pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4726
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 21, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you save the Heavenfall campers from a malevolent force in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
IT DOESN'T GET MUCH CHEESIER THAN THIS...at least I hope not!
PostedAugust 23, 2019
pennmom36
fromAmazing, I didn't have to find and replace emblems on the cheesy monsters!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Completed Game approximately 4 hours
(including ALL mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
(including ALL mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter)
Be careful what you wish for, you never know, urban legends might just be real legends. The boys from Heavenfall thought they were just having a little fun when they summoned the Forest Spirit of Black Lake just before Summer Camp, and they got exactly what they wished for! Thank goodness Greta called you because the campgrounds are swarming with monsters and everyone is in serious danger. Because that's what detectives do, right?
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. These were some of the most basic HOP's I've seen in a long time. Most of the scenes were Interactive List Finds but there were also Silhouetted Shape finds, Keywords and Pair Matching scenes as well.
There are 16 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. I wasn't really impressed with any of them because they are repeats from past games and very simplistic, such as jigsaw puzzles, combining symbols to match the center symbol, a peg-jump variation, and the standard navigational puzzles.
In the CE Bonus Chapter, you return to Black Lake to restore its magic when someone begins taking plants and animals that fueled the magic. There are 6 Mini-Games and 6 Hidden Object Scenes, and you will pick up the remaining 3 Collectible Character Photos, 8 Morphing Objects and 12 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces which completes the final Screensaver.
This Collector's Edition version has 12 Wallpapers, 12 Concept Art Pictures, 4 Screensavers (Four 12-Piece Jigsaw Puzzles) 48 Zoom Zone Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces (4 Screensavers) 5 Music Soundtracks, 23 Achievements, a Secret Room with 13 Replayable Mini-Games, 12 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, & Secret Puzzle (locate Morphing Objects in each location) 12 Collectible Character Photos, 26 Scene Location Morphing Objects, 4 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-in Strategy Guide.
CHIMERAS SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Tune of Revenge (February 7-2013) 4.7
2-The Signs of Prophecy (October -15-2015) 3.9
3-Cursed and Forgotten (May 26-2016) 3.8
4-Mortal Medicine (November 10-2016) 3.9
5-Mark of Death (May 4-2017) 3.3
6-Blinding Love (October 19-2017) 4.2
7-New Rebellion (May 3-2018) 3.6
8-Heavenfall Secrets (November 3-2018) 3.4
9-Wailing Waters (June 12-2019) 3.1
2-The Signs of Prophecy (October -15-2015) 3.9
3-Cursed and Forgotten (May 26-2016) 3.8
4-Mortal Medicine (November 10-2016) 3.9
5-Mark of Death (May 4-2017) 3.3
6-Blinding Love (October 19-2017) 4.2
7-New Rebellion (May 3-2018) 3.6
8-Heavenfall Secrets (November 3-2018) 3.4
9-Wailing Waters (June 12-2019) 3.1
by: Elephant Games
I don't recommend this game.
Step into the shoes of a Private investigator with short-term memory loss and uncover the shocking truth about his involvement with a serial killer called The Executioner.
Overall rating
4
/
5
44 of 50 found this review helpful
HOW'D I GET HERE AND WHO ARE YOU? WAIT A MINUTE, WHO AM i?
PostedAugust 23, 2019
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Completed CE Game approximately 5.5 hours
(including CE Bonus Chapter and all Mini-Games)
(including CE Bonus Chapter and all Mini-Games)
Arthur Christie witnessed a brutal murder moments before the perpetrator knocked him unconscious. The problem is, Arthur doesn't know he's Arthur after regaining consciousness. Things often go from bad to worse and for Arthur, things are about to get a whole lot worse because he's the prime suspect in a string of serial murders dubbed The Executioner. Arthur goes on the lam to find the real killer but as he pieces together his lost memories, he discovers way more than he bargained for. Just how deep does this crime go, and how many lives are at stake...including his own?
I loved the Crime-solving, Good-Cop/Bad/Cop "missing memory" scenario but I'm not a fan of Gadgets (Forensic Kit) and the mini-games weren't very impressive. I do think this version is the better choice because the CE Morphing Pipes morphed into way too obvious items (all you have to do is look for an object in the scene that is long and thin) the CE Collectible Floppy Disks were the same size as the Collectible Baseball Caps, and most importantly, for a Collector's Edition version, it didn't have a lot of extras. To make matters worse, Brave Giant never lets you see what you are buying, you have to complete the main game before finding out that there are only 8 replayable Mini-Games and 8 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, that's about all you get other than a handful of wallpapers and achievements. So unless you have to have Collectibles & Morphs, this SE version is just as good.
There are 19 Hidden Object Scenes in the Main Game, +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter. Most of the scenes are Interactive Listed Items and Multiples of the same Object Finds, but there are several Interactive Silhouetted Shape Finds, Fragmented Item Finds and Related Object Finds as well. All of the scenes are highly interactive, however, the cursor changes to a hand whenever you are required to move something or find & place an item, this eliminates all the challenge in my opinion. Some of the Items Morph (the text itself will change between Blue & white) and you must click on the item when it's in the correct form. There is an alternative Monaco Matching Pair game available instead of the HOS where you click on 2 adjacent Pairs to remove them.
There is a Forensic Kit Gadget that is used 4 times during the main game. Thre are different types of evidence to collect (Fingerprints-DNA-Bullet Shells) and each one has a different set-up process to follow using the instruction booklet. The Forensic Kit associated puzzle varies depending n the type of evidence:
☞Match DNA by choosing & selecting a microbe from 1 slide and then find its match on the 2nd slide.
☞Search for both bullets with the microscope and adjust the clarity.
☞Compare 2 fingerprints using a magnifying glass to search for 5 unique marks.
☞Compare the DNA of hair samples by searching for microbes that match on both slides.
☞Search for both bullets with the microscope and adjust the clarity.
☞Compare 2 fingerprints using a magnifying glass to search for 5 unique marks.
☞Compare the DNA of hair samples by searching for microbes that match on both slides.
There are 26 Mini-Games +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter. They are mostly jigsaw puzzle variations to help fill in Arthur's memory. I'm a puzzle geek so I didn't mind them, however, they are re really easy to assemble, and I was able to solve all mini-games on the first attempt. There was just too much hand-holding within most of the games because the cursor changes to a hand to scream "pick me-pick me" There were several "fight" scenes requiring you to repeat the sequence of defense/punch moves and I've never been a fan of those either. Below are a few of my favorite games:
⚙️Rotate Hexagonal puzzle pieces to complete the image.
⚙️ Rotate the cogs until they align with their color-coded paper clips.
⚙️Super puzzle tinkering with gauges, sliders, dials, switches, etc. completing one component will unlock the next. (pictured diagram of each step is available on the top right but remains partially hidden until clicked on)
⚙️Place color-coded cables into 2 partial symbol jacks to create the completed symbol shown for each cable.
⚙️ Rotate the cogs until they align with their color-coded paper clips.
⚙️Super puzzle tinkering with gauges, sliders, dials, switches, etc. completing one component will unlock the next. (pictured diagram of each step is available on the top right but remains partially hidden until clicked on)
⚙️Place color-coded cables into 2 partial symbol jacks to create the completed symbol shown for each cable.
The Collector's Edition Bonus Chapter takes you back to the beginning of Arthur Christie's investigation, to fill in the blanks when he is first contacted by a very nervous Nicholas Filth. This is a rather short Chapter and there are no Morphs or Collectibles remaining, and there are only 4 Mini-Games and 4 Hidden Object Scenes remaining.
The Collector's Edition version has 8 Wallpapers, 5 Music Soundtracks, 24 Achievements, 8 Replayable Mini-Games, 8 Replayable Hidden Object Games, 8 Cutscenes, 16 Collectible Baseball Caps, 15 Floppy Disks, 31 Morphing Smoking Pipes, 6 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-in Strategy Guide.
GHOST FILES SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Face of Guilt (July 26-2017) 4.1
2-Memory of a Crime (August 23-2019) n/
2-Memory of a Crime (August 23-2019) n/
by: Brave Giant Studios
I recommend this game!
The past returns inside the Zenith Museum of Oddities!
Overall rating
5
/
5
427 of 496 found this review helpful
METAMORPHOSIS TO THE PAST
PostedAugust 22, 2019
pennmom36
fromBFG estimates that over 100 million people have at least sampled the MCF games since Huntsville. There is also a four novel mini-series of MCF related books: Stolen, Vanished, Submerged, and Unearthed, written by Jordan Gray
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
including ALL mini-games and CE Bonus Chapter
including ALL mini-games and CE Bonus Chapter
Failure just isn't an option for some people, especially for a genius who thinks he's the best Mystery Case Files Agent, even if the agency doesn't see his potential. Unfortunately, the real Master Detective finds himself going toe to toe with The Activist genius when he becomes trapped in the Zenith Museum of Oddities that has been transformed into replicas of every famous Case the Master Agent has solved. Which agent will be the winner, and what happens to the loser?
Someone must have lit the moth's candle under these developers who have really outdone themselves on this nostalgic MCF game. It's simply genius to relive the past games we all love. Ravenhurst and Madame Fate were my favorite games and I have played them several times over. These are 2 games that put MCF on the charts so it just makes sense to incorporate these fan favorites. The storyline is well written, interesting, and it's the perfect set-up for the next release (they always come in twos folks) I really wish they would have had Morphing Objects in the scenes themselves as they did in the original games, not just the HOP's, it would have cinched this game to the #1 slot of MCF games if they had!
There are 16 Hidden Object Scenes +3 in the CE Bonus Chapter. Clearly, they focused on the Rube Goldberg puzzles because they were rather mundane and some of the scenes were purposely blurred in order to make the items appear hidden. Almost all of the scenes were Interactive List Finds but there were a few Riddle-clue scenes, Keywords and Silhouetted Shape finds as well. In this CE version, each Hidden Object Scene has a Morphing Object and you can replay them in the extra section to pick up missed morphs.
There are 29 Mini-Games (including Rube Goldberg Super Puzzles) + 5 in the CE Bonus Chapter. Most of the mini-games were easily solved on the first attempt, the only challenge came from the Rube Goldberg Puzzles which by far were my favorites. Rube Goldberg puzzles are multi-layered, inter-connected puzzles where you have to look at the entire board to search for clues to solve one puzzle which in turn opens the next puzzle and so forth.
In the Collector's Edition Bonus Chapter, The Activist strikes again with even more tricks up his sleeve. This is an average length chapter that has 4 Mini-Games, 1 Rube Goldberg Puzzle, and 3 Hidden Object Scenes. You will pick up the remaining 8 Hidden Stamps and 3 HOP Morphs.
This Collector's Edition version has 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art Pictures, 6 Movie Video Cutscenes, 6 Music Soundtracks, 25 Replayable Mini-Games, 19 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 12 Achievements, 40 Hidden Stamps, 19 HOS Morphing Objects, A Souvenir Room with 10 Souvenirs, 6 Main Chapters +Bonus Chapter and a Built-in Strategy Guide.
MYSTERY CASE FILES SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Huntsville SE only (November 14-2005) 3.6
2-Prime Suspects SE only (April 6-2006) 3.8
3-Ravenhearst SE only (December 15-2006) 3.6
4-Madame Fate SE only (November 7-2007) 4.0
5-Return to Ravenhearst SE only (November 26-2008) 4.2
6-Dire Grove (November 25-2009) 4.7
7-13th Skull (November 25-2010) 4.4
8-Escape From Ravenhearst (November 23-2011) 3.6
9-Shadow Lake (November 20-2012) 2.6
10-Fate's Carnival (November 26-2013) 4.4
11-Dire Grove, Sacred Grove (November 25-2014) 3.6
12-Key to Ravenhearst (October 27-2015) 3.6
13-Ravenhearst Unlocked (November 24-2015) 3.5
14-Broken Hour (November 22-2016) 3.5
15-The Black Veil (March 23-2017) 3.0
16-The Revenant's Hunt (November 21-2017) 3.0
17-Rewind (June 21-2018) 3.4
18-The Countess (November 20-208) 3.1
19-Moths to a Flame (August 22-2019) n/a
by: Eipix Entertainment
2-Prime Suspects SE only (April 6-2006) 3.8
3-Ravenhearst SE only (December 15-2006) 3.6
4-Madame Fate SE only (November 7-2007) 4.0
5-Return to Ravenhearst SE only (November 26-2008) 4.2
6-Dire Grove (November 25-2009) 4.7
7-13th Skull (November 25-2010) 4.4
8-Escape From Ravenhearst (November 23-2011) 3.6
9-Shadow Lake (November 20-2012) 2.6
10-Fate's Carnival (November 26-2013) 4.4
11-Dire Grove, Sacred Grove (November 25-2014) 3.6
12-Key to Ravenhearst (October 27-2015) 3.6
13-Ravenhearst Unlocked (November 24-2015) 3.5
14-Broken Hour (November 22-2016) 3.5
15-The Black Veil (March 23-2017) 3.0
16-The Revenant's Hunt (November 21-2017) 3.0
17-Rewind (June 21-2018) 3.4
18-The Countess (November 20-208) 3.1
19-Moths to a Flame (August 22-2019) n/a
by: Eipix Entertainment
Solve a new batch of colorful nonogram puzzles and enjoy a sight-seeing tour through the most outstanding and famous tourist attractions in Berlin.
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 29 found this review helpful
SENSORY OVERLOAD
PostedAugust 21, 2019
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I loved yesterdays mosaic game because it was peacefully relaxing, the colors were beautiful and natural. I guess I just don't like the constantly bouncing, glittering tiles, and all the strange sounds every time I fill a cell or complete a grouping of cells, it's nothing more than sensory overload. The tile colors look unnatural and remind me of gummy candy. The completed images aren't labeled and half the time I don't know what the picture is supposed to be.
There are 5 options for crossing off cells, but I didn't see an option for the usual Tile selections this time? In previous games, there were 5 Tile options to choose from, a Bubble style, a square with rounded corners, a Princess Cut Diamond shape, a multi-faceted tile, and a lunar-style. You can play in an Easy mode which crosses off cells for you and applies the appropriate colors, a Normal mode, or a Difficult mode which only crosses off squares when the entire row and column has been completed, and you have to manually switch between colors.
As you fill in the cells you will earn coins, heart/lives or Power-up recharges. Power-ups, such as a Hammer, Sun, Lightning or Bombs, originally don't have much coverage but increases with each upgrade. (can be upgraded twice) There are 7 Achievement Trophies to earn, and you can buy various souvenirs in the Shop to decorate the Walker family's living room with items like a turtle on wheels and a TV/Monitor because that's totally what I'd buy to remember my "fantastic Berlin" holiday???
Each of the Locations has 6 main Mosaic levels, 1 bonus level, and 1 additional puzzle (jigsaw variations) You must earn at least 2 Stars on each main level to open the bonus level, and you must earn a minimum of 2 stars on the Bonus Level to open the additional puzzle. You also have to earn at least 1 Star in each of the main levels to unlock the next location or group of mosaic levels.
TRAVEL MOSAICS SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Travel Mosaics 1: A Paris Tour (February 19-2018) 3.5
2-Travel Mosaics 2: Roman Holiday (May 13-2018) 3.4
3-Travel Mosaics 3: Tokyo Animated (August 21-2018) 4.6
4-Travel Mosaics 4: Adventures in Rio (October 22-2018) 4.6
5-Travel Mosaics 5: Waltzing Vienna (November 12-2018) 3.2
6-Travel Mosaics 6: Christmas Around The World (December 17-2018) 3.0
7-Travel Mosaics 7: Fantastic Berlin (August 21-2019) n/a
2-Travel Mosaics 2: Roman Holiday (May 13-2018) 3.4
3-Travel Mosaics 3: Tokyo Animated (August 21-2018) 4.6
4-Travel Mosaics 4: Adventures in Rio (October 22-2018) 4.6
5-Travel Mosaics 5: Waltzing Vienna (November 12-2018) 3.2
6-Travel Mosaics 6: Christmas Around The World (December 17-2018) 3.0
7-Travel Mosaics 7: Fantastic Berlin (August 21-2019) n/a
by Jet Dogs Studio
In this time management adventure, three princes compete for the hand and heart of the beautiful Princess Leya.
Overall rating
3
/
5
70 of 78 found this review helpful
AWESOME GRAPHICS, LOOKS REALLY FUN, BUT APPARENTLY WAY TOO COMPLICATED FOR ME
PostedAugust 21, 2019
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'll be the first to admit my shortcomings and failures, this looks like a really fun TM game but I'm apparently not as good of a player as I thought. I felt more anxious about the chaos than excited. I've never seen so many buildings, resources, people, animals, holes, gates, keys, mages, peasants, wizards, elves, raccoon hit-men, bubbles, sawmills, quarries, bakeries, markets, chests, and merchants. And that was on the first level! Happy Empire was not a very happy place for me, I played the entire demo and I'm still totally confused as to what my goal was or how to achieve it. I'm still confused about what my actual collected resources are. I'm still confused about what needs to be done, how to do it and why I'm doing it.
Do I hire a raccoon thug? Do I buy buildings so I don't have to pay rent-extortion? Do I, or more appropriately, should I pick up and eat abandoned food left out in the hot sun by the bad guys that may possibly be tainted? Should I be hearing voices whilst my tutorial Elf princess keeps popping up with mile-long dialog boxes as she tries to explain the unexplainable, Do I try to stop maniacal Mages from blowing Mr. Bubble bubble-shields? Do I shake down crazy Uncle Bob to steal his keys when he's clearly inebriated? Do I patch up the holes that appear and disappear and reappear again? Do I go all caveman on Treasure Chests that don't require shaking down crazy Uncle Bob for keys because hitting them with stones does the trick but for some reason doesn't work on the gate locks?
So much confusion, so many questions, so little time to manage my time, I shall leave this game for the truly gifted players. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go check on crazy Uncle Bob, rumor has it stole the maniacal Mr. Bubbles blower. ὃ༄༄༄◦◦○○〇〇◯◯∘◎ㅇ
HAPPY EMPIRE SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-Happy Empire (December 8-2014) 1.9
2-Happy Empire: A Bouquet for the Princess (August 20-2019) n/a
2-Happy Empire: A Bouquet for the Princess (August 20-2019) n/a
by: AEL Entertainment
I recommend this game!
Put on your hiking boots and join Claire on a mosaic puzzle adventure through nature!
Overall rating
5
/
5
40 of 49 found this review helpful
THESE WILDLIFE-THEMED MOSAICS ARE BEAUTIFUL ஐ¸.·´¯`·.
PostedAugust 20, 2019
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I love nature and all its creatures big and small, even as a kid I was the one dragging home every stray, homeless, or injured critter I came across, and I wasn't afraid of anything but spiders. (yep, they still creep me out, especially wolf spiders eek!) I fell in love with this mosaic game immediately because the completed images were beautiful pictures of wilderness and the wildlife that inhabit them. The pictures are colorful and bright, with natural and authentic contrasting hues. They paid attention to every detail, even the filled-in cells have shading to give them a dimensional appearance.
There are 144 Mosaic levels and 8 mini-games and they are logic-based puzzles. There is a Butterfly feature that will reveal a single cell, and a Bomb to reveal a 3x3 area. A bomb seems a little weird and out of place doesn't it, why not call it a bulldozer that wipes out 1/3 or the rainforest? (at least it wasn't a spider)
For those of you who have never played a Mosaic Griddler, this would be a great game to start with because it is a fairly easy version. There are numbers on each row and column which indicates how many filled-in cells there are and each group of numbers must be separated by at least one empty or crossed-off cell. It's easier to fill in the larger groups of numbers first, and then cross-off cells that couldn't possibly contain a filled-in cell. You can switch between Color bubbles when you get stuck which will ultimately narrow down the playing field, and there is a Hint feature available if you get stumped, but it has to recharge before you can use it again.
Lately, I have become bored with my beloved penguins and thought I was just getting bored with the genre as a whole but PixQuake has proved that I still love this genre...especially when the road takes me through the Wilderness!
I recommend this game!
Challenging solitaire puzzles set in the worlds of H.P. Lovecraft!
Overall rating
1
/
5
101 of 112 found this review helpful
A FOURTH GAME ADDED TO THE MYSTERY POOL!
PostedAugust 19, 2019
pennmom36
from"It is a mistake to fancy that horror is associated inextricably with darkness, silence, and s̶o̶l̶i̶t̶u̶d̶e̶ solitaire" -HP Lovecraft
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The synopsis states that I will become IMMERSED in the mystical and entrancing world of Howard Lovecraft while completing CHALLENGING solitaire puzzles. I was not...and they were not.
The synopsis states this world reflects the life of the poet himself, as well as his mysterious, gloomy and wonderful stories...my heart bleeds for you my dear Howard...no wonder your stories were gloomy.
The synopsis states there are 12 locations connected with Howard's life and work...which surely means 12 different background images were copied and pasted verses 13.
The synopsis states that I can earn cool trophies and that each level varies in complexity which provides hours of EXCITING gameplay...it's called solitaire for a reason.
The synopsis states that there are special Golden Cards that add an extra layer of fun...oh joy
This is the fourth game offered in the Mystery Solitaire series, which is exactly four games too many. Coincidentally, it's the fourth Solitaire game in this series where the game ends once all of the Gold Cards have been removed, which is four games with a feature nobody likes.
This is the fourth game offered in the Mystery Solitaire series, which is exactly four games too many. Coincidentally, it's the fourth Solitaire game in this series where the game ends once all of the Gold Cards have been removed, which is four games with a feature nobody likes.
You can choose from 9 themed card backs and 3 different face card fonts because 10 and 4 would just be a ridiculous option. You are forced to begin the game in Newbie mode, which allows you to replay any hand, then, if you prefer, you can switch to the Professional mode which only allows you to replay the entire pack of 10 levels. You need to earn the specified amount of points to unlock the next pack, and the scoring is similar to bowling, in the event of a perfect score, the points of that level are added to the next.
One of the most annoying features in all solitaire games by this developer is the Bonus cards with a Gem because it takes forever to explain what the card gives you, as it freezes continued gameplay to tell you what you won. Most of the time it gives you +499 extra points, but occasionally, a Joker, Mulligan or a Shuffle. Because it takes so long, finding two of these cards back to back is sheer agony!
I'm positive that the person who wrote the synopsis for this game didn't actually play this game or any other solitaire game by this particular developer. The gameplay may take 10 hours to endure, but it's far from being exciting...except perhaps when it ends.
MYSTERY SOLITAIRE SERIES LIST
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Release Date***Average Rating
1-The Black Raven (October 31-2017) 4.4
2-Arkham's Spirits (September 9-2018) 2.4
3-Grimm's tales (January 23-2019) 2.6
4-Cthulhu Mythos (August 19-2019) n/a
by: Somer Games
by: 8 Floor Ltd.
2-Arkham's Spirits (September 9-2018) 2.4
3-Grimm's tales (January 23-2019) 2.6
4-Cthulhu Mythos (August 19-2019) n/a
by: Somer Games
by: 8 Floor Ltd.
I don't recommend this game.
Agent Sarah, famous police detective, is called by the Chief of Police to solve yet another unsolvable crime in this captivating hidden object adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
119 of 138 found this review helpful
THERE'S A BRAVE NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN!
PostedAugust 18, 2019
pennmom36
fromA simple HOG that ended up being strangely addicting?!?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Completed Demo
This is an old-fashioned HOG (hidden object game) crime-solving mystery where you search the same scene repeatedly to locate clues (vaguely) and solve the crime. I've always been a fan of this particular developer who always took the time to visit our now abolished fishy forums, to me that shows how much a developer cares when they take the time to answer questions and gather feedback to make adjustments in future releases, so I have a lot of respect for BG. Does anyone else miss the good ole days?
This is one of those games where it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea because you have to search for the same objects in the same scene over and over until you "master" the level and earn the required 5-Stars to progress the investigation and unlock new scenes. Each time you investigate the scene, the Hidden Object method is different, such as Standard Listed Items, Silhouetted Shapes, Multiples of the same object, or Scrambled Letter variations. The objects are easily recognizable and the scenes themselves are clear, you can left-click to zoom in, and then drag the scene around to search for items. There is a Hint feature that you aren't penalized for using but points are deducted for misclicks. The Magnet feature will collect any object on the list when you drag it around the scene but it takes a while to recharge.
The faster you complete the level, the more points you'll earn, you can earn a full star or just a portion of a star depending on the amount of time it took you to complete the level. There isn't an Untimed option (unless it's hidden somewhere) but it doesn't matter how long it takes you to complete a level, you won't run out of time, it'll just take you longer to get to the 5-Star goal, it's not a stressful kind of timed mode if that makes sense?
The Stars earned by completing the Hidden Object Scenes are used to investigate or examine evidence in the form of a mini-game, such as using a magnifying glass to locate specific patterns on a Fingerprint or clicking the mouse to stop the ball when it is in the targeted zone of several different types of targets.
I was really surprised by how well I enjoyed playing this game, I thought it would be really boring to look for the same objects in the same scenes over and over, instead, I found it to be strangely addicting!
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a dangerous foe from turning art against the realms?
Overall rating
4
/
5
135 of 162 found this review helpful
NOWADAYS I LOOK FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN HOPA GAMES, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GAME AND I ENJOYED IT!
PostedAugust 17, 2019
pennmom36
fromScientist have not successfully extracted functioning DNA from Amber as they did in Jurassic Park, but they have identified more than 1000 extinct species of insects preserved within the fossilized tree resin which was once a trees immunization system
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Completed Game approximately 5.5 hours
including ALL mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter
including ALL mini-games & CE Bonus Chapter
When HOPA games first came to light, I loved them all, I couldn't get enough of 'em because they kept evolving, each one was better than the one before. Developers poured their heart and soul into each new game in a series, they were downright proud of their creations, their "babies." Somewhere along the lines they just stopped caring, they got lazy, after all, people were still buying them, or maybe they just ran out of ideas. Each release became the same as the one before, nothing new, nothing exciting, just another game kinda games. Somewhere along the road, I changed too, I evolved right along with the games, no longer content with the same ole cookie-cutter versions. Nowadays, I look for something different. I look for great storylines (I'll settle for good storylines) I look for beauty and creativity, it doesn't have to knock me off of my computer chair or even blow my socks off, mostly, I want to enjoy a game without being bored to death, without feeling like I have to force myself to finish a game because I just spent hard-earned money.
With that being said, no I do not like gadgets, but I'm so glad I didn't pass this game up because of a gadget used quickly 6 times during 5 chapters! I enjoyed the beautiful graphics, I enjoyed the storyline, and Dream Box entertained me from beginning to end without boring me a single time, the entertainment was worthy of my hard-earned money.
Yes, there are two Gadgets, the first one is just a Mechanical Owl that reaches objects normally unreachable but it doesn't require any effort on the players part, the owl just appears when the zoom zone is clicked. The second Gadget is a Vermin Catcher that is used 6 times in the entire game, it isn't that bad. There is an associated Hidden Object game variation where you click on 5 orange eyes when they appear from behind items, again, it takes seconds to complete and it isn't a deal-breaker, in fact, it could have been a really awesome feature IF there were more eyes to catch AND they were more elusive! The only thing that annoyed me with this gadget was that 1 lens out of 3 would crack after every single use, super annoying and so not necessary!
There are 14 Hidden Object Scenes and 12 Zoom Zone HOP's +4 in the CE Bonus Chapter, and there is an alternate Match 3 game available if you don't like HOP's. The scenes vary with Silhouetted Shape Finds, Interactive List Finds, Swatches (find areas that match a swatch sample) Keywords in Sentence Finds, Pair Finds, Multiples of the same Item Find and a scene where you pull levers to switch scenes. As I stated earlier, there is a Gadget "Vermin Catcher" repetitive HOP where you locate 5 Eyes that slowly appear and disappear behind obstructions.
There are 26 Mini-Games +6 in the CE Bonus Chapter. There are a ton of Pair Matching tasks throughout, but they are actually tasks and not listed as mini-games or HO's. The puzzles aren't bad, but they aren't very challenging either. I don't necessarily consider that a bad thing, especially when the game itself isn't boring. Below are brief descriptions of some of my personal favorites:
❉ Place directional arrows to create a path to navigate to the park. Colored tiles require different actions, blue+must stop, red+don't stop, green=do or don't stop. დ
❉ Arrange the puppets' position using various dials, one affects others. დ
❉ Solve each puzzle by activating tiles in the correct order to fill in the lines, tiles can bump into each other. დდ
❉ Select 2 icons that when combined would logically create the bottom row of images. დ
❉ Arrange the masks so their patterns align. დდდ
❉ Arrange the puppets' position using various dials, one affects others. დ
❉ Solve each puzzle by activating tiles in the correct order to fill in the lines, tiles can bump into each other. დდ
❉ Select 2 icons that when combined would logically create the bottom row of images. დ
❉ Arrange the masks so their patterns align. დდდ
The Collector's Edition Bonus Chapter, True Love, is a somewhat short chapter that takes place over 7 different scene locations. You play as Charles, (a man with a passion for gears?!?) one of the characters introduced in the final chapter of the main game. Charles discovers a letter from dearly-departed Victoria who seems to have predicted her untimely death and has vital information she needs to reveal to her beloved. There are 4 Hidden Object Scenes and 6 Mini-Games, and you'll pick up the remaining 7 Morphing Objects (which unlocks the final character statues) 9 Jewellers, and 8 Page Fragments which unlocks the final story page)
This Collector's Edition version has 16 Wallpapers, 14 Concept Art Pictures, 7 Music Soundtracks, 18 Replayable Movie Video Cutscenes, 15 Achievements, 14 Replayable Mini-Games, 11 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 27 Morphing Objects, 8 Character Statuettes (available with 2-4-8-11-18-22-27 Morphing Objects found) 41 Opaque Jewelry Figurines, *You can return to the scenes to search for missed jewelry after completing the Main Game* 30 Zoom Zone Page Fragments (reveals 5 story-based elaborations) 5 Main Chapters titled "Amber Trail" +Bonus Chapter titled "True Love" and a Built-in Strategy Guide/
REFLECTIONS OF LIFE SERIES LIST
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Tree Of Dreams (June 21-2014) 4.2
2-Equilibrium (April 18-2015) 4.4
3-Dark Architect (January 14-2016) 4.3
4-Call Of The Ancestors (August 13-2016) 3.5
5-Hearts Taken (May 13-2017) 3.3
6-In Screams And Sorrow (April 26-2018) 2.6
7-Slipping Hope (December 29-2018) 4.3
8-Dream Box (August 17-2019) n/a
2-Equilibrium (April 18-2015) 4.4
3-Dark Architect (January 14-2016) 4.3
4-Call Of The Ancestors (August 13-2016) 3.5
5-Hearts Taken (May 13-2017) 3.3
6-In Screams And Sorrow (April 26-2018) 2.6
7-Slipping Hope (December 29-2018) 4.3
8-Dream Box (August 17-2019) n/a
by: GrandMa Studios
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a dangerous cloaked assailant before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
50 of 60 found this review helpful
DO ALL BAD GUYS WEAR CLOAKS OR JUST THE ONES IN DARK TALES?
PostedAugust 16, 2019
pennmom36
from"Can you stop a dangerous cloaked assailant before it’s too late?" ...I CAN, but do I want to do it for the 16th time?
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Completed Game approximately 4 Hours
(including the CE Bonus Chapter & all mini-games)
(including the CE Bonus Chapter & all mini-games)
Detective Dupin has received another anonymous letter of impending doom which states that Lord Royce Morrissey has a date with death at the stroke of midnight. As Dupin's' most trusted assistant (after all you have helped to solve 15 previous Dark Tales cases) you know that Time and T̶i̶d̶e̶ Death wait for no man, and surely, the clock has been ticking for several days whilst awaiting the arrival of the early 1900's snail-mail postal service. As luck would have it, you arrive 2 seconds before the clock strikes midnight, just in the nick of time to thwart the Ghost of Morrissey's late wife Ligeia who really knows how to pack a punch. Clearly, she's been working out while Royce was working on Mrs. Royce Morrissey the 2nd.
That pretty much sums it up, if the storyline is still unclear, go back to Dark Tales games number 1-15 which all have the same plots, just different names to protect the innocent of course. There are Morphing Objects in every scene of the CE version, 26 scenes that look exactly like the scenes in every previous Dark Tales game. There are several new characters introduced in "Ligeia" as well, which coincidentally, look hauntingly familiar...because they ARE exactly like the characters in games 1-15. If you are tired of the same ole, same ole, save your hard-earned money and precious time by just replaying any of the previous 1-15 Dark Tales games for the same gratification experience.
There are 12 Hidden Object Scenes +5 in the CE Bonus Chapter, not including the smaller Zoom-Zone HO's that appear each time you blink. The HO scenes aren't located within interesting locations, and they lack even the slightest hint of color, not to mention the fact that most of the scenes are repeated because they can't bother to create a new HO scene location. These devs are famous for using the same HOP's and Mini-Games over and over, recycling them, moving them from one series to the next, but they never bite the bullet and actually create new ones! Most of the scenes are Interactive List Finds, but there are also Matching Pairs, Related Item Pairs, and Silhouetted Shape Finds.
There are 18 Mini-Games +11 in the CE Bonus Chapter. Some of the games are available in an Easy or Hard difficulty mode. Here are a few examples of games that I enjoyed:
❁ Adjust 4 slider tabs so their light beams will intersect all symbols on the tablet that match the symbol in the center x3~დდდ
❁ Swap lock tumbler sections that will intertwine with its counterpart~დდ
❁ Several labyrinths/maze puzzles such as avoiding being caught by police searchlights, or use directional arrows to navigate hedges~დ
❁ Swap lock tumbler sections that will intertwine with its counterpart~დდ
❁ Several labyrinths/maze puzzles such as avoiding being caught by police searchlights, or use directional arrows to navigate hedges~დ
The Collector's Edition Bonus Chapter is an average-length Chapter narrated by Robert Fowles as he takes us back to the origins of his employment as a housekeeper for the Phoenix family. There are 11 Mini-Games and 5 Hidden Object Scenes offered in this rather dull Bonus Chapter. You will finish Collecting the final 3 Medicine Bottles, and 8 Morphing Objects as well.
The Collector's Edition version has 9 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art Pictures, 5 Screensavers, 4 Music Soundtracks, 17 Movie Cutscenes, 12 Achievements, 15 Replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 11 Replayable Mini-Games, 4 Main Chapters, +Bonus Chapter, and a Built-in Strategy Guide.
DARK TALES SERIES LIST
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
Title***Standard Edition Release Date***Average Rating
1-Murder's In The Rue Morgue (December 17-2009) 3.7
2-The Black Cat (October 8-2010) 4.0
3-The Premature Burial (November 4-2011) 4.4
4-The Gold Bug (February 8-2013) 3.5
5-The Masque Of The Red Death (May 24-2013) 4.2
6-The Fall Of The House Of Usher (April 18-2014) 4.1
7-The Mystery of Marie Roget (March 20-2015) 4.2
8-The Tell-Tale Heart (December 13-2015) 2.2
9-Metzengerstein (August 19-2016) 3.5
10-The Raven (January 27-2017) 2.9
11-Lenore (September 8-2017) 2.1
12-Morella (January 14-2018) 3.8
13-The Pit and the Pendulum (May 4-2018) 3.0
14-The Oval Portrait (September 29-2018) 2.5
15-Speaking With The Dead (April 21-2019) 2.9
16-Ligeia (August 16-2019) n/a
2-The Black Cat (October 8-2010) 4.0
3-The Premature Burial (November 4-2011) 4.4
4-The Gold Bug (February 8-2013) 3.5
5-The Masque Of The Red Death (May 24-2013) 4.2
6-The Fall Of The House Of Usher (April 18-2014) 4.1
7-The Mystery of Marie Roget (March 20-2015) 4.2
8-The Tell-Tale Heart (December 13-2015) 2.2
9-Metzengerstein (August 19-2016) 3.5
10-The Raven (January 27-2017) 2.9
11-Lenore (September 8-2017) 2.1
12-Morella (January 14-2018) 3.8
13-The Pit and the Pendulum (May 4-2018) 3.0
14-The Oval Portrait (September 29-2018) 2.5
15-Speaking With The Dead (April 21-2019) 2.9
16-Ligeia (August 16-2019) n/a
by: Amax Interactive
I don't recommend this game.