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:
Search for a town consumed by fog! Unlock forbidden doors and uncover mysterious items!
Overall rating
5
/
5
80 of 95 found this review helpful
Well Worth CE Price
PostedMarch 29, 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 MANY TIMES
In fact, I own the SE game, which I’ve played about 8 times, this last time with the strategy guide and walkthrough handy, because even after all those tries I still end up skipping and hinting too much.
This is a top notch game, with beautifully crafted graphics, good environmental sounds, and unobtrusive music. It even has changing weather!
The story was one we’ve all played a million times before. Tragedy, ghosts, you must help them or the world will end. As I say, the usual, but well told. It ends neatly and satisfyingly, but leaves one little question unanswered, and if so, I would have bought the CE for that alone.
The journal is actually quite helpful, besides keeping codes etc. it fleshes out the story a bit and draws conclusions that can help guide you to the next task. The game play is great too. The HOS are very interactive, where items on the list go immediately to inventory where they can be used to find others on the list. Common enough now, but unique when this game was first released.
My one gripe with it was over the hint/skip buttons and the difficulty of the puzzles. Hint only tells if there is a task to do in the location, but does not differentiate between ones you can complete immediately and those for which you do not have the items needed to start the puzzle. This has caused me so much frustration! Then, you finally try to do the puzzle, as often as not it’s too hard. And skip takes forever. (No choice of difficulty levels).
Which is why I’m writing this review. If you are thinking of buying this game, CE or SE, go with the CE. Even without any bonus game at all, and none of the usual CE bling, this game is worth the price, for the integrated strategy guide alone.
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
4
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
This Game NEEDS A Strategy Guide
PostedMarch 29, 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
PLAYED GAME WITH SG 5 MIN TRIAL & WALKTHROUGH
The hint button on this game seems designed to send you crazy. It will tell you only if there is something to do in your current location, unfortunately it does this with opened tasks for which we do not have the items and which we may not get for another hour or so. Argh!! At least, you can search SG (ctrl F) and see if you should have collected the item already.
So taking that into consideration along with the difficulty of the puzzles, the slowness of the skip button to refill, and the complexity of the game in general, playing with a SG is a much more pleasant game.
This one is not without its problems too, there are a couple of games that a poorly explained, but at least it’s enough to figure it out myself from there.
In general, I think a SG is better than a walkthrough because:
Easier to read in book format therefore
Easier to assess a game before purchase
Can enlarge screenshots
Less downloading costs and patience
Can use offline
More likely to use and therefore learn new puzzles.
Easier to assess a game before purchase
Can enlarge screenshots
Less downloading costs and patience
Can use offline
More likely to use and therefore learn new puzzles.
I recommend this game!
Can you solve the mystery of the ghostly violinist?
Overall rating
4
/
5
32 of 33 found this review helpful
Somebody Listened Too Well
PostedMarch 28, 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
4
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
I think the developers have listened too well to that very vocal group of hard core gamers for whom everything is too easy. The first two games of this series were light-hearted, pretty, easy romances, and were delightful because of it. Not so Austrian Sonata.
It is beautiful, but it is dark in a way the previous games haven’t been. And more dangerous. And more dramatic.
MINOR SPOILER ALERT** Even the happily ever after is bitter sweet. **SPOILER FINISHED
But above all, this game is much more difficult to play. I found myself skipping too often, and practically relying exclusively on hint to get around. And they even stole the achievements to the CE’s exclusive use.
Despite all these problems I still finished the game in just over 3 hours – very short for me, and certainly shorter than most games I play.
One important plus about this game, though, - as you’d expect from the name – the music is enchanting and refreshing.
All up? I think the developer tried too hard on this one, but it is still a beautiful game.
I recommend this game!
Journey across Italy as best-selling novelist Dana Knightstone in Death Under Tuscan Skies: A Dana Knightstone Novel!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
Another Bestseller For Dana Knightstone
PostedMarch 27, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Each time I play this game I am surprised at how really good it is. As a sequel to the first Knightstone game, this is magic. Another ghostly love story in breathtaking locations, marvellous puzzles (55 of them according to the game) of all sorts, gentle soothing music. It has everything you need.
Even the whodunit aspect is done well. I was genuinely unsure of who was the guilty party in both these games.
One major change (for better or for worse depending on your inclinations) is that there are many more HOS in this game than the last. They are beautifully drawn and offered in a variety of different formats, so I enjoyed every one of them, and I think that only a hardcore HO hater would baulk at them.
It should be noted too that the game is quite easy – I even earned most of the achievements! So again, not for the hardcore group.
But if flirting with handsome Italian professors while solving a genuine mystery and working out the plot for your next book sounds like fun, then Tuscan Skies is definitely for you!
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
26 of 27 found this review helpful
Beautiful Historical Romantic Adventure
PostedMarch 27, 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
5
/
5
GAME COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES
This is lovely romantic and visually pleasing game. It’s been a couple of years since this was released, and the graphics are lower definition than what’s available now, but these scenes are drawn so beautifully it just doesn’t matter. Every scene is beautiful, the music and ambient sound is soothing, heck even we are attractive!
It is not a HOPA as we’d define it – I think there was only one list HOS, but there were plenty of find multiples of this and identical pairs of that, plus lots of variations of jigsaw styled puzzles. These were all great fun. Some of the other puzzles were a bit of a pain because there was no real instructions for them. You could get a hint instead of skipping, but I never found it made a difference.
When you’re sick of vampires and ghouls, mad scientists and deserted hospitals, here a good place to hang out with a sad but harmless pair of ghosts.
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
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Useful But Not Perfect
PostedMarch 26, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I didn't really need this SG when I played the game, the puzzles and adventure play are straightforward enough. For the building of contraptions it would have been more helpful. Unfortunately, I am hopeless at all things mechanical, and even the instructions in this SG couldn't make it easy for me.
Yes, I understood the instructions about what order to put things together, but sometimes I was so clueless, I didn't know WHERE to put the next item. This guide didn't help with that.
Still,
I recommend this game!
Lift an evil curse that has been cast on the kingdom by a witch looking for revenge in Love Chronicles: The Sword and the Rose!
Overall rating
3
/
5
33 of 37 found this review helpful
A Differing Opinion
PostedMarch 26, 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
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Since it's on sale and people will be wondering if it's worth it, and few other reviews to guide you, I'm offering my experience of the standard edition and the trial of the strategy guide of this game to help.
There's not much more than that in the CE anyway, although the other reviewers seem pleased with the bonus game.
The SG seems helpful enough, certainly will get you through any tricky spots. With the exception of the contraptions, where I think it could have been more detailed. For some reason, the hero is required to make a lot of weird inventions to progress in the game. Really couldn’t see the point myself.
Outside HO scenes, the hint was a direction to the right location, which I thought was a good in-between help, neither too much nor too little, and so I had no real use for the SG. The game wasn’t hard.
The Main Game: the introduction was a bit sappy, but I expected that from a game with Love Chronicles in its title. The game itself wasn’t a romance at all. It was your typical fairy tale storyline, admittedly. Handsome prince (that’s you) rescues beautiful princess from evil witch. But there the romance ends.
And for most of the game, there is no real feeling of pursuing a goal. It took quite a bit of digging around before the first HO scene appeared and you could start feeling you’re achieving anything. After that the gameplay was well paced, and a decent length.
The visuals are passable but not up to par. And the HO scenes have much of their colour washed out, making for uninspiring searching. The music bugged me too, it didn’t add anything to the atmosphere and became repetitious. There was no voiceover, and no interaction with other characters, little animation, all of which made the game feel a bit flat.
There are plenty of mini-puzzles and HO scenes, none of them too taxing, and some variations of the ‘find 20 roses’ kind. The Guide did remind me that there are also ‘return the items’ HOs as well, and that the game includes collectibles (rose petals with magic powers). There was also a scene where you panned around with cursor hover. I like cinematic touches.
In all, nothing terribly wrong with this one, and others may enjoy it, but not inspirational, and certainly not up to today’s CE standards, which is why I won’t be recommending it.
I don't recommend this game.
Follow the trail of the mysterious woman in white and discover the secret behind her terrible task!
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 56 found this review helpful
Seems Hel Is Freezing Over After All!
PostedMarch 25, 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
GAME COMPLETED TWICE
Forgive me I couldn’t resist. How about:
Interesting, Engrossing, & Beautiful
I loved the opening video to this game, but I’m blowed if I understand its relevance to the story that follows. The story was handled particularly well, I thought. Not just dialogue, but also video, notes and narration from the ‘respected Raven’ Hamlet, spread out well throughout the game. Never boring, even on my second playing. I like what this series does with slightly exotic legends, adding a little credibility to the story through recognisable bad guys.
Everyone else has told you how beautiful this game certainly is, its graphics, cutscenes and sound content are all first class. Have just finished my second playing, and I’m as thrilled as the first. And tired – this is a long game. There weren’t so many locations, but there was a lot to do in each, with plenty of interactive HOs and new, intriguing but not overly difficult puzzles.
Some of what makes this game special is the Book Of Fire. Not only is it an invaluable weapon against this icy goddess, it comes with a new type of mini-game that is excellent fun. I hope to see more of it. The game also has few of the usual clichés – I’m not sure, but I think there was only code to collect.
Although it has no journal, it’s not missed, and the interactive jump map will get you where you need to go.
Bonus Content Review *****
Bonus game play was short (about 25% of the main game), included 4 new locations and 7 old ones (but they were all radically altered). The story itself is a little odd, more fanciful than the main game, but fun anyway. I’m glad I bought the CE.
The other extras included are:
Strategy Guide – very good. I didn’t use it often, but to push for all the achievements, I used it instead of Hint
Achievements – The usual
Collectible Goblins – Not easy to find, 22 in all, one per scene. Last page of SG will give locations.
Wallpaper (excellent), Screensaver, Concept Art, Music
I recommend this as a CE game!
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
5
/
5
9 of 30 found this review helpful
Very Helpful
PostedMarch 25, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
My experience of this Strategy Guide is in the Collector's Edition of this game. Whether you buy the CE or the SE with this guide, it is a valuable tool.
Most of the puzzles and mini-games in Ship of Bones are new, so I found some were hard enough to need further explanation.
For me, this guide will always be my favourite, because with its help I won all the achievements - for the first time ever!
Yay!
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
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Wish I'd Had This BEFORE I Played The Game!
PostedMarch 24, 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
Curse at Twilight was a very confusing game for me. So many bits and pieces to pick up, no sense of direction. So I used a lot of hints and eventually resorted to the walkthrough.
I needed to establish if my stalemate was a glitch or just me. The walkthrough simply didn't provide enough information on that section of the game to assess it.
Downloaded this, discovered immediately it was a glitch, redownloaded the game, and went merrily on my way.
Even without that, though, I would still recommend (and will probably buy) the SG to anyone not strong on puzzles or finding pieces of things. Hint was totally useless.
I recommend this game!