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:
Your family is missing and the town is in chaos in Small Town Terrors: Livingston!
Overall rating
4
/
5
34 of 37 found this review helpful
A Little Sleeper On My Desktop
PostedApril 14, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
GAME JUST COMPLETED
I never intended to buy this game because I was not impressed with the trial, but in a buying frenzy one day, I bought it to fill a punchcard, and only now have got around to playing it. And I must say, first, the trial doesn’t do it credit, and two, it is no earth shaker.
But it is definitely gripping. I started this while I was waiting for the sequel to download (that completely bowled me over in the trial), and then couldn’t bring myself to leave this one to go and play it until I was done.
It’s kind of a weird game, as others have noted.
Each chapter has its own dominant colour, which looked ugly and annoying in the walkthrough, but actually added to the atmosphere, giving it a sense of alien weirdness – to the extent that you noticed them at all. I completely forgot about them. The graphics themselves were quite well done – very gritty, and a lot of floating dust motes.
Each chapter has its own dominant colour, which looked ugly and annoying in the walkthrough, but actually added to the atmosphere, giving it a sense of alien weirdness – to the extent that you noticed them at all. I completely forgot about them. The graphics themselves were quite well done – very gritty, and a lot of floating dust motes.
The music and most especially the background sounds were cree...eepy and again, weird.
You must collect health packs to complete some specifically difficult tasks, such as kicking a door in. These were hidden about like any other object. If you’ve ever played classic adventure games the concept will be familiar to you. Except you don’t have to kill the zombie in order to get the goodies.
Yes, there were zombies (ugh), but they were brainless and couldn’t open doors, so you are reasonably safe to get on with the business of finding your husband and daughter before they become victims too.
In terms of gameplay outside these little quirks, the game is pretty standard. Plenty of HOs and puzzles, none too too hard. I was too busy sorting out the plot and figuring my next move to critique them.
Just what is the cause of this terrible plague in the small town of Livingston? Well, plenty of theories are mentioned, but even at the completion of the game I’m not entirely sure.
That is probably my only beef with the game.
A much much better game than I had originally expected.
I recommend this game!
Challenge yourself in the role of the scientist-historian-scholar of ancient civilizations and mystical legends and save your friend from the Demon of Darkness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
40 of 41 found this review helpful
Tough, Beautiful, Involving Sequel
PostedApril 14, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
Everything I loved (and bemoaned) about the first Secrets Of The Dark game is here again only more so.
This adventure is once again an encounter with the Demon Of Darkness, who we thought we’d dealt with back in Mexico. Now we are in Thailand and facing the same intriguing battle of Light vs. Dark. The setting makes the visuals even more lush and gorgeous, and enables us to enjoy an oriental experience all the way.
As before, light changes the environment we’re in, so turning on a lamp or opening a curtain can totally remake the place you are in, and give you access to otherwise unreachable scenes. It is tempting to wish for a map in this game, because the doubling up of light/dark places can get confusing, but that is part of the challenge!
An addition for this game is stone monk statues magically infused with the power to remould certain artifacts into useful items.
The game is jam-packed with work to do. There are two types of HOs, interactive list and misplaced items. Scenes are reused, with both these search types. These are a cut above the average HOs in terms of difficulty. I never need hints, but I had to use them a couple of times here.
There are absolutely loads of puzzles, some also repeated, which get harder as you go along. Much harder. And few of them are easy to start with. They are for the most part interesting and tricky twists on known puzzles. I guarantee, you may have seen this puzzle type before, but rarely would the degree of difficulty be this high.
This, like its predecessor, is a professionally designed and beautifully crafted game aimed at the more adept puzzlers out there.
For amateurs like me, it’s a bit frustrating, because so many puzzles must skipped, and skip on this one is not fast at refilling.
I dream of the day I can complete all the Secrets Of The Dark games without skips! (Maybe I'll invest in the SG)
This one is a top calibre game, just too hard for me, which is why it gets only four stars.
Once again, gamers who like a challenge – this one’s for you.
I recommend this game!
Forget those long-winded stories and dive right into the HO scenes you love! 100% Hidden Objects gives you complete control over your gaming experience.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1,309 of 1,487 found this review helpful
Don't Be Put Off, This Is A HO Gem!
PostedApril 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
No big fan of pure HO games myself, I have played a few with my elderly mum who loves them for their simplicity. No long complex stories to try to follow.
Believe me, this is much more fun than the others out there.
First, despite what others say, this game looks heaps better than anything in the Amazing Adventures or Big City Adventures series.
The graphics are clear, bright and as cheerful as you want them to be. The scenes make sense with the objects in them relevant, and while cluttered not really junk piled.
And you have so many choices!
You can choose your HOs from any of 8 different themed groups. For example, Tropical, Mystery, or Mixed.
You can choose word lists or pictures.
You can choose to play timed or untimed.
You have a range of 64 (!) achievements to aim for, and you can replay any scene to better your score.
You can collect coins to buy bonuses such as extra hints or slow time - or you can just ignore them.
There are side challenges for added fun. Such as, for a short period of time you get points for finding a specific item.
And I liked the cheerful jazz music.
This is not a HOPA. This is a very superior HO game and I heartily recommend it to HO gamers.
I recommend this game!
After crashing his ship, Columbus sees a beautiful apparition. Now, he must explore a mysterious island and battle for survival!
Overall rating
3
/
5
25 of 27 found this review helpful
A Nice Surprise
PostedApril 13, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
I bought this game as a DD without trial and almost immediately regretted it. As well as having the low definition graphics you’d expect from an older game (2010), the first half hour dragged by and the tedium was so bad I had to stop.
So coming back to it now determined to finish it no matter how awful it was, I got a nice surprise. I quite enjoyed myself, and found that after a while I didn’t even register the poor graphics and it certainly didn’t interfere with the game play.
This game is almost purely HO. Each ‘task’ (explore the island, open the treasure chest) involves a series of HO searches over a few locations. The style may vary from list, multiples, fragments, silhouettes, or combinations of them. There are sometimes mini-puzzles, all simple, to play as well.
Having achieved your objective, you move on in a logical progression – logical in the context of the game, that is. The adventure is very light, and the HOs are both numerous and repeated, so it is quite a long game.
Part of what I enjoyed about this one was that it was truly an adventure, no dark and menacing presences. I’m a fan of games like that, but even I appreciate a break now and then.
Next time it’s a DD, or you’re one game short on your punchcard, you could do worse. Just hang in there past the early stages.
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
4
/
5
36 of 65 found this review helpful
Excellent Concept & Design
PostedApril 13, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED A COUPLE OF TIMES
“What do you see when you turn out the lights?” Well in one small town what they see is a ruddy great Aztec temple complete with sacrificial altars. And your friend is the next cab off the rank.
It’s a wonderful idea, which the developers have pulled off expertly. Pull down the shades, close the curtains, and a whole new world is presented to you. Things you do in this world affect your daylight life and vice verso. Intriguing!
And, as it happens, very difficult. The light/dark thing does take a while to get a handle on, but it’s not the different gameplay that wore me down. It was just one of those games full of puzzles I can’t solve. They’re all well known, but are harder versions. It is disheartening, particularly seeing there is a time score, and each skip adds 30 mins to your time!
If it hadn’t been for the unreasonable difficulty levels of the puzzles I would have rated this one 5 stars.
The graphics were not works of art, but they were crystal clear, bright, and interesting. HOs came as lists and replace the objects. The replacement scenes were really fun; the results of your replacement showed flair and humour.
No voiceover for most of the game, but video cassettes (replayable) were well done and dramatic. The journal was a help, but I sure wish I could have had a map...
And I must mention the music. Excellent! Haunting and vitalising at the same time, far more upbeat than most. It did get a bit much sometimes, but it gave the game a unique atmosphere.
Gamers who like a challenge – this one’s for you.
I recommend this game!
Reveal an ancient curse and save the kingdom and its inhabitants. The last prince of Orion is waiting for your help!
Overall rating
3
/
5
39 of 46 found this review helpful
Past Its Prime, But Still Fun
PostedApril 12, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
GAME COMPLETED A COUPLE OF TIMES
First of all, you must take into account that this game was released in 2009 to appreciate just how good this game used to look. By current standards it’s pretty blah, but even on my large monitor it is still not rough enough to affect the game play.
I like all of this series because they deal with a fun concept. We are visiting a museum about a medieval kingdom when all of a sudden we are sucked into the portrait of the cursed prince, and are stranded in the House Of Stone until we can rescue the unfortunate victims and find our way back home. In each of the following games in the series we are caught up again in the kingdom’s dramas.
I’ve only been playing HOPAs for about 18 months, so I wasn’t around when they first became popular, but it seems to me that games of this vintage seem, harder than today’s. Hint button gives you hints, not instructions. Knowing where to go next can be a real mind bending exercise. I found myself using the walkthrough on more than one occasion just to get around.
Thankfully, the puzzles are for the most part fairly straightforward. I like that the HOS are of two varieties, lists and multiple items. Oh, and there is a misclick penalty.
The game also keeps track of time, and you can compare your scores. This time the game took me 2hrs 20mins, which is not long admittedly, but it was fun.
Not earth shattering stuff, but great to have the whole series, and not a bad way to spend a dull afternoon.
I recommend this game!
A simple murder investigation in Spain becomes a puzzling whodunit filled with intrigue.
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 46 found this review helpful
Delightful Change Of Face For Grim Facade
PostedApril 12, 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
4
/
5
BASED ON CE TRIAL AND FULL SE GAME
The Grim Facade series has had some of the best locales we’ve seen, in first Venice and then the Italian wine region, and now Spain. The beauty of their scenery is a large part of their appeal. Which is why I was so pleased to see a aspect ratio toggle on this instalment, and drapes not black bars on either side of my monitor.
The Grim Facade series has had some of the best locales we’ve seen, in first Venice and then the Italian wine region, and now Spain. The beauty of their scenery is a large part of their appeal. Which is why I was so pleased to see a aspect ratio toggle on this instalment, and drapes not black bars on either side of my monitor.
This is just the first of many (all positive) changes made by the developers in this game.
The music is an outstanding success in creating a feeling for Spain. The visuals back it up, even the wonderful fans that are collectibles (for added hints) are different, again letting us know it’s not ‘same ole same ole’, that a new atmosphere is taking over.
Then there’s our new assistant, our growing reputation as a ‘near psychic’ detective, and a really cute little sidekick who helps us out when he’s around.
All this is new and delightful and available in both versions of the game. In fact, the main game itself is identical.
It’s gorgeous, relaxing, fairly easy, with a higher than average HO content – in 3 different styles, standard interactive list, multiple units of a single item, and the newer more interaction-dependent silhouettes. I love this variety in HOPA games, and am glad to see it more often.
The puzzles were for the most part easy, and at no time was I sorry I didn’t have the integrated strategy guide of the CE.
The CE has some interesting bonuses I didn’t have access to on the demo, but include:
*Integrated SG (not needed for most)
*Bonus Game – the ending for the main game was conclusive as far as I could see, although a little abrupt. Others have commented the bonus game is too short.
*Unlockable mini-games and HOS
*Grim Trivia game for trophies.
*Bonus Game – the ending for the main game was conclusive as far as I could see, although a little abrupt. Others have commented the bonus game is too short.
*Unlockable mini-games and HOS
*Grim Trivia game for trophies.
I’m happy with my choice of a SE version of this game, but wouldn’t have minded catching the CE!
I recommend this game!
Get tips and hints from our handy Strategy Guide! Follow our crystal clear instructions and helpful tricks to succeed!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
STRATEGY GUIDE Not Too Bad, Not Too Wonderful
PostedApril 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
BASED ON CE GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
This strategy guide has good and bad in it.
Good
There are plenty of screenshots showing the solutions, (and only occasionally the correct moves) and they are very clear and easily seen.
The instructions, as far as they go, are clearly stated and understandable.
It is thorough – covering all aspects of the game play.
Not-So-Good
Two examples of puzzles early in the game.
1. Interwoven metal pipes must be moved in a certain order BASED ON WHERE AND HOW THEY LINK. The guide merely states that they must be moved in a correct order and give the solution. Bah!
2. A group of jars must be weighed to be placed lightest to heaviest on the shelf.
a. No suggestions on a method for doing that, though there has got to be some more logical approaches than others
b. The solution screenshot does not enable you to tell which bottles are in each space. The picture is too small.
2. A group of jars must be weighed to be placed lightest to heaviest on the shelf.
a. No suggestions on a method for doing that, though there has got to be some more logical approaches than others
b. The solution screenshot does not enable you to tell which bottles are in each space. The picture is too small.
Still, it must be said that this is a better strategy guide than most.
(Further comments on the GAME/S, see my reviews on the game pages)
I recommend this game!
Rescue your canine companion, and solve the mystery of Houndspoint!
Overall rating
4
/
5
45 of 49 found this review helpful
It’s The Cute Factor
PostedApril 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
BASED ON CE GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
It’s been almost a year since I played this game, and was all agog at how beautiful it was. And exciting. And most importantly, CUTE.
A gorgeous little puppy is kidnapped by monster dogs whilst trying to protect two equally adorable little kids. As we race off to find her, we instead find a brave but injured bulldog, and that dog too is grabbed! My heart ached for those dogs. Thereafter the game is littered throughout with doggy images and folklore.
This game is delightful alright. You have absolutely beautiful graphics, some very imaginative scenes (my favourite is the fountains), excellent cut-scenes.
You have an involving story, plenty of well done iHOs and puzzles (easy and familiar), and lots of travel.
There’s a ‘jump’ map, but I didn’t find it useful in any other way. No interactive components.
There are no collectibles or achievements.
It’s quite lengthy, but there’s nothing, really, other than the dogs to distinguish it.
Although one thing that did stand out for me was how quiet this game was. It’s eerie. I even had to turn up the volume to hear the very pleasant and relaxing music.
CE or SE? Will you miss anything? I’m tied. Both games register four stars, taking in the differences in price and content.
If you’re interested in new puzzles particularly (all the new ones seem to be in the bonus game), or fear you’ll be needing a strategy guide a lot, I’d recommend the CE. But the rest is just chaff, wallpapers etc.
I recommend this game!
Rescue your canine companion, and solve the mystery of Houndspoint!
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 39 found this review helpful
Never mind the WOW! Factor, this one’s got CUTE!
PostedApril 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES –
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW BELOW
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW BELOW
One of the other reviewers remarked that he didn’t understand all the fuss about this game, in his mind it was only a good game, and wondered if there was something that he was missing.
Well, I was one of the people who were blown away by this game at the time it first came out, and played it an unprecedented three times in one week. If you’d asked me to review it then, I’d have drooled. But his comments stayed with me, and now almost a year later, I get it. It’s the cute factor.
See, my friend, the story starts out with the kidnapping of a very cute puppy followed almost immediately by an injured one. My heart ached for those dogs. Thereafter the game is littered throughout with doggy images and folklore. Add to that well-drawn and beautiful graphics, and you have CUTE!
This game is delightful, make no mistake about it, but without the cute factor I doubt we’d have all gone quite so completely overboard about it.
True, you have an involving story, plenty of well done HOs and puzzles, and lots of travel. There’s a map, but I didn’t find it useful except to ‘jump’. (It’s essential in the bonus game). There’s no collectibles or achievements. It’s quite lengthy, but there’s nothing other than the dogs to really distinguish it.
Although one thing that did stand out for me was how quiet this game was. It’s eerie. I even had to turn up the volume to hear the very pleasant and relaxing music.
In short, nice feel good game, well done, with added CUTE.
Bonus Content Review *****
Nothing but the usual offerings – wallpapers, concept art, music. The bonus game and the integrated strategy guide, which is adequate. (For more details, see my separate review on the Strategy Guide)
The bonus game is a prequel that is not at all needed for the main game, which ends conclusively. It is very interesting though, and has a few tricks up its sleeve I won’t spoil for you.
Just note that it has more of the kind of things we’ve come to expect than the main game. For instance, some really neat though not difficult original puzzles. It’s also a decent length, about twice what I’m used to in bonus games.
Bonus game in conjunction with SG if you’re likely to need it definitely makes it worth the CE price. If you can live without them, I'd suggest the SE.
I recommend this game!