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:
Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery
FBI Agent Claire Ellery must follow the tarot cards left by an anonymous source to solve this sinister and bizarre case.
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
GIVE THIS A TRY - ITS ACTUALLY QUITE GOOD
PostedFebruary 27, 2015
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
4
/
5
I honestly enjoyed the game. Its a basic game with NO voiceovers (only dialogue) and NO modes of play, but there is something special about it.
The graphics are lovely - very well done and absolutely crystal clear. I couldn't fault them in any way.
The music kind of reminded me of the 1970s. Lots of guitar and keyboard - I liked it. Its very relaxing while playing and I had it on loud (actually very loud) the whole time. You will know what I mean when you play the game.
There are three different cards you collect to play the hidden object games. These are:
~ Red Cards - fragmented parts;
~ Blue Cards - words;
~ Green Cards - pictures of items.
~ Blue Cards - words;
~ Green Cards - pictures of items.
Each scene you go to, find the cards and then the items on them. These are not hard to do - quite relaxing really.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game. I know its an oldie but give it a try for a lazy rainy afternoon and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Definitely recommended.
I recommend this game!
To save her father, Bella vowed to stay with the beast, but is he truly evil? Help Bella follow her heart!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
GREAT GAME WITH LOTS OF TWISTS AND TURNS
PostedFebruary 27, 2015
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.
Excellent game that definitely keeps you busy. There is:
* Casual and Challenge modes of play;
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Journal;
* Interactive map.
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Journal;
* Interactive map.
The graphics are stunning and very crisp. There is good colour, especially outside the castle, and very easy on the eye.
Sound is very good. The music is exceptional and I turned it up loud the whole way through. Its mostly orchestral - gorgeous music.
The hidden object games were straightforward and fragmented (find pieces to make it whole). These had a good challenge and I enjoyed doing them. There are a lot of them and mostly you do each scene twice.
There were a huge range of mini-games which also had a good challenge to them. Some of them consisted of getting the gears to go, getting gems to the opposite side of each other, moving green and red gems to their right place in 7 moves; rotating disks and colours and so much more. I played them all and loved them.
All up the game took me about 8 hours to play. There is a lot to do and you will be travelling around to a lot of locations. However, the interactive map works well if you dislike all the travelling around.
As you are moving around and looking for clues and items, make sure you check everywhere at each scene. I moved the cursor slowly around at each scene because if you go too fast and move on, its very easy to overlook something. Because you have to travel to a lot of locations, you don't want to keep going backwards and forwards and then becoming frustrated. I found that moving slowly around and double checking was the best option.
I tried the hint at the end of the game and it took around 30 seconds or so to refill (playing on Challenge mode).
So overall a really good game and definitely recommended.
I recommend this game!
End a centuries-old war between the Guardians and the Clan of the Nine in 9: The Dark Side!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
CHALLENGING GAME - LOVED THE MINI-GAMES
PostedFebruary 27, 2015
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
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review of most of game but cannot complete the bonus.
There is:
* Casual, Advanced and Hardcore modes;
* Voiceovers;
* Diary;
* 32 Achievements;
* Use of a red amulet to find hidden symbols.
* Voiceovers;
* Diary;
* 32 Achievements;
* Use of a red amulet to find hidden symbols.
I played on Hardcore throughout the game and found that to be an excellent challenge.
The graphics are very good and I enjoyed moving around the scenes. There wasn't a huge amount of colour anywhere but I think it was apt for the game. However, everything was clear and easy to find.
Sound and music were fine and I didn't turn it down at all throughout the game.
The hidden object games didn't take too long to do. They were the usual clutter of items, but I didn't find any items that were too dark or too small to find.
There were a huge range of mini-games and these were very challenging. Some of these included putting tiles in the right position, activating gears to all spin, getting blue and green tiles to the opposite sides of each other, rotating gems and getting a ball into the hole. If you love challenging games and are prepared to nut them out, then this is the game for you. I thoroughly enjoyed them and played them all.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete the game. It was very close to the end where I was to get the magic book to reveal the symbols. However, when I entered them, nothing happened. I checked the Strategy Guide and found I had done the correct steps but the glass wouldn't lift so I couldn't go any further. I tried the hint and skip but nothing happened. I may try this game again some way down the line and play on Casual or Advanced to see if I can get passed it so I can play the bonus game. I hope it doesn't affect anyone else. I enjoyed the game except for this.
A stay at a peaceful hotel turns into a nightmare when a witch from the Twilight World takes your daughter!
Overall rating
4
/
5
45 of 53 found this review helpful
BANISH THE WITCH AND SAVE YOUR DAUGHTER
PostedFebruary 23, 2015
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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review of completed Collectors Edition Game and Bonus.
There is:
* Casual, Advanced, Hardcore and Custom modes of play;
* Voiceovers;
* Interactive map;
* Use the magic box;
* Use the magic sphere to travel between parallel worlds.
* Voiceovers;
* Interactive map;
* Use the magic box;
* Use the magic sphere to travel between parallel worlds.
I played on Custom and turned everything off. You can also turn off the Hint and Skip options as well for all those fishes wanting an extra challenge.
There is such a lot to do in this game. There are a huge - and I mean phenomenal - amount of mini-games and puzzles to conquer.
The graphics are very good - lots of colour and are crisp and clear to see and move around.
The sound and music are also good. Music just plays quietly in the background and I didn't really notice it that much.
The hidden object games are silhouette, straightforward and interactive. These are easy to do and I enjoyed them.
There were such a lot of mini-games and puzzles to do that it made my head spin. Some of these were putting gears in the right place, rearranging statue parts, doing puzzles and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on all day. Most of them were easy to medium but a few made me stop and think which piqued my interest.
You also have a magic box and you accumulate certain items as you go which are inserted into the box. These are:
~ an ice bucket;
~ a hammer;
~ a candle;
~ a remote control; and
~ a watch.
~ a hammer;
~ a candle;
~ a remote control; and
~ a watch.
You will use these items frequently to help you.
There is also a magic sphere which you use to travel between parallel worlds. You collect 3 gems and then travel into another parallel world, find items and undertake tasks that you need to do and then find another 3 gems there to come back.
So, do you get the Collectors Edition or Single Edition?
In the Collectors Edition there is an Achievements Room. You also have to find 40 cats, 16 rabbits and 16 postcards which are very easy to find. They are not really hidden and you just pick them up as you go. When you have found the 40 cats you can play a further mini-game. I personally think you will be happy with either version.
All up the game and bonus took me about 9 hours to do - ALL THOSE MINI-GAMES AND PUZZLES!!! So if you are up for a fairly lengthy challenge, then this is the game for you.
I enjoyed the game and believe family members or friends over the age of say 10-12 can play this. The witch is not scary and most of the mini-games and puzzles can be done without too much hand holding. And there is the Strategy Guide if you need help if you get the CE.
I enjoyed the game and believe family members or friends over the age of say 10-12 can play this. The witch is not scary and most of the mini-games and puzzles can be done without too much hand holding. And there is the Strategy Guide if you need help if you get the CE.
Happy playing.
I recommend this game!
Track down the truth about your grandfather's death!
Overall rating
3
/
5
40 of 45 found this review helpful
WHO KILLED CHARLES? YOU WILL BE SURPRISED
PostedFebruary 21, 2015
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review of completed Game and Bonus.
In the main game you play Christine, the granddaughter, along with your husband Viggo. The bonus game is mainly played by Viggo.
There are:
* Voiceovers (with dialogue);
* Easy, Normal, Difficult and Custom modes;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements board;
* Find a total of 46 theatre masks in game only (2 at each scene);
* Journal;
* Listen to audio tapes.
* Easy, Normal, Difficult and Custom modes;
* Interactive map;
* Achievements board;
* Find a total of 46 theatre masks in game only (2 at each scene);
* Journal;
* Listen to audio tapes.
The graphics are mostly quite good. There are a few cluttered scenes where I had to look carefully around. Colour is good and not garish with lots of pinks and blues, etc.
Sound and music are fine. Music is mainly piano and orchestral.
There were a good variety of hidden object games. These predominantly were straightforward and silhouette. There were a couple of HOS where a question was asked and you answered by getting the correct item. Some of the HOS were very cluttered and hard to see, but eventually I slowly got them all.
The mini-games were quite good and had a good variety. Some of them were sliding puzzles, balance the scales, direct light through the prisms; matching pairs; matching keys; putting out yellow candles and keeping purple candles lit; rearranging tiles, copy the tune of the piano keys, etc. None of these were too hard and I didn't spend much time on them.
There were 46 theatre masks (game only) to collect. Some of these were very hard to find, so a good level of challenge there. When you have collected them all, you do a puzzle.
Most of the achievements were easy to get - solve HOS and mini-games in under a minute; complete the game in Difficult mode, find all the theatre masks and listen to all 8 audio tapes - you know, the usual collection we get in most games.
I found I didn't need to use the interactive map at all. You don't venture off more than a few steps and you tend to stay within the same area until all tasks had been completed.
All up the game and bonus took me about 6 hours.
I'm not entirely convinced that this game is CE worthy. Yes, you can replay the HOS and mini-games, but collecting the theatre masks and doing a couple of extra puzzles may not be enough for some fishies (myself included). I missed the morphing objects and harder mini-games and being kept very busy. However, it will fill in an afternoon.
Happy playing.
I recommend this game!
Every second counts in this breathtaking paranormal adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
19 of 21 found this review helpful
MAGNIFICENT GAME - DEFINITELY WORTH PLAYING
PostedFebruary 19, 2015
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
Review of completed Game and Bonus.
The main game is about Samantha Evans who rescues Kevin who has paranormal abilities. Some of his abilities are moving heavy objects, stopping time and reading peoples minds. They eventually meet up with Eric Hunt, an FBI agent, who helps them escape from the baddies. I loved the ending to the game. The bonus game is about Eric Hunt who goes looking for Christine on the island, who also has paranormal abilities. The bonus was very long too.
There is:
* Voiceovers;
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Journal;
* Interactive map;
* 20 achievements;
* Collect tokens in game and bonus.
* Casual, Advanced and Expert modes of play;
* Journal;
* Interactive map;
* 20 achievements;
* Collect tokens in game and bonus.
The graphics are absolutely gorgeous - very well done. Everything is crisp and clear and easy on the eyes.
Sound and music were perfect. I had the music turned up loud the whole time.
The hidden object games were all silhouette - find one item to use to find another item, etc. These had a good challenge to them, which I really enjoyed. There were only two straightforward HOS in the game and bonus.
There were a great variety of mini-games. These started off pretty easy, but progressively got harder as the game went along. I enjoyed doing these and didn't skip or hint any. They weren't too hard and didn't take too long to do. No hair pulling or head banging (which I have done many times in the past!).
Keep an eye out for the tokens - some of these are well hidden. They look a bit like casino chips.
Amazingly, I actually got all 20 achievements. Yes I'm bragging because I haven't done this many times before and just wanted to blow my own trumpet. I'm absolutely confident that this can be achieved by all you fishies. Some of them were playing for more than 2 hours, watching every video, playing all the HOS and mini-games without hints and completing the game in Expert mode.
All up the game and bonus took me about 6 hours. I loved this game and will definitely be playing it again. I hope there is a sequel - there was a slight hint of one - you just never know.
Definitely recommended to put in your collection - this is a gem.
I recommend this game!
Track down your real parents in The Keepers: Lost Progeny! After growing up an orphan, a mysterious photo showing your parents arrives!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
CREEPY TOWN
PostedFebruary 13, 2015
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Review of completed game.
You have Casual, Advanced and Hardcore modes of play. In Hardcore mode the hints and skip are turned off, so this makes it a good challenge.
There are voiceovers and you also have a journal, which I found I read a lot during the course of the game.
The graphics are alright, albeit very dark. Everything tends to take place at night. Sound and music are fine. Most of the colours I saw were either grey, black or green.
The hidden object games are very cluttered and dark. Not much colour and the objects I needed blended in well with the scenery. These took a while to find but I found them all in the end.
There were a wide variety of mini-games - all with a good challenge. These took me a while to achieve and I liked most of them. I didn't see any new ones that I hadn't played before at some stage.
The game took me about 6 hours to complete. I have yet to start on the bonus, but from what I have gathered from the other fishies' reviews (and yes I read them all before buying all my games), it is quite long and has a twist.
It may be best to trial the game before you buy to see if you like the graphics and the feel of the game.
I recommend this game!
The Lost Lands are in danger again... There's only one brave soul who can face the four evil horsemen to save it – you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
115 of 127 found this review helpful
CONTENDER TO BE ONE OF THE BEST GAMES THIS YEAR
PostedFebruary 13, 2015
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
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review of completed Collectors Edition Game and Bonus.
Wow, where to begin. There is just so much to say. There is:
* Voiceovers;
* Easy, Normal and Hard modes;
* Diary;
* Interactive map;
* Find 20 manuscripts.
* Easy, Normal and Hard modes;
* Diary;
* Interactive map;
* Find 20 manuscripts.
When I first saw the introduction I was a bit concerned with the graphics, but once the game started it was all perfect. Everywhere is quite cluttered, so you do have to look carefully. There is plenty of colour is some scenes and underground it is more darker and grayer. However, it is very easy to move around and see everywhere that you need to investigate.
Sound and music is very good and I kept it loud the whole time.
The hidden object games are silhouette and interactive. Find one item to use to find another item, etc. There was no deviation from this. There were even little mini-games in them as well, which were good fun. They don't take more than a few minutes each to do and there weren't a huge amount of them. This is more of an adventure game than a hidden object game.
The mini-games I enjoyed. I didn't see anything new that I hadn't played before - like sliding tiles, moving items to their colour, etc. These are fairly easy to do and don't take long.
This really is a huge game with lots of locations, so you may be using the interactive map quite a bit.
So do you get the Collectors Edition or the Single Edition?
In the CE you get to find 35 parts to the magic machine, find 35 morphing objects and 20 achievements. In the Bonus you play Falnor the dwarf and how you meet up with Mom to help her. You do meet him in the main game and he teams up with you in part of the game. No matter which Edition you choose, you can't lose cause they are both great.
In the CE you get to find 35 parts to the magic machine, find 35 morphing objects and 20 achievements. In the Bonus you play Falnor the dwarf and how you meet up with Mom to help her. You do meet him in the main game and he teams up with you in part of the game. No matter which Edition you choose, you can't lose cause they are both great.
This game really is worth its weight in gold. You can tell the developers took a long time to make this game and a lot of thought and effort has been taken. Well done developers.
So, if you like a great long story, wonderful graphics, sound and music and feel like an adventure, this game is definitely for you. Happy playing fishies.
I recommend this game!
Track the treasure and solve the riddles of the past with Golden Trails 3: The Guardian’s Creed game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
PLENTY TO DO WITH LOTS OF LOCATIONS
PostedFebruary 9, 2015
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review of completed game.
There is:
* Voiceovers, however there is a lot to read as well;
* No modes of play;
* Trophy Room;
* Collect 150 fleurs-de-lis;
* Collect 40 trophies to go in Trophy Room;
* Unlimited Mode - beat best time.
* No modes of play;
* Trophy Room;
* Collect 150 fleurs-de-lis;
* Collect 40 trophies to go in Trophy Room;
* Unlimited Mode - beat best time.
The graphics are okay. Locating items were hard in most places because everywhere was quite grey and dark. There are a lot of items to collect in each scene, so if an item was hidden behind something else, then I was squinting to see it. Therefore I was taking breaks a lot in this game.
Sound is good. Honestly I didn't even notice the music. I think it was just one piece of music.
In each scene you collect fleurs-de-lis along the way. There are 150 in total and there are about 3 in each scene. These go into the Trophy Room at the bottom. You can also earn extra fleurs-de-lis in a couple of games where you have a shoot-out with the bad guy with your bow and arrow.
There are voiceovers, however you are reading a lot as well. Its a long story with lots of locations so I had to concentrate to keep up.
The mini-games were good and had a good variety. Some of these were getting a ball in the hole, closing all the drawers, sliding puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, fixing a balloon, etc.
In some of the scenes you see a sparkling item. Click on it and it goes into the Trophy Room.
To collect extra hints along the way a baddie pops up and you shoot him with your cross-bow. I finished the game with over 100 hints left, so he is easy to shoot.
You get trophy arrows if you get 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 items without clicking on the wrong item. I managed to get the 5 and 10 with ease, the 15 and 20 with a lot of concentration, but just couldn't get the 30 item arrow. I found that I had to click exactly on the right spot on the item or I mis-clicked and had to start over. So please be careful where you click on the item.
It is possible to get most of the achievements. For all you HOS fishies that love a challenge, I bet you could get them all.
All up the game took me a good 8 hours or so. I took my time though because there is no time limit in the game and I had to be absolutely sure it was the right item (or mis-click).
Overall, not a bad game - its just the graphics I think that need updating. I will definitely be playing this game again in the future.
Happy playing.
I recommend this game!
Save your sister from the grave! After receiving a troubling phone call from your brother-in-law, you’re off on an adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
SAVE YOUR SISTER JENNY AT RAINHEART CASTLE
PostedFebruary 8, 2015
charlene_lane
fromWellington, New Zealand
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Review of completed game.
Your sister Jenny is the fifth wife of Richard Rainheart and all four wives before her have died horrible deaths. Now Jenny is presumed dead and you are off to Rainheart Castle to find out what is going on. As you go through the game you rescue the souls of the former wives. Quite a sad story really.
There are Casual and Challenge modes of play, however no voiceovers and you have to read everything, which is a pet hate of mine.
The graphics are not too bad. Everything is quite grey or dark and washed out. There is a bit of colour here and there but not much.
There is only one piece of music which is quite haunting and moody - mainly piano with a woman crying at the end.
The hidden object games were very cluttered and dark - and there are a lot of them. Some items were very hard to see and I spent too much time trying to decipher what these were. At one point I was trying to find a black bat in a dark room with a torch, avoiding as much as I could a very large spider!
I liked the mini-games. There weren't many of them and they were pretty easy to do. You know the usual ones - sliding tiles, memory games, that sort of thing.
All up the game took me about 4 hours. I have yet to play the bonus but I'm not in the mood right now - maybe some time down the line.
Definitely trial this game first before buying to see what you think. Oh yeah, for some reason there lots of spiders in this game - quite bizarre really as it has nothing to do with rescuing the five wives. Oh well, each to their own.