Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
This is more of a "who-done-it" with a little spook thrown in... It's not on my list of most loved games, but I did enjoy playing it...
I must admit that I did find it annoying to have to keep going back to get things I'd already found along the way, as did everyone else who reviewed it apparently.... This game would have been vastly improved by an interactive map - I don't mind having to revisit areas when the game includes a map that will quickly take you where you need to be. However, this game will have you using the hint button just out of frustration and to prevent click-mania.... ;)
Also, the music and background sound effects were very annoying. I agree that the grammatical and spelling errors were a bit of a distraction but they weren't such that you couldn't understand what was being said. They are fairly typical of Chinese being translated to English by someone whose first language is not English.... ;)
The artwork is beautiful... The game length is good. The bonus chapter is a nice surprise for a non-CE game. The puzzles are different and present a nice challenge. The HO scenes are junky but fairly easy. I had the most trouble with the pairing HO scenes for some reason.... The story is good but I figured out the twist fairly early on.... Just use your "sixth sense", and you will too. ;)
Anyway, I do recommend this game.... It can't compare with games like Shiver, but then very few can....
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
This game lives up to the first one in what I hope is going to be a very long series..... This game might even be better than the first and I wasn't expecting that.... I got so immersed in the story and game play, that there were several times I got spooked and nearly jumped out of my chair a couple of times. I needn't say much more as there are 124 other reviews that pretty much cover it all.... Just know that I love the Shiver series and can't wait for another one....
This is a "do not miss" game.... And one of the few for which I shell out the bucks to get the Collector's Edition.... and don't wait for it to go on sale....
Simply great game!
I recommend this game!
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Dream Chronicles: The Book of Water
Lyra has made her way home, only to find the town of Wish cursed by an evil spell. Find a way to break the terrible cruse!
Overall rating
3/ 5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Sigh.... disappointing - especially for this series....
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I've played all the Dream Chronicles games up to now, but this latest in the series was very disappointing.... WAY too easy, too short, too little substance.... just an average game in a series that, up to now, has been exceptional.
I really enjoyed the games up to and including Book of Air.... I sure hope the developers take note of all the comments here and put the cleverness and detail and fun and length of play back into the Book of Fire that are sorely missing in Book of Water...
I really wish they'd go back to the formula that worked so well in the very first Dream Chronicles - subtle, clever clues but no hint button... or at least, as in Book of Air, offer the no hints version in a "challenge" option...
This was just a waste of my money unfortunately.... If the games get back to their former excellence level, I'll be glad I got it just to continue the story line, but still.... sigh....
I don't recommend this game.
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Dream Chronicles
Surreal clues and puzzles come alive in this breath-taking adventure game where the line between reality and fantasy no longer exists!
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
There are no hints, no skips, no tips in this game. Many items cannot be seen at all, but must be found by simply moving your cursor around the screen methodically until it picks up the name of something you need - then you know to click it. For example, in one scene, you have to find the broken parts of a statue. You can see a few of them, but most cannot be seen at all. Everything your cursor touches in this game will have a name -- solid earth, bush, curb, darkness, etc. Now and then, it will be something other than background (like "round dented object") and, that way, you know to pick it up.
If you can deal with a game that doesn't give a whole lot of help, this one is great fun.... I have the whole series and really enjoy the gameplay.... You do get subtle hints here and there, but it's a lot of fun figuring out each scene.... it's mostly trial and error, but do pay attention to the few obscure hints you get. Everything means something in this game.
My only drawback is the dream jewels you collect -- there's a lot of verbiage that I find unnecessary as it isn't really a part of the story.... So I just click the jewels three times to collect them more quickly....
Anyway, that's my take on it.... This is a clever, well thought out game -- challenging but not impossible.... Enjoy!
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
to the point of nearly putting me to sleep! I found this one a bit mind numbing.... The game is super easy -- very little thought required.... If you want to wind down after work, this one will relax you quickly. If you can't sleep, this game is perfect for you! ;)
It's not a game I can play for very long... It's worth the DD price, but I wouldn't pay full price for it....
You might feel differently, so do give it a try.... you never know!
I recommend this game!
-4points
0of4voted this as helpful.
Escape from Thunder Island
Join the more-brave-than-brilliant aviatrix Rita James on a quest to rescue her kidnapped father in Escape from Thunder Island!
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
Can't wait for the sequel on Shangri-La!
This game is great fun! It's the first one I actually turned off my tv -- normally, I watch tv while playing a game, but this was such fun, I turned the tv off and just totally immersed myself into playing and enjoying the game's entire experience....
The characters are fun -- a kind of Indiana Jane meets the chimp from Jungle Boy... I love the characters, the voice-overs are some of the best I've heard, and the music is similar to a movie score, which fits in perfectly with the theme of old movie serials from the 30's and 40's... This game is totally enjoyable....
The puzzles are tricky but not impossible.... there aren't too many HO scenes (a huge plus for me).... in fact the balance in the game is great. The story line is done so well, even tho you've seen similar plot lines, this will keep you entertained from beginning to end. You can skip the cut scenes if you want, but why would you? You'd miss out on so much if you did! ;) And for those of you who are tired of the occult themes in so many of the games, you'll find this a really nice change of pace ;)
The map is your best guide in the game. There's not too much running back and forth. And the game is a really good length (tho I would have liked for it to go on and on).
I really enjoyed this.... Can't wait for the next one in this series!
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I prefer more puzzles and fewer HO scenes usually, but this was a very well done game and I truly enjoyed it -- HO scenes and all. It's not tremendously challenging, but certainly not boring either. Hint button works like a walkthrough if you get truly stuck and map is interactive -- letting you know where things can be done and taking you there with a click of your mouse. I will definitely be playing this one again on down the road....
One tip - make sure to start looking for marbles and starfish from the get-go if you want the awards for getting them all... I didn't become aware of them until I was a good way through the game already.
Btw, the only mini-puzzles you cannot skip are the match-3 at the wheel of fortune, and you really don't need a skip for them -- they're quite easy.....
I especially enjoyed the wheel of fortune and also the shooting gallery.... one more hint -- keep playing the shooting gallery - there's more than one item to be won there.... Also found the refrigerator glutton quite entertaining....
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
Ok, ok, it's matchy matchy (sorta like mah jong with cards), but great fun.... Has a lot of similarities to Fairway Solitaire with the wild cards, the good/bad cards (lost ball, auto goal, etc.). I've only played the trial so far, so not a whole lot of info yet, but this is a definite buy for me.... especially since it's the DD today.... Well worth it from my point of view....
If you enjoy solitaire type games and want something different to the golf type, give this a try. I'm enjoying the heck out of it....
I recommend this game!
+1point
2of3voted this as helpful.
Faerie Solitaire
Have some Faerie Solitaire fun in this addicting Card game! Raise a Faerie pet and repopulate the magical land of Avalon.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
If you like this kind of solitaire, I prefer Fairway Solitaire to this one.... FAR more levels -- plus they are more challenging and the game is more fun than this one.... However, I still bought this (as DD) and enjoyed it. Just not as much as Fairway Sol.
The drawbacks for me are: too short! Also, the eggs/pets you collect don't DO anything.... you just collect them. It would be so much better if they added to the game somehow.
Biggest drawback though, by far, is that you cannot go back and play one session over.... To get a gold star on a level (by getting all perfects), you have to replay the entire level over and over -- because, if you succeed in getting perfects on 8 of the nine sessions, you will have to repeat ALL nine of them.... again and again.... until you finally get them all perfect.... Good luck with that! UGH!
Although I like a non-stress game, this one was a bit too easy -- they do give you some additional challenge levels which are much more difficult, but the adventure mode is too easy, even for me! ;)
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
I did enjoy the game, but it was short, too much running around, and the map was inaccurate.... it would look like you should go straight when often it was actually right or left.... once you got used to it's quirks however, it was helpful, tho not interactive. Also, the game stalled quite a bit on me (I'm playing on an iMac). The story was so-so.... not exciting in the least.
On the plus side, it was fun, tho not challenging... a nice de-stressor type of game. The graphics were good and items found with a little effort (not much tho ;)....
Anyway, that's my take on this one... Hope it helps you make a decision....