herrbach's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:154
- Reviews Submitted:8
- First Review:May 28, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 1, 2014
- Featured reviews0
herrbach's Review History
A strange premonition tells you your uncle is missing. Follow him into a world of fantasy, and discover the secrets of the Philosopher's Stone!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Simply Wondrous and Beautiful
PostedJuly 1, 2014
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
So many others have commented on the story line I have no more to add. I've only spent maybe four hours or so playing but couldn't wait until I finished to write a review, it's so fantastic!
Is this a game as much as it is art?
This genre of game is fairly new to me, I've done the simpler HOG's but not these adventure types. I have some of the Redemption Cemetery and Dark Tales series but haven't done much with them yet. So I find myself getting lost in the maze of locations sometimes. Memory seems to play a substantial part in navigating around.
This game is absolutely engaging, with beautiful, and sometimes breathtaking scenes. A mix of sci-fi and fantasy.
Completely relaxing to play, even when confronted with difficult puzzles etc., mostly logic based, which range from fairly easy to very difficult. But this is a case where one puzzle would be easy for one person but difficult for another.
This genre of game is fairly new to me, I've done the simpler HOG's but not these adventure types. I have some of the Redemption Cemetery and Dark Tales series but haven't done much with them yet. So I find myself getting lost in the maze of locations sometimes. Memory seems to play a substantial part in navigating around.
This game is absolutely engaging, with beautiful, and sometimes breathtaking scenes. A mix of sci-fi and fantasy.
Completely relaxing to play, even when confronted with difficult puzzles etc., mostly logic based, which range from fairly easy to very difficult. But this is a case where one puzzle would be easy for one person but difficult for another.
The scenes are often so beautiful that I am in no rush to proceed.
The HO's are nice because there are always several interactive objects where instead of simply finding a thing, sometimes you have to do preliminary tasks in order to make the primary object accessible.
The voice-over talking is fairly minimal. The music is very relaxing for the most part, it does change its character to adapt to various situations. One of the few games where the music is not annoying, distracting, boring and super repetitive. There are a number of games where I turn the music off ('cause I can't stands it noway nohow nowhere!) and either play CD's or just use the sound effects.
The HO's are nice because there are always several interactive objects where instead of simply finding a thing, sometimes you have to do preliminary tasks in order to make the primary object accessible.
The voice-over talking is fairly minimal. The music is very relaxing for the most part, it does change its character to adapt to various situations. One of the few games where the music is not annoying, distracting, boring and super repetitive. There are a number of games where I turn the music off ('cause I can't stands it noway nohow nowhere!) and either play CD's or just use the sound effects.
I thought this type of game would be one where once you've played through it you're pretty much done and trash it into your game archives; but I could play through this repeatedly.
As of this writing, it has not received a one-star rating.
Wish some scenes were available as wallpaper.
I hope they come up with an expanded series/sequels of this.
As of this writing, it has not received a one-star rating.
Wish some scenes were available as wallpaper.
I hope they come up with an expanded series/sequels of this.
I recommend this game!
Plants vs Zombies
Think fast, and plant faster, to stem a zombie attack! Save your home, and your brains, in this exciting Action/Arcade game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Wonderfully Hysterical, Strangely Strategic, Not a Brainless Game
PostedMay 17, 2014
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
"Zombie" has always been a funny word to me. But as I'm now maybe 2/3rds of the way through all of the levels. I can't wait to see what other kinds of plants & zombies there are. I still laugh at some of the zombies (Disco Dancing Zombie) and the animations. Crazy Dave is a riot. This game contains lots of variety within the seeming repetitiveness - and planning which plants to select with which to battle the zombies, depending on which zombies are attacking, is surely a different kind of strategic challenge. You learn the properties of the various plants & zombies by consulting an "almanac." You can play mini-games & puzzles (e.g., Bowling for Zombies!) to earn $$ to buy upgrades, or just to practice with unfamiliar plants and combinations. You can even play from a zombie's point of view & be a zombie yourself. Hah! In order to accomplish defeat one must "KNOW YOUR ENEMY."
Initially I had thought it would be a stoopid, simple, & rather juvenile game after trialing it. But after getting deeper into it after purchase; when I started getting more & more different kinds of plants and the zombies started inviting all their different goofy friends to party at my house, the challenges increased, & it wound up being as entertaining & captivating as a brain surgeon giving demonstrations at a zombie convention. Highly recommended for all ages.
I recommend this game!
Jane's wheat cultivation has been tampered with in the midst of a thunderstorm. Help her solve The Crop Circles Mystery!
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Where'd it go??!! What happened??!!
PostedMay 15, 2014
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This hog had a potential to be interesting, with a fairly cool story line. But it was over before I even had a chance to really get into it.
This is THE shortest game I've ever played. It's brevity is what cancelled out the positive aspects of the rating.
Given the chance to do it all over again, I never would have wasted my money on it.
This is THE shortest game I've ever played. It's brevity is what cancelled out the positive aspects of the rating.
Given the chance to do it all over again, I never would have wasted my money on it.
OK. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. It might have been abducted by aliens...
Compete with the neighbors for the highest score in ten home-themed card games! Use bonus cards to gain additional points.
Overall rating
5
/
5
25 of 30 found this review helpful
This Game Has Rethinkable Validity!
PostedJune 18, 2012
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Puzzle, Mahjong
When I downloaded the free trial, I found this game rather confusing as far as game play & the mechanism of accomplishing the required goals to progress to the next level at first appearance, convoluted at best. It appeared unapproachable regarding the "rules," as they are vague & seemingly inaccessible. The "help" context at first seemed so general that I could not figure out the game play. But after several "hands" it became clear that the process for each "level" was available by clicking the menu tab. Each level has its own data. There was a general description & rules for the game: but as I progressed, each succeeding level presented its own "requirements" through this tab.
Once I discovered the basic rudiments of game play, it afforded me the most intriguing & profound complexity of card games.
It is a wonderful blend of Rummy & Poker, requiring matching "sets." It does require a bit of "card counting" in order to keep track of which cards have been played, & what is available to complete your sets. Keeping track of what your opponents are "collecting" is also invaluable for deciding what to discard.
Some levels have a "screw your neighbor" environment which presents an additional element of "chance, (& delectable fun!)" For instance, your opponents can select your cards to be put in a "yard sale" to be selected, thus what you may have been working on to build & complete would be for naught if they are chosen. Or you can choose a particular opponent to lose a turn, put their cards up for selection, etc.
All in all, this card game presents an ultimate blend of chance & strategy, a little "concentration" focus because you really have to pay attention to what's going on, & a delightful mix of mess with your neighbors & work with them to accomplish a mutual goal.
Once I got over the "learning curve" this has become one of my favorite & [unfortunately or positively depending on your definition] addictive games.
Once I discovered the basic rudiments of game play, it afforded me the most intriguing & profound complexity of card games.
It is a wonderful blend of Rummy & Poker, requiring matching "sets." It does require a bit of "card counting" in order to keep track of which cards have been played, & what is available to complete your sets. Keeping track of what your opponents are "collecting" is also invaluable for deciding what to discard.
Some levels have a "screw your neighbor" environment which presents an additional element of "chance, (& delectable fun!)" For instance, your opponents can select your cards to be put in a "yard sale" to be selected, thus what you may have been working on to build & complete would be for naught if they are chosen. Or you can choose a particular opponent to lose a turn, put their cards up for selection, etc.
All in all, this card game presents an ultimate blend of chance & strategy, a little "concentration" focus because you really have to pay attention to what's going on, & a delightful mix of mess with your neighbors & work with them to accomplish a mutual goal.
Once I got over the "learning curve" this has become one of my favorite & [unfortunately or positively depending on your definition] addictive games.
I recommend this game!
Word Monaco
Relax and enjoy yourself with this peaceful fusion of word building and solitaire.
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 14 found this review helpful
C'est Magnifique !!
PostedJune 1, 2012
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Very laid back & relaxing play - however there's no timed option if you're craving more challenge. There's unlimited "undoes" with no penalty involved. Or also re-deals.
There's cute encouragement from a woman with a French accent when you form long words. "Magnifique!," "Tres Bien!," "Ooh-la-la!," etc.
The accordion music is ok for awhile, like something you'd hear in a French sidewalk cafe, but repetitive. You just may wind up craving escargot.
Unlike some solitaire games where you can point/click a card(s) & then simply point/click its destination, here you have to point/click and hold down the mouse button while moving the card(s) to the destination. It can get a little tiresome for finger/hand/wrist muscles after awhile for some people. But it AUTOMATICALLY saves progress when you exit.
It's game play/format rather takes me back to when I was a little kid playing with letter blocks [back in the day], stacking them vertically or placing them horizontally to form words -
kind of an interesting updated electronic & more adult version. And some of the power-ups allow you to change either vowels or consonants to other vowels or consonants, another parallel to old-fashioned letter blocks where you could just turn the block to any of the six sides. I never thought back then, but some had pictures on some of the sides, which could have been used as jokers.
A very entertaining, intiguing laid-back, low-pressure game, but with increasing difficulty in progressive levels to keep it interesting. I highly recommend it.
There's cute encouragement from a woman with a French accent when you form long words. "Magnifique!," "Tres Bien!," "Ooh-la-la!," etc.
The accordion music is ok for awhile, like something you'd hear in a French sidewalk cafe, but repetitive. You just may wind up craving escargot.
Unlike some solitaire games where you can point/click a card(s) & then simply point/click its destination, here you have to point/click and hold down the mouse button while moving the card(s) to the destination. It can get a little tiresome for finger/hand/wrist muscles after awhile for some people. But it AUTOMATICALLY saves progress when you exit.
It's game play/format rather takes me back to when I was a little kid playing with letter blocks [back in the day], stacking them vertically or placing them horizontally to form words -
kind of an interesting updated electronic & more adult version. And some of the power-ups allow you to change either vowels or consonants to other vowels or consonants, another parallel to old-fashioned letter blocks where you could just turn the block to any of the six sides. I never thought back then, but some had pictures on some of the sides, which could have been used as jokers.
A very entertaining, intiguing laid-back, low-pressure game, but with increasing difficulty in progressive levels to keep it interesting. I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Master all new mini-games, including processors, mixers, fridge raiding and more! Learn the cuisine of 8 different countries!
Overall rating
3
/
5
32 of 47 found this review helpful
Makes my hand hurt
PostedMay 28, 2012
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I played through one recipe each of the three Cooking Academy trials. The game requires so much intensive use of the mouse, holding the button and moving it that by the end of the third recipe my hand felt like it had spontaneously developed arthritis; very tedious & taxing. It would have been a practical option to be able to alternate the mouse with using the up/down/side arrows at least for some things like chopping..
If you know basic cooking/cutting board techniques, there's nothing new here to learn. And any recipes can be found for free online.
It might be a more fun & instructional game for children.
I'm going to recommend it for some people, but I'm not going to purchase it.
If you know basic cooking/cutting board techniques, there's nothing new here to learn. And any recipes can be found for free online.
It might be a more fun & instructional game for children.
I'm going to recommend it for some people, but I'm not going to purchase it.
I recommend this game!
From eggrolls to crème brulee, prepare over 50 different recipes! Master the skills of chopping, flipping, frying, and more!
Overall rating
3
/
5
28 of 38 found this review helpful
Too mouse intensive
PostedMay 28, 2012
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I downloaded all three Cooking Academy game trials and did one recipe on each. My hand began to ache after the first recipe. By the third recipe I felt that I had spontaneously developed arthritis. It would have been practical if the game designers had incorporated an option where one could occasionally use the up/down/side arrows for things like chopping, etc. Being required to continually hold down the mouse button & move the mouse constantly is too tiring & tedious. It might be fun in small doses, but if you do in fact have arthritis in your hands, don't even try this game.
On the plus side, there does appear to be a little instructional value. But if you know chopping board basics, you won't learn anything new. And you can find any of the recipes for free online. I'm not going to purchase it.
There's probably more value for children.
On the plus side, there does appear to be a little instructional value. But if you know chopping board basics, you won't learn anything new. And you can find any of the recipes for free online. I'm not going to purchase it.
There's probably more value for children.
With enough variety to endlessly entertain, it's a perfect choice for word game experts and beginners alike.
Overall rating
1
/
5
49 of 64 found this review helpful
Great Game Concept - Frustrating Play
PostedMay 28, 2012
herrbach
fromMarietta, Ohio
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I purchased this game after only a ten minute trial because the blend of Scrabble, crossword puzzle, & word jumble was very intriguing and initially fun. The instructions state that there is an English dictionary which has over 100,000 words. Considering the average English speaking adult has a vocabulary of 20,000 - 60,000 words +/- (depending on the source survey) I didn't think there'd be a problem. After the first several levels, it had already rejected "caul, ana, lac,aa" as well as some other words, all found in an average sized dictionary. It accepted the Greek letter "pi" but not "xi," so it's Inconsist and incomplete. There is however a website given to go to if you want to suggest words to be added to the dictionary. Since this is version 2.2 I was expecting better.
Even though I gave the visual/sound & challenge categories good ratings, I had to give an overall rating of one-star because any fun factor there might have been was ruined by the high level of frustration. The promo write up claims "...you'll never get the same game twice." In two days I got the same puzzle. What a disappointment.
Even though I gave the visual/sound & challenge categories good ratings, I had to give an overall rating of one-star because any fun factor there might have been was ruined by the high level of frustration. The promo write up claims "...you'll never get the same game twice." In two days I got the same puzzle. What a disappointment.
I don't recommend this game.