Peggy_NC's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:5
- Helpful Votes:72
- Reviews Submitted:3
- First Review:October 17, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 3, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Peggy_NC's Review History
Without warning, a group of mysterious figures arrives and reduces your village to flames and rubble. What do they want... and who is controlling them?
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
this is no "same old HOP game"!
PostedOctober 3, 2014
Peggy_NC
fromRaleigh, North Carolina, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the best combination of Hidden Object Puzzles (HOP) and point/click adventure! The fantasy story-line is dark but not too dark for my taste. The HOP and mini-games are a combination of familiar types and some I have not seen before. Hidden object scenes do not repeat (hooray!) The story, graphics, music and voice-overs combine for a truly immersive experience. The collector's edition includes a bonus chapter, strategy guide, achievements to earn, hidden flames and morphing objects to find; so far, I have found all of the hidden flames but only one morphing object---since I am therefore unlikely to find them all, this will add replay game value. You will revisit many (but not all) of the main scenes more than once; this will give you opportunities to seek again for the flames and for those tough morphing objects (if you get caught up in the story and forget to look for them in each new scene).Game play so far has been logical but not simplistic. If you have not played any games by these developers before, I recommend the tutorial so you can see the unique approach to some game play mechanics. The tutorial is brief and very helpful. There are multiple levels of game play, so you can choose the level of challenge you wish and change it while your game is in progress if you find that you have chosen a level of difficulty that is too easy or too hard for you. A strategy guide is built in if you get stuck. You will collect magical boots and will build a magical artifact; both are used in multiple places during the game. I think more parts will be added to the artifact as the game progresses. The map allows you to jump to places you have already been, and alerts you to scenes where you still have things to do. The journal lists objectives and reviews important info you might miss during the "heat of the moment". I have just finished playing the 90 minute trial and am writing this review while waiting for my purchase to activate-- I am so impressed that I bought this game and 2 others by the same game developers. I hope you will enjoy this game as much as I am!
I recommend this game!
The Emperor’s son has a mysterious illness. As legendary healer Daiyu, you’re called to the palace to save him, but you end up having to save yourself!
Overall rating
5
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5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Chinese Healer rocks!!
PostedAugust 8, 2013
Peggy_NC
fromRaleigh, North Carolina, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
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5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is an absorbing hidden object puzzle adventure game, with a good mixture of each. Choose between three levels of challenge: Casual, where you play without time limits, sparkles help you find items you might otherwise miss, and the Hint button recharges quickly. The other two options are increasingly difficult. Switching between options in mid-game is possible without starting over (if you find the option you chose is too easy or too difficult). The map not only allows you to jump from one location to another (if you have already found it), the map also lets you know that you have unfinished tasks in other locations. The story line, music, graphics, and voice-over for characters are top-notch! The ambiance is maintained in the hidden object puzzles, and many of the objects are Chinese antiques, instead of the hated "junk yard". You have the option in the lower left-hand corner of each hidden object puzzle to switch to a mahjong game instead. The puzzles range from quite easy to very challenging. About half of the cranes are east to spot, the rest range from difficult to fiendish. The bonus chapter adds to the story and unlike other games I have played, it is long enough to make me feel that I got my money's worth by getting the collector's edition. Your achievements are listed in a section from the Main Menu, and you can always play again to try for the ones you missed. I vote for this game as Game of the Year 2013!
I recommend this game!
Your honeymoon turns sour when a madman kidnaps your husband, forcing you to expose Houdini's greatest trick.
Overall rating
5
/
5
60 of 64 found this review helpful
An Enjoyable HO Puzzle Game!
PostedOctober 17, 2012
Peggy_NC
fromRaleigh, North Carolina, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You have your choice between Casual and Expert Modes. In Casual Mode, the Hints recharge quickly and game sparkles guide you toward new HOS.This game took me 6-1/2 hours on the Casual setting; I am sure it would have taken me much longer to play if I had selected Expert Mode.
I had to resort to the Hint button occasionally, but only for the puzzles where you have to figure what what objects are related. Each time, once the Hint had shown me the answer, it seemed obvious, and these puzzles provided enough challenge to be interesting and yet not so much that it was frustrating.
Hidden objects were often related to the scene, with minimal unrelated "junk" and no tiny items. Most hidden objects were easy to find; a few challenging ones kept me interested (I prefer puzzles to hidden object scenes.) Unlike another reviewer, I didn't have trouble with the hidden object scenes being too dark to see. It could be the normal variation between different computer monitors. If you have trouble seeing items, I suggest changing the monitor angle so the objects are easier to see. There was a good mixture between hidden object scenes, puzzles, and exploration/adventure.
Puzzles were mostly of types frequently seen, but the art work related them well to the story, so I didn't mind. You have the option to Skip puzzles in the Casual Mode setting, but I didn't find this necessary. Directions are listed below each puzzle. I did not need any Hints for the puzzles, other than the puzzles that were related to hidden objects, as explained above.
I did a fair amount of running back and forth, but that was because I often overlooked something that would have enabled me to finish a section. This non-linear approach to the game design means you can still make progress in the game, even if you have overlooked something, but you will have to do more running around to the various scenes.
There were a lot of different scenes to explore, and the artwork was exceptionally good. The colors and tones added to the game's atmosphere, yet there were also beautiful outdoor scenes that contrasted wonderfully with the spooky atmosphere of the remaining scenes. Lots of skeletons, but minimal gore, which is the way I like it.
The music added to the spooky atmosphere, and most of the background sounds did also. The cut-scenes were intriguing and helped immerse me into the story and game play. I missed one of the film reels, and will most likely replay the game to see if I can find it =)
Fortunately, missing one film reel did not keep me from finishing the game! The ending is satisfying, you don't feel frustrated waiting for the next game to be released by this developer before you will know what happens.
Give this game a try, I am glad that I did!
I recommend this game!