There are a good variety and I enjoyed doing them all.
I found that it was easier to look first at every scene for the morphing objects, feathers and flowers in case I moved on and forgot about them. These are not too hard to find.
You will be going to the evidence board a lot to put everything together. Its not hard and mainly you will be listening as the story progresses.
The only reason why I didn't give it five stars was because there were so many cut scenes and far too much talking. Now I know a lot of fishies love their stories (and this one is a goodie) but I was hankering just to get on with the game. Its quite a complicated story and so it plays to listen carefully (unlike myself, who has an attention span of a sparrow!).
All up the game and bonus took me about 7 hours, so good value for money.
Overall, a pretty good game with plenty to do and lots of action. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
A magical egg is about to turn one girl's world upside-down.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
DESTROY THE CASTLE OF DARKNESS
PostedJuly 17, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
REVIEW OF COMPLETED GAME and BONUS
In the main game Alice and Colin are out to destroy the Castle of Darkness and in the Bonus its all about helping the Valley of Twilight.
There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Easy, Normal and Hard modes of play;
* 20 Achievements;
* Interactive map;
* Diary;
* Find 12 capsules;
* Find 35 morphing objects.
* Find 7 eggs, 7 fish, 7 circle thingies; 7 skulls; 7 bees and 15 feathers in game and bonus.
* Easy, Normal and Hard modes of play;
* 20 Achievements;
* Interactive map;
* Diary;
* Find 12 capsules;
* Find 35 morphing objects.
* Find 7 eggs, 7 fish, 7 circle thingies; 7 skulls; 7 bees and 15 feathers in game and bonus.
The graphics are gorgeous - colourful, yet crisp and very easy on the eye. I loved roaming around and having a good look.
Sound is good and the music is orchestral and lovely.
The hidden object games are highly interactive silhouette - find one item to use to find another, etc. These are very easy to do and you can get get back to the game quickly.
The mini-games are all fairly simple to do and I didn't see any that I hadn't played before previously. There are lots of sliding tiles and getting pictures and objects in their right place - all standard stuff.
With the morphing objects and all the other collectibles, a hand comes over them, so there is no chance of missing them. That is why I didn't give 5 stars. I just wish in the Hard mode I could have turned that function off and found them myself which would have made the game more challenging. I don't see the point of having them in there if a hand comes over them and gets them for you - WHY?
Keep an eye out in your diary because it will give you the answers to some of the mini-games.
The interactive map works well if you need it. There are a lot of locations to go to, so you may want to use it. Also, in Easy and Normal modes it also shows where morphing objects and collectibles are just in case you miss any (unlikely). I turned everything off in Hard mode, so I didn't have that function, but its there if you want it.
I managed to get all of the achievements (I'm doing a single mexican wave here) but I didn't feel like I had to work hard to get them.
All up the game and bonus took me about 6 hours, which is good value for money.
Overall, a nice easy game to play for all members of the family. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
Discover what connects the ship’s disappearance with Devil’s Island and a family’s unsolved murder!
Overall rating
5
/
5
18 of 19 found this review helpful
LOVED IT
PostedJuly 8, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is awesome. There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Interactive map; and
* Notebook
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Interactive map; and
* Notebook
Now, I know that the graphics are not that great. However, its easy to see everywhere and items you need are clear to find. Its just that everywhere is kind of grainy and a bit dark. But don't let that put you off because its such a great game.
Sound is good and the music is orchestral and piano. There is a lot of screeching and animal sounds throughout the game which made it eerie and kind of spooky. This fitted well with the game.
The hidden object games are straightforward and are quite cluttered and some items are hard to find. Some I just breezed through and others I spent ages on. You will do each of the HOPs twice.
I loved the mini-games. Yes, we've seen them all before but it was fun doing them again. None of them are hard to do and you can get back on to the game again fairly quickly.
All up the game took me about 4 hours, not skipping or hinting anything.
Overall, this really is a fun game to play. There is a sense of urgency to help Isabella and to find out who the murderer is. There is plenty to do and you will never get bored. Well done to the developers. Definitely comes recommended. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
Can you save your uncle before it's too late?
Overall rating
3
/
5
39 of 42 found this review helpful
ALEXANDRA OFF TO RESCUE UNCLE PAUL
PostedJuly 8, 2016
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
REVIEW FROM COMPLETED GAME and BONUS
Well, I think this game is great for beginners, but for seasoned players its a bit too easy. There is:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Casual, Normal, Hard and Custom modes;
* Interactive map;
* Spark to help you.
* Casual, Normal, Hard and Custom modes;
* Interactive map;
* Spark to help you.
The graphics are good - colourful, yet sharp and crisp. It is easy to find everything you need. Sound is good and the music is orchestral.
The hidden object games are highly interactive straightforward and find one item to use to find another item, etc. These are very easy to do and each one only takes a couple of minutes to do. Alternatively, if you can play Mahjoing if you don't feel like doing too many HOPs.
The are a huge range of mini-games to play which I've seen all before. These are all very easy to do, with some only taking seconds to complete. However, if you are in the mood for relaxing and don't feel like a challenge, then these are perfect.
So, do you get the CE or SE? In the CE you have to find 36 puzzle pieces, 33 morphing objects collect 7 gramophones, galaxies, portraits, horns and cages with birds. A finger comes over them (even in Hard and Custom modes), so there is no chance of missing them. However, if you do, just look in the interactive map and it will show you that there is still something to find in a particular scene.
The CE game and bonus took me about 4 hours.
Overall, as I say, if you just want to chill out and relax, or want to play a game without too much effort in between the bigger more demanding games that we play, then this is the game for you.