s_sgs's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:3,617
- Reviews Submitted:99
- First Review:January 8, 2012
- Most Recent Review:October 24, 2013
- Featured reviews1
Status:
Alexander the Great: Secrets of Power
It’s up to you, a descendant of the ancient emperor, to collect powerful artifacts and save the world. Dive into the whirlpool of thrilling mysteries to unlock the secrets of ancient power!
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 27 found this review helpful
Wanted to love it, Enjoyment Short lived
PostedFebruary 7, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON GAME PLAY in HARD MODE (2nd of 2)
I was excited to play this game as there were so many things to like about it - Graphics gorgeous, HOS were not junk pile but were very well done, Mini-Games varied in difficulty, and who wouldn't like to dig around in the times of Alexander the Great?
I was disappointed for a few reasons, likes/dislikes below:
Things I liked:
MAP - Allows jumping to locations, shows active areas, area complete.
MAP - Allows jumping to locations, shows active areas, area complete.
SMART PHONE - Allowed pictures to be taken at any time and ability to travel to pictured location. Filing system. Also had all game info - diary, information, etc.
GRAPHICS/ARTWORK - Really beautiful & detailed.
HOS- No bells & whistles of an interactive HOS, but very well done. The scenes were lovely and objects well concealed in plain site.
MINI-GAMEs- The ones in which it was clear what to do or that had good instructions were straightforward, nothing we haven't seen before.
Things I didn't like -
Sparse Instructions- Not much there; While in mini-game the compass gave terse explanations instead of game hints. It is not always obvious what to do so I am a person who needs good game instructions.
No Walk Through or Strategy Guide: It didn't help that there is no Strategy Guide to purchase or a Walk through. This combined with poor instructions made things frustrating.
Smart Phone- Great idea and very fancy in its execution but retrieval of pictures could be difficult.
Constant Flow of Hints- These were not the classic black bar hints, but each time our hero would do anything a blue bar would pop up saying what needed to happen next. Sigh.
Glints, Twinks, Winks- In hard mode at first it seemed that there wouldn't be any of that. However, in scenes items not seen right away would have a little glint or two showing.
--------------------
Still I just can't condemn it --- It is beautiful game with an intriguing storyline and lots of promise.
--------------------
Still I just can't condemn it --- It is beautiful game with an intriguing storyline and lots of promise.
Folks, unlike me, who can figure out mini-game instructions on their own and who don't mind occasional glints with a constant stream of unasked for hints, will like this game.
I recommend this game!
Dark magic threatens our world! Can you stop the Shade and his minions before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 45 found this review helpful
A-ONE, TOP NOTCH, SETS THE STANDARD, NONE BETTER
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON GAME PLAY IN 2nd of 3 modes
What is not to like about this game? The problem is what to play next that will compare....
From start to finish the action is plentiful, fun, unique, and completely in sync with the storyline. The design, artwork, and every last detail is absolutely gorgeous, beautifully done, cohesive, and original. Fairy tale themes tend to be a bit syrupy for my tastes, but not so here. Very cool.
Absolutely brilliant game. Hats off to the team that brought feast o' fun to life!
Even at the opening HOS to go through the schoolyard gates was a dramatic attention grabber and the action never stopped. I had more fun playing all aspects of this game than any other in the past year.
If you like Adventure, iHOS, MINI-GAMES, sinister bad dudes and some fun thrown in this is a don't miss.
GAME CONSTRUCT
--------------------------
MAP=Yes. Allows Jumping to locations already visited
--------------------------
MAP=Yes. Allows Jumping to locations already visited
JOURNAL=Primarily Reference
STRATEGY GUIDE=Tracks with game so no searching for the right page accidentally picking up unwanted hints
BLACK BAR=A least in Advanced mode provides info with gratuitous hints.
HINT=Didn't use, don't know.
iHOS=Very clever, very different, very fun
MINI-PUZZLES=Varied in level of difficulty, clever, fun, and original
COLLECTIBLES=YES. Fairies, cleverly hidden in plain sight
ACHIEVEMENTS=YES, the usual length of play, accomplishments, speed of play, ....
GREAT, GREAT, GREAT GAME. Just as it is after finishing a terrific novel, now to find one that will capture my interest as much as this one did......
I recommend this game!
What dark and powerful secrets are hidden within the A.R.C.A.N.E. agency's old research base? Kiera Vale returns to find out.
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 29 found this review helpful
FEAST OF PUZZLES, FAMINE OF HOS
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME (No difficulty modes offered beyond tutorial) No HOS, Few Glints
This sequel to "Nightmare Adventures: The Witch's Prison" is a pure Adventure, puzzle game (no HOS) that offers an eerie, sinister, and occultish motif while slipping in some truly hilarious tongue-in-cheek. Those touches alone make it a DON'T MISS!
Occult themes don't normally appeal to me, but the first gag comes early in game play, so I was hooked.
-------------as example: SPOILER ALERT----------------
Clues lead Kiera to tune her TV to an infomercial where she orders a device that arrives almost immediately from her mail slot. Complete with sleazy sales-guy pitch.
---------------END SPOILER--------------
Clues lead Kiera to tune her TV to an infomercial where she orders a device that arrives almost immediately from her mail slot. Complete with sleazy sales-guy pitch.
---------------END SPOILER--------------
GAME CONSTRUCT:
1) PHOTOS: Taken automatically. Used for Mini-Games.
2) STORY: This is the journal, provides back story not found elsewhere.
HINTS: Available throughout game play, including mini-games. Recharge fairly quickly.
MAP: No. Game play chapters confined to small areas.
AREA COMPLETE: No. Game structure limits access to areas with no more purpose.
COLLECTIBLES: No. But they would have added fun
Achievements: No.
MAP: No. Game play chapters confined to small areas.
AREA COMPLETE: No. Game structure limits access to areas with no more purpose.
COLLECTIBLES: No. But they would have added fun
Achievements: No.
LIKES:
-BLEND OF HUMOR with Serious Puzzle Solving.
----------------as example: SPOILER ALERT-----------------
At one point a much sought after CD when plugged into the computer brings up a fairy tale "game" complete with all Cliches. I guess the game does have one HOS. I am still laughing at that one.
--------------END SPOILER----------------
----------------as example: SPOILER ALERT-----------------
At one point a much sought after CD when plugged into the computer brings up a fairy tale "game" complete with all Cliches. I guess the game does have one HOS. I am still laughing at that one.
--------------END SPOILER----------------
-NO HOS. Adventure/Puzzle Only.
-BLACK BARS not hints, but helps. -Info about what has been clicked on, not what to do or how to do it.
-PUZZLE PALOOZA! They are everywhere from easy to difficult. I don't like to skip so a couple of them took me some time to finish. I love that.
-PHOTOS, this were on screen while solving associate mini-game.
-ARTWORK & GRAPHICS. Kiera winds up in a dark, alien world -Sinister and creepy with good detail, piles o' puzzles. The portions of the game that took place in the lab were drab, but then I find abandoned, defunct labs drab.....
-VOs, dialogue, and storyline all above average and some humor here and there.
DISLIKES:
-NO FORMAL INSTRUCTIONS for mini-games. The info to figure the solution or rules was often nearby, in a photo, or riddle - all fine, but sometimes could not find any guide. A couple solved by accident while I was figuring out instructions-Unsatisfying.
-PERFORMANCE: SLOW, for me anyway. New chapter loads for some seconds.Resuming was "Reloading Textures" for a good 30+ seconds.
-RUNED & OUTNUMBERED - I know, we ask for puzzles we get them and still complain. Sorry. There were some clever and interesting puzzles with cool artwork. But the lion's share were RUNE themed or numeric codes derived or found without much fun-factor thrown into the design. -Became tedious.
---------------------------
Having said all that!
---------------------------
Having said all that!
This game is not for folks who want HOS (there are none) or those who don't care for occult themes. Though there are very clever moments, the overall motif is dark.
I do recommend this unique and well constructed game for the hard core puzzle/adventure hound who enjoys some humor along the way. - just don't look for those cute, clever puzzles that, while easy, bring a smile everytime
.
.
I recommend this game!
Eerie music fills the air in Vienna, where shadows terrorize people in the streets. Two musical prodigies have gone missing. Can you save them without striking a single false note?
Overall rating
3
/
5
80 of 90 found this review helpful
BEAUTIFUL BUT A BIT COOKIE CUTTER IN EXECUTION
PostedFebruary 1, 2013
s_sgs
fromUSA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME IN ADVANCED (2nd of 3 modes). Sparkles on HOS but no where else.
SUMMARY
------------------------
I loved the first two in this series and was all set to be delighted again. At first all signs pointed to "YES". It was immediately engrossing but after the first couple of chapters fell flat as the scenes and actions mirrored the earlier games enough to give me Deja Vu.
------------------------
I loved the first two in this series and was all set to be delighted again. At first all signs pointed to "YES". It was immediately engrossing but after the first couple of chapters fell flat as the scenes and actions mirrored the earlier games enough to give me Deja Vu.
Game play is short and I am a very slow player. There are not many areas/scenes to investigate, There are an appropriate number of iHOS and a unusual plethora of easy mini-puzzles we've all seen before, dressed up with a musical theme.
--------------------------
Though it's not my favorite of the 3, I can see reaching for after a long day at work when I want no more stress or anything that requires brain-ersize.
--------------------------
Though it's not my favorite of the 3, I can see reaching for after a long day at work when I want no more stress or anything that requires brain-ersize.
The beauty of design and obvious harmony with beautiful music and the graphics alone make it worth the Standard Edition Price. Collector's Edition, not for me.
------------------------------
STORY: As with the first two installments we are drawn to the school of music where all the action takes place. Children and a teacher have disappeared and we learn there is more to life and death - there is also the VOID....
------------------------------
STORY: As with the first two installments we are drawn to the school of music where all the action takes place. Children and a teacher have disappeared and we learn there is more to life and death - there is also the VOID....
MAP: No. Would have been handy a couple of times, but the action focused on specific areas with the music school the hub of activity.
JOURNAL: Yes. Used for reference with mini-puzzles
COLLECTIBLES: Yes. Instruments - of course! :)
ACHIEVEMENTS: I didn't find any
COLLECTIBLES: Yes. Instruments - of course! :)
ACHIEVEMENTS: I didn't find any
iHOS: There were a good but not overwhelming amount. The first half of the game included silhouettes or lists of items with some interaction. I thoroughly enjoyed these as they were well constructed and fun to complete. The second half it seemed they phoned it in by providing straight lists.
DISLIKE: Within each HOS, if there were a curtain to be pulled back or a door to be opened, flashing, 4th of July style stars marked the spots. Yikes! Who could look for items with that blinking in their face?
MINI-GAMES: As with the first two games they were musical in theme, they were cleverly done and whimsical and just fun. Other than than the theme none of the puzzles were new and only a couple offered challenge.
Type of games -- Lots of color matching, matching opposites, routing balls to go into the right colored chute, moving discs to the appropriate colors on a board, getting statues to release objects by bringing the missing body part or instrument, and getting all lights or drawers opened or closed at one time. Nothing new and frankly not much fun except for the musical aspect.
DISLIKE: The game would not recognize at least two solved puzzles which prevented advancing.. I double and triple checked with the strategy guide and online to validate the correct answer. Finally I just hit skip which I don't like to do.
Oddly directions were not always provided. True, in these cases what to do was probably self-evident, but still I like directions.
The sheer onslaught of mini-games was mind numbing. These easy and "seen it before puzzles" were nearly non-stop in the last half of the game.
With some games it seems they cram uninspired HOS one after the other to stretch a game or beef up bonus play. Not so here. Easy, standard fare Mini-Puzzles we've seen and done though without the musical theme, dominated the second half of this game to the point of being tedious and just not fun.
Why do I need 3 nautical themed creatures to open a metal box on the wall? Well, it contains a piece needed for another puzzle. Ah. What about all those "simon-sez", repeat the keys after me - once on a piano and another on a harp? Why do I keep having to find shapes, that open a trunk that contains a key? Serious lack of fun factor.
ADVENTURE: As with the first two there are some aspects of adventure but most are obvious and even in Advanced mode black bar hints are plentiful, not giving the gamer much change to think independently.
----------------------------
----------------------------
This is no doubt an absolutely beautiful, feast for the eyes and ears game and despite the dislikes mentioned, I would recommend it just for those attributes.
Had I to do it over, I would wait for the Standard Edition. The game is worth playing just for the beauty of the world that is created and the clever ways the dress up some of the games.
I recommend this game!
After finding an artifact, you're whisked away to a dying world. Can you save it from the darkness?
Overall rating
5
/
5
118 of 131 found this review helpful
A DON'T MISS INSTANT CLASSIC
PostedJanuary 30, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME IN EXPERT (2nd of 2 modes)
SUMMARY
Outstanding Game with all the CE bells and whistles! Fun and engrossing start to finish. Graphics really stunning. They highlight a unique and beautiful world with lots to explore. The music was in lock-step with game play adding to the experience. Good balance of iHOS and Mini-Game. Many achievements and collectibles. Bonus Play was good - logical extension of main game and did not seem tacked-on.
Outstanding Game with all the CE bells and whistles! Fun and engrossing start to finish. Graphics really stunning. They highlight a unique and beautiful world with lots to explore. The music was in lock-step with game play adding to the experience. Good balance of iHOS and Mini-Game. Many achievements and collectibles. Bonus Play was good - logical extension of main game and did not seem tacked-on.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS GAME, Details Follow:
STORY: As an archeologist an artifact you uncover takes you to the ailing Tree of Life that you must save. Bonus play allows the gamer to return home after mission accomplished.
THEME/MOTIF: This game offers a lot of scenes for exploration and avoided simple pass through areas that had no purpose. The music was integral to atmosphere so so it stayed on. The VOs were fine if a little stiff and over dramatic. The evil queen looked as if she were wearing white table linens complete w/napkin on her head and trowel applied Cleopatra style make-up.
iHOS: No junk piles, cluttered messes, or odd color schemes. Just well constructed scenes with light interaction such as "light a candle", "fix a broken plate" , or move a curtain aside. Often if a site were revisited it would be to locate numbers of things such as "12 Oars" or "Round Objects". As a nice twist, at the end of most HOS there was a riddle to solve in order to get the needed inventory item. Note in expert mode there are still sparkles for HOS which works for me because I don't like hunting and clicking for missed HOS from scene to scene.
MINI-GAMES: These are plentiful ranging from mostly easy to some with challenge. Many were new to me which was great and the others I had seen before were very nicely put together. This is a great choice for people who like lots of mini-games even if they aren't that challenging. They are all fun. Instructions provided and sometimes there is a reset button.
MAP: Yes, but what a disappointment! A top notch game with a lot of scenes and ground to cover that does allow jumping to locations. Seriously? Map gives objective/active areas and gamer location.
COLLECTIBLES: Yes. There are golden blimps, butterflies, and one other that if I mentioned it would be a spoiler so I won't. I don't usually care about collectibles but these added a lot of fun.
ACHIEVEMENTS: Yes. Many an achievement accessed from the main menu. Such as no mis-clicks during a HOS, speed of completion, use of hints, --all the usual fare. Note if you want to get the "won all achievements award" you must play the tutorial as there is an award for that.
BOW AND ARROW:These are found about mid-game and are shown in the right corner by the Hints. There are about 5 types of arrows to shoot and there is an award for managing to use all of them.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
GREAT GAME. WELL WORTH CE PRICE. Loved the beauty, originality, and sheer fun factory.
I recommend this game!
Your brother is kidnapped during an air show. Search for him in a beautiful world where the sky is as wide as your imagination.
Overall rating
5
/
5
31 of 35 found this review helpful
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME ADVANCED MODE (2nd of 3)
PostedJanuary 27, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
KUDOS Elephant games for FRESH and NEW mini-games!!! Finally. Yes, some of them are spin-offs of previous themes, but all are well executed. Great, Great Job!
This 3rd installment in the "Surface" series does not disappoint. It is a well polished and thoroughly enjoyable game.
As with the previous installments, the storyline has a freshness and uniqueness that draws us in. The surprising variety and non-intrusive music added to the motif. The graphics are vibrant, crisp, with beautifully designed scenes. There were some HOS (details below) and the mini-games were plentiful, varying in difficulty, with many being fresh and new.
This is a wholehearted thumbs up. I hope others get as much enjoyable as I did.
The specifics for those who want them ----
STORYLINE: Brother goes off to find missing brother. I know, not new, but once we start to unravel what is happening with his brother the successful INVENTOR, there are some twists and turns and mystery that all added to the fun.
GAME CONSTRUCT:
Th 3 Modes of Difficulty offered can be change throughout game play - Casual (sparkles, winks, glints abound), Advanced (no sparkles, some black bar hints) & hardcore.
MAP: Yes, allows jumping to location, shows active areas, and gamer's location. I love that jumping feature!
JOURNAL: Yes embedded in the map as well as access to replay cut-scenes.
STRATEGY GUIDE: I referenced a few times and it was helpful but not outstanding. I like those few games that keep the SG in lock stop with game play. Otherwise, in searching for what I want, I might flip a page and get answer that I didn't want.
COLLECTIBLES: Yes, 3 colors of flower. They can be spent in a "Philanthropic" area that allows the city and other areas to be cleaned up and beautified.
ACHIEVEMENTS: Yes, all the standard, adding in Philanthropic work.
HOS: Beautiful in detail, somewhat interactive, but not much fun - since this style s not my favorite I was grateful that there weren't many.
The twist is that completion of most HOS required use of an inventory item. I carried around a mystery can of gold spray paint from scene to scene to scene, only to finally use it to complete a HOS. What happens if you don't yet have the inventory item? You back out, scrounge around until you find it so you can complete the HOS. .
MINI-GAMES: Plentiful. Most are easy with a more challenging one thrown in now and again. ALL of them were fun because they were so well done. Directions and reset were always available.
It was refreshing to run across these clever, creative, and well constructed games that I hadn't seen before and as always fun to see how some of the standard fair gets dressed up for the game.
Another nicety - Only a few times would a puzzle be missing elements before the mini-game could be played. Every so often I would run across a game that I could just play without have to go back and forth collecting beakers or medallions or puzzle pieces.
BONUS PLAY: The story was a continuation of main game play and was well done - They did not phone in but showering use with poorly executed HOS and mini-games. A small disappointment was that I could not complete the Philanthropy section until I had collected additional flowers during bonus play.
NIT-PICKS: A couple of times beautiful and carefully sought after items, once collected served an immediate and trivial purpose. For example:
*****spoiler alert on************
At one point we start collecting beautiful brass dog heads. Once we the 3 of them, they screw into a rapier that is immediately used and discarded. Sigh. I would have liked those beautiful brass heads to serve a more substantial purpose.
At one point we start collecting beautiful brass dog heads. Once we the 3 of them, they screw into a rapier that is immediately used and discarded. Sigh. I would have liked those beautiful brass heads to serve a more substantial purpose.
At one point sculpture tools are gathered and put into a leather tool bag in inventory. I was hoping we might get to strap that baby around our cyber-waists and keep them for a while. No such luck. Once acquired it was almost immediately used and discarded - Just once I'd like to keep the hammer, the crow-bar, and the wrench. - Please guys...... :)
*****spoiler alert off**********
*****spoiler alert off**********
-----------------------------------
I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the 3 "Surface" games, but must confess that as much as I enjoyed this game, "Surface: The Noise She Couldn't Make" still holds the place on my all time biggie favorites list.
I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the 3 "Surface" games, but must confess that as much as I enjoyed this game, "Surface: The Noise She Couldn't Make" still holds the place on my all time biggie favorites list.
This game will worth the CE price and I am happy to recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Rescue teenagers from the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet!
Overall rating
2
/
5
99 of 122 found this review helpful
Yikes! FATAL LACK OF FUN FACTOR
PostedJanuary 21, 2013
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON GAME PLAY IN HARDCORE, the 3rd of 3 modes.
Despite rave reviews and the clever twist on iHOS that I really like, I just did not enjoy this game. It did not flow well, did not make a lot of sense, the graphics were mediocre as were the iHOS and mini-games. Three just was not much fun to be had.
Sorry but cannot recommend.
GAME CONSTRUCT:
STORYLINE: Sent to a library to recover the souls of 3 teens whose souls have been captured in various books by ancient evil complete with rabid, maniacal clown and its master.
MAP: YES, allows jumping to locations, shows active areas, and provides the location of gamer.
JOURNAL: YES, but it's a list of current status of objectives. I didn't find any of the typical historical entries.
OPENING GATES AND DOORS: Mostly through standard key or character shapes such as two locks that face each other and unlock when opposing swordsmen are placed in each one.
HINTS: Not available in 3rd mode so don't know.
iHOS and Mini-Games: Uninspired, serious lack of fun factor. Provision of instructions and reset with each puzzle is always a nice touch.
The iHOS scenes are lackluster and not artfully put together. The twist of having the gamer place items in a scene from a list is normally a blast, but this game manages to make them tedious.
The Mini-Games are easy and familiar fare we've seen before. The bummer is that not much attention was given to dress them up and adapt them specifically for this game's theme.
I know I am a bit of a loner here, but there just is not much that I like about this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 47 found this review helpful
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME HARDCORE MODE (3rd of 3)
PostedJanuary 21, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This little gem turned out to be a wonderful palette cleanser, ridding me of the rotten feeling from a much-hyped sequel that undelivered in just about every category.
"Detective Quest: The Crystal Slipper" was a wonderful tonic! Elephant Games delivers a beautifully constructed, fun, whimsical, and original kingdom complete with excellent graphics, unique and memorable creatures and scenery, gorgeous and highly interactive HOS and many clever, well packaged, if easy mini-games.
GAME STRUCTURE:
STORYLINE-Clean and strong to end of bonus play. Use of creative twists and turns kept all activities focused on the mission. Game play did not feel formulaic or become tedious and there was a good balance of iHOS, Mini-Game, and Adventure through the end of bonus play.
MAP-Yes, Excellent. Showed objectives for each area, gamer location, allowed jumping to locations. (THANKS!-Without this feature the schlepping back and forth and forth and back would have resulted in a very different gaming experirence.)
JOURNAL-No. Not needed. For potions and other directions given or available as needed.
VO/Music: Not the best voices overs but not bad. Music was fine. Non-intrusive but also not-memorable. Sound effects pretty good.
HINTS-Not available in hardcore mode. I did reference the strategy guide a couple of times. In hard core mode there were still some black bar hints that I would have been happy to do without.
STRATEGY GUIDE: Yes. It was useful and well done.
iHOS: OUTSTANDING. BEST EVER. I have not encountered this type before so maybe this is old news and a yawn for everyone else.
For me this is a new type and a great find. For each iHOS, a list of objects was shown at the bottom of the screen.The gamer had to place each of the objects where it should go in the scene provided. The scene was a little junk pile style or sometimes had a theme.
What a blast! Figuring out where the item should be applied at times was a puzzle in itself. There was always some follow up action when an item was properly placed so this brought a lot of laughs.
Example of an easy one: The list at screen bottom has a cannon ball. Find the cannon, put the ball in and the cannon shoots which then blows something up and reveals more of the scene. More like this please.
----------DONE
----------DONE
MINI-GAMES: Good balance with iHOS. These had some variety in difficulty from easy to a little challenge (no head breakers). Some I had seen before and some were new to me. I found all to be beautiful and fun to play. Examples: Mahjong, Piece together the portrait, put together family tree, electrical connections, and then, again, some new ones.....
ADVENTURE: There was more than is typical. Several times, I had to retrace steps for missing item. -That's ok, I love the adventure part, although, please, can't I keep the crow bar and the hammer for more than a single use? :)
I absolutely loved this game and am really hoping these new styles of iHOS catch on. Normally I prefer puzzles to anything else, but this type of iHOS was a puzzle in and of itself. The entire game was very interactive.
I love, love, love this game!
I recommend this game!
Help Anna find her way to the mystical floating cloud city, seek out the Children of Light and save them from the Evil Empress!
Overall rating
2
/
5
39 of 51 found this review helpful
Disappoints Compared to 1st Installment -formulaic, uninspired
PostedJanuary 18, 2013
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
The first of these games, "Empress of the Deep" offered so much promise for a sequel it deservedly received rave reviews. If you've not played that gem, stop now, save yourself and give it a try.
This game, "Empress of the Deep 2" falls short in just about every category. This game offers none of the true artistry of the first. The HOS (note: not interactive), the few simple puzzles, and even fewer adventure components were formulaic and not well constructed so game play grew tedious.
The worst part of this sequel for me was the "bonus" play. I toughed it out to the very last hoping to be surprised. Nope. Just annoyed and wishing I had 30 minutes of my life back.
So What am I talking about?
"Empress of the Deep 2" had beautiful scenes many of which were walk through or pick up a single item resulting in a a fair amount of trekking back and forth without the relief that a teleporting map would have provided.
STORYLINE: A play on the first installment but not cohesive. Storyline never really makes sense and just erodes as game play progresses. The items collected and how they are used seems random. At one point we collect rabbit heads, why? Because they are winking at us as we pass by. Last one we find out why, but even still, why? Each of the magic animals we free are aquatic - where do the rabbit heads fit in? Later on "Pandora Heads" wink so we pick them up and schlep them around with no obvious function for some time.
AREA COMPLETE is still a nice touch, especially in this game given all the back tracking.
MAP: Doesn't show gamer's location or active areas. It shows areas traveled and on mouse over a snapshot of a location.
HINTS: The ones I saw brought up the map showing the rough area to without much more. HINT was maddeningly not useful in figuring out the Pandora Heads.
JOURNAL: Updated sporadically with info no longer needed or never needed. On update shoots winks like fireworks until game play is stopped and it is opened.
Storyline Formulaic: 4 Seasons to visit (Details come out in game play):
--START--
1) collect crystal dolphins
2) solve easy puzzle on trapped magical creature
3) use healing powers to set magical creature free so that you can in turn later set a child free.
--Increment Season, GOTO START--
--START--
1) collect crystal dolphins
2) solve easy puzzle on trapped magical creature
3) use healing powers to set magical creature free so that you can in turn later set a child free.
--Increment Season, GOTO START--
HOS - Same ol' Same ol' - Pile o' stuff, find stuff in it. Nothing special or innovative as the case in first installment.
Puzzles - The few there were were ho-hum and became another "thing to do". - Nothing special or cute.
Adventure-There are sparkles so it's hard to miss anything and there ain't much to pick up and use.
Bonus Play - The most tedious part of me was figuring out what in the world to do with these inventory items that had been stubbornly hanging. To my chagrin, using them means revisiting allllll of the seasons once again. Why? No logical reason or extension of storyline. Even then there is more work in going to a newly opened area and solving thrown together HOS after HOS to attain the ballyhooed "ZEM Game". ZEM can have it.
Yikes.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore beautiful underwater temples! Search for artifacts to uncover the dark secrets of the Evil Empress and her hideous plans.
Overall rating
5
/
5
43 of 47 found this review helpful
Unique, Gorgeous, Truly Special - Great Features
PostedJanuary 14, 2013
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME - Loved Start to Finish! Didn't find difficulty selection.
OVERVIEW:
The graphics provide superb eye candy, especially for those drawn to Atlantis-Greek style motifs. The cut scenes, character interactions, and music were all lovely and fit together.There was a good balance of HOS and mini-game.The tale itself is immediately engrossing and stays that way until the unhurried and satisfying conclusion that promises a sequel which is already available.
The graphics provide superb eye candy, especially for those drawn to Atlantis-Greek style motifs. The cut scenes, character interactions, and music were all lovely and fit together.There was a good balance of HOS and mini-game.The tale itself is immediately engrossing and stays that way until the unhurried and satisfying conclusion that promises a sequel which is already available.
I highly recommend this game.
DETAILS:
Storyline-- Cohesive, well thought out, holds together through the climactic end. In the course of the game, our amnesic Heroine learns who she is and of the two disembodied voices that have been giving her instructions, which is friend and which is foe.
GAME STRUCTURE:
Sparkles, Winks, Twinks, Blinks -- There were few if any. This allows the gamer to go at whatever pace desired.
Black Bar Comments -- There were only a few of these which was a nice touch. No unasked for or unwanted hints.
AREA COMPLETE -- YES! Thank you Silverback Productions. Great feature!
JOURNAL -- YES. It contained written journal entries, map, clues, and flowers representing completion of areas.
I didn't find need for the written journal. The map showed areas the player had visited, pictures on mouse over, and gamer location. No jumping to location or active areas shown. The clues section contained solutions to the mini-games. The flowers were added as part of scene completion to the back of the journal.
HINTS - YES. Available sometimes in mini-games, always in HOS and in game play. Very good - in HOS they would circle the area and for mini-games it helped by providing guidance on next steps, for what to do next it would show on the map where to go.
HOS -- Fantastic, artfully done, with clever twists. No matter the style, traditional or otherwise, all were engaging. Example - In a scene that seems to contain only a fountain that is covered in frogs and lily-pads were are asked to find everything except those frogs and lily-pads -really fun and beautiful.
MINI-GAMES-- Elegant and well executed. The solutions are available at any time in the clues section of the journal and sometimes hints are offered during mini-games otherwise there is the skip option.There is a mix of games we've seen and some that were new to me. All great fun.
ADVENTURE-- There didn't seem to be much adventure in this one as despite the beauty of the surroundings of the few items to collect they were easily seen and collected and not much room for exploring.
ACHIEVEMENTS-- NO. COLLECTIBLES-NO. Even the flowers automagically add to the journal on scene completion.
GENERAL NOTES:
Mini-Game instructions- I didn't find a way to get instructions, but if stumped the hint button would give guidance, otherwise most were self-evident.
Pass-Through Scenes- As mentioned, lots of beautiful scenery but a number of the scenes turned out to be pass-through with no action required and others were single purpose.
Cursor-- Is an over-sized hand limited to pointing to the next scene and turning into a magnifying glass. Small nit to pick, but while it's great to have cursors that enhance the theme, it's obnoxious when they are large and clunky. In this case the hand/magnifying glass were generic not adding much.
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All that said, I LOVE THIS GAME and can't wait to start the sequel.The look, feel, and structure are excellent. Very nice job Silverback Productions!
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All that said, I LOVE THIS GAME and can't wait to start the sequel.The look, feel, and structure are excellent. Very nice job Silverback Productions!
I recommend this game!