einiespal's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.1
- Helpful Votes:1,653
- Reviews Submitted:234
- First Review:November 24, 2011
- Most Recent Review:April 1, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The fabled land of Agartha awaits your discovery in Esoterica: Hollow Earth! Experience a sci-fi adventure that will take you to the depths of the Earth.
Overall rating
1
/
5
12 of 51 found this review helpful
Worst game ever
PostedJanuary 7, 2014
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is my new candidate for worst game ever. There is absolutely nothing good about this dog. Artwork is very amateurish. VOs are the worst I have ever seen. Puzzles are stupid. At least the HOS are average, well, almost. The story might be OK, but I couldn't stand to even finish the demo to find out. I wonder what garbage pile BF dug this from.
I don't recommend this game.
Something wicked has taken over Fate’s Carnival!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Challenging game
PostedJanuary 6, 2014
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The production of this game is one of the best I have seen. The artwork is cartoonish, but that fits the story to a tee. The characters are fun, and the VOs have lip sync. Music fits well, too.
What is really impressive to me is the amount of effort that was put into many of the puzzles. Nothing simple here like move some objects around. Many steps are required and without being directly obvious - you have to think and spend a lot of time solving them. The HINT button helps a lot here. You are given tips in your journal along the way for other puzzles. The HOS are similar with some regular items to find, but with also lot of IA and mini games involved. Really top notch work!
The story is good if a little screwy at times, but that's the whole point.
The game is very long (I didn't time it.) with many locations.
One of the main reasons I didn't give this game five stars is all the back-and-forth required, which seems to be a characteristic of this developer. I would have gone even nuttier than I already am if it wasn't for the excellent HINT button that allows you to teleport to the location needing action.
This is a super game, but it isn't for the casual player. It is very involved with little being very straightforward.
What is really impressive to me is the amount of effort that was put into many of the puzzles. Nothing simple here like move some objects around. Many steps are required and without being directly obvious - you have to think and spend a lot of time solving them. The HINT button helps a lot here. You are given tips in your journal along the way for other puzzles. The HOS are similar with some regular items to find, but with also lot of IA and mini games involved. Really top notch work!
The story is good if a little screwy at times, but that's the whole point.
The game is very long (I didn't time it.) with many locations.
One of the main reasons I didn't give this game five stars is all the back-and-forth required, which seems to be a characteristic of this developer. I would have gone even nuttier than I already am if it wasn't for the excellent HINT button that allows you to teleport to the location needing action.
This is a super game, but it isn't for the casual player. It is very involved with little being very straightforward.
I recommend this game!
Time is running out for a worried bride! Locate her groom in a town plagued by mysterious drownings.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Foggy writing
PostedJanuary 5, 2014
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I bought this game after playing and enjoying the demo. Bad mistake. The demo is better than the whole game
Production:
Good artwork and pleasing music. The VOs are cameos with written words - no lip sync. The CE has the usual useless stuff.
Game play:
A fair amount of back-and-forth but not too bad. There is a jump map, and the HINT button points in the right direction. The HOS are cluttered with just a little IA. Some of the HOS are fragmented objects, and they are terrible - very hard to find pieces. The puzzles are mostly the usual; i.e., tedious and requiring little intellect. Some do require actual thought. Use of objects is straightforward for the most part.
Story:
Here's where the good parts of the game are wiped out by a very poor story telling. The concept is interesting, but there is little, if any, consistency. Mixed cultures, objects out of sync with the time setting, red herrings galore, strange mechanisms that seem out of place, characters with seemingly nothing to do with the story, etc. The main story does have an ending, and the bonus chapter's story is another assignment. Too bad it is even worse than the main story. Just plain awful.
Production:
Good artwork and pleasing music. The VOs are cameos with written words - no lip sync. The CE has the usual useless stuff.
Game play:
A fair amount of back-and-forth but not too bad. There is a jump map, and the HINT button points in the right direction. The HOS are cluttered with just a little IA. Some of the HOS are fragmented objects, and they are terrible - very hard to find pieces. The puzzles are mostly the usual; i.e., tedious and requiring little intellect. Some do require actual thought. Use of objects is straightforward for the most part.
Story:
Here's where the good parts of the game are wiped out by a very poor story telling. The concept is interesting, but there is little, if any, consistency. Mixed cultures, objects out of sync with the time setting, red herrings galore, strange mechanisms that seem out of place, characters with seemingly nothing to do with the story, etc. The main story does have an ending, and the bonus chapter's story is another assignment. Too bad it is even worse than the main story. Just plain awful.
If you can get past the bad story and the awful HOS, you might enjoy this game as an SE. The CE is definitely not worth the money.
I don't recommend this game.
Stop a madman from taking over a city using a mind control device!
Overall rating
5
/
5
41 of 44 found this review helpful
Loved this game!
PostedDecember 23, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one of the best BF games I've played. Everything about it is top notch.
Production:
The artwork is very good and the character movements and VOs are some of the best I have seen. Other developers should take lessons from these guys. The music is good and fits the story. There are collectibles that open a secret room. There is a button (feet) that if clicked has a guide and shows the location of all collectibles.
Story:
A good, old detective story without a single evil witch to overcome or any cute critters to help you. What a joy! The story is interesting and is well told. There is a good journal.
Game play:
Very well designed game. The HOS are all reasonable and have IA. The puzzles vary from easy to difficult or at least time consuming. There are some arcade-type mini games. There is an IA map that shows where action is needed and where there are collectibles. The HINT button points you in the right direction.
Production:
The artwork is very good and the character movements and VOs are some of the best I have seen. Other developers should take lessons from these guys. The music is good and fits the story. There are collectibles that open a secret room. There is a button (feet) that if clicked has a guide and shows the location of all collectibles.
Story:
A good, old detective story without a single evil witch to overcome or any cute critters to help you. What a joy! The story is interesting and is well told. There is a good journal.
Game play:
Very well designed game. The HOS are all reasonable and have IA. The puzzles vary from easy to difficult or at least time consuming. There are some arcade-type mini games. There is an IA map that shows where action is needed and where there are collectibles. The HINT button points you in the right direction.
Lot's of action and numerous locations leads to a lengthy game. I highly recommend this game; it's an absolute joy.
I recommend this game!
Travel to a family manor and lift the mysterious Curse of the Werewolves in this blood-chilling and enthralling Hidden Object Adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Strange game
PostedDecember 20, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is not your average HO game even though there are a ton of HOS in the game. As others have written, this is more like an old adventure game.
Production:
The presentation is good, I thought, though it is dark as others have mentioned. (Not so dark that you can't manage.) There aren't any VOs. There is a journal that follows the story well. Audio is very good - I liked the music.
Story:
An interesting story along the lines of old horror movies. The game has an end that isn't abrupt like some games. In fact, the story is completed very well via the hero telling it.
Game play:
Here's where all the good of the game goes to pot. There is LOTS of back and forth, and there is no jumping. The map is very good showing where action is needed and where the HOS are. The HOS are pretty bad with lots of tiny objects to find. The HINT button does not work during game play, and, in many cases, the use of objects is not intuitive. So, there is a lot of wandering around required. The puzzles are average.
Production:
The presentation is good, I thought, though it is dark as others have mentioned. (Not so dark that you can't manage.) There aren't any VOs. There is a journal that follows the story well. Audio is very good - I liked the music.
Story:
An interesting story along the lines of old horror movies. The game has an end that isn't abrupt like some games. In fact, the story is completed very well via the hero telling it.
Game play:
Here's where all the good of the game goes to pot. There is LOTS of back and forth, and there is no jumping. The map is very good showing where action is needed and where the HOS are. The HOS are pretty bad with lots of tiny objects to find. The HINT button does not work during game play, and, in many cases, the use of objects is not intuitive. So, there is a lot of wandering around required. The puzzles are average.
I recommend this game but not to the faint of heart. I got stuck, and I had to find a walkthrough. I recommend that you do the same - see the Forums. Unless, of course you like being frustrated. The game is fairly short, too short really. I did enjoy playing it though, but I guess maybe part of the reason I did is that it is a welcome relief from the typical fairy tale game that is prevalent on BF.
I recommend this game!
Everyone deserves a second chance – even the stingiest of them all.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Fun game
PostedDecember 20, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is just plain fun to play.
Production:
Top notch presentation. The VOs aren't the best, but the rest is exceptional. There is a whole raft of cute critters to help you, but they aren't too annoying.
Game play:
Well designed with the usual back and forth, but the jump map helps there. The developer finally improved their map to show where immediate action is needed as well as future action. Also, they improved the HINT - it doesn't tell you exactly what to do. You are given an option to jump to the scene needing action. The HOS are some of the worst I have seen with some very tiny objects to find. I didn't get all the way through one HOS without using the HINT. The puzzles were difficult, I thought. You have to "work" on some items in inventory - combine, cut, etc.
Story:
I thought it was great - turn back time to make things better. Don't we all wish we could do that at times? There isn't a journal, but one isn't needed.
CE stuff:
There are morphing penguins to find, but I thought they were difficult to see. They are a waste anyway in my opinion. There are achievements, too, and a bonus chapter.
Very enjoyable game!
Production:
Top notch presentation. The VOs aren't the best, but the rest is exceptional. There is a whole raft of cute critters to help you, but they aren't too annoying.
Game play:
Well designed with the usual back and forth, but the jump map helps there. The developer finally improved their map to show where immediate action is needed as well as future action. Also, they improved the HINT - it doesn't tell you exactly what to do. You are given an option to jump to the scene needing action. The HOS are some of the worst I have seen with some very tiny objects to find. I didn't get all the way through one HOS without using the HINT. The puzzles were difficult, I thought. You have to "work" on some items in inventory - combine, cut, etc.
Story:
I thought it was great - turn back time to make things better. Don't we all wish we could do that at times? There isn't a journal, but one isn't needed.
CE stuff:
There are morphing penguins to find, but I thought they were difficult to see. They are a waste anyway in my opinion. There are achievements, too, and a bonus chapter.
Very enjoyable game!
I recommend this game!
Play as both Ellie and Ian, two scientists stranded on Botanica. Can you save your friends and find your way home?
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 20 found this review helpful
Good game
PostedDecember 14, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This story in this game is a continuation of the previous Botanica, which I played and liked. I think it was good that the developers had flashbacks of the first game for those who have not played it or who are like me and can't remember diddly.
Production:
The artwork is good but is nothing outstanding in my opinion. The cut scenes and VOs are poorly done with flashes of cartoons.
Story:
The story is interesting but approaches being a fairy tale with the resulting strange creatures and plants. It is well told via a tablet that has a journal, task list, plant/creature descriptions and a map.
Game play:
The back and forth is kept to a minimum, phew! The HOS are the most complicated I've seen. There are very few just regular items to find. The others require some IA and solving of puzzles. The skip DOES NOT work for these HOS puzzles! But they are fairly simple. The hint during game play allows you to jump to the location where action is needed without telling you what to do. Very good!
Production:
The artwork is good but is nothing outstanding in my opinion. The cut scenes and VOs are poorly done with flashes of cartoons.
Story:
The story is interesting but approaches being a fairy tale with the resulting strange creatures and plants. It is well told via a tablet that has a journal, task list, plant/creature descriptions and a map.
Game play:
The back and forth is kept to a minimum, phew! The HOS are the most complicated I've seen. There are very few just regular items to find. The others require some IA and solving of puzzles. The skip DOES NOT work for these HOS puzzles! But they are fairly simple. The hint during game play allows you to jump to the location where action is needed without telling you what to do. Very good!
It's too bad that, apparently, a virus is going around and infecting game developers - the dreaded "Cute Creature" virus. Sadly, it has gotten to these developers now. A cute, little crab is there for you.
This is an enjoyable game and is well designed. I recommend it, but I'll wait for the SE. I don't think the extras are worth the extra cost.
This is an enjoyable game and is well designed. I recommend it, but I'll wait for the SE. I don't think the extras are worth the extra cost.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Good adventure game
PostedDecember 12, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
What a relief it was to find a game that wasn't a fairy tale. Am I the only adult who plays BF games? I would have given the game five stars except for some lack of attention to details on the part of the developers.
- So called black bar tips did not always work even in easy mode.
- The HOS are all IA, and it isn't always easy to find the two parts needed, again in easy mode.
- So called black bar tips did not always work even in easy mode.
- The HOS are all IA, and it isn't always easy to find the two parts needed, again in easy mode.
The story leaves a little to be desired, too. The plot is interesting, but the telling is poor. It starts off looking like it will be good, with a journal, but lags later and the ending is abrupt.
There is some gore that some might not like, but it was welcome to me versus cute little creatures to help you.
There is a map, but it is virtually useless. The HINT button works well, pointing in the right direction and charging fast.
I wish other developers would give us games like this.
There is some gore that some might not like, but it was welcome to me versus cute little creatures to help you.
There is a map, but it is virtually useless. The HINT button works well, pointing in the right direction and charging fast.
I wish other developers would give us games like this.
I recommend this game!
Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love
After the Raven Queen crashes her wedding, Thumbelina must save her prince to reclaim her happy ending!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
Bad game
PostedDecember 11, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Production:
Good artwork, though nothing outstanding. The characters look like real people (maybe they are), but they act like dummies. No lip movement or movement of any kind.
Game play:
Typical for this developer, there is lots of back and forth. Use of objects is not always straightforward either; i.e., some strange usage. There is a jump map, but it shows where ALL action is needed even if it is far in the future, so it isn't all that helpful. The HINT button tells you exactly what to do, bad idea in my opinion. The HOS are cluttered and are all IA, which presents a problem. It is sometimes difficult to find the exact spot to place an object needed to get another one, like a key in a lock. It took many frustrating tries in some cases. The puzzles are the standards.
Story:
The story is apparently a continuation of previous stories, which is only hinted at. There isn't a journal. Once again, an evil witch has taken over, one who is "all powerful" but whom you defeat with relative ease while nobody else can. Give me a break! Very poor idea and very poorly told.
I didn't enjoy this game at all, and I could hardly wait to finish. It's a waste of time and money.
Good artwork, though nothing outstanding. The characters look like real people (maybe they are), but they act like dummies. No lip movement or movement of any kind.
Game play:
Typical for this developer, there is lots of back and forth. Use of objects is not always straightforward either; i.e., some strange usage. There is a jump map, but it shows where ALL action is needed even if it is far in the future, so it isn't all that helpful. The HINT button tells you exactly what to do, bad idea in my opinion. The HOS are cluttered and are all IA, which presents a problem. It is sometimes difficult to find the exact spot to place an object needed to get another one, like a key in a lock. It took many frustrating tries in some cases. The puzzles are the standards.
Story:
The story is apparently a continuation of previous stories, which is only hinted at. There isn't a journal. Once again, an evil witch has taken over, one who is "all powerful" but whom you defeat with relative ease while nobody else can. Give me a break! Very poor idea and very poorly told.
I didn't enjoy this game at all, and I could hardly wait to finish. It's a waste of time and money.
I don't recommend this game.
Banish the ghosts, uncover a mystery and live the adventure! In the haunted mansion, excitement is around every corner!
Overall rating
1
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
What a disaster!
PostedDecember 5, 2013
einiespal
fromArizona
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
BF must have dug deep into the musty cellar to find this disaster. It was probably filed right next to the original copy of Pong. At least Pong had some merit for its time. This game has absolutely no merit.
I could barely stand to make it through the first HOS in the demo. One item listed was a clock. Look for a clock face, right? Wrong! It was the very bottom and side of what might be a grandfather clock, which I had to use the hint to find. The hint button charges very slowly, too, and you are penalized for using it.
There isn't a beginning to the "story" if there is one. Boom, you are in front of a mansion. Why? Who knows?
This is my new champion for worst game ever. The developers might want to consider a new line of work.
I could barely stand to make it through the first HOS in the demo. One item listed was a clock. Look for a clock face, right? Wrong! It was the very bottom and side of what might be a grandfather clock, which I had to use the hint to find. The hint button charges very slowly, too, and you are penalized for using it.
There isn't a beginning to the "story" if there is one. Boom, you are in front of a mansion. Why? Who knows?
This is my new champion for worst game ever. The developers might want to consider a new line of work.
I don't recommend this game.