JustTheFacts's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:33,148
- Reviews Submitted:681
- First Review:December 7, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 4, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A mysterious fortune teller has foreseen her demise at midnight this very day. Can you find the soul who seeks to kill Madame Fate? You be the detective.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Demanding & Inventive
PostedDecember 7, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I know it’s sacrilege, but I have to confess that I don’t much like any of the MCF games, even though I own them all. They make me feel inadequate. I totally do not get their crazy puzzles! Even the HOPs are hard!
I know it’s sacrilege, but I have to confess that I don’t much like any of the MCF games, even though I own them all. They make me feel inadequate. I totally do not get their crazy puzzles! Even the HOPs are hard!
That doesn’t mean however, that I don’t see why these games are so popular – for the very same reasons I hate them. Of the earlier games, I think Madam Fate is the best. Innovative, challenging, original. I recognise the quality of the gameplay, even if it is so dated now.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Graphics are all. The game is years old, and the standard is low enough to affect my ability to see objects. I did like the cartoon characters, where you must find multiples of items. Ambient noises are great! You never for even a moment forget that you are at a carnival. Madam Fate’s voice is good too.
Graphics are all. The game is years old, and the standard is low enough to affect my ability to see objects. I did like the cartoon characters, where you must find multiples of items. Ambient noises are great! You never for even a moment forget that you are at a carnival. Madam Fate’s voice is good too.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Madam Fate has seen her death is at midnight tonight and she hires you to find out who will kill her by predicting where they will be at that time. A kinda hunt for future alibis. You do this by getting near enough to where they’ll be by finding relevant items and getting Madam’s crystal ball to show us.
Madam Fate has seen her death is at midnight tonight and she hires you to find out who will kill her by predicting where they will be at that time. A kinda hunt for future alibis. You do this by getting near enough to where they’ll be by finding relevant items and getting Madam’s crystal ball to show us.
MAKING PROGRESS
In order to eliminate the innocent carnival workers we must collect dozens of hidden objects in a half dozen HO scenes. There is no adventure, tools or travel. The HO scenes, when finished, lead back to the menu where you select your next effort. Some of the scenes have another set of scenes within them. Some also have puzzles, and sometimes strange special effects that you have to work around.
In order to eliminate the innocent carnival workers we must collect dozens of hidden objects in a half dozen HO scenes. There is no adventure, tools or travel. The HO scenes, when finished, lead back to the menu where you select your next effort. Some of the scenes have another set of scenes within them. Some also have puzzles, and sometimes strange special effects that you have to work around.
Once you have completed a level/chapter out of the 15 required to complete the game, you will get a puzzle involving multiples on a cartoony “carnie”, then it is time for one of the crystal ball’s puzzles. Which are impossible to solve – even the word based ones! Obviously that’s not entirely true, but the non-word puzzles were totally unfathomable. Would have killed the developers to have at least given us instructions?
The one easy thing about this game is the ‘timer’, which gives you oodles of time to nut the puzzles and HOPs out, but I never lasted to the end of that time. I’d bail out with 45 minutes still available!
FINAL VERDICT
I have mentioned that I don’t like this game, because it was simply too hard for me, but another player, with greater patience than I have would really enjoy this game. It is, even today, a great game for HOG play and puzzles – but the graphics do interfere with the game’s appeal, so it loses a star.
I have mentioned that I don’t like this game, because it was simply too hard for me, but another player, with greater patience than I have would really enjoy this game. It is, even today, a great game for HOG play and puzzles – but the graphics do interfere with the game’s appeal, so it loses a star.
If you like a challenge, this is probably right up your alley.
I recommend this game!
You're called to a health spa in the Alps, where an evil professor has something terrible in mind for his unwitting patients.
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 95 found this review helpful
Creepier Than Ever!
PostedDecember 7, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I’m a big fan of this series, which started out so stark and creepy and with great imagination. The second and third games were both great games too, but they never quite matched the first in creepy. This one is back with an atmosphere that makes my skin crawl in parts. I know a lot of players, who will like this breath of fresh air, after so many beautiful fantasy games this year.
I’m a big fan of this series, which started out so stark and creepy and with great imagination. The second and third games were both great games too, but they never quite matched the first in creepy. This one is back with an atmosphere that makes my skin crawl in parts. I know a lot of players, who will like this breath of fresh air, after so many beautiful fantasy games this year.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
This does not mean that the artwork is any less than the best of those games. It may be depicting disturbing images, but it does so in splendid colours and animation. Voiceovers are very good, with no attempt to lip synch. The sounds are the expected creepy, and the music is pleasantly nondescript.
This does not mean that the artwork is any less than the best of those games. It may be depicting disturbing images, but it does so in splendid colours and animation. Voiceovers are very good, with no attempt to lip synch. The sounds are the expected creepy, and the music is pleasantly nondescript.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
You come to the aid of a wife whose husband appears to be held captive at an asylum hospital, having gone there initially of his own free choice. Your arrival is delayed a little by the unavoidable need to fix the sky car mid-flight!
You come to the aid of a wife whose husband appears to be held captive at an asylum hospital, having gone there initially of his own free choice. Your arrival is delayed a little by the unavoidable need to fix the sky car mid-flight!
Once on the ground again, you are greeted to the spa by Dr Swen, member of the Seeking Brotherhood, who gives you a quick reprise of the stories in the other games and brings you up to date on their machinations. Then you are sedated and wake up trapped inside your very own mind!
Luckily you escape, and now you must free the other patients by entering their minds are curing them. Love these mind games!
MAKING PROGRESS
This is primarily a HOP adventure, and HOPs vastly outnumber the other games and puzzles. There are 5 types of HOP so far:
*Replace misplaced items found in the scene
*Place picture fragments in the scene
*Find silhouettes
*Place misplaced items by list
*Interactive word list
At least some of these scenes are revisited, but not necessarily using the same search method. The puzzles are rare but what I saw I really liked, for example, the 4 part maze, that was very different in style.
This is primarily a HOP adventure, and HOPs vastly outnumber the other games and puzzles. There are 5 types of HOP so far:
*Replace misplaced items found in the scene
*Place picture fragments in the scene
*Find silhouettes
*Place misplaced items by list
*Interactive word list
At least some of these scenes are revisited, but not necessarily using the same search method. The puzzles are rare but what I saw I really liked, for example, the 4 part maze, that was very different in style.
The entire hour was needed to finish the demo, which contained the first two chapters. This is my only real concern – the SG shows only 4 chapters plus the Bonus.
CE BLING!
No wallpapers!! Oh no!!! Okay, overreaction, but I do like them. Instead we have Concept Art, Replayable Mini-games, Achievements (lots) and Collectible Canes (31). As well as the SG and bonus chapter of course. NO PETS THOUGH!
No wallpapers!! Oh no!!! Okay, overreaction, but I do like them. Instead we have Concept Art, Replayable Mini-games, Achievements (lots) and Collectible Canes (31). As well as the SG and bonus chapter of course. NO PETS THOUGH!
FINAL VERDICT
I absolutely love the imaginative approach in this game. Inside others’ mind are eerie and creepy images and concepts at least on a par of all the so-called cute and beautiful games. And the game play is also quite different and original.
I absolutely love the imaginative approach in this game. Inside others’ mind are eerie and creepy images and concepts at least on a par of all the so-called cute and beautiful games. And the game play is also quite different and original.
I recommend this game!
Journey down a magical road to save two worlds!
Overall rating
5
/
5
108 of 119 found this review helpful
Kinda Kool!
PostedDecember 6, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
What first impressed me playing this, is how incredibly bright, bold and brilliant the artwork is. We have seen a lot of beautiful games with breathtaking graphics lately, and this is just another of those. But it is as astonishing as if it were the first one. They have also gone heavy-duty bold and beautiful on the cute assistants as well. (Yes, I do mean more than one).
What first impressed me playing this, is how incredibly bright, bold and brilliant the artwork is. We have seen a lot of beautiful games with breathtaking graphics lately, and this is just another of those. But it is as astonishing as if it were the first one. They have also gone heavy-duty bold and beautiful on the cute assistants as well. (Yes, I do mean more than one).
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
So, visuals are gorgeous. The locations are imaginatively drawn, and the characters look great. Music is pleasant and light, ambient sound is not loud enough to intrude, but it is there. Excellent voiceovers! British and oh so enthusiastic about the part they are playing in the mystery.
So, visuals are gorgeous. The locations are imaginatively drawn, and the characters look great. Music is pleasant and light, ambient sound is not loud enough to intrude, but it is there. Excellent voiceovers! British and oh so enthusiastic about the part they are playing in the mystery.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
An evil wizard has been accidentally set free of his confinement and is set to destroy two worlds, ours and another far more magical one. The first sign of this invasion seems to be an evil fog that transforms innocent things into rampant vicious vegetation. Including people who are being turned into trees. Your job of course is to sort it all out and recapture the wiz.
An evil wizard has been accidentally set free of his confinement and is set to destroy two worlds, ours and another far more magical one. The first sign of this invasion seems to be an evil fog that transforms innocent things into rampant vicious vegetation. Including people who are being turned into trees. Your job of course is to sort it all out and recapture the wiz.
You enlist the aid of magic creatures who assist you after you release them from whatever bonds the wizard has used to restrain them. Some stick around to team up with you. First you get a raccoon who offers his help climbing trees etc.
Then you hatch a baby dragon, who helps you with fire. There’s also a star (goddess? fairy?), that offers history information whilst you seek out her amulet pieces. That’s a lot of help! And a heck of a lot of cute too! You run across many more fanciful creatures, too, on your way.
MAKING PROGRESS
Along with the usual HOPs and other puzzles, this game has a mini-game for charging magical runes, that you will need to keep going. This is an original as far as I know, and involves both a little hand/coordination and brain power. At each occasion when it appears, it is slightly harder than the last one.
Along with the usual HOPs and other puzzles, this game has a mini-game for charging magical runes, that you will need to keep going. This is an original as far as I know, and involves both a little hand/coordination and brain power. At each occasion when it appears, it is slightly harder than the last one.
The HOPs are interactive lists. There are many puzzles, with varying degrees of difficulty. There is a journal and an interactive jump map. Hint is directional. You can opt to change what indications are given in the map and what sparkles and tips you want. Moving along with the story is sometimes tricky because there are all these portals! But it is great fun.
FINAL VERDICT
I keep coming back, with this one, to how beautifully full-colour it is. And odd. There is definitely a little bit of oddness here, in the characters, if nothing else.
I keep coming back, with this one, to how beautifully full-colour it is. And odd. There is definitely a little bit of oddness here, in the characters, if nothing else.
And yes, the cute assistants are in the SE game.
I recommend this game!
Everyone deserves a second chance – even the stingiest of them all.
Overall rating
5
/
5
220 of 254 found this review helpful
Penguins, And Humour Too!
PostedDecember 5, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Be honest. Every one of you who played A Nutcracker Story is buying this game, sight unseen if necessary. I certainly am. 20 of my favourite reviewers could tell me it’s rubbish and I’d still have to own it – even if just for the wallpapers! Which are cool, btw, and some of the concept art is interesting too.
Be honest. Every one of you who played A Nutcracker Story is buying this game, sight unseen if necessary. I certainly am. 20 of my favourite reviewers could tell me it’s rubbish and I’d still have to own it – even if just for the wallpapers! Which are cool, btw, and some of the concept art is interesting too.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Beautifully crafted in loving detail, the best effort from some of the best game artists around. The images glow, and I swear, even before I got past the intro cutscenes I was feeling a little less “bah humbug” than I usually am by nature *cheeky wink*. The colourful and festive locations in the pristine beauty of a white Christmas I can only imagine (Australia, remember) just make me instantly more mellow. The cut scenes are the usual gorgeous, the animations sometimes even spectacular.
Beautifully crafted in loving detail, the best effort from some of the best game artists around. The images glow, and I swear, even before I got past the intro cutscenes I was feeling a little less “bah humbug” than I usually am by nature *cheeky wink*. The colourful and festive locations in the pristine beauty of a white Christmas I can only imagine (Australia, remember) just make me instantly more mellow. The cut scenes are the usual gorgeous, the animations sometimes even spectacular.
The music is stunning. I don’t know if it’s adapted classical like the last Christmas Stories, but it is delicate and fine and reminds me of an very expensive music box, complete with dancing figure. The voiceovers are fun.
And that is probably, with all this splendour, the finest feature of all – humour! The ghosts are funny!
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Your evil and miserly uncle seems to be having an existential moment, perhaps wondering who’ll be at his funeral, and writes to you for help. He’s asleep when you arrive, but the good Scrooge ghost is there to let you know you can save your uncle, if you save him from the bad choices he has made in his life. He then becomes your “cute offsider” for this game. A little later, you’ll meet bad Scrooge, and the dialogue between them is very amusing and I am really looking forward to more.
Your evil and miserly uncle seems to be having an existential moment, perhaps wondering who’ll be at his funeral, and writes to you for help. He’s asleep when you arrive, but the good Scrooge ghost is there to let you know you can save your uncle, if you save him from the bad choices he has made in his life. He then becomes your “cute offsider” for this game. A little later, you’ll meet bad Scrooge, and the dialogue between them is very amusing and I am really looking forward to more.
MAKING PROGRESS
Few HOPs so far, interactive list, bright colourful and imaginative. Imaginative puzzles as well. More of them, but not hard. There is an interactive jump map, which is very helpful and a hint that shows you the correct location and you can jump to it from there. There is also a journal, and of course, the Strategy Guide.
Few HOPs so far, interactive list, bright colourful and imaginative. Imaginative puzzles as well. More of them, but not hard. There is an interactive jump map, which is very helpful and a hint that shows you the correct location and you can jump to it from there. There is also a journal, and of course, the Strategy Guide.
It is all balanced nicely for an easy-ish game, but with 4 difficulty modes, there’s certainly plenty to make it harder. I’m of the “no strain, no pain” philosophy, forget that “no strain, no gain” mob, why aren’t they off playing something really hard – like maybe... Flight Simulator? *sorry, I’m a jolly mood tonight*.
CE BLING!
For these details, the game page says it all:
Help Sherlock Cat find Santa Cat in the bonus game! Oh how I loved the cats in the first game of the series!
Fun achievements (including one at least that is going to tickle your fancy),penguin collectibles (34), all different to look at
Get soundtracks (5), wallpapers (12), screensavers, (2) concept art (12)
Use the available Strategy Guide
IN BRIEF
You couldn’t pay me to ignore this game!
You couldn’t pay me to ignore this game!
I recommend this game!
One night the ghost of President Lincoln appears, asking for your help. Can you find the hidden Confederate treasure?
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 41 found this review helpful
Love This Series, Love This Game
PostedDecember 3, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
One of the issues about this game is how well the new developer manages to capture the essence of the other 4 Midnight Mysteries. I think they do a splendid job! Yes, the graphics are a little different, but I completely forgot about within a few minutes. The game starts out a little slow, but definitely different – Abraham Lincoln himself seeks your help to track down a secret society of witches and outlaws, including that famous bandit, Jesse James.
One of the issues about this game is how well the new developer manages to capture the essence of the other 4 Midnight Mysteries. I think they do a splendid job! Yes, the graphics are a little different, but I completely forgot about within a few minutes. The game starts out a little slow, but definitely different – Abraham Lincoln himself seeks your help to track down a secret society of witches and outlaws, including that famous bandit, Jesse James.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Uniquely styled graphics are again excellent, and still the only games like it. The mood is dark and so is much of the locations, but it is not uncomfortably so. I enjoy the portal travelling cut scenes. Another facet of the series. Love the beautiful music, as well as the signature Midnight Mysteries sound track. Ambient sounds and special effects are excellent as well.
Uniquely styled graphics are again excellent, and still the only games like it. The mood is dark and so is much of the locations, but it is not uncomfortably so. I enjoy the portal travelling cut scenes. Another facet of the series. Love the beautiful music, as well as the signature Midnight Mysteries sound track. Ambient sounds and special effects are excellent as well.
MAKING PROGRESS
I feel this game has more puzzles than the earlier ones did, and some of them were quite tricky. Some required good coordination to complete, so I skipped. Skip is rather slow to kick in. The HOPs are very nice. They look beautiful and clear, indicated what kind of interaction is required to find a hidden object. As well as interactive lists, there is a multiple matching pairs and a misplaced items HOP. I like the way you can see the silhouette of an object by clicking on the name. Action and adventure gameplay is a little trickier too. But we get an interactive map this time.
I feel this game has more puzzles than the earlier ones did, and some of them were quite tricky. Some required good coordination to complete, so I skipped. Skip is rather slow to kick in. The HOPs are very nice. They look beautiful and clear, indicated what kind of interaction is required to find a hidden object. As well as interactive lists, there is a multiple matching pairs and a misplaced items HOP. I like the way you can see the silhouette of an object by clicking on the name. Action and adventure gameplay is a little trickier too. But we get an interactive map this time.
Another feature I love is the way the cursor works in interactions between inventory items and objects in the game. Our skeletal hand, normally white, turns blue when generally in the right place to click, then red if it’s the wrong tool, and sparkles like crazy when you hit the sweet spot. I wish more games had this feature to help reduce misclicks.
BLING!
Even though this is the Standard Edition of the game, you still get one of the blings! There are ravens to collect for hints. And, wouldn’t you know it? They’re tricky too! The one disappointment was the lack of clovers to collect and the replayable HOPs that the clovers unlock. They have been in SE games before with this series, but now you need to buy the CE if you want them.
Even though this is the Standard Edition of the game, you still get one of the blings! There are ravens to collect for hints. And, wouldn’t you know it? They’re tricky too! The one disappointment was the lack of clovers to collect and the replayable HOPs that the clovers unlock. They have been in SE games before with this series, but now you need to buy the CE if you want them.
FINAL VERDICT
Wonderful! I pulled an all-nighter to finish this game. And I loved every minute of it.
Wonderful! I pulled an all-nighter to finish this game. And I loved every minute of it.
I recommend this game!
I recommend this game!
When Houdini’s promises of contact from beyond go unkept, his wife comes to you in a final plea to unravel his mysterious passing.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Marvellous Midnight Mystery!
PostedDecember 3, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I adore this series, with its unique style in visuals and the complex and compelling stories. I even love the raven. This game differs somewhat from the norm, and is even better than the others (which were all exceptional). It has been released as a “Deluxe” Edition, so the extras – the bling! – you might say, are here at a standard edition price. It’s a great pity that this style of edition didn’t take off.
I adore this series, with its unique style in visuals and the complex and compelling stories. I even love the raven. This game differs somewhat from the norm, and is even better than the others (which were all exceptional). It has been released as a “Deluxe” Edition, so the extras – the bling! – you might say, are here at a standard edition price. It’s a great pity that this style of edition didn’t take off.
DELUXE BLING!
Quite a good package here. There is an in-game Strategy Guide (which is done differently by this developer, and is far easier to see and understand). There are 2 collectibles. The ravens (52) are extra hints, and clovers (40 out of 70 are needed to unlock the unlimited mode). In this extra, you get to revisit HOPs from the game, and find the full list of EVERY item in them. You are rated by time taken, for 3 awards (gold silver bronze). There are also achievements. Not many, but a couple of them are interesting. Clovers can be found all over the place, including HOP scenes, and sometimes are very small and rudimentary.
Quite a good package here. There is an in-game Strategy Guide (which is done differently by this developer, and is far easier to see and understand). There are 2 collectibles. The ravens (52) are extra hints, and clovers (40 out of 70 are needed to unlock the unlimited mode). In this extra, you get to revisit HOPs from the game, and find the full list of EVERY item in them. You are rated by time taken, for 3 awards (gold silver bronze). There are also achievements. Not many, but a couple of them are interesting. Clovers can be found all over the place, including HOP scenes, and sometimes are very small and rudimentary.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Beautiful graphics. I love the way these games are put together. I have seen no game ever that has the same look and feel. Cut-scenes, from the very first, are amazing electrifying and occasionally startling. I lost count how many times I jumped and flinched. And I’ve played the half a dozen times! The game really is quite creepy, it’s just that gameplay is so intriguing, I get a little ‘lost to the world’. I also love the convincing details of the widely varying locations and epochs.
Beautiful graphics. I love the way these games are put together. I have seen no game ever that has the same look and feel. Cut-scenes, from the very first, are amazing electrifying and occasionally startling. I lost count how many times I jumped and flinched. And I’ve played the half a dozen times! The game really is quite creepy, it’s just that gameplay is so intriguing, I get a little ‘lost to the world’. I also love the convincing details of the widely varying locations and epochs.
The music, too, is unique and has a wonderful creepy tone from time to time. I loved the special effects. No voiceovers.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Houdini was well known for having a thing about fake mediums and psychics. He debunked a lot of very unhappy people. He made a pact with his wife that if there really was a way to contact the living after his death, he would contact her and they would use a code to make sure it was really him. All this is true, at least, part of the Houdini legend.
Houdini was well known for having a thing about fake mediums and psychics. He debunked a lot of very unhappy people. He made a pact with his wife that if there really was a way to contact the living after his death, he would contact her and they would use a code to make sure it was really him. All this is true, at least, part of the Houdini legend.
The game starts with Mrs Houdini’s ghost seeking your help to find Harry’s, because even after her own death she has been unable to contact him. The story is, Houdini was murdered, and you must travel through time and space to visit those people who he knew who might want him dead. It is a great departure from the usual fare offered in HOPA’s but still very much in keeping with this series.
MAKING PROGRESS
An emphasis on HOPs, each an interactive list, and visited twice. Puzzles are okay, there is not too many of them. The adventure part is helped along by a perhaps too helpful hint that tells you exactly what to do next. There is no map. Skip, is pretty slow if you want to give up on those puzzles.
An emphasis on HOPs, each an interactive list, and visited twice. Puzzles are okay, there is not too many of them. The adventure part is helped along by a perhaps too helpful hint that tells you exactly what to do next. There is no map. Skip, is pretty slow if you want to give up on those puzzles.
CRUX OF THE MATTER
I love every Midnight Mystery produced, and this one just gives me goose bumps!
I love every Midnight Mystery produced, and this one just gives me goose bumps!
I recommend this game!
Help Ashley Ford find her father and solve the mystery of the Three Oak Mansion.
Overall rating
2
/
5
41 of 56 found this review helpful
Maybe... But Then Again, No
PostedDecember 3, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The most interesting thing about the intro is that there isn’t one. You go straight from the developer’s flash page to the main menu. So, low budget game. That’s okay.
The most interesting thing about the intro is that there isn’t one. You go straight from the developer’s flash page to the main menu. So, low budget game. That’s okay.
The main menu page is a bit more interesting. It has ghost-like images of the key players, with their bios, so faint and so quickly cycled that you only get an impression of what’s to come. That’s intriguing.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
In the locations of the game, the graphics are very so-so, and ‘dated’ – the pseudo-realistic style. I don’t like that style but I don’t think it should automatically rule out a game from further consideration. In this case, where the game shines is in the HOP scenes, where the graphics are so clear and clean you can almost feel the textures.
In the locations of the game, the graphics are very so-so, and ‘dated’ – the pseudo-realistic style. I don’t like that style but I don’t think it should automatically rule out a game from further consideration. In this case, where the game shines is in the HOP scenes, where the graphics are so clear and clean you can almost feel the textures.
Being low budget, there is no voiceover, but not much dialogue at all either. In fact, the game is light on interaction no matter its form.
The music is upbeat modern electronic, some interesting voices in it, and there is one sound I loved, the sound made when you make a wrong selection. If there were ambient sounds, I missed them.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
You are a thief, like your father before you. But, you know, a good thief . Right. Okay, we’ll forget occupation for the moment, but I’m sure it brings with it many talents we can make good use of. Other than that, it is your standard “find missing dad, search spooky mansion” story. Throw in a little time travel, and yep, you got a winner amongst typical HOPA fans.
You are a thief, like your father before you. But, you know, a good thief . Right. Okay, we’ll forget occupation for the moment, but I’m sure it brings with it many talents we can make good use of. Other than that, it is your standard “find missing dad, search spooky mansion” story. Throw in a little time travel, and yep, you got a winner amongst typical HOPA fans.
PROGRESSING
This is primarily an adventure game, I think, it’s hard to tell because I did not get very far into it. There are some list (not interactive) HOPs, with limited animation and despite their clarity and light, are not very interesting. There are puzzles as well, not too difficult, but there are some good reasons for recommending waiting for a walkthrough.
This is primarily an adventure game, I think, it’s hard to tell because I did not get very far into it. There are some list (not interactive) HOPs, with limited animation and despite their clarity and light, are not very interesting. There are puzzles as well, not too difficult, but there are some good reasons for recommending waiting for a walkthrough.
Because the adventure gameplay is not obvious and the help you can get is not necessarily helpful.
The hint system is one I would normally applaud, shows you where you need to go. But it doesn’t transport you, and there’s a good chance it’s somewhere you haven’t been yet.
The teleport map, on the other hand, is not interactive, but will take you to a teleport site within a group of locations. I think there are only half a dozen of these, and many more rooms than that.
All of this would be by-the-by if not for the unusual placing of exits in the locations. I spent forever looking for a fuse box in a room I couldn’t find before I finally did. This is where I started losing interest in this game. It became too slow. And when I found myself again stuck because I didn’t have what I needed to open the door hint told me to, I just couldn’t go on.
There were other annoyances too. There were a noticeable number of spelling mistakes. The cursor would not change to the exit one until it was over the inventory bar. It was almost impossible to leave some of the close up boxes because there was no x, and the cursor once again didn’t change. Speaking of cursors, the darn thing is so finicky you can’t tell whether one of your desperate choices for inventory item is rejected because it is wrong or because it isn’t properly placed. All these and no walkthrough? I think not.
FINAL COMMENT
It was suggested in the forums that this isn’t a game for those of us who have gone ‘soft’, playing games that do too much hand holding. Probably an accurate assessment, at least in my case, so hard core players, don’t rule this one out! As for us softies, I don’t think it’s going to be high on anyone’s xmas list.
It was suggested in the forums that this isn’t a game for those of us who have gone ‘soft’, playing games that do too much hand holding. Probably an accurate assessment, at least in my case, so hard core players, don’t rule this one out! As for us softies, I don’t think it’s going to be high on anyone’s xmas list.
I don't recommend this game.
Down by the deep and muddy Mississippi, something’s not right. A ghostly riverboat brings to light a new conspiracy!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
One Of The Best
PostedDecember 3, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I do love this game. It is much more exciting and dramatic than the 2 previous games, right from the first few moments. The intro will make you jump and flinch, and it sets the scene for all the cut scenes that will do the same.
I do love this game. It is much more exciting and dramatic than the 2 previous games, right from the first few moments. The intro will make you jump and flinch, and it sets the scene for all the cut scenes that will do the same.
In keeping with the framework of the series, Mark Twain’s ghost (think, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer) visits you and asks you to help him find a solution to the ancient evils he unwittingly loosed on the world, after publishing a work proving Marlow was “William Shakespeare”. It involves time travelling to Twain’s era, then on to Shakespeare’s time, all on the mysterious ghostly river boat, “Pennsylvania”.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
This series has a signature style to its graphics, and in this game, it works brilliantly. With the greater intensity and drama in this game, the colours – black, ectoplasmic green and ghostly blue mostly – suit the mood perfectly. Special effects, including some very dramatic and sometimes downright scary cut scenes, are excellent.
This series has a signature style to its graphics, and in this game, it works brilliantly. With the greater intensity and drama in this game, the colours – black, ectoplasmic green and ghostly blue mostly – suit the mood perfectly. Special effects, including some very dramatic and sometimes downright scary cut scenes, are excellent.
The series also has a signature music score, which is again applied here, and is never overdone. There are no voiceovers, but it’s hard to really notice that. And the ambient sounds are a delight.
MAKING PROGRESS
I love the first scene in all these games – you are in your office (which doesn’t change from game to game), and you receive an unexpected ghostly visitor. This same scene acts as both introduction and tutorial, and it’s the best I’ve ever seen of attempts to do this.
I love the first scene in all these games – you are in your office (which doesn’t change from game to game), and you receive an unexpected ghostly visitor. This same scene acts as both introduction and tutorial, and it’s the best I’ve ever seen of attempts to do this.
This is nicely balanced game, with a good measure of adventure, wrapped around 8 HOPs and a bit more of mini-games. HOPs are standard interactive lists with a twist, some objects are listed as if they were crossword clues. For instance, honey may be listed as: ‘bears love this’. Some, but not all, of the HOPs are visited twice. Without using hint, you can bring up a silhouette of the item you want. Very helpful. Easy but original puzzles.
There is a good directional hint system, taking you all the way to the correct place, and a diary that is only good at summarising. The objectives list is a little more use. But there is little need, really, because most actions follow logically. More so than in the previous games. So it is not a very hard game, and it is also not very long. The game has a timer and I took 3hrs 30mins, which is pretty quick for me.
BLING!
This is not a CE, but you could be forgiven for thinking it was. There are two collectibles, ravens provide extra hints, and clovers, which are numerous (about 100 I think), and you need 70 of them to open up the unlimited HOP games. These are scenes in which you must find ALL the hidden objects (about twice as many as you get in the game).
This is not a CE, but you could be forgiven for thinking it was. There are two collectibles, ravens provide extra hints, and clovers, which are numerous (about 100 I think), and you need 70 of them to open up the unlimited HOP games. These are scenes in which you must find ALL the hidden objects (about twice as many as you get in the game).
They are also both an achievement to collect, along with a dozen or so of other achievements. Many of them are quite hard.
FINAL VERDICT
It may not be as flashy as some of the newer games are, but it is a dramatic, exciting, and in-your-face thriller, that looks darn good and hooks you in from the opening scenes. It still rates a huge 5 from me.
It may not be as flashy as some of the newer games are, but it is a dramatic, exciting, and in-your-face thriller, that looks darn good and hooks you in from the opening scenes. It still rates a huge 5 from me.
I recommend this game!
Embark on a journey across Solitairea with your dragon friend!
Overall rating
3
/
5
29 of 35 found this review helpful
Sweet Solitaire Game With Dragon Offsider
PostedDecember 2, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This is a very nice little Solitaire game, opening with a very good voice, over a semi-animated story board. Though it is clearly not going to be an extravaganza, there is something about the game that is immediately endearing.
This is a very nice little Solitaire game, opening with a very good voice, over a semi-animated story board. Though it is clearly not going to be an extravaganza, there is something about the game that is immediately endearing.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Graphics are very well done, simple but good quality. The backgrounds for each level are fantasy realistic, by which I mean the scenes look real, just not necessarily of our world. I am particularly fond of the music. It is varied and unusual enough to be interesting. The narrator’s is the only voice.
Graphics are very well done, simple but good quality. The backgrounds for each level are fantasy realistic, by which I mean the scenes look real, just not necessarily of our world. I am particularly fond of the music. It is varied and unusual enough to be interesting. The narrator’s is the only voice.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
You find a strange box in the stream, and, totally unaware that it is a secret weapon to be used against the evil witch who is harassing the kingdom, you open it. Inside is a beautiful dragon egg. The adventure follows you as you travel the kingdom, and care for your dragon. The nice thing about this game is the solitaire games do have a purpose in a story and you do take specific actions to move forward.
You find a strange box in the stream, and, totally unaware that it is a secret weapon to be used against the evil witch who is harassing the kingdom, you open it. Inside is a beautiful dragon egg. The adventure follows you as you travel the kingdom, and care for your dragon. The nice thing about this game is the solitaire games do have a purpose in a story and you do take specific actions to move forward.
MAKING PROGRESS
This is a strictly standard solitaire game in all ways, with the exception of the dragon and the shop. (For those of you considering solitaire for the first time, there is a very easy and helpful tutorial at the beginning which covers the rules.) In each stage of each level (10 stages per level, 20 levels in all) you earn experience points as well as gold by ending the stage with no more than 5 cards left. 5 cards will earn you a skull, and 5 skulls will mean you cannot progress to the next level.
This is a strictly standard solitaire game in all ways, with the exception of the dragon and the shop. (For those of you considering solitaire for the first time, there is a very easy and helpful tutorial at the beginning which covers the rules.) In each stage of each level (10 stages per level, 20 levels in all) you earn experience points as well as gold by ending the stage with no more than 5 cards left. 5 cards will earn you a skull, and 5 skulls will mean you cannot progress to the next level.
The experience points you earn can be used in conjunction with gold to buy powerups in the shop. As the dragon grows and increases levels, it is able to learn new skills to help you in battle (e.g. Cold Claw spell, which freezes and destroys 1-3 random cards). You can also buy armour for yourself to increase your effectiveness (e.g. a special belt that gives an additional 10% experience points).
FINAL VERDICT
There is nothing outstanding about this game, but it is certainly a nice one. If you are feeling low on solitaire games, you won’t go wrong with this one, but it is not a 'must have' in my books.
There is nothing outstanding about this game, but it is certainly a nice one. If you are feeling low on solitaire games, you won’t go wrong with this one, but it is not a 'must have' in my books.
I recommend this game!
The rich folklore continues with this exciting tale set in an old Slavic land. As Child of Spring, can you save the world from eternal winter?
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW!
PostedDecember 1, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Note: For a full review of this game, please see my Standard Edition review.
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
BONUS GAMEPLAY
Disappointing in some ways. It looked beautiful, there were all new locations, 5 new HOPs and 5 new mini-games. But it didn’t track well. The story was an epilogue (not needed for feeling of completion in main game), but was a little out of left field. There wasn’t a whole lot to it, and it didn’t take me very long to finish it.
Disappointing in some ways. It looked beautiful, there were all new locations, 5 new HOPs and 5 new mini-games. But it didn’t track well. The story was an epilogue (not needed for feeling of completion in main game), but was a little out of left field. There wasn’t a whole lot to it, and it didn’t take me very long to finish it.
The ending was really annoying. It involved fight scenes that took only seconds, despite being an ‘earth shattering’ part of the story. And when the final battle occurred, the game just ended. No rounding off of the last ideas, no thanks from the crowd, no ‘happily ever after’ even. Very unsatisfying.
I really wouldn’t rate this bonus chapter very highly. But a couple of things I forgot to mention in the SE review are worth noting here, because these features were carried through on into the bonus.
I loved, loved, loved the entirely twee special effects associated with the Spring Brush – a rainbow and a spray of sunflowers. Made me smile every time I saw it. The other detail I enjoyed was the need to do something – light up a dark corner, move some junk out of the way, blow something up – in order to open the HOPs. They weren’t just an annoying useless part of the location.
GALLERY ITEMS
Wallpapers (couple of them are lovely, they’ll on my desktop for a while), Concept Art (Ditto), Movies, Music.
Wallpapers (couple of them are lovely, they’ll on my desktop for a while), Concept Art (Ditto), Movies, Music.
REPLAYABLE HOPs & MINI-GAMES
STRATEGY GUIDE
PET’S HOUSE
You can buy clothes for your ermine with pet coins, and decorate his room with a few free options. Nothing inspired here. (You can also dress up a studly dude in the Bonus Chapter – much more interesting.)
You can buy clothes for your ermine with pet coins, and decorate his room with a few free options. Nothing inspired here. (You can also dress up a studly dude in the Bonus Chapter – much more interesting.)
ACHIEVEMENTS & COLLECTIBLES
Nice looking Achievements room with the usual achievements, some story, some game. Enjoyable ‘trophies’. The Collectibles are the coins you collect to dress up your ermine.
Nice looking Achievements room with the usual achievements, some story, some game. Enjoyable ‘trophies’. The Collectibles are the coins you collect to dress up your ermine.
MAKING OF
This is another cheeky and amusing home movie from the developers. I find these quite fun, and I certainly feel like I know them more than other developers.
This is another cheeky and amusing home movie from the developers. I find these quite fun, and I certainly feel like I know them more than other developers.
FINAL VERDICT
Not the greatest, and certainly not up to the standard of the main game. But I enjoyed the game very much and was not too put out by the mediocre final chapter.
Not the greatest, and certainly not up to the standard of the main game. But I enjoyed the game very much and was not too put out by the mediocre final chapter.
I recommend this game!