Heather_G's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:663
- Reviews Submitted:127
- First Review:November 21, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 6, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Experience the birth of the terror that gripped the island of Tormente! Every story has a beginning, but few are as horrifying as this!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Another Great Twisted Lands Adventure
PostedSeptember 19, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Like the others in this series, Origins is a large, long, attractive game that plays like an adventure game with an occassional HOS thrown in. You can pick up and carry objects as well as earn them through the hidden object scenes.
The game world is large, but is broken up into sections that are not too hard to navigate. The artwork is very good. The voiceovers vary. The main character (you) does a decent job, but others don't have the accent they should, given the names of the characters and places. Unlike some of the others, there is no time shifting, so only one version of each scene.
Now, here's where this game really impressed me... The music is extraordinarily good. If you like the soundtrack to Pirates of the Caribbean, you'll like the music in this game. Full blown orchestra with lots of energy. By all means, dig out your best headphones for this one. The loops are long, so they don't get over repetitive.
I went back to Big Fish to see if there is a CE, and if so, if it had a saveable soundtrack, but no such luck. Too, too bad. I would have loved to have been able to keep a few of them to listen to again. The music was done by Strategic Music. They have a web site and an impressive list of games in their client list. You might recognize a few that you've already played. Unfortunately, you can't get the music for this game there, either. You can, however, watch a short video of their orchestra recording a track for a different game.
This was a very fun prequil. It sucked me in from the start, and lasted a good long time. Great value, and I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Delaware St. John is able to see the extraordinary, and uses his gift to solve mysteries. Help him explore a mysterious manor!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
True Adventure - Not Hidden Object - With a Great Story
PostedAugust 3, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
If you like hidden object adventures, this is truly not for you. Not only are there no HOS, but it doesn't lead you by the hand and offer easy help the second you get stumped.
For HO gamers, this sounds like criticism. For classic adventure gamers, these are actually attributes we look for!
Okay, the graphics are a little dated, and the opening credits a little long, but the story and excellent voice-acting, more than make up for that. This is a story worthy of a book. It's creepy and interesting.
Please, please, Big Fish, give us more true, classic adventure games like this one!! I'm going out to buy the other two Delaware St. John games (heard a 4th is in the works).
I highly recommend this game!
I recommend this game!
Help best-selling author Regina Blacklock solve a 35-year-old murder! Become a part of the investigation and uncover the truth!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Good game, good value!
PostedJuly 18, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This was obviously meant to be released as a CE, so you get quite a lot for your money. The epilogue is not very long, but does add a little detail to the story. The soundtrack is saveable, there are wallpapers, dossiers on all the characters, and unlimited search mode for all scenes, and if you watch the credits, you'll see concept art get fleshed in, then populated with items to find. Excellent story, interesting puzzles, and it played flawlessly even on my older PC.
I recommend this game!
Face your fears and unravel the mystery of the abandoned asylum!
Overall rating
5
/
5
A lot of game for the money!
PostedJuly 13, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I went into this game fully expecting a "been there, done that" experience. While some of the story has been done, and certainly the setting, this rendition pulled me into the story a bit more. It was a little creepy, but nothing too gorey. For adventure gamers, this plays very much like an adventure, but there are numerous HOS sprinkled throughout the game.
I was surprised to find morphing objects, a guide, and achievements in this standard edition game. What a treat! I played on the difficult setting (there are two) and it took me nearly six-and-a-half hours! A great value, indeed!
Now, the morphing objects can be very difficult, because although some switch between two different items, some merely appear and disappear without changing. Also, the guide only shows 15 of the 22 items, and the walkthrough appears to be taken directly from the guide, so no help there. I managed to get 21, but finally found the last one only by hitting the forums.
I don't believe I've ever played a game by this developer before (think "loafing tortoise") but I will be looking for more by them. One of this game's strengths, and by the trailer for the next game, "Frozen", it only gets better--is the cinematic feel of the graphics and video. There are moving items in most scenes, like leaves blowing, lights swinging, and the rain outdoors stops and starts again throughout the game.
I found a number of posts about technical problems, but I'm happy to report that my old PC, vintage 2004, was able to play the game with only a few choppy cut-scenes--no other problems at all.
This is a well-done game with lots of extras and a decent story. I highly recommend it!
I recommend this game!
Find the woman who disappears in the Hall of Mirrors. Investigate two worlds: the Carnivals of Good and Evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Pretty good!
PostedJuly 9, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I liked this game quite a lot, even though I can't rate it up there with the very best. The sound quality and voiceover acting were very good, and I liked the bright color palette used throughout the game. The story was good and carried through to the game's end, and I have to admit I didn't guess how it would end. I like a little twist here and there.
I played on the medium setting and it took me over five hours just to finish the main game so I felt it was a good length. Another plus is that it played fine on my older PC.
About the only drawback I encountered was the occassional poorly-translated names of items in the HO scenes. For instance, "Harmony" turned out to be a harmonica, "Fan" was a pinwheel, and "Antenna Evil Se" (huh?) was simply a radio antenna. To be fair, they did get the vast majority of them right, and the dialog translation was fine.
I loved the monkey helper!
I recommend this game!
Rita James and the Race to Shangri La
Join the “More Brave than Brilliant” Rita James on another whirlwind adventure in search of the mythical paradise of Shangri-La!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Just plain fun!
PostedJuly 4, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
What a nice little adventure this was! There were enough HO scenes scattered around to keep the HOG'rs happy, but it plays like a true--if fairly easy--adventure game. The characters, writing, and graphics style was straight out of a comic book complete with "cliffhangers" at the end of each chapter.
The puzzles were fairly easy, but you still had to put a little thought and effort into them, and they were entertaining, with a few I hadn't seen before.
The hidden object scenes were a nice mix, with each one having several single objects, a few multiples, and one or more that were very interactive. A few objects were a bit dark, but for the most part everything was very clear, and proportionately-sized to the scene.
There were voice-overs for all the dialog, and they were well done. The music was not overly repetitive, it was very pleasant and appropriate to each scene. The locations are large and interesting, with some backtracking but never more than a few clicks. No map. Hints recharge at different speeds depending upon the difficulty of game play you choose, and are unlimited.
The story is not overly involved, but entertaining, carries through the entire game and made me want to find out what happened in the end. It took me 4-5 hours at the medium difficulty setting.
Really a fun little diversion for when you're tired of all the dark, dismal, horror games, and don't want to work too awfully hard. I'll be looking for more in this series!
I recommend this game!
A new breed of virus has spread throughout the City of Oxford. You must search the city for a missing girl who holds the key to stopping the global epidemic!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Had to play it straight through to the end!
PostedApril 30, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love a game that gives you customized control over difficulty settings, like glint, skip, hint recharge and sparkles. This one even gives you a variable slider for each of the above! Plus you can set the quality to suit the speed of your computer, and there are several separate sound settings, all with sliders. So far, so good.
The graphics aren't bad, the sound quality is good (except for the very repetitious music#, and the live actors and voice-overs are well done. The puzzles are not overly challenging, but the HOS's are extremely interactive, which I loved. This is more of an adventure game with an HOS here and there.
This game's real strength, however, is in the story. Kudos to the developer #Go gi Games) for actually writing a story, not just some sketchy outline to string people along through the puzzles. All the puzzles have to do with, and support, the story. It was so compelling I had to play right through to find out what happens.
The only reason I didn't give this game five stars was because of the black-screen pauses between each and every scene. Sometimes nearly a minute long, that got a bit monotonous. I'd rather stare at the current scene until the next one is loaded than a black screen. This might not be an issue on faster computers, though.
I highly recommend this one.
I recommend this game!
Find Aaron’s missing father and discover the meaning behind his eerie paintings in Aaron Crane: Paintings Come Alive!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
This is not a typical adventure game.
PostedApril 7, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
As a very seasoned adventure gamer, I'd hate to see someone new to the genre assume they are all like this. There are many, many far superior adventure games!
That said, I noticed in the credits that this game was developed by only two or three people. It's a decent offering for such a small group, although I have played excellent games done by one or two individuals.
Aside from knowing you are looking for this guy's father, there is NO story. You don't know how he got sucked into the paintings, how the mirror figures in, who made the portals, etc. As other reviewers noted, the hints are useless and the puzzles are easy.
Walking around the locations is probably the best part of the game, as they are often pretty. It's unfortunate that there is no sense to the tasks required in order to progress. One reviewer mentioned needing to put a coin in a mailbox. A lot of the tasks are equally ridiculous.
I don't know why more people didn't complain about the game length. I'm not a fast player and I was all done in no more than 2-1/2 hours, tops. Very short game.
I am very glad to see some true adventure games starting to pop up on Big Fish, and this one is now classified correctly as such. I would just hate to see someone new to the genre turn away from adventures after trying this one, as there are so many wonderful adventure games out there.
I'm going to cautiously recommend this game as a short, confusing game, but I'd wait for a daily deal as it isn't really worth full price. I hope the developers will try again with a few improvements.
I recommend this game!
Investigate a mysterious and deadly curse! Save a town from the grip of supernatural hysteria!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Left me scratching my head...
PostedApril 4, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
...after the confusing ending. It's not a cliff-hanger, but I have no idea how the villian could have ended up where he did.
As noted in the other reviews, the graphics and voice-overs in this game are quite good. I played in "expert" mode and there were NO sparkles!! Yea! However, the hints were largely useless ("Nothing to do here. Nothing to do here, either." until you finally luck onto the right location) and in expert mode they recharge VERY slowly. Boo!
By the end of the game, you have quite a lot of locations and you can continue to move around to almost all of them, which is fun, but it would have been helpful to have a jump map, or at least a map that showed where there was something that needed to be done. It is an adventure, so lots to do between HOSs, but there are plenty of those, too.
It ran poorly on my older laptop--which does exceed the game's minimum requirements, so there's really no excuse. It halted often, hung for up to a couple of minutes between screens at times, then would crank along okay for a while. It took me several nights to complete, so it felt like a long game, but I'm not sure how long it would take if it ran more smoothly.
It's not an awful game, and worth it on a daily deal, but I wouldn't recommend paying full price for it. Nothing new here, and be prepared for an unsatisfying ending.
I recommend this game!
Help the Special Enquiry Detail crack the case, and catch a criminal, in this fun and exciting Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 16 found this review helpful
Engaging Story
PostedApril 4, 2013
Heather_G
fromIndiana
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Large File, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I wasn't expecting much from this game. It sounded rather dry. Although it started as expected, the story quickly grew and sucked me in. The characters are fairly believable and their dialog is well-written, which impressed me especially since the game was apparently developed in another country. Near-perfect translations, American flags inserted, etc. It also ran perfectly on my older PC.
As an old adventure gamer, there were too many HOSs for my taste, although that will be a plus for HO fans. Objects are all modern day items that make sense for their settings, and are true to scale. Hints are pretty good, and recharge quickly. The HOSs were fairly easy, so I could breeze right through them and get on with the story.
And the story is where this one shines. It never deviates, it makes sense, and is not terribly predictable. There is depth to the characters. I even like the way they are drawn--very expressive.
For forensics buffs, you might enjoy using all the lab equipment. I thought that was fun. You also get to interrogate suspects.
It is quite linear, so you don't get to wander around and explore, but the progression made so much sense I didn't really mind.
This is a nice little gem that should appeal to a wide variety of players. It's not very hard, but there are a few places that weren't quite appropriate for kids, so definitely a game for older teens and grown-ups.
I highly recommend this one.
I recommend this game!