This contributor's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4730
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:August 3, 2025
- Featured reviews1
Status:
Dark Parables: Requiem for the Forgotten Shadow Collector's Edition
A dark illness has befallen the townspeople of Anaben!
Overall rating
5
/
5
179 of 241 found this review helpful
I'm About To Have A Shadow Boxing Smackdown!
PostedFebruary 23, 2017
Anonymous
fromIt won't stop following me........
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another dark force is at bay, stealing the shadow's from the good people of Anaben! Once void of their own shadow, all that's left behind is a senseless, babbling, incoherent shell of a man, or woman, after all, this illness strikes anyone and everyone, including the Duchess! There is no hope, no cure, but look at the bright side, at least there's no creepy shadows lurking in the night, right?
Dark Parables has returned with another twisted tale, proving that everyone is vulnerable to evil, and the things we take for granted could be the most important things of all. I'm still disappointed with the absence of non-linear Morphing Objects that made Dark Parables so unique. In the earlier versions, DP games, objects didn't morph until it was triggered by an action in an entirely different scene, you never knew what that action was, or whether it was in the previous scene or a scene still ahead, and that was so cool and so challenging. I realize that the collectible Parables morph, but the parables are far and few between, and they morph the first time you see them, it's not the same. There are 4 different parable stories, Rise of the Shadow God, The Maiden and the Shadow, The First Handmaiden, and Fall of the Shadow God, each parable requires you to find all three parables before the parable activates. Each scene has a hidden Candle that will light up when you find it, which I thought was pretty cool.
The Hidden Objects are not the usual HOP's, because one feature that hasn't changed, is with the Dark Parable's famous FROG's. You are tasked with finding several very creatively blended fragments within the scene. There are three sections (DP has a thing for the number 3) of fragments to find that will combine to make a useful inventory item once all frags have been found. If this feature ever changes, I think I'll just hang up my hat and call it a day.
The Mini Games are always entertaining in this series, even some of the normal tasks require you to solve a puzzle, and it's not even considered to be a mini game, you'll see what I mean once you play. Below are brief descriptions of the Mini Games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Rearrange the triangular tiles to complete 4 different images. Then interact with the opening scene using the keywords as clues. This is repeated three more times as the story unfolds.
2) Press the button continually to attack and counterattack your opponent.
3) Use the bishop to remove the pawns before they reach the other end of the board.
4) Rearrange the map square tiles to complete the map.
5) Place all of the tokens with their matching colors, the undo button can only be used twice.
This Collector's Edition has 8 Wallpapers, 6 Concept Art pictures, 10 Music Soundtracks, 22 replayable Mini Games, 16 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 12 replayable Movies, a Souvenir Room, 39 Hidden Candles to light, Collectible story Parables, 13 Achievements to earn, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Have fun with cute characters and the games they make for you in Santa's village.
Overall rating
2
/
5
19 of 31 found this review helpful
Did They Think We Wouldn't Notice It's Not Christmas Anymore?
PostedFebruary 22, 2017
Anonymous
fromHo Ho Ho Merry February!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Even if you're okay with playing a leftover Christmas themed Match 3 game, I think you'll find Winter Magic Factory to be not so magical. It's an okay game, that is slow and clunky to navigate, and good luck reading the instructions that are shown in it's entirety before the first level, because it whips through each paragraph at Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer speed, Santa doesn't have enough time to put his seatbelt on between the instructions. No worries, if you didn't read fast enough, you can click on the question mark hidden at the bottom to read it at a Mrs. Claus pace.
The goals are simple, make matches of at least 3 identical holiday themed tiles over all yellow and blue plates and collect enough of each levels "special items" to unlock the middle section such as scissors to cut the rope. Large matches and T or L shaped matches will earn you a power up on the board, and you can remove Gingerbread men and Candy canes (referred to as lollypops in that exact spelling) with a single click. Some tiles are blocked with different obstacles as you progress to make the levels more challenging.
There are 22 different mini games available and you can decorate a tree in the Magical Garden as well as collecting different shaped Christmas Trees within the Sledges category. For me personally, I found the game slow and boring with nothing new or exciting to offer, I do BELIEVE that the elves might enjoy this game, who knows, Merry Christmas.
I don't recommend this game.
Enjoy a fun and diverse set of IGT slots including the popular Day of the Dead machine – brand new for play on PC & Mac!
Overall rating
3
/
5
50 of 66 found this review helpful
These Virtual Slot Machines Have Certainly Improved
PostedFebruary 22, 2017
Anonymous
fromI'm going to be responsible and put my winnings into the virtual bank.
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The graphics are awesome and they have done a nice job of making the machines realistic. There are four different slot machines available, State Fair which has a 50k top prize and up to 9 lines of play. Carnival of Mystery offers 243 ways to win and also has a top pay of 50k. Jolly Roger has 50 lines to play, and offers Progressive play with a top prize of 250k. The main game Day of the Dead has 720 ways to win and a top prize of 25k.
If you enjoy virtual slot machines, you'll probably love this game. I prefer Video Poker, I'm just not that into the virtual gaming slot world.
I recommend this game!
Help the God of Chaos save his beloved from the curse.
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 90 found this review helpful
Take All The Time You Need To Finish These Beautiful Pictures
PostedFebruary 22, 2017
Anonymous
fromAfter my grandkids left yesterday, I looked around at all the messes and I can assure you, the God of Chaos is doing well!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Usually, these mosaic games are automatically in a Timed mode, and recently they finally started adding a Relaxed mode with no timer. Unless I missed the Timed option feature, the only way you can play this game is in a Relaxed mode! I absolutely love that I can take my time and just relax, and I love the beautiful pictures that come in a variety of materials.
The goal is to take a puzzle piece shape from the ribbon on the right and place it correctly onto the incomplete puzzle, with each piece placed, other pieces arrive to take its place until the puzzle is completed. You will earn 3 stars for each completed puzzle with no mistakes, a star is removed with each mistake. There are also 7 Trophies or achievements to earn, and a total of 150 Mosaic puzzles, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Zoe's wedding arrangements have hit a roadblock! Dependable Daisy comes to the rescue!
Overall rating
1
/
5
45 of 48 found this review helpful
Needs A Match 3 Makeover
PostedFebruary 21, 2017
Anonymous
fromA tutorial would be nice Daisy.
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I gotta tell ya folks, this is the worse Match 3 game I've ever played. Not only is it boring, but the tiles are bland, the music is horrible, and there are no instructions whatsoever to let you know what the "venue" is all about! I will explain what I figured out on my own, but I'll be honest, I bailed after about 10 minutes of the demo.
There are two different categories to choose from, "collect cash" and "collect coins" In the cash option you basicly swap tiles to make matches of at least three identical food themed tiles until you make the specified number of matches to complete each customers order. Once that has been achieved, orders appear at the bottom of the customers with other tiles that need specific numbers met. After that you have the option of continuing to play for more cash or you can return to the home screen to choose another level.
In the coin option, the goal is to drop all coins off the board by making matches under them. In the very first level I played, I ran out of available matches and a window popped up to tell me that I could either give up OR PAY 10000 of the dollars I earned in the first category to add more available tiles. Say What! At this point I exited out and deleted the demo. What a horrible feature, in a horribly boring game!
I don't recommend this game.
A unique combination of crime story and match-three puzzle.
Overall rating
3
/
5
44 of 56 found this review helpful
Interesting Story, Not So Interesting Match 3
PostedFebruary 20, 2017
Anonymous
fromHopefully her writer's block disappears by the end of the game.
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is a chain type Match 3 game, my least favorite, where you click and drag a line through several crystals to make a match of at least 3 of the same kind of crystal to remove them. You can even make diagonal moves, and the larger the matches, the more bonuses you will earn, such as Lightning or the Golden Owl which removes all crystals of the same color as matched.
Each level has a different goal such as removing a specific amount of each crystal within limited moves, or earning a specific amount of points within limited moves. Eventually you will earn Power-ups that can swap two crystals or even remove specific crystals.
There are the usual obstacles such as Stones and Mud that can only be removed by making matches next to them or if lightning hits them. After each level you will follow a journalist as she struggles to write about a creepy mansion. It's a good storyline, but I'm just not that into this type of Match 3 game.
I don't recommend this game.
What's waiting for you in the Shadow Realm?
Overall rating
3
/
5
73 of 95 found this review helpful
I'm About To Become A Full Fledged Mage What Could Go Wrong?
PostedFebruary 19, 2017
Anonymous
fromI'll just take a small piece, what's the harm?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Today is the last day of your training as a mage, what could possible go wrong? Well, just about everything! Your mentor Archie, opened the portal to Grimsdale, but no sooner did Veronica enter the world of Grimsdale, when a huge explosion occurred and cut off all communications with her. Something terrible must have happened, and it's up to you to find Veronica and help the good people of Grimsdale. Once on the other side you quickly learn that the citizens of Grimsdale have had their fair share of magic, their mage apparently isn't very good at his job. In his attempts to prove his skills to the people, Aedan hasn't fared too well, his last feat accidentally caught the town square on fire, but this time Aeden may have gone too far. It would seem that he has found a way to open a portal, a portal to the Shadow World, and the Shadows aren't just a Menace, they're deadly!
Archie has equipped you with the latest and greatest magical Bracelet which will allow you to communicate with Archie as well as hold a few magical spells you find along the way. You will eventually get five spells, but in the demo you will only have two different spells, the Light spell which is basically a candle to light up the dark, and a Restore spell which allows you turn back the hands of time to view destroyed items in their original state. In the Collector's Edition version, there are Collectible Magic cards located in each scene in Grimsdale, and in the Shadow Realm. The portal allows you to travel back and forth, from the present to the past, performing tasks in one time period that will affect the other. It does become a bit monotonous after a while because of the constant and tedious back and forthing, which get to be a little annoying at times.
The Hidden Object Scenes aren't very impressive, the scenes are repeated which is a feature I find very boring. The Interactive List finds have extremely large print, the largest print I've ever seen, and I've played a lot of HOPA games, and the items themselves are very large. There is one scene in a lake or pond, that has a bunch of random junk floating in the water, large vases, a brush, utensils, mirrors, kettles etc. all that was missing was a few car tires to make it the world's most polluted lake! There are also HOS that require you to find pairs of similar items, but for the most part they are all simple, slightly interactive list finds.
The Mini Games are decent, but nothing new really. The following are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Assemble the gold plates so that they align with the patterns on the rune stones by swapping and rotating.
2) Adjust the speed of each tube so that all the tubes reach full capacity at the same time.
3) Put the shapes in the correct positions bases on the clues you found, using arrow buttons to rotate the surrounding shapes.
4) Find three of each item that match the highlighted keywords within a story, one paragraph at a time.
5) Find misplaced items within a storybook and place them correctly.
6) Select the symbols that don't match the others shown.
7) Restore the picture image by selecting arrows to move each section up, down, right or left.
8) Connect matching colored bulbs with a line of the same color, by selecting a prism to change the image, and buttons located on the bottom to swap the prisms.
The Collector's Image has 12 Achievements to earn, Music Soundtracks, 8 Wallpapers, 8 Concept Art sketches, 37 Collectible Magic Cards, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Adventure, enjoy
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the cause of the cool down?
Overall rating
3
/
5
47 of 53 found this review helpful
My World's Cold Then It's Hot, Grandma's Here Then She's Not....
PostedFebruary 19, 2017
Anonymous
fromThis game is pretty short, so this version is probably the better choice.
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Midnight Castle has a following unlike any other adventure game out there, and Midnight Calling ties into the original nicely, but can still be understood without having played Midnight Castle. This is a fantasy themed game, and you'll have to use your imagination to enter another realm, a Kingdom that is bitter cold, and slowly freezing anything and everything in it's path. The reason for the killing frost may have been caused by one of the Castle's royalty, but what happened and why is the real question!
The Collector's Edition version has plenty of bling, each scene has a Morphing Object, and there are collectible Zodiac symbols to find, Fresco Fragments, and plenty of Achievements to earn as well. Eventually you will be joined by a baby Griffin with very large baby blues to help you with items you cannot reach or to scare away various critters. Granny gives you her Magic Watch which can turn back the hands of fate and land you right where you want to be, only at an earlier time, before the tragedy occurred. Honestly, I would have given this game a higher rating had it not been for the poor graphics. The hand drawn graphics are too cartoonish, after three tries, you'd think the devs would up their game by tweaking the graphics. This game could be epic with sharp, computer generated graphics.
The Hidden Object Scenes are actually not bad, there are Interactive Listed Items finds, Silhouetted Shape finds in groups of 3, Matching Pairs to uncover, and my favorite required you to click on the scene the exact location shown in a square tile fragment. Some of the HOP's have a small puzzle to solve, or an extra requirement such as using a magnifying glass to find several fragments to open a chest.
The Mini Games are easy, all of them as a matter of fact, but, mini games and puzzles don't have to require a college degree, to be entertaining and fun. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Select the lock pieces in the right order.
2) Arrange the small tokens around the image that matches them by clicking on the circle centers to rotate them.
3) Swap vertical tiles to restore the image.
4) Solve the super puzzle by completing 5 different smaller puzzles.
a) Click on matching maze tokens.
b) place each sphere so that they all connect with their
specified number of connections.
c) Use directional arrows to move the token over each
light symbol within a specific amount of moves.
d) Select runes in a specific order.
e) Arrange the small circles so they are next to the
symbol that matches their color.
b) place each sphere so that they all connect with their
specified number of connections.
c) Use directional arrows to move the token over each
light symbol within a specific amount of moves.
d) Select runes in a specific order.
e) Arrange the small circles so they are next to the
symbol that matches their color.
5) Select the correct roots to escape the trap.
6) Select the arrows in the right order.
7) Recreate the blue image on the tiles by selecting and dragging across other tiles to form the image.
The Collector's Edition has 12 Wallpapers, 10 Concept Art pictures, a Screensaver, 4 Music Soundtracks, 23 Achievements to earn, 32 Fresco Fragments, 12 Zodiac Pieces to collect for horoscopes, a Morphing Object in every scene, a Secret Room, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy your trip to the Midnight Castle, you'd better grab your coat!
I recommend this game!
Open a puzzle box to unlock four extraordinary worlds!
Overall rating
4
/
5
73 of 99 found this review helpful
JOURNEY TO FOUR BEAUTIFULLY CREATIVE REALMS
PostedFebruary 18, 2017
Anonymous
fromThat's quite an imagination!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the beta demo of this game a while back, and to be perfectly honest with you, the storyline isn't all that creative, but the graphics, well that's a whole different ball game. I was, and still am, utterly impressed with the creativity and beauty of the graphics. The artists clearly had a vision in mind, and they are able to take us on a journey, through their mind's eye, a journey through 4 magical realms of Atis.
These realms are made from magic, but where there's good, there's also evil, where there's magic, there's dark magic, and you are here for a reason, to save Mathew! Samantha wasn't expecting Matthew to be her patient at the hospital she works for today, but today is no ordinary day for this couple. Mathew had discovered a sphere at the bottom of the lake during his dive, and this sphere has made Mathew very ill. The sphere wants Mathew, and Mathew wants this sphere, but neither one of them suspected what would happen next...
Shortly after arriving to the world of Flying Fishes (followed by the Sand, Ice, and Dark Worlds) you will be given a Magic Box by Harold the magician, and creator of the realms. This box can dispel dark magic created by Harold's nemesis, Ralph, after playing a mini game of course. In this CE version, there are 90 Crystal Runes to collect (once collected, you can play a Match 3 game with the crystals) and there are 15 Morphing Ghost Masks to find as well.
The Hidden Object Scenes are just as beautiful as the realms are. Most of the HOP's have several different styles in each scene, as well as a puzzle or two to solve, making them highly entertaining. There are Interactive list finds, Matching Pairs finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, Progressive Interactive finds, Fragment finds, Combination Silhouetted Shape Matches, Multiple finds and even small Zoom Zone finds available.
The Mini Games are fun, some are easy to solve, others require more patients. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Pass the ball through every checkpoint to open the safe lock.
2) Arrange the runes according to the shapes on each row and column.
3) Find matching pairs by clicking on two honeycombs at a time.
4) Swap tiles to complete the pattern.
5) Rotate disks to complete the image.
6) Place all of the tetris shaped puzzle pieces into the playing field.
7) Complete the sketch by first rotating sections and then flipping tiles.
8) Drag the ball through the symbol without going outside of the shape.
9) Repeat the sequence of tile selections.
10) Swap tiles to complete the picture.
11) Arrange the tokens so that they complete the logic equations.
12) Press to stop the orbs when all orbs are in the empty slots at the same time.
This Collector's Edition has 20 Achievements to earn, 15 Morphing Ghost Masks, 90 Crystal Runes to collect and play a Match 3 game, 18 Concept Art pictures, 18 Wallpaper Posters, 6 Videos, 10 Music Soundtracks, 25 replayable Mini Games, 22 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, Story recaps, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
Shortly after arriving to the world of Flying Fishes (followed by the Sand, Ice, and Dark Worlds) you will be given a Magic Box by Harold the magician, and creator of the realms. This box can dispel dark magic created by Harold's nemesis, Ralph, after playing a mini game of course. In this CE version, there are 90 Crystal Runes to collect (once collected, you can play a Match 3 game with the crystals) and there are 15 Morphing Ghost Masks to find as well.
The Hidden Object Scenes are just as beautiful as the realms are. Most of the HOP's have several different styles in each scene, as well as a puzzle or two to solve, making them highly entertaining. There are Interactive list finds, Matching Pairs finds, Silhouetted Shape finds, Progressive Interactive finds, Fragment finds, Combination Silhouetted Shape Matches, Multiple finds and even small Zoom Zone finds available.
The Mini Games are fun, some are easy to solve, others require more patients. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Pass the ball through every checkpoint to open the safe lock.
2) Arrange the runes according to the shapes on each row and column.
3) Find matching pairs by clicking on two honeycombs at a time.
4) Swap tiles to complete the pattern.
5) Rotate disks to complete the image.
6) Place all of the tetris shaped puzzle pieces into the playing field.
7) Complete the sketch by first rotating sections and then flipping tiles.
8) Drag the ball through the symbol without going outside of the shape.
9) Repeat the sequence of tile selections.
10) Swap tiles to complete the picture.
11) Arrange the tokens so that they complete the logic equations.
12) Press to stop the orbs when all orbs are in the empty slots at the same time.
This Collector's Edition has 20 Achievements to earn, 15 Morphing Ghost Masks, 90 Crystal Runes to collect and play a Match 3 game, 18 Concept Art pictures, 18 Wallpaper Posters, 6 Videos, 10 Music Soundtracks, 25 replayable Mini Games, 22 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, Story recaps, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Dive into an enchanting Eastern atmosphere and solve the mysteries of the wise ones in Asian Riddles 4! 180 new Griddlers!
Overall rating
1
/
5
19 of 27 found this review helpful
Same Devs, Different Graphics, Still Not Logic Based
PostedFebruary 17, 2017
Anonymous
fromDid anybody else get the memo that logic is no longer required in a Griddler game?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is yet another griddler game that is NOT based on logic. Instead it's based on using a hint, only the first 9 or so levels can be solved using logic. All games by this dev are the same the only feature that changes is the graphics, which at least these graphics are pleasing. I get that the devs can really make bank with these games because all they have to do is add a few different backgrounds and the name, which even that just requires adding a number next to the previous version.
All of the features are the same with this dev, you can play a Beginner Training course with 6 levels of tutorial, or brush up on your skills in Expert Training mode with a single tutorial grid. There are however more grids offered in this game than the usual, with 12 available Rooms, and each room has 15 levels that you earn up to three Red Flowers, a flower is deducted with each mistake you make. Some cells have coins that are earned when you fill in the cell correctly, and you must earn enough coins to unlock the next room or series of grids.
All of the features are the same with this dev, you can play a Beginner Training course with 6 levels of tutorial, or brush up on your skills in Expert Training mode with a single tutorial grid. There are however more grids offered in this game than the usual, with 12 available Rooms, and each room has 15 levels that you earn up to three Red Flowers, a flower is deducted with each mistake you make. Some cells have coins that are earned when you fill in the cell correctly, and you must earn enough coins to unlock the next room or series of grids.
You can visit the Shop and purchase 2 more Starting Hints, the Right to Make a Mistake X3, or Refill Hints on the current level with the coins you earn. There are so many really good Griddler games available, that require you to use logic not hints.
I don't recommend this game.