LogieBaby's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:12,354
- Reviews Submitted:375
- First Review:December 24, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 5, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
You’re about to uncover the secret that’s been haunting Blackrow!
Overall rating
4
/
5
24 of 30 found this review helpful
Another fine Mystery Tracker
PostedAugust 28, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have always enjoyed this series and this new chapter appears to be continuing a fine tradition. The story line involves a plague dating back who knows how long. There is also an actress, Norma Shine, who has been abducted and she obviously will have much to do with the game progress. Lots of gamers have expressed a dislike for animal helpers and I am often in agreement. Having said that, Elf our ugly little chihuahua, is one of the first assistants we have come across and I have a certain affinity toward the pooch. He doesn't do things that seem to be beyond his ability which is essentially to fetch and nothing more. Elephant games are generally well made and Blackrow fits the bill. It is graphically sharp and the cut scenes are well defined and of the proper length to forward the story without being obtrusive. The HO scenes are typical of Elephant games with just the right amount of interactivity needed. The puzzles encountered in the demo are all doable. If I have one objection it is that the demo ended rather abruptly. In my case I was into the demo for 48 minutes. I would have liked it if there was a bit more game development during the demo. Is it the best of Mystery Trackers? I don't know. I own some of these games as CE's and others as SE's. Given what I found in this game, I am inclined to wait for the SE. Unless I missed them, there are no collectible items or any other inducement to warrant the CE.
Overall, Blackrow's Secret should prove to be a worthy addition to the series.
Overall, Blackrow's Secret should prove to be a worthy addition to the series.
I recommend this game!
An amulet purchased in an antique shop has awakened an ancient and terrible evil. Help rescue your beloved and save mankind from the coming eternal frost!
Overall rating
4
/
5
37 of 45 found this review helpful
interesting soft release
PostedAugust 27, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Usually soft releases are not very good. in viewing the initial cut scene I felt this game would fall into that category since the characters are remarkably unlifelike. Fortunately then the game started. Our hero, glad it's a man for once, is tasked to find and save his wife who has been kidnapped by some evildoer bent on turning the planet into some sort of ice age. There of course are many places to go and things to do in order to collect items which will assist the man. There are many HO scenes ( I only completed the demo ) and some puzzles some of which were challenging. I really enjoyed the quality of the cut scenes albeit they are a bit fuzzy for the eye. The actual game though is very clearly defined. There is lots of to and fro and for this a map would have been helpful; however the game is linear in the sense that most of the required actions take place in one location before the need to move somewhere else. The developer is a new one and Insane Cold is far from perfection. I cannot see myself acquiring the game unless I use a free game credit. I hope the developer refines its act for future issues as it does offer a hint of fine things to come. I listed 4 stars in my rating, actually I give it 3.5. I think this is a game that most players will either really like or really hate. Give it a demo at any rate.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Forbidden Garden
Your parents always told you to stay away from the mysterious maze behind their house... and you're about to find out why.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
sitting on the fence for this game
PostedAugust 23, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I am very conflicted about Forbidden Garden. There are some aspects I really like and some I dislike. The pink and purple coloration doesn't bother me as much as some other players, then again I have only completed the demo. Perhaps this might start to grate on me at some point. The story line is nothing new. A couple are about to wed and some evil sorceress or whatever she is kidnaps the prospective groom and the bride to be is tasked with his rescue. Been there, done that. We have another game with a critter helper, this time an ermine. He's really cute but I'm tired of developers constantly providing animal assistants.
This is fine for games catering to youngsters which this game is not. I liked the somewhat different aspect for the hidden object segments and some of the puzzles were well done. When the CE version came out, I knew that for myself it would not be a purchase. I am undecided about this game.
Maybe some day I'll use a free game pass but only if I am jonesing for a new game and there is nothing else compelling enough for me to consider at a time when a free pass is at its expiration date. I think newcomers to the genre
will gravitate toward this Sable Maze entry but I doubt most veteran HOGgers will do so. My recommendation is merely so-so. Three stars is the best I can do.
This is fine for games catering to youngsters which this game is not. I liked the somewhat different aspect for the hidden object segments and some of the puzzles were well done. When the CE version came out, I knew that for myself it would not be a purchase. I am undecided about this game.
Maybe some day I'll use a free game pass but only if I am jonesing for a new game and there is nothing else compelling enough for me to consider at a time when a free pass is at its expiration date. I think newcomers to the genre
will gravitate toward this Sable Maze entry but I doubt most veteran HOGgers will do so. My recommendation is merely so-so. Three stars is the best I can do.
I recommend this game!
Save your daughter from a mysterious mirror-hopping monster!
Overall rating
4
/
5
48 of 59 found this review helpful
somewhat new found respect
PostedAugust 17, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When the CE version was issued, I gave the game 3 stars and called the game itself shattered. I even ventured the SE version would not be enough of an enticement to consider a buy. After having completed the demo of this SE, I have upgraded my rating. Perhaps I was having a bad day when I originally reviewed this Nevertales. I know it does not measure up to the first game in the series, that's for sure. Shattered is an easy game to play, none of the tasks are difficult at all. Be it an HO segment or a puzzle, they are all very easily completed, at least in the demo. I still don't know if I will ever add the game to my repertoire. It's funny sometimes how a game at one time seemed either really good or really bad or mediocre and later on the same game either improves or goes south. For those who have not demoed the game, give it a try. At any rate, Maria the Shaman is one of the better characters to come along in quite a while. She is not easily forgettable..
I recommend this game!
Lynn’s wedding is interrupted by a ghost from Edward’s past.
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 36 found this review helpful
If there is a prize for silliest game of the year, this game wins
PostedAugust 16, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I have not been a fan of the Witches Legacy series and this is the 4th installment. I was hoping the demo would exhibit some much needed improvement, however The Ties That Bind merely proves to be laugh out loud dumb. The story line albeit a continuation of the series comes straight out of the " been there, done that " book. How many times will developers maintain their stance of total unoriginality ? We players constantly are bombarded with the same old same old. Changing the color of the coat and hat does not give us something we want to wear over and over again. Graphically, what we see is somewhat grainy so there is nothing enticing about the scenery. The beginning of the game again presents us with tasks that insult the intelligence. At one point there is a door slot that cannot be opened because it's encased in wire so we must find cutters to remove said wire.
Who in their right mind would encase a door in their home with wire? Removing the wire allows the imp( who by the way I am sick of having around) to become part of the game. As to game play itself, the hidden object segments are well done with some clever interactivity within them. The puzzles in the demo are all quite easy to complete. My biggest problem is in the story itself. I found it to be profoundly silly and there is nothing in the game that I can hang my hat on. There are collectibles for those players who enjoy them but in this case they do not appear to advance the game in any fashion. I find myself purchasing fewer and fewer games these days simply because I already own many that are so like this one. The Ties That Bind needs to be roped tightly and disposed of.
Who in their right mind would encase a door in their home with wire? Removing the wire allows the imp( who by the way I am sick of having around) to become part of the game. As to game play itself, the hidden object segments are well done with some clever interactivity within them. The puzzles in the demo are all quite easy to complete. My biggest problem is in the story itself. I found it to be profoundly silly and there is nothing in the game that I can hang my hat on. There are collectibles for those players who enjoy them but in this case they do not appear to advance the game in any fashion. I find myself purchasing fewer and fewer games these days simply because I already own many that are so like this one. The Ties That Bind needs to be roped tightly and disposed of.
I don't recommend this game.
There's a new sheriff in Meadows Town – and it's you! Can you stop a vengeful Viking spirit before she strikes again?
Overall rating
4
/
5
51 of 64 found this review helpful
After a few duds, ERS delivers
PostedAugust 14, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
When I started the demo and learned ERS is the developer, I initially took pause since their games recently have not been up to par with most of its early efforts. My fears are allayed. ERS has once again delivered a good if not great game. The story line is a variation of a very familiar theme. A Viking lady, Valkiris, loses her husband and is disheartened when she cannot visit his remains in Valhalla due to the fact she is not a Viking warrior. So she somehow goes off the deep end and becomes a villianess bent on some kind of revenge and here's how we get to be part of the action. All game makers have a certain style graphically. I feel it's time that ERS perform an update of sorts to remove some of the grainy and unsharp scenery. Other than the story line, these are the game pluses: 1. The ability for the game player to customize game play as to hints, skip time, degree of difficulty etc. 2. A transportation map is always a help. 3. I liked that there is not an overabundance of hidden object scenes ( at least in the demo that took me 50 minutes to complete ) 4. The puzzles do have some originality and those in the demo were are very doable. 5. No cutesy animal helper.
There are unfortunately some downers as well and they mostly are in the " are you kidding me " category. Early on in the game we meet a policeman who is to be of assistance in our quest. He at one point hands over a card key and the key slot is right next to him. Why not just open the door himself as he does have the darn key. We must put out a fire and the cop hands over a fire hose yet he is standing next to the hydrant. Some helper !! I for one feel my intelligence being insulted to some degree when these things occur.
Our villainess Valkiris is obviously of Nordic origin yet she speaks perfect American English. Should she not have some accent? To me these are examples of developer shortcuts or
just not thinking enough to do the right thing.
I get the feeling the game length will be in keeping with what gamers want. There are collectible runes which must be placed in certain scrollworks. I do hope these add to the story and the game continues. Overall I personally do not see this as worthy of a CE purchase price. Maybe some other reviewers will change my mind. I do recommend the game as an SE and I am pleased that ERS has at once again lived up to its reputation as a very good game maker.
I'd like them to put together a new Puppet Show.
There are unfortunately some downers as well and they mostly are in the " are you kidding me " category. Early on in the game we meet a policeman who is to be of assistance in our quest. He at one point hands over a card key and the key slot is right next to him. Why not just open the door himself as he does have the darn key. We must put out a fire and the cop hands over a fire hose yet he is standing next to the hydrant. Some helper !! I for one feel my intelligence being insulted to some degree when these things occur.
Our villainess Valkiris is obviously of Nordic origin yet she speaks perfect American English. Should she not have some accent? To me these are examples of developer shortcuts or
just not thinking enough to do the right thing.
I get the feeling the game length will be in keeping with what gamers want. There are collectible runes which must be placed in certain scrollworks. I do hope these add to the story and the game continues. Overall I personally do not see this as worthy of a CE purchase price. Maybe some other reviewers will change my mind. I do recommend the game as an SE and I am pleased that ERS has at once again lived up to its reputation as a very good game maker.
I'd like them to put together a new Puppet Show.
I recommend this game!
Earth has been invaded by The Monsters and they have exploited the whole planet! Save the world and free Earth!
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 21 found this review helpful
the kids should love it
PostedAugust 6, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I did all but 28 minutes of the trial, saving some for my grandson. I occasionally buy games for him when he really enjoys one. I think Bomb the Monsters fits the bill. This is not a game that I would like over the long haul, then again I am not 7 years old. This is quite similar to Angry Birds. The how to play directions are poor, I took a few minutes just to figure out what to do so a youngster on his own might have a hard time doing so. Then again, a kid probably would step right in with no difficulty. There are 10 scenes in every level. The object is to be awarded a gold cup by blasting monsters off of their perches with one bomb. Placement of the bomb is crucial to doing so. A misplaced bomb either results in total failure or only blasts away some of the monsters. It took me half the trial to get gold cups in all 10 scenes of level one.Some levels have multiple bombs but I did not look into seeing if advancing to the next level is possible without all gold cups.
That's when I stopped. I did check out level 2, and like other games of this ilk, the difficulty ramps up. I never checked to see how many levels the game has. The music is awful so I did cut the sound. Other than poor directions Bomb the Monsters appears to be a silly fun game. For me the only question is does it have appeal for adults? I might add that a knowledge of physics is a plus. Give it a whirl, the demo is free and even if this is not in your wheelhouse, it's a fun hour's diversion.
That's when I stopped. I did check out level 2, and like other games of this ilk, the difficulty ramps up. I never checked to see how many levels the game has. The music is awful so I did cut the sound. Other than poor directions Bomb the Monsters appears to be a silly fun game. For me the only question is does it have appeal for adults? I might add that a knowledge of physics is a plus. Give it a whirl, the demo is free and even if this is not in your wheelhouse, it's a fun hour's diversion.
I recommend this game!
Hoyle Illusions
There is malice afoot on the eve of the awaited Battle Royale between two famous illusionists. Will you get to the theater on time and save the day?
Overall rating
1
/
5
26 of 35 found this review helpful
BFG...shame...shame...shame
PostedAugust 5, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I realize soft releases are generally not of the best quality but Hoyle Illusions is an unmitigated disaster. While I was into the demo, and I cannot fathom why I spent 45 minutes with this awful game, I was trying to think if this is the absolute worst hidden object game ever. I did realize that an oldie called Route 66 is at the very bottom of the barrel. There are a few prior magician games, the titles escape me, that are decent if not spectacular. In those games the player did get to see or perform feats of prestidigitation. I presume Hoyle will get to that point but to see nothing of the sort during the demo just helped to make the game that much more boring.
Graphically Illusions is poorly created. The cut scenes are mind numbingly lame. I could not expect voiceovers or even moving parts given the total lack of creativity. The only redeeming quality of this turkey is that some of the hidden objects are cleverly placed. There are also some magician hats that must be tapped with a wand in order to transform said hats into a useful object. We get to pick up playing cards which will allow us to play certain card games. During the demo, I collected enough to play Klondike solitaire. I should have used up the demo time to do that !!! If any veteran HOG player thinks back in time to when these games were significantly less sophisticated, even bygone games such as Huntsville or Mysteryville are far superior to this crass effort.
Big Fish Games, consider yourself reprimanded for even thinking of presenting this atrocious effort, let alone offering it for sale. If there will be a worst game to come along in 2014 it will need to be the dud of all duds. Avoid this game as if it were diseased.
Graphically Illusions is poorly created. The cut scenes are mind numbingly lame. I could not expect voiceovers or even moving parts given the total lack of creativity. The only redeeming quality of this turkey is that some of the hidden objects are cleverly placed. There are also some magician hats that must be tapped with a wand in order to transform said hats into a useful object. We get to pick up playing cards which will allow us to play certain card games. During the demo, I collected enough to play Klondike solitaire. I should have used up the demo time to do that !!! If any veteran HOG player thinks back in time to when these games were significantly less sophisticated, even bygone games such as Huntsville or Mysteryville are far superior to this crass effort.
Big Fish Games, consider yourself reprimanded for even thinking of presenting this atrocious effort, let alone offering it for sale. If there will be a worst game to come along in 2014 it will need to be the dud of all duds. Avoid this game as if it were diseased.
I don't recommend this game.
Witch Hunters: Full Moon Ceremony Collector's Edition
Defeat the evil witches and save the world from eternal darkness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
56 of 69 found this review helpful
good game .....could be a great one if only..............
PostedAugust 2, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The developer is a new one for me and I enjoy finding new sources for my gaming pleasure. We find ourselves in a situation wherein the player must defeat a coven of witches in order to save the world. Nothing new here. Frequently we face a gremlin like creature who does nothing but confound and change the scenery in and around the house since it is obviously a minion of the witches. I really like this little dude as he is among the better bad guy assistants in quite a while. From the getgo there is much travelling to and fro both inside the building and on the grounds. There is a map available to the player but for some reason I elected not to use it during the demo. Graphically the scenery is top notch and the cut scenes are very well done. The hidden object segments are better than in lots of games in that some of the items to be found are cleverly hidden " in plain sight " . Unfortunately there are lots of things to be critical of in the demo. One of the first thing we need to do is unlock a door by using a newspaper under said door and pushing the key out with an item. How many times must games employ this trite and hackneyed ploy? There is a dresser in the bedroom and one drawer is boarded up. We do obtain in inventory a crowbar however we must get a bottle of termites instead to remove the obstacle. Am I nitpicking? Probably but these types of maneuvers are a bit insulting to one's intelligence.
At another point a lion head lock of some sort needs to be realigned. We have seen these circle puzzles many times. What I didn't like in this one was having the solution to each segment outlined once the circle was properly rotated. Don't make it child's play when the game is not geared to a younger set. I don't know how many witches need to be defeated and the demo ends when one with Medusa snake hair is dispatched. Overall I like the feel of the game and will more than likely add it to my collection. I found nothing in it to warrant the higher cost CE version. I am encouraged in the fact a new developer has issued an apparently solid game. I hope the game maker refines its act in the future and avoid the old hat techniques we see over and over again. This is a solid game, much better than most in recent months but it could have been terrific if only........................
At another point a lion head lock of some sort needs to be realigned. We have seen these circle puzzles many times. What I didn't like in this one was having the solution to each segment outlined once the circle was properly rotated. Don't make it child's play when the game is not geared to a younger set. I don't know how many witches need to be defeated and the demo ends when one with Medusa snake hair is dispatched. Overall I like the feel of the game and will more than likely add it to my collection. I found nothing in it to warrant the higher cost CE version. I am encouraged in the fact a new developer has issued an apparently solid game. I hope the game maker refines its act in the future and avoid the old hat techniques we see over and over again. This is a solid game, much better than most in recent months but it could have been terrific if only........................
I recommend this game!
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
120 of 135 found this review helpful
at long last...a fine game
PostedJuly 31, 2014
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have the other Amaranthine entries and had high hopes for the Shadow of Torment when the demo was introduced. However there have been some new games recently that have been fair to middling or downright awful. In fact, Eipix who usually create really good offerings, has laid a couple of rotten eggs in the last 2 months. With the demo of this Amaranthine I can pronounce this game a winner. This series certainly provides the player with top notch fantasy without resorting to cute creatures and goblins, trolls, etc. The story line is far out but in a more believable type of atmosphere. The player finds him or herself tasked with saving an alternate world called Anther by facing and ultimately defeating the evil Torment. As with past entries, our hero (ine ) immediately meets someone who was perceived initially as an ally but turns out to be a henchman of the Torment. We enter the Anther world and this is where the fun starts. As with previous Amaranthines, the graphics are stellar. There are combinations of hidden object segments such as finding a named item or seeking somewhat silhouetted objects. I always enjoy having the variety. The puzzles in the demo are rather straightforward and posed no difficulty. I hope they get more challenging as the game continues. As I mentioned earlier, after a large amount of dud games ( IMO ) Amaranthine gives the player something to marvel at and set one's teeth into. For those uninitiated in the series, it is not necessary to have played the prior games as they all stand alone. It's a buy for me and I at least hope gamers give this solid entry a whirl.
I recommend this game!