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:
Go on an Ancient Adventure to Greece and find the fantastic Gift of Zeus in this fun and exciting Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Light-Hearted Departure From The Norm
PostedJune 17, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON GAME COMPLETED A COUPLE OF TIMES
Okay, yeah, sure, the game was probably designed for kids. So, when has that ever stopped us? And anyway, I’m not too sure about that, because it sure tested my knowledge of ANCIENT GREEK LEGENDS. Starting with the STORY.
Thetis has lost her magic necklace and you must help Maia and Hermes search for it, otherwise the thief who stole it can open up the gates to the Underworld. (See what I mean? Thank goodness there’s an ENCYCLOPAEDIA).
This is a MAP DRIVEN HO GAME, with some SIMPLE (not always easy) PUZZLES thrown in. Basically, the game is broken up into chapters that determine where you will go next, inventory items are used within the chapter, and you receive a running commentary from Maia on why you are doing what. There is NO real ADVENTURE component.
There are COLLECTIBLES that give you POWERUPS, such as faster HINT recharge. (Hint’s only useful in the HOS). As well, you can earn new ENCYCLOPAEDIA entries as you go. This information is quite fun to learn.
The GRAPHICS are VERY WELL DONE in CARTOON style. Everything is easy to see, even the very small items. And there is plenty of colour and light. Plenty of AMBIENT sound and suitably Mediterranean MUSIC as well. NO VOICEOVERS.
This is solid, well constructed game which makes a pleasant and unique alternative to the traditional HO GAMES such as Amazing Adventures.
A pleasure to play.
I recommend this game!
Strange Cases: The Secrets of Grey Mist Lake
Discover the Secrets of Grey Mist Lake! FBI Agent Claire Ellery has discovered another Strange Case and she needs your help!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Lazy Sunday Kind Of Game
PostedJune 17, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
GAME COMPLETED A FEW TIMES
This game has two features that stop it from being just another HOG.
As in all the Strange Cases series (this is number 3 of 4), access to (LIST) HO SCENES is only granted after you find the TAROT CARD in the scene. In order to find it, you usually need to perform some action with an inventory item on another item in the scene. A nice change.
As well, you get a FLASHLIGHT that you can keep for the whole game that lights up the ominous shadows that hide RUNE STONES. These are needed in various rituals.
Otherwise, this game is basically a VERY ORDINARY HO ADVENTURE, with VERY FEW PUZZLES. Although they do vary a good deal in difficulty.
The problem with this game is the GRAPHICS. Even a few years back, when this game was released, they could not have been considered all that special. They are often DARK, sometimes MONOCHROMATIC, all of them GRAINY & CLUNKY. It makes some of the objects difficult to see and does interfere with the enjoyment of the game.
With NO MAP, and an unhelpful HINT, getting about can be a bit challenging/frustrating. Quite a lot of the GAMEPLAY does not seem to follow logically from one action to another. And the PACE for most of the game is very slow. Still, because more head scratching is required, the game is quite LONG, and it does suck you in eventually.
The STORY is UNORIGINAL; there’s a car crash, your boyfriend is kidnapped and taken to a strange town that disappears and then reappears, and you are aided by ghosts who are doomed to stay in the thrall of an evil witch, unless you can complete their earthly tasks for them.
This game might have been worthy of a higher rating in its day, but now, it can’t compete. Yet still, I did enjoy replaying it – even though the eyestrain gave me a headache.
I recommend this game!
Strange Cases: The Secrets of Grey Mist Lake Collector's Edition
Discover the Secrets of Grey Mist Lake! FBI Agent Claire Ellery has discovered another Strange Case and she needs your help!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Not Entirely Mediocre
PostedJune 17, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
GAME COMPLETED A FEW TIMES
First of all, yes, the GRAPHICS STINK. Even allowing for the age of the game, they are just not up to an acceptable CE (or even SE) standard. They are GRAINY, MONOCHROMATIC and dull. It makes some of the objects difficult to see and does interfere with the enjoyment of the game. Which is why I rated it down one star.
The thing that SAVES this game from being just another mediocre HOG is the TAROT CARDS. In order to uncover the LIST of HO needed, you must first find the cards. This can be quite a challenge, because you will need to do some interaction, usually using an item from inventory, before you can get it. I like the extra level of difficulty on otherwise uninteresting HOS. I also liked the FLASHLIGHT that we got to keep for the duration, which could light up the ‘magic’ shadows as well as regular light.
As I say, not many PUZZLES, but what there were VARIED in DIFFICULTY and some were ones I’ve never seen before. The ‘getting around’ ADVENTURE gameplay was OKAY, not so difficult that you’re using the STRATEGY GUIDE all the time, but not always obvious. There is NO MAP, and I think that was a mistake, a map would have helped make sense out of the gameplay and reduced the toing and froing. HINT was USELESS outside HOS.
The main characters had VOICEOVERS, and for the most part were good, but there was one guy, I swear he was trying to get a laugh, and he sure succeeded with me. MUSIC uninspiring and repetitive. Some of the CUTSCENES were cool.
Familiar STORY, car crash, missing boyfriend, strange town that disappears and then reappears, inhabited by ghosts who are doomed to stay in the thrall of an evil witch, unless you can complete their earthly tasks for them.
As an SE, this game might have been worthy of a higher rating in its day. But now, it just can’t compete.
Bonus Content Review*
NONE of the bonus items can be unlocked until the full game and bonus are complete.
The BONUS CHAPTER took me roughly 1 hour. It is all-NEW LOCATIONS, puzzles and HOS. Had a surreal touch that made it a bit interesting, but I didn’t like the STORY at all.
The rest was the usual SG, WALLPAPER, CONCEPT ART & MUSIC.
As a CE, I can’t recommend this game!
I don't recommend this game.
Search for thousands of cleverly hidden items around the historic sites of Tokyo. Play a bunch of fun mini-games too.
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
At Last! A Few Innovations
PostedJune 17, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
I really am not a fan of this series. Big City Adventures are strictly QUANTITY over QUALITY. If I’m going to pay the same price as I would for one of the many spectacular HOPAs there are now available, I think it’s fair to expect a similar level of quality in graphics, game design, etc. from the HOGs on offer. What is preventing the inclusion of CUT SCENES, HIGH QUALITY GRAPHICS and VARIETY from finding its way into HOGs? And I like my HO games, even the PURE HOGs, to have some excitement, mystery, or at least PURPOSE.
This latest instalment does not yet show much in the way of improvements, but at least it does show SOME. The FORMULA is the same as it is for all the BCA games. The family go on holiday to a BIG CITY. There follows 3 VISITS EACH to 20 or so apparently randomly selected HO SCENES. These SCENES are GRAPHICALLY mediocre – although better here than in the previous games. Yes, they are BRIGHT & COLOURFUL, but they are COPY & PASTE graphics, overcrowded and objects are often too small.
One of the innovations I like is that within each SCENE there is now a ZOOM SCENE where 3 or 4 objects can be found. It’s the first step towards genuine INTERACTIVITY and variety we’ve seen from this series.
The other CHANGE FOR THE BETTER is many more varieties of PUZZLES than in the past. Although they are still simply a transition from one chapter to another, and still fairly simple, it gives them a level of interest than the old games didn’t have.
The game still includes those OTHER FEATURES most popular with players. The game is TIMED (but you have the option now of UNTIMED), there are POINTS, COLLECTIBLES, ACHIEVEMENTS & UNLOCKABLE replays.
There is definitely improvements here, this game is still as long way short of the quality I look for in a HO Adventure. But it will be a treat for those who love the series.
I recommend this game to those people!
Can you stop a puzzle-loving killer before he strikes again?
Overall rating
3
/
5
101 of 110 found this review helpful
SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN AVERAGE, AVERAGE GAME
PostedJune 17, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
PARENTS NOTE: This game includes drug references and recently dead corpses.
This game is WORTH A LOOK. It can’t compete with some of the spectacular games we’ve seen lately, but it’s a reasonably good stand alone SE game. And it is quite different in style to most HO Adventures. (Very few PUZZLES)
You start with your arrival at the CRIME SCENE of the murder of a famous fashion model. This is your first HOS. No exciting introductory CUTSCENES, BACKSTORY or OTHER PREPARATION.
One thing I must OBJECT to immediately, why was this model living in a derelict building? Do we really need grunge that badly?
The police officer who greeted you leaves you in charge, and from that moment you’re free to explore the scene on your own. There are NO VOICEOVERS, and NO DIALOGUE.
After the first HOS, you are confronted immediately with a number of other ones, and searching the LOCATIONS for MULTIPLES OF. HO SCENES, which you will visit twice, are all LISTS, little or no interaction. Outside the HOS, there is a lot of EXPERIMENTAL CLICKING required on bottles, cushions, etc. that move and may or may not reveal a wanted item.
None of this really amounts to ADVENTURE-style gaming however. You are confined to a small set of scenes until you get what you need to move on to the next chapter.
On CASUAL mode, the game will guide you with SPARKLES for HOS, and GLOWING POINTS OF LIGHT for those items that must be COLLECTED outside them. The HINT button will instruct you if you are in the right location, otherwise it’s that unhelpful “there is nothing here” response. You also have a JOURNAL which keeps CLUES & TASKS. So even if you’re not good with adventure, you can manage.
Once you’ve got all you need to move on, you are transported to the next chapter’s LOCATION, where the same procedure follows.
The GRAPHICS are a LITTLE ROUGH, but I quite enjoyed them, even if they were mostly ugly scenes. Hidden Objects were sometimes very hard to spot because the HOS was too dark, or they were partially hidden.
The PUZZLES were varied in DIFFICULTY, but SKIP was QUICK.
The MUSIC is PLEASANT, but REPETITIOUS.
There is an INTRIGUING BAD GUY. We, being the investigator, no nothing about him yet. But he is already showing a knowledge of Latin, a penchant for leaving CRYPTIC MESSAGES, and all the usual signs of a VERY INTELLIGENT PSYCHOTIC KILLER.
In all, okay. Nothing to write to Mother about, but of interest to HO fans in particular, who could do without all that extra work, or those who enjoy a good MURDER MYSTERY.
I recommend this game!
Save the kingdom and reunite Princess Isabella with her prince in the exciting conclusion to the Princess Isabella trilogy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
62 of 68 found this review helpful
Fun & Beautiful. What A Treat!
PostedJune 16, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON ONE HOUR DEMO
I think most of us will have to admit to being a sucker for CUTE, (judging by the popularity of cute companions), so even though this game is just a little TOO SWEET, and just a little JUVENILE, it is still a very appealing game for grownups with soft hearts. There is an abundance of CUDDLY CREATURES to rescue, feed and get help from in this delightful FANTASY. All are depicted using BEAUTIFUL HIGH QUALITY GRAPHICS that make it a pleasure just to get around.
Having acknowledged that this is a game for ‘big kids with big hearts’, do not assume it is a simple one. The GAMEPLAY is quite STRAIGHTFORWARD, jumping from PUZZLE to HOS with little ‘hunting and pecking’ required. It is made COMPLEX, by the many magic abilities you have and your companions with other abilities, all of which are utilised by a different procedure (e.g. dragon’s flute calls the dragon, magic wand performs certain spells), so that it is quite an INVOLVED PROCESS, dealing with each new obstacle.
While neither the PUZZLES nor the HO SCENES themselves present any serious difficulty, this extra layer to the ADVENTURE element keeps you busy. Some HO SCENES were quite unusual, requiring you to pick out all the (symbols of) EVIL in a scene. Interesting and fun.
The STORY is a sequel to the previous “Princess Isabella” games, but, while it is obvious that there is BACKSTORY, I did not feel confused by not having played those previous games. You are the famous and brave Princess Isabella’s daughter and it is now up to you to take up where your mother was forced to leave off, and in the process rescue your fairy godmothers, and perhaps your mother herself.
One thing I really loved in this game was the way that, once the “evil” in a room had been dispersed, the entire room was transformed into a beautiful serene version of itself.
One thing I really hated was the way the CUTSCENES showed up on my monitor as one third the size, so that I had black strips (normally on either side) above and below.
Another thing that just about drove me mad was the fairy’s VOICEOVER. All the others were fine, but ... AGH!!
This is a charming game, beautiful and light-hearted, though not very difficult or sophisticated. But they don’t all have to be do they? I’m looking forward to transforming this lovely world trapped in evil to the magical mystical world it was meant to be.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your daughter, Hannah, from the clutches of an evil witch before it's too late in this chilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Good Puzzle Only Adventure
PostedJune 15, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
This is NOT a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure, although there are LOTS OF PUZZLES, there are NO HO SCENES.
The first thing I noticed about this game was the colours. Eerie iridescent green and black, highlighted occasionally with gold. VERY creepy and atmospheric. Also, of course, very dark, and that is one of the downsides of this game.
Although the GRAPHICS are GOOD, they are NOT UP TO this developers usual STANDARD, and as a rule are too dark.
Also on the downside, the STORY is not carried through the game play. You lose all sense of purpose as you simply struggle to find your way around and collect the items you need to solve each of the PUZZLES, which range from SIMPLE to IMPOSSIBLE. In the beginning you get a good briefing of the circumstances and what is happening, but then little is said after that about WHY you’re doing all you’re doing.
Don’t get me wrong: this is a decent game, but there is a third complaint I have. The MAP, which is NOT A JUMP MAP, and is very complex, consisting of 6 smaller maps, is confusing as all heck. There is a circular symbol which is supposed to represent “location”, but what that means I could never work out. It was not where action was required, or had active tasks or anything else I could understand, so for all intents it was also NON-INTERACTIVE. HINT is of the ‘there is nothing in this area’ type. That is, ALMOST USELESS.
On the plus side we have some ENTERTAINING & UNUSUAL PUZZLES, many ORIGINAL, some of which I simply had to SKIP, because they were too difficult.
Also, the monsters you must face and defeat were very IMAGINATIVE & suitably CREEPY; depicted well, and defeated satisfactorily.
In all, NOT A BAD game, but not as good as some of the PUZZLE ADVENTURES we have seen lately.
I recommend this game!
Confront an ancient evil and uncover your true! After a startling revelation changes your world forever, you must embark on an epic journey to save mankind.
Overall rating
3
/
5
51 of 88 found this review helpful
NICE BUT UNASSUMING GAME
PostedJune 15, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON FULL DEMO
A refreshing CHANGE of LOCATION & CULTURE is the most immediate and distinguishing feature of this game. Set in PERSIA? With a strong EASTERN/HINDU feel, this game is not at all what we’re used to seeing.
Unbeknownst to you, you are the legendary Descendant of the Sun, and having come of age, must make a journey to retrieve a powerful relic of which you are the rightful keeper.
The grandfather you never knew you had is killed whilst giving you instructions on how you must fulfil prophecy, but manages to give you one of five amulets that will protect you from evil. Now you must find the other four.
From what I’ve seen so far, nothing about this game warrants CE status, which is a shame, because as a stand-alone SE, where expectations are not so high, I think it would be far MORE SUCCESSFUL.
It is an EASY & SIMPLE HO PUZZLE ADVENTURE. The number of HOS & PUZZLES is about evenly balanced, with each HOS visited twice. The HOS are mildly interactive LISTS with nothing to distinguish them.
The GRAPHICS are the CUT & PASTE kind, which I personally detest, but it must be said, it is very WELL DONE here. Cut scenes are clear and again well done but unexciting. MUSIC is nice, VOICEOVERS well done.
There are a lot of LITTLE PUZZLES & MINI-GAMES that require brain power without causing headaches, and what I’ve seen were ALL ORIGINAL.
With an INTERACTIVE JUMP MAP that shows you ‘hot spots’ and a DIRECTIONAL HINT, the ADVENTURE side of this game is pretty EASY. (I should point out, the SG looks very poorly put together, and difficult to read due to poor definition.)
There is also a JOURNAL where you keep the notes you find whilst searching around. There is nothing apart from these notes to collect.
COLLECTOR’S EDITION EXTRAS are the BONUS CHAPTER and GALLERY.
In all ways this is a PLEASANT BUT UNEXCITING game, with nothing much to recommend it as a CE.
When the SE comes out, I expect I’ll rate it higher, but in the meantime,as a CE...
I don't recommend this game.
The lighthouse fails and darkness invades Willow Ridge. Your husband runs into the forest for answers, unaware of the shadow hunting him.
Overall rating
5
/
5
144 of 165 found this review helpful
Something Really Special
PostedJune 14, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
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 CE GAME COMPLETED TWICE ALREADY!
This game really is something SPECIAL. It marks a whole new standard for HOPA games. The BEST OF GAMES will now have to measure up to its VARIETY in GAMEPLAY, GRAPHICS, even MUSIC, the complexity in STORY & DELIVERY, and the sheer INNOVATION of this game.
Along with the expected GORGEOUS & BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN graphics of the bulk of the game and the HOS, there are also “MINI-SHOWS”, which are cartoon-style movie clips that give you BACKSTORY but are also MISPLACED OBJECT scenes!
As well, this game offers the BEST SOUND TRACKS I’ve heard. There are 10 MUSIC tracks, UNLIKE anything I’ve heard elsewhere. The AMBIENT SOUNDS, from the thunder crashes to the tweetiest of little bird songs, are DELIGHTFUL & REALISTIC.
The VARIETY in the HO SCENES is AMAZING. I stopped counting the different STYLES at about EIGHT. There are LIST styles with DIFFERING levels of INTERACTION, FRAGMENTED OBJECTS, SILHOUETTES, MULTIPLES OF, PAIRS and some I don’t even have names for, because I’ve NEVER SEEN them elsewhere. The intriguing thing about the LISTS is that the item does not disappear when you find it. It MOVES to reveal a piece of a PUZZLE you need to finish off the HOS.
The HOS are the bulk of the action, but there are some really fun PUZZLES along the way. Not many, and not hard. Another INNOVATION is the INVENTORY PUZZLES. An item shows in your inventory with a + sign, which means you need to either click it a few more times to get it just right, or you must combine it with something else, or you must solve a mini-puzzle in order to use it.
SKIP is quick (on easy), HINT is DIRECTIONAL, and you have an INTERACTIVE JUMP MAP that shows you active zones, and a photo of each location.
The STORY starts out fairly slow and a little LOW KEY. A town is surrounded by a DARK FOREST, and their only protection is the LIGHTHOUSE. When that is threatened, the town is in real trouble. Your husband, the lighthouse keeper, enters the forest to investigate, and you follow him. Not for long, though, the TREES attack you and drive you back into town, and your husband disappears.
As the game progresses, ANOTHER STORY comes to light, that of a BOY LOST to the forest, whose memorial statue stands in the main square. What really happened to ETHAN? Who is CLARA and what is she up to? And how does any of this CONNECT to your husband?
You have a DELIGHTFUL adventure of about 4-5 HOURS in which to find the answers.
I recommend this game!
Save your sister from the grave! After receiving a troubling phone call from your brother-in-law, you’re off on an adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Much More Than It Seems
PostedJune 10, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
GAME COMPLETED MANY TIMES
I own another game (Bluebeard’s Castle) with an almost identical story – sister marries charming husband who fails to mention his previous wives, and then she dies/disappears under mysterious circumstances. In both games, to save your sister you must set the spirits of his previous wives/victims free. They are both good stories, but the similarity ends there.
This game is a simple and straightforward HO ADVENTURE. The PUZZLES are FAMILIAR & FEW. I skipped a couple, but only one struck me as actually difficult. Likewise, the story moves the ADVENTURE along SIMPLE LOGICAL lines, rarely detouring from the obvious.
The HO games are INTERESTING & VARIED. There are mildly INTERACTIVE LISTS, MULTIPLES & FIND PAIRS. Sometimes in combination. You will redo some of those HO SCENES a second time using a different type of search.
The game is NOT overly LONG. There is NO MAP, NO real HELP from HINT, NO JOURNAL. And of course, in a game this simple, NO COLLECTIBLES OR ACHIEVEMENTS.
What turns this game into an unexpected LITTLE GEM is the ARTWORK. Using colour, symbolism and humour, the artists create a SURREAL NETHERWORLD in which each of the wives is trapped until you free her. They are a DELIGHT to the MIND as well as the EYE, even though not the best GRAPHICS I’ve seen. As well, the MUSIC is wonderful, and worthy of an ear, just for itself.
I won’t pretend that this game is the best I’ve played – it’s not. But it is RELAXING, ENTERTAINING, and just DIFFERENT enough to make it INTERESTING.
I recommend this game!