arnold1049's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:4,545
- Reviews Submitted:555
- First Review:February 24, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Down by the deep and muddy Mississippi, something’s not right. A ghostly riverboat brings to light a new conspiracy!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 13 found this review helpful
JUST WHAT A GAME SHOULD BE--AND MORE
PostedJanuary 3, 2013
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game sets the standard for what all good games should be like. The storyline was very interesting and flowed smoothly. Being based on a real person, Mark Twain, brought an interesting historical figure into the mix. Since I was born and raised in Missouri, the home state of Mark Twain, and have visited Hannibal, Missouri, this game held a special interest for me. It made me want to buy a book about Mark Twain.
And this game has everything; a built-in strategy guide, achievements that can be won, extra HOS that can be played if you obtain the necessary achievement, an additional challenge of collecting 80 bones, good mini games, fantastic graphics, etc., etc. There was some back and forth, but not enough to be annoying. The inventory items were used quickly and provided a good indication of what needed to be done next.
By finding the ravens in a scene, you can win extra hints, but I didn't find that I needed hints that often. And the hint button was great, not only in the HOS but also when you might need to know what to do next. I did need to use the strategy guide a few times, and it was excellent.
I just can't say enough good things about this game. I intend to purchase the other Hidden Mysteries games and hope they live up to the standard set by this game.
I recommend this game!
After being kidnapped, your friend is about to be sacrificed to a powerful demon and it's up to you to save him!
Overall rating
3
/
5
0 of 1 found this review helpful
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN
PostedJanuary 1, 2013
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As Yogi Bera (?) would say. This is another pet peeve game of mine. This one could have used a map. Too much back and forth and illogical sequences that made referring to the strategy guide (which wasn't built into the SE version of the game) too numerous. This took all the fun out of the game. Not sure if I'll play any of the others in this series.
Jack Haniken and his friend Elizabeth have gotten themselves in a dangerous situation and it’s up to you to save them!
Overall rating
4
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
DID I MISS SOMETHING?
PostedDecember 31, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Seems like I am the only one out of 10 people so far who likes this game. The graphics were crisp and the storyline interesting. Game play was very straight forward; no back and forth. The only complaint I have is that it was way too short.
This game also had a different approach to the HOS. You have to mouse over the location and find something to click on, then the silhouettes of the items that you need to find are populated. Inventory items are used immediately. The mini games were varied and not too difficult. I think I skipped 2 or 3 because I just didn't want to spend anymore time on them or I couldn't figure out exactly what to do, and it was not important enough to go to the walk through to find out.
This is a short, simple game, but a nice relief from the darker games that are more prevalent.
I recommend this game!
The nefarious treasure thief Jacques has kidnapped another damsel, and it’s up to you to stop his plans before she is sacrificed!
Overall rating
1
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
TOO FRUSTRATING
PostedDecember 30, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
There is a big difference between a game being challenging as opposed to being frustrating. This game goes way over the boundary into not only frustrating but maddening. When this happens, the game isn't fun anymore and definitely not worth playing.
I should have known this was going to happen as soon as I started the game. It was very slow going, figuring out the rhythm of the game, but I thought I finally got the hang of it. I hate to give up on a game too early. Now I am stuck trying to find the final item to advance and I have scoured the walkthrough and the forum postings with no luck. I have even uninstalled and reinstalled the game once already, which seemed to help me get past another sticky place. But to put this much work into a game that is supposed to be entertaining is ridiculous.
I'm not sure I will ever finish this game. I have better things (and games) to do with my time than beat my head against a brick wall. This is very disappointing to me, as I see there are a few other games in this series, which now I will not touch with a ten foot pole.
Avoid this game at all costs if you value you sanity and don't want your blood pressure to go off the charts. I hated to give it even one star.
I don't recommend this game.
After a devastating flood, a small town is being plagued by problems and now it’s up to you to fix them all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
COULD HAVE USED A MAP
PostedDecember 28, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
That is about the only thing I can say against this game, is that it could have benefited from a map. Other than that, this is an excellent game in all aspects; storyline, logical progression, graphics, mini games, HOS, built in strategy guide, great hints, everything. I plan on getting the other games in this series and hopefully they will be just as good as this one. I played the entire game and extra material at the Expert level.
I recommend this game!
Explore the mystical woods and mountains to defeat the evil spirit called Strix in this Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
9 of 13 found this review helpful
VERY FEW HOS
PostedDecember 28, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game was too short, had too much dialog, the hint button didn't work, and there were very few HOS with only a few items to pick out. I had to refer to the Strategy Guide, which wasn't built in, to try to figure out what needed to be done, since the hint button didn't work. Very poor game.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel back to the 18th century and uncover the secrets of bygone days with Golden Trails 2: The Lost Legacy!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
ENDING FELT RUSHED
PostedDecember 27, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the entire game, plus the bonus, on the expert level. I rarely used the hint button, but did need the strategy guide a few times, which was built in, a great feature. I think I skipped one mini game only because it was the kind that I can't do and frustrates me so that I don't even attempt them.
The ability to "win" access to unlimited playing of the HOS was a nice touch, but I didn't take advantage of it as by the time I was done with the game, I had no desire to replay them. In general, the HOS were pretty challenging and took some time to complete. You could also win trophies throughout the game, which also added a nice touch. I didn't get them all, but enough to be satisfied with my effort.
The animated graphics in some places were really cute. These showed up when you were at the place where you had to move to another location. The screen shows the various places to move to, and the small animated graphics in these screens were fun to watch.
The storyline was disappointing. It started out good, but became confused and seemed to end abruptly with a few things that didn't make any sense left hanging in the air. It almost seemed to me that maybe there was a deadline to get this game to market and the ending was rushed to meet this deadline. I was expecting more locations to open up, as they were shown on the location screen, but the game ended before they were explored. The extra chapter was OK, but was even more confusing and did not add anything to the story.
This game offered a lot of variations in playing that made the game interesting throughout. A very satisfying experience.
I recommend this game!
Guide Kate Reed as she solves four mind-bending mysteries that take her to worlds she's never imagined!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
EVERYTHING A GAME SHOULD BE
PostedDecember 23, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a nearly perfect game. It is everything a good game should be. I played the entire game and bonus chapter on the "expert" level.
There is an interactive map where you can see which areas need action and you can use the map to go to any active location. This saves a lot of backing out, going sideways and forwards. Also reduces the need to use the hint button to find out where to go next.
Although there was some back and forth, it was not so bad, particularly with the help of the map. The items in the inventory, for the most part, were used quickly so that the rhythm of the game was maintained. I did use the hint button occasionally for the HOS. I also referred to the strategy guide a few times. It is also nice that the strategy guide is built in.
The extra chapter was pretty long and fit into the game seamlessly.
So here are the big advantages of the game:
1. Interactive map
2. Built in strategy guide
3. Two levels of difficulty
4. Excellent storyline and extra chapter
1. Interactive map
2. Built in strategy guide
3. Two levels of difficulty
4. Excellent storyline and extra chapter
Big thumbs up for this one and I will be buying the other CE game in this series.
I recommend this game!
Black Isle was supposedly abandoned after an earthquake but the truth is much more sinister! Join the Mystery Trackers and learn the truth!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
MET MYSELF COMING AND GOING
PostedDecember 19, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played this entire game plus the bonus chapter in the advanced mode. There is a map and the map lets you change locations by clicking on it. The map legend showed icons for blocked areas, current location, and areas that needed action. There were 3 primary areas on the map. Once you left an area, the map no longer accurately showed areas that needed action, even though, throughout the game, you had to retrace you steps back to the earlier locations. This was very disappointing and led to my frustration with the game. By the time I got to the bonus chapter, I was just wishing it would end.
Towards the end, the running around was particularly bad. I got so tired of it, that I didn't even try to figure out where to go next. I just hit the hint button and let it tell me. The hint button was excellent, thankfully, and gave a detailed description of where and what the next action should be.
The HOS were good; some tougher than others. Same with the mini games; some were easy and some I had to skip. The ability to earn achievement awards was a nice addition. I missed getting all the owls by one, even though I clicked on the last one, but it didn't recognize it.
Entirely too much back and forth for me to enjoy the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
5
/
5
LOGICAL AND STRAIGHTFORWARD
PostedDecember 17, 2012
arnold1049
fromApache Junction, AZ
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played the entire game at the "Expert" level of difficulty. Although there was some backwards and forwards, the game flowed pretty much in a logical progression. There is a map, but at the difficulty level at which I played, all it did was tell me where I was currently playing.
The storyline was great and had a good, unexpected ending. I should have purchased the CE, as that probably would have had an extra chapter to take the story past the ending. In fact, I'm trying to make a habit of only purchasing CE of games, if they are available.
I used the hint button mostly to get me to the next active area, although there were a few HOS that I needed to use it on. Using the hint button to figure out where to go next does not make it have to be recharged, which is good, considering that on the expert level, it takes awhile for it to recharge.
There could have been more HOS, but there were plenty of other puzzles to keep the action interesting. I did have to refer to the walkthrough a couple of times to find the solution for a couple of the puzzles.
The length of the game was just right; not too short but not too long, either.
Excellent game that held my interest the entire time.
I recommend this game!