die_nike's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:946
- Reviews Submitted:30
- First Review:February 12, 2012
- Most Recent Review:November 24, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Dark magic threatens our world! Can you stop the Shade and his minions before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
87 of 100 found this review helpful
A gorgeous and adorable fairy-tale game
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
People stopped believing in mystic creatures and drifted further and further apart from Otherworld. Without the people’s belief, Otherworld will die and so will our world ….
It’s a pure fairy-tale game, taking you into the world of mystic creatures, wonderfully drawn locations that are bright and extremely colourful. The soft background music fits the storyline and the developer has not lacked to pay attention to details.
You will not find your classical hint button, but a “guide” that tells you what to do next (in case you get lost). Throughout the game you will collect fairies. There are two modes to play, standard and expert. Loads of mini games that I absolutely loved and they are not your standard mini games, but new ones and again absolutely fit into the theme of the game. There are very few HOS… another aspect, that I really appreciated about this game.
The first 10 minutes playing the demo I wasn’t quite sure if I liked it. But the longer I played on the more I loved this game and finally bought it (and don’t regret it at all).
If you love fairy tales and would like to drift apart into (an)Otherworld for a few hours, I can highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
After finding an artifact, you're whisked away to a dying world. Can you save it from the darkness?
Overall rating
3
/
5
21 of 32 found this review helpful
Well ... definitely not a worthy archaelogy dig ...
PostedJanuary 27, 2013
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I love archaeology very much and looked forward to playing this game, as it gave the impression of an adventure game. However, I just couldn’t get a grip on the story. It lacks smoothness. You really just play one scene after the other without really moving forward and the game has certainly no adventure factor at all. Nada. A straight HOG.
The graphics could have had potential, because the locations are nicely drawn, yet I do not appreciate grainy graphics at all, as it gives a blurry look and also makes it hard at times to find or identify objects.
As with meanwhile almost all CE you’ll have to collect blimps and butterflies, the map I have found a bit mediocre, but helpful (although you don’t really need one). The iHOS are standard, and again, this grainy look - considering that I finished 3 HOS in a row under 3 min. each (one even under 1 min.), you can imagine that they are simple…
Very few mini puzzles, and yes, they are ok but not outstanding. As a “helper” to shoot down objects you have a bow/arrow in your permanent inventory. Two modes to play, standard and expert. Now, the cut-scenes (not during the introduction, but later on during the game) I have found really really really bad – and I started skipping them.
What really unnerved me (in particular at the beginning of the game), that it shows you about every 2 minutes that you have to fulfil a task, that you achieved the objective … ahhh…. and this black banner is rather large and stays on for quite a while on your screen, absolutely unnerving!
The only thing I appreciated about this game was the woman’s voice: a clear and smooth voice. But the rest? Well, having played recently two excellent games, this one is definitely a no buy. Very standard and certainly not worth a CE. It’s actually a pity, as the story line could have been good, it’s just badly told.
And the game is most certainly not an archaeology dig, that would knock you off... giving you the thrills, as you have discovered the worlds biggest treasure ever found. It's rather like building a sand castle, and I guess that would be even more fun. I give it a 3-star; the developer made an effort, but simply missed the goal.
I don't recommend this game.
Your brother is kidnapped during an air show. Search for him in a beautiful world where the sky is as wide as your imagination.
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Simply Elephantastic !!! (Review of completed game)
PostedJanuary 26, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I guess Elephant Games have most probably the most creative people there are around. It really has it all: gorgeous graphics, interesting story-line that keeps you hooked, I didn't get bored once (and very different from the usual stuff), I love the flying people, and this developer always astonishes me (or let's say up to 95% of the time) when they come up with new mini games - they are not difficult, however they are new and fun to play. I loved the way the iHOS were done (you need to collect items during the game play, and then you apply them playing the HOS) and it makes them by far more interesting than just finding objects.
There is so much love for detail in this game and I loved the cut-scenes even though the voice-overs didn't generally match the talking .. The actors spoke certainly a different language than English - well acted (unfortunately the English voices didn't really come up with the same spark as they should have). Nevertheless, I still very much enjoyed it.
And as always with Elephant games .. very nice length of game, roughly 6 hours of game play; I simply had to finish it, and I'm very sorry, that I've already finished the game. I could have played on for hours! The bonus chapter adds to the story and there are different locations than in the main game, a fact that I very much appreciate in a CE.
And as an extra you will have 3 scenes - Philantrophist's area - in which you have to complete different tasks (watering flowers, repairing roofs, etc.) you will only abe able to complete them, if you collect enough flowers throughout the game. And heck, in the end I haven't had enough flowers to finish the third scene ... you know what? I just play the game all over again - and I'm convinced I also won't get bored the second time.
I recommend this game!
Join Esther as she attempts to influence the past in order to change the future and learn the secrets of the Ambrose family!
Overall rating
2
/
5
78 of 86 found this review helpful
If you like very easy games ...
PostedJanuary 13, 2013
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
... then this is most probably the one you should try.
The graphics are in general well done, cut-scenes overall very good, pretty good voice-overs, eventhough a couple of scenes are very blurred and simply don't meet my taste.
I did buy one installment of this series, but honestly I guess I just outgrew this kind of game. It's extremely easy, absolutely no challenge, even if you play in expert mode (I'm not sure what the difference is between standard and expert mode in this game as you always get hints); the problem with this game is that you jump from one year to the other, and you have to use the time zeptre to do so, and hence you see exactly in which scene there is a task to do; at least in expert mode they could have left that out. Where's all the fun in seeking?
The mini puzzles are ridiculously easy, absolutey nothing new, the HOS are standard. Overall this game is just another disappointment.
I also didn't "feel" the story as you always have to go backwards and forwards in time. Then the style of music changes and considering that you stay in a scene for rather a short time, I've found this extremely annoying.
Furthermore, having finished the demo I was almost at the end of chapter 3 and there are 6 chapters in total, plus a bonus chapter - so I guess this is a very short game and most certainly not worthy a collector's edition.
This game might be fun for kids but most certainly would not be appreciated by people who love a good game play.
I don't recommend this game.
When your daughter, Emily, is taken over by a mysterious force, you must travel to the Nightmare Realm to search for a cure. But nothing could have prepared you for what you find there…
Overall rating
5
/
5
30 of 34 found this review helpful
A must have!
PostedDecember 30, 2012
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Don't get yourself distracted by the beginning ... as it is indeed a tee bit dark and spooky. First I thought - oh no - not another ghost story, not again saving children. BUT - I tell you after approx. 20 minutes you just get hooked with this game.
For my personal taste it just has it all: gorgeous graphics, extremely inventive overall game play, fun mini puzzles, luckily no traditional HOS (they are interactive and also contain mini puzzles within the HOS that are simply fun to play), good storyline that makes sense, an unusual map, puzzles that make you think and in particular also to look properly at the scenes, non-disturbing cut-scenes that have to tell you the actual story (otherwise you'd be lost), logical build-up of the game and and and ....
Yes, it is a bit spooky at times but as soon as you enter the first picture, you'll know it has so much more to offer than just darkness as the game is also very colourful and cheerful, and yes a bit sad in the end.
I don't recommend the game to HOS freaks, you will not find your standard HOS. And honestly I could not have been more thrilled with the purchase, as it is quite different from the usual (quite boring) games I have recently played/demoed. It is adventure and puzzles all over ... the type of game, you don't want to end.
Also the bonus chapter is still related to the main game (which is quite often in other games not the case and you wonder, why you have a bonus chapter at all, considering it should be a prolonged story) and it contains absolutely wonderful scenes, that are completely interactive.
I HIGHLY recommend this game to all players who love a challenge, adore puzzles and enjoy an unusual game play.
One of the best games I have ever played - and let me tell you, I have played a lot.
I recommend this game!
Save Brightfield from a shocking plot by a dastardly organization!
Overall rating
3
/
5
27 of 35 found this review helpful
Yes of course it's another great sequel, BUT ...
PostedOctober 13, 2012
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
... with this one, I was disappointed, certainly not because of the graphics.
What really disappointed me, was that first of all the settings reminded me very much of "Raincliff": the snow, somehow even the village and the houses somehow gave me a déjà-vu of a game, that I've already played. Some of the puzzles were exactly the same, as in other games I've played by this developper (and I'm a big fan of their games), the puzzles might be even be the same ones as in other Mystery Trackers games; cannot quite recall which game it is. And this fact, that the puzzles and settings remind me of other games, is simply not worth a 5 star!
The HOS are partially interactive, but easy. The story-line is smooth, yet not really something brand new or overly exciting. Didn't give me the chills, nor did it in a way "surprise" me... nothing new and from my point of view not one of the best games, the developper has released. And the bonus game: it was a waste of money for a Collector's Edition and was really disappointing, too short, no new scenes. A repetition.
I can recommend the game to players who haven't played any of the Mystery Trackers series games, but if you bought the first three, I wouldn't recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.
Be careful what you wish for... A deadly bargain has been made, and it's up to you to set things right before your nephew pays the terrible price!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
I just say: EXCELLENT
PostedJuly 12, 2012
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love the Grim Tales series. And this one is another hit (based on the demo verison).
Excellent graphics, well, the cut-scenes are a bit mediocre, but still worthwhile to watch. Nice mini games - and they are different from the ones you might have already played.
I adore the little marionnette, whom you have to follow in certain scenes (you click on him and the map will appear - also helpful, when you get stuck somewhere) ... I'm glad, there's no diary (who wants to read all that anyway).
I love the voice-overs, background music and acoustics in general. Very well done and quite often extremely realistic.
The game-play is challenging, but absolutely makeable.
The game-play is challenging, but absolutely makeable.
For me a definite buy - I'll wait till the Mac version will come out - hopefully VERY soon.
I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the truth before you become the next page in the killer’s diary?
Overall rating
2
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
Way too easy
PostedJuly 7, 2012
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
OK, I know there are plenty of excellent reviews on this game but by all means, I could never give a five star review on this one. ERS is known for good games. But when you start the game, you know immediately it's ERS, not only because of the cursor but also by the way the graphics are done, and truly, I woudn't call them phantastic, they are - as quite often - just grainy. The cut-scenes - there are very little - I just found awful (I'm sorry to say so).
The game play is extremely easy, even though sometimes you don't even recognize the objects really well. Was there a story-line? I hardly noticed one.
I bought the game nonetheless, because I liked the HOS at the beginning in which you had to find objects in order to continue. But half-way through the game, you just had the same old HOS. Boring.
Maybe it's a game for beginners, but if you've played as many as I have, you'll find the game too easy - even in expert mode. Why ERS always gets these incredibly good reviews I cannot quite figure out. I know there are reviews that say, the developper gets better and better. I do not share that opinion.
I don't recommend this game.
Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart Collector's Edition
Dive into an epic journey as a museum owner in pursuit of an undead pirate who has kidnapped your daughter in Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart!
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 17 found this review helpful
Fun game, good story line, yet not enthralling
PostedMay 17, 2012
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really liked the game as such. For my taste too many HOS, although you do have the option the play a Majhong game instead (I actually like the fact that you have an alternative, as there are plenty of HOS to play). You have also maps, that show you (more or less) where you are.
The hint button appears rather quickly, even in expert mode, so you cannot really get lost anywhere.
The hint button appears rather quickly, even in expert mode, so you cannot really get lost anywhere.
What I really liked about the game are the pirate characters, they were really well done. I didn't like the woman's voice at all (but that's a taste thing) and the ship's interior (way too many glooming corals - that part is in the demo version, but in full version you'll play in some really nice locations). Nice mini games, even though they were really easy. HOS are not a pile of junk, what I do appreciate, also makeable.
Overall a good game with some fun factors, good story line, nice graphics and well animated mini films that tell you the story of the captain and his lost love.
It's not one of the best games I played but I still recommend it, as it's well done.
I recommend this game!
Travel back in time to help stop a terrible fire that started Felicia down her evil path in PuppetShow: Return to Joyville!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
You simply have to buy it ....
PostedApril 22, 2012
die_nike
fromZurich, Switzerland
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
... I already loved the first two editions of PuppetShow and knew after 5 minutes of playing the demo, that I will buy that one as well. It's fabulous. Gorgeous characters, ingenious game play, love for details, great story-line, good voice-overs, fantastic graphics ... I mean .. the list of good things about this game is almost endless. I can only say to the developpers ERS... "chapeau" ! That's the kind of game I love to play - not too easy, fun mini games, good HOS, and above all... innovative !
I recommend this game!