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:
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves Collector's Edition
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
Overall rating
2
/
5
25 of 49 found this review helpful
Dang!! I really wanted to like this game
PostedAugust 29, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Current Favorite:
Banana Bugs
(37)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Review based on demo only.
I thought this game had promise but I was sorely disappointed from the outset and at no point during the demo
did anything occur to make the game better. The premise of the game is typical with our heroine needing to rescue students lost in a labyrinth. Since I like mazes I thought there would be something compelling about the story and the tasks required as the game evolved. Unfortunately, the devs in Sable Maze do absolutely nothing new or even offer twists on the tasks required to make progress. I wonder why some devs practically insult our intelligence with some very mundane tasks. For example, there are a few leaves hiding something useful but we need to find a rake to remove them rather than just using a hand or a foot to do so.
There is a garden waterer spewing hot water that needs a spigot to turn it off rather than just kicking it out of the way to retrieve the desired object. Developers need to find new ways to keep player interest. Since there are now thousands of HOGs out there, the lack of ingenuity gets boring really quickly. On the plus side, the HOG scenes were good in that an initial item needed to be found to get to the second and so on and so forth. I liked that aspect. All of the puzzles in the demo were rather sophomoric. My 6 year old grandson could finish most of them easily. The graphics were decent but nothing to write home about and I'm pleased there were voiceovers with character lips moving. This game might appeal to novices to the genre but I doubt that veteran HOGgers will get too excited about Sable Maze.
I thought this game had promise but I was sorely disappointed from the outset and at no point during the demo
did anything occur to make the game better. The premise of the game is typical with our heroine needing to rescue students lost in a labyrinth. Since I like mazes I thought there would be something compelling about the story and the tasks required as the game evolved. Unfortunately, the devs in Sable Maze do absolutely nothing new or even offer twists on the tasks required to make progress. I wonder why some devs practically insult our intelligence with some very mundane tasks. For example, there are a few leaves hiding something useful but we need to find a rake to remove them rather than just using a hand or a foot to do so.
There is a garden waterer spewing hot water that needs a spigot to turn it off rather than just kicking it out of the way to retrieve the desired object. Developers need to find new ways to keep player interest. Since there are now thousands of HOGs out there, the lack of ingenuity gets boring really quickly. On the plus side, the HOG scenes were good in that an initial item needed to be found to get to the second and so on and so forth. I liked that aspect. All of the puzzles in the demo were rather sophomoric. My 6 year old grandson could finish most of them easily. The graphics were decent but nothing to write home about and I'm pleased there were voiceovers with character lips moving. This game might appeal to novices to the genre but I doubt that veteran HOGgers will get too excited about Sable Maze.
I don't recommend this game.
Discover the city of Apothecarium, where inhabitants are caught in a perilous struggle against a powerful alchemist who is taking the lives of innocent!
Overall rating
4
/
5
53 of 59 found this review helpful
What a drugstore!!
PostedJuly 13, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Usually soft releases are laughable and/or forgettable. Apothecarium is neither. Based on the demo only I can attest this game shows lots of promise to be a very fine addition to the HOPA genre. It's not the best drawn game that I have ever seen and there are some little issues that I have which keep me from bestowing 5 stars on it. The most glaring issue I have is with the mini-puzzles. Unless I just have not seen it, there are no how to's as an aid to solving the puzzles. Some of them really need instructions. There are voiceovers which is practically a must these days. I like that the HOG scenes include morphing objects that are integral to the scene. The storyline is nothing new. Some baddie is terrorizing a town, this time using a plague to dominate the world. Our task of course is to defeat him.
There are powerups which can be purchased by acquiring coins strewn about the village. They can be of assistance either in HOG scenes or in alternate Match 3 games that can be used in lieu of the HOG's. I think there is a map but darned if I can find it. If the puzzles had instructions this would be a stellar addition to the genre. The lack thereof demotes it somewhat. That it is available as an SE version
from the getgo is a plus. Apothequarium outshines lots of CE's out there. I have a game credit running out in a few days so I will get it as a freebie. All HOG and HOPA addicts should certainly give the game a trial as it will not disappoint.
There are powerups which can be purchased by acquiring coins strewn about the village. They can be of assistance either in HOG scenes or in alternate Match 3 games that can be used in lieu of the HOG's. I think there is a map but darned if I can find it. If the puzzles had instructions this would be a stellar addition to the genre. The lack thereof demotes it somewhat. That it is available as an SE version
from the getgo is a plus. Apothequarium outshines lots of CE's out there. I have a game credit running out in a few days so I will get it as a freebie. All HOG and HOPA addicts should certainly give the game a trial as it will not disappoint.
I recommend this game!
Hop aboard to cross the border between life and death!
Overall rating
4
/
5
34 of 42 found this review helpful
Goofy and lots of fun!!
PostedJune 22, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoy the games that change the pace as it were. There are too many IHOGs with the same general theme: save the damsel in distress while ridding the world of the ultimate bad guy or gal. Calavera certainly starts out this way too. The fun starts as soon as the player meets the Guide which is a lascivious looking book. If nothing else, the game is quite irreverent, quirky. and has some snappy dialogue. These are some of my favorite games. ( the 2 Accidental Hauntings, the Brunhilda game, and the 1 Penguin game are fine examples
of fun sassy games ). Most of the HOG scenes are very doable with just a few items cleverly placed. There are some clever mini puzzles different from the usual fare seen in IHOGs. The game includes a map and teleporting is included.
A couple of grammatical errors in the demo but certainly not anything to detract from the game play. The theme revolving around the Mexican Day of the Dead festival is novel and new is always a good thing. As a man, I am pleased that the main character is a dude!! needing to save his dudette..
I am on the fence as to investing in the CE or waiting for the SE version. Perhaps other reviewers might influence my decision. All in all a nice addition to the genre that all HOGgers should at least do the demo.
of fun sassy games ). Most of the HOG scenes are very doable with just a few items cleverly placed. There are some clever mini puzzles different from the usual fare seen in IHOGs. The game includes a map and teleporting is included.
A couple of grammatical errors in the demo but certainly not anything to detract from the game play. The theme revolving around the Mexican Day of the Dead festival is novel and new is always a good thing. As a man, I am pleased that the main character is a dude!! needing to save his dudette..
I am on the fence as to investing in the CE or waiting for the SE version. Perhaps other reviewers might influence my decision. All in all a nice addition to the genre that all HOGgers should at least do the demo.
I recommend this game!
The lighthouse fails and darkness invades Willow Ridge. Your husband runs into the forest for answers, unaware of the shadow hunting him.
Overall rating
5
/
5
65 of 73 found this review helpful
best game of 2013...so far!!
PostedJune 14, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I purchased the CE version without doing the trial, something I have never done before or since. The buy was based on stellar reviews. It was a wise decision. The storyline is at the same time unique and oh so similar. The baddies here are trees, not some evil person as is usually the case. The cutscenes are among the best I have ever seen and the graphics are crisp and sharp . The only downside and it's a small one is that character lips do not move during the voiceovers. There is a cute little hamster assistant which the player gets to name. The hints recharge quickly and there is a teleporting map in the lower right that some might overlook.
The HO areas are a combo of find the objects, find a lot of the same object and some fractured objects areas. Nothing too hard to find overall. The game includes some cutscene/find and place item segments which neatly further the storyline, this is something novel in HO games. The game can be played in various difficulty levels. I said in a CE review that Rite of Passage is ( for me ) a rival to Return to Ravenhearst as best game ever. For those of you who did not get the CE, I wholeheartedly recommend buying the SE. Better yet, trial the SE and then opt for the CE.
The HO areas are a combo of find the objects, find a lot of the same object and some fractured objects areas. Nothing too hard to find overall. The game includes some cutscene/find and place item segments which neatly further the storyline, this is something novel in HO games. The game can be played in various difficulty levels. I said in a CE review that Rite of Passage is ( for me ) a rival to Return to Ravenhearst as best game ever. For those of you who did not get the CE, I wholeheartedly recommend buying the SE. Better yet, trial the SE and then opt for the CE.
I recommend this game!
The lighthouse fails and darkness invades Willow Ridge. Your husband runs into the forest for answers, unaware of the shadow hunting him.
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 12 found this review helpful
Return to Ravenhearst now has a challenger as best game ever!!
PostedMay 18, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I did something I had never done before and that is buy a game without doing even 1 minute of a trial. Based solely on the glowing reviews of others I decided to take a flyer and get this gem during the outstanding sale of one CE at regular cost and another at $2.99. The devs deserve a standing ovation for creating the best game in quite a few years, hence my review title. Many other reviewers have explained the storyline so I won't bore anyone with repeated comments.
There are so many unique elements to Rite of Passage.
I love that the hidden object scenes involve in each found item a small part of another item to be put together. The hamster ( and naming it to boot ) is really neat. The map to maneuver thru the forest is a great idea. The puzzles in sepia coloration which develop part of the story is very clever.
I have seen 2 so far and hope there is more. I have played about 2 hours of the game and had to come here and put in my 2 cents worth about this 10 star game. I have not been this excited about a new entry in the HOPA genre since RTR and we all know how old that beauty is. I'd bet that even players who normally eschew HO games will marvel at this one. Child of the Forest is easily the best so far in 2013 and it will take one heck of an achievement to top it. I guess readers of this review will surmise that I LOVE THIS GAME!!
I usually advise players to judge a game based on their own play. This time take my word for it. R of P: C of the F is the FINEST GAME IN YEARS.
There are so many unique elements to Rite of Passage.
I love that the hidden object scenes involve in each found item a small part of another item to be put together. The hamster ( and naming it to boot ) is really neat. The map to maneuver thru the forest is a great idea. The puzzles in sepia coloration which develop part of the story is very clever.
I have seen 2 so far and hope there is more. I have played about 2 hours of the game and had to come here and put in my 2 cents worth about this 10 star game. I have not been this excited about a new entry in the HOPA genre since RTR and we all know how old that beauty is. I'd bet that even players who normally eschew HO games will marvel at this one. Child of the Forest is easily the best so far in 2013 and it will take one heck of an achievement to top it. I guess readers of this review will surmise that I LOVE THIS GAME!!
I usually advise players to judge a game based on their own play. This time take my word for it. R of P: C of the F is the FINEST GAME IN YEARS.
With your carriage broken, and a wolf nearby, you must find shelter. What awaits you in the village just ahead?
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 33 found this review helpful
not the best of the Shiver series
PostedMay 2, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
review based on demo
I did the trial of Moonlit Grove and completed it in 53 minutes with no skips. Having bought its 2 predecessors I had high hopes for this installment in the series. Typical start with our
" hero " involved in a vehicle crash, here it's a horse and buggy. Then the player must start finding things to help himself make progress. It didn't take too long until our protagonist is bogged down with a whole lot more items than any human can possibly carry. I wish that devs kept this in mind when the creative juices are flowing. Remember that less is often more. We soon meet a deranged old coot who promises to kill the hero unless he can cure his daughter suffering from a bullet wound infection. One would think the old guy would react in a totally opposite fashion. As the demo ends it is apparent the storyline involves werewolves.
There are plusses and minuses inherent in the game. The devs here continue their use of excellent graphics. We are not overburdened with hidden object scenes and the demo puzzles are all doable. For me the worst part is the storyline itself as I could not get really involved emotionally. Perhaps it improves as the game progresses. Since the other Shivers are so good I more than likely will add the SE version to my collection. As is always the case, try it and judge for yourself.
" hero " involved in a vehicle crash, here it's a horse and buggy. Then the player must start finding things to help himself make progress. It didn't take too long until our protagonist is bogged down with a whole lot more items than any human can possibly carry. I wish that devs kept this in mind when the creative juices are flowing. Remember that less is often more. We soon meet a deranged old coot who promises to kill the hero unless he can cure his daughter suffering from a bullet wound infection. One would think the old guy would react in a totally opposite fashion. As the demo ends it is apparent the storyline involves werewolves.
There are plusses and minuses inherent in the game. The devs here continue their use of excellent graphics. We are not overburdened with hidden object scenes and the demo puzzles are all doable. For me the worst part is the storyline itself as I could not get really involved emotionally. Perhaps it improves as the game progresses. Since the other Shivers are so good I more than likely will add the SE version to my collection. As is always the case, try it and judge for yourself.
Dark magic threatens our world! Can you stop the Shade and his minions before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
70 of 74 found this review helpful
the disclaimer is unwarranted
PostedMarch 10, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I also demoed and then purchased the CE version, which is rare for me. There is a warning at the start of the game that the play should be monitored as it could be disturbing to some people, most notably children. The warning is unwarranted. Shortly after I started the game, my 6 yr old grandson joined me. I chose not to alarm him by saying he could not stay with me. We ended up finishing the game as a pair. Nothing scared him and I found not one thing in Otherworld that I would deem inappropriate for youngsters.
Having said that, everyone should be their own judge. As to the game play itself it's terrific. Other reviewers will venture more detail than I will. I will end by saying there are many more PC games , some that I own, where a warning disclaimer should have been added. Not this one.
Having said that, everyone should be their own judge. As to the game play itself it's terrific. Other reviewers will venture more detail than I will. I will end by saying there are many more PC games , some that I own, where a warning disclaimer should have been added. Not this one.
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
58 of 72 found this review helpful
In a word: STUNNING !!
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Card & Board, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review is based only on the demo and one gets the full hour before the demo ends. As memory serves me this is a sequel to another game but I don't remember the title, only that I recall a girl named Fiona and the villain called the Shade. When the game starts there is a disclaimer stating that Otherworld is unapt for those under age 14. I did the demo with my 6 year old grandson and there was nothing at all scary to him and I found nothing so sinister to disallow his playing along.
The graphics in Otherworld are of the highest quality that I can recall in any game.HOG scenes have some interactive segments which require some thought. This alone makes the game better than average. I encountered 4 or 5 puzzles in the demo and I skipped through a couple but only because I wanted to get through as much of the demo as possible in the time allotted. Some of the puzzles will offer a good challenge which most of us gamers will enjoy.
The hint system recharges quickly and is of the type that suggests where to go rather than pointing out directly what to do.
There have been some good games issued so far in 2013 and for me Otherworld is the best of the lot. Kudos to BoomZap for creating what appears to be of masterpiece quality. This game is on my buy list and as a CE, something I normally avoid. 5 stars does not justify here. On a one to ten scale this is an 11. As stated in my review title Otherworld is
The graphics in Otherworld are of the highest quality that I can recall in any game.HOG scenes have some interactive segments which require some thought. This alone makes the game better than average. I encountered 4 or 5 puzzles in the demo and I skipped through a couple but only because I wanted to get through as much of the demo as possible in the time allotted. Some of the puzzles will offer a good challenge which most of us gamers will enjoy.
The hint system recharges quickly and is of the type that suggests where to go rather than pointing out directly what to do.
There have been some good games issued so far in 2013 and for me Otherworld is the best of the lot. Kudos to BoomZap for creating what appears to be of masterpiece quality. This game is on my buy list and as a CE, something I normally avoid. 5 stars does not justify here. On a one to ten scale this is an 11. As stated in my review title Otherworld is
STUNNING !!!!!!!!!!!
I recommend this game!
A terrible legend has become reality. The legend of a terrifying creature returned from hell.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
not as good as the game of a few years back
PostedJanuary 21, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm somewhat of a Johnny come lately as far as doing the demo and reviewing Cursed Fates. Having completed the trial I can only give the game a so-so rating. I really like the graphics and the voiceovers ( a must these days if a game is to be at CE pricing ). The hidden object scenes are very easy and the few puzzles thus far are also less than challenging.
Personally, I find it weird that some folks are comparing the game to a Depp movie rather that the classic Washington Irving novel. I found one item in the demo , a vinyl record !!!
which bugs me no end. Devs, the year is 1799. Records of any sort had yet to be invented and to make matters worse
absolutely nothing was made of vinyl. Do your homework and keep a period piece game accurate as to items that can be used in the game. I'll stick to the Playpond version of the
Sleepy Hollow legend. It is a straight HOG with items commensurate with the era and lots of them well hidden in plain sight.
Personally, I find it weird that some folks are comparing the game to a Depp movie rather that the classic Washington Irving novel. I found one item in the demo , a vinyl record !!!
which bugs me no end. Devs, the year is 1799. Records of any sort had yet to be invented and to make matters worse
absolutely nothing was made of vinyl. Do your homework and keep a period piece game accurate as to items that can be used in the game. I'll stick to the Playpond version of the
Sleepy Hollow legend. It is a straight HOG with items commensurate with the era and lots of them well hidden in plain sight.
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 27 found this review helpful
great game for the younger kids
PostedJanuary 5, 2013
LogieBaby
fromDartmouth, Ma.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Hidden Object, Brain Teaser
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I had not demoed this game when the CE version came out
but just did so with the SE. This has a very fairytale theme with the opening segment straight out of Cinderella. Then it is somewhat followed in a room with a spinning jenny remisiscent of Rapunzel. Shortly after that the demo ends.
There are no standard HO scenes so far. Rather than finding
a list of items, the items are given and must be placed appropriately within the given screen. There are a few puzzles in the demo and all are really easy to complete. There is a camera given to the player and pictures are taken
of certain animals. I don't know if this is relevant to the game or if it's just an aside.
Based on what I've experienced with DQ:TCS, this game should hold significant appeal to kids under 10 who enjoy this sort of game. I cannot see where the CE is viable but the SE seems to be priced right. If it were not for the appeal Slipper should have for kids, I'd pass on it. Having said that, I'll pick it up and play it with my grandson.
but just did so with the SE. This has a very fairytale theme with the opening segment straight out of Cinderella. Then it is somewhat followed in a room with a spinning jenny remisiscent of Rapunzel. Shortly after that the demo ends.
There are no standard HO scenes so far. Rather than finding
a list of items, the items are given and must be placed appropriately within the given screen. There are a few puzzles in the demo and all are really easy to complete. There is a camera given to the player and pictures are taken
of certain animals. I don't know if this is relevant to the game or if it's just an aside.
Based on what I've experienced with DQ:TCS, this game should hold significant appeal to kids under 10 who enjoy this sort of game. I cannot see where the CE is viable but the SE seems to be priced right. If it were not for the appeal Slipper should have for kids, I'd pass on it. Having said that, I'll pick it up and play it with my grandson.
I recommend this game!