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:
Help Ruby and her friends rebuild their home in this fun and exciting match three game.
Overall rating
3
/
5
47 of 55 found this review helpful
Adorably Designed For Kids
PostedSeptember 28, 2015
pennmom36
fromMaybe Abigail would like this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Keep in mind that this is a Match 3 game designed for kids, or perhaps adults who just want to play a lighthearted Match 3 game. The Fairy village of Faevill has been taken over by a greedy Leprechaun named Goldy who threatens Ruby and her friends to pay him or suffer the consequences. When they are unable to meet his demands, he orders thugs to destroy their houses, leaving the village in shambles. You must play Match 3 games to find magical stars that will repair everyone's humble abodes a little at a time.
You can choose Relaxed or Timed modes and the goal is to make at least 3 identical matches by swapping tiles. Matches of 4 or more fills up the magical Amulet which unleashes an electric fury, destroying several random tiles on the board. Each level contains a specific amount of stars that can only be collected by making matches under them until they drop off of the board entirely. Matches must be made on all blue cells as well, and some tiles are Tangled with webs that require matches of whichever icon is tangled to release it. There are also rocks that cannot be moved and will disappear only when they drop off the board. As you progress, you receive powerups such as Bombs that clear a 3x3 area or Flames that take out an entire row, each level will give you another powerup which can be saved up because they carry over to the next level.
Again, this game isn't going to knock the socks off ya if you're looking for a challenging Match 3 game, it's totally designed to entertain the kids, which I believe it will, so for the youngsters, it's a "I recommend this game" for adults I would have to suggest you pass on this one.
Mystery Tales: Alaskan Wild
Call on the animal spirits to help find your sister.
Overall rating
4
/
5
71 of 79 found this review helpful
Another Fiance Bites The Dust
PostedSeptember 27, 2015
pennmom36
fromHow is it possible that I had to solve several puzzles, fix an entire boat engine and shovel the snow, catch a bunch of marine life, and arrive to the other side of the lake seconds after Abigail and Ellie?
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Ellie has begged you to visit her in Alaska to visit her Fiance Daniel, after all it will be a great photo opportunity for your latest best seller. The two of you have a great deal to catch up on, but that's going to have to be later because Daniel has invited the two of you to dinner at his house, problem is, he neglected to tell his mother they were coming. For most mothers, this wouldn't be a problem, but for Abigail, an extremely over protective mother who want's Daniel all to herself, Ellie is a problem, a huge problem! Something has already happened to his first fiance, Claire, who mysteriously disappeared without a trace two years ago. Did Abigaile have anything to do with her disappearance, and what are her plans for poor unsuspecting Ellie?
The local shaman has foreseen your arrival, and has given you a powerful amulet. This amulet can be used upon any animal totem to magically transform you into the animal totem, temporarily of course. Each time you become one with the animal, you will play a mini game as seen through that animals eyes, such as guiding a mouse through a maze using directional arrows, or soaring through the skies as an owl and finding objects shown through a viewfinder you control. There are Plus Sign inventory items on some inventory items that require some type of interaction before the item can be used, There is a Snowflake icon located on the left of the screen that will allow you to make it snow, either no snow at all, or practically a blizzard. and the Collector's Edition has the addition of Achievements to earn and Collectible Character Figurines to find. Because you are a wildlife photographer, you have a digital camera that allows you to photograph any wildlife you come across, however, there is no indication to alert you (at least in custom mode) so you will have to pay attention. (only available in the CE)
The Hidden Object Puzzles are varied and are usually presented in three stages. Some have Morphing Objects to find followed by interactive list finds, silhouetted shape finds, fragment finds or finding 3 items of each picture shown. There is an alternate Match 3 game available if you aren't into HOP's. There are 13 HOP's available throughout the game.
The Mini Games are fun, however they really aren't new and they are very easy puzzles. Tiles to rotate to complete an image but some tiles affect other tiles, untangling a rope by moving the knots to different areas until none of the rope segments overlap, and navigating a boat and using the boats light to find 3 jellyfish, 5 squid and 5 fish, and then clicking on each colored sections to change the color to match them.
The Collector's Edition has 10 Concept Art pictures, 5 Soundtracks, 11 Character Figurines, 11 Wildlife photos, 22 Achievements, 13 replayable HOP's, 23 replayable Mini Games, 21 Cutscenes, 11 Wallpapers, and 5 Personality Quiz Questions that will match your answers to 5 different characters personalities, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
You’re called in to photograph a wedding, but what you really expose is murder.
Overall rating
5
/
5
200 of 242 found this review helpful
There's Skeleton's In All The Closet's Of This Family's Mansion!
PostedSeptember 26, 2015
pennmom36
fromHey, I'm a wedding photographer, get your own aspirin Martha!
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Frank and Carol's wedding at the Hollow Oak Estate was absolutely beautiful, and they've asked you to return this evening to take one last photograph of Carol and her beloved sister Martha. The storm outside is relentless but the storm inside the Whittle Estate seems to be even more tempestuous! Family secrets never stay secret for long, even poor old dad, Jasper thinks his daughter knows the truth, and this truth is as ugly as it get's!
I've always been a fan of the Dark Canvas series, but I do want to voice my opinion about the games of late that seem to have more makings of a great movie, and less game play. I love the cinematics, but I also love the puzzles which seem to be scarce lately. Because you are a photographer, you are equipped with a camera that will be used to shoot pictures whenever there's a star like symbol (the camera will glow) and the pictures slowly reveal the terrifying history that took place inside the Hollow Oak Estate. I found this feature to be really intriguing, especially once I started taking the pics that began to piece together a storyline I needed to know more about. Some of the inventory items have plus signs that indicate some type of interaction needs to be performed before the item can be used. There are Achievements to earn and my favorite feature, Haunted or Beyond Morphing Objects are available in every scene, AND there's no cursor change to say "here I am" which makes it so much better!
The Hidden Object Puzzles vary, but none are really unique, I will say however, for the first time in a long time, there was an item I had difficulty spotting on the very first listed item HOP (the baby carriage) There are Silhouetted Shape finds, and a couple of them required you to find the item in the green text of a sentence one of which was through a tiny keyhole.
The Mini Games seemed a little on the simplistic side, I was able to finish all of them on the first attempt withing a few seconds, but I've played a lot of games and I've gotten familiar with most of them.
1) Move the colored tokens into the slots that match their symbols using a silver slider device to pick up the token of choice and slide Right or Left to the desired location.
2) Sort through a box of decorations to make matches of related items, the items on top must be matched first.
3) Using codes shown on an ornate box (A+H=3 for example) determine the correct number combination then enter those numbers on the available tumblers.
2) Sort through a box of decorations to make matches of related items, the items on top must be matched first.
3) Using codes shown on an ornate box (A+H=3 for example) determine the correct number combination then enter those numbers on the available tumblers.
This Collector's Edition has 25 Concept Art Pictures, 11 Soundtracks, 8 replayable HOP's (that's not very many BF) 10 replayable Mini Games or Puzzles (again not very many BF) 4 Wallpapers, 16 Hidden Photographs, an Attic Room where the photos are kept which allows you to complete portraits revealing the atrocities that took place within the Estate, 30 Haunted Morphing Objects, and a built in Strategy Guide, I gotta go take pictures now, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover™
Welcome back to Gardenscapes! Turn the hall into a masterpiece!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover
PostedSeptember 25, 2015
pennmom36
fromYou get the chance to name your dog so have fun with that.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Austin the butler has agreed to help us fix up the mansion that grandpa left us. We were so busy revamping the dilapidated garden that we completely forgot about the house. There's no time to waste, all our friends are coming to visit anytime now!
I know this was probably an awesome game in it's heyday, but I just got so bored sifting through junk piles in each room of the house and finding stupid items that customers supposedly wanted. Is anyone seriously going to buy a spoon or an old used sponge? Anyway you can play in a Relaxed or Timed mode, as customers pop up with items they are looking for, they are willing to pay top dollar for it, however on timed mode, they longer it takes you to fulfil their needs, the less they are willing to pay you for that item. Some scenes contain Question Marks that will earn you an extra hint when found, some have cameras that will briefly show you they location of several items with a white background, and almost all of the scenes contain gold coins to collect for extra cash.
The money you earn selling these random useless items to customers is used to upgrade the mansion with new furniture, flooring, fireplaces, dog beds, portraits and various other decorations. Each category gives you three style and color options, each option costing a little bit more. That's it in a nutshell other than a few random tasks such as finding 10 Teddy Bears or 10 Dog bones.
I don't recommend this game.
A mountain observatory is hiding a big secret!
Overall rating
5
/
5
95 of 119 found this review helpful
Welcome To Optimus The City Of The Mind
PostedSeptember 25, 2015
pennmom36
fromCode Red Activated, this is not a drill, Sam's missing all the excitement!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Get ready for another action packed Hidden Expedition adventure agent. Pinpointing the source of man-made earthquakes will be the easy part, finding a way to penetrate the dome of the old Observatory is a whole different ballgame. Separating reality from fiction could prove impossible in the city of the mind, a matrix world inspired by one man with a vision to create another world filled with lies and deceit! It just takes a little skill, some motivation, and a bitterness that lies deep within the pit of a rejected child's stomach.
I recently researched some fun facts about the Hidden Expedition series recently, because I wanted to find out what H.E.L.P stood for, the P was stumping me. Turns out that this league has had a few name changes over the years. In Hidden Expedition: Titanic, the league went by the name of H.E.A.L, which was the Hidden Expedition Adventure League. In Hidden Expedition: Everest, the league was simply the Hidden Expedition Club, and Hidden Expedition: Devil's Triangle was H.E.A.T which stood for Hidden Expedition Adventure Team. The newer games feature the name H.E.L.P which stands for Hidden Expedition League of Preservation (my guess originally was protection) I guess this is a lot of useless information, but now you know!
In true HE fashion, there are 20 Fact Cards to collect with information on such topics as average precipitation, radio telescopes, magnetic tape, and even the meaning of sound waves. Many of the inventory items have Plus Signs which indicate some type of interaction needs to take place before the item can be used. The Collector's Edition has the addition of Collectible hidden Globes, Achievements to earn and Morphing Objects within the HOP's.
The Hidden Object Scenes are over the top as expected in this series, progressive, interactive silhouetted shape finds where you must find items and use those items within the scene to expose other items. HOP's where you find 5 ink pens and 5 staplers to use on an ink pot and papers which opens up an interactive list search, and there is even a Hidden Object Scene where you must use binoculars to find items related to the clues shown in a paragraph at a time. There are also a few smaller HOP's within zoom zones where you just have to find a handful of useful items.
The Mini Games are really fun and all seem to be related to the subject at hand, decoding the signal by moving soundwave segments to their correct positions using sliders and arrows. Arranging tokens using empty slots so that the lowest values are on the left and the higher values are on the right. There are even small games where you are tasked with stopping the target in the correct safe zone or aligning targets to pinpoint the correct areas.
The Collector's Edition has 13 Achievements, 10 Morphing Objects, 28 replayable Puzzles, 12 replayable HOP's, 6 Videos, 44 Collectible Globes, 12 Concept Art pictures, 8 Wallpapers, 9 Soundtracks, the Making of, a Souvenir Room, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Submerge into the unknown! Step into the shoes of paranormal detective, Iris Birdwood and solve an otherworldly kidnapping.
Overall rating
4
/
5
87 of 102 found this review helpful
Someone Doesn't Want This Dream To Come True
PostedSeptember 25, 2015
pennmom36
fromCouldn't be more obvious, very gloomy indeed
Skill Level:Expert
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The year is 1926 and Iris Birdwood. a paranormal Detective just witnessed a young woman vanish before her very eyes! The woman just happens to be Lara King, girlfriend to a famous inventor, Dr. Macario Magnus and daughter to his boss from King Industries. It would seem that the good Dr. has invented something others want, including a ghostly apparition who will stop at nothing to enter this invention, The Dreamatorium!
This game is cheesy to say the least, and Iris's voice and dialog tend to be a bit unnerving at times. Iris has a magical Amulet (doesn't everyone these days) which can sense supernatural traces and give you intense visions of the past. Eventually you will find a Multi-tool gadget that you keep with you (that's amazing) and select which tool you need to use for each task, a knife, scissors or screwdriver. I'm pretty sure it needs a corkscrew and flint and steel as well because I seem to need those item in every game too! There are dialog choices to ask each character you interview, and there are stars above some inventory items that indicate some type of interaction is necessary before using it. You get to search for 22 Eye of Horus symbols throughout the game as well as earn Achievements.
The Hidden Object Scenes vary with a bit of every style, Returning items to their proper place in the scene which exposes puzzle pieces for a final puzzle, Fragmented finds that will combine to make an inventory item and even progressive interactive silhouetted shape finds where you find one item that matches the silhouetted shape and then use that in the scene interactively to expose the next item and so forth.
The Mini Games were mostly puzzle variations, nothing new but at least nothing frustrating as follows in order:
1) Rotate triangle puzzle pieces to complete an image of a fish.
2) Follow the directions in order, on a diagram to brew a cup of tea.
3) Use a telescope to find the images shown by adjusting the telescope directionally as well as sliding a focus button to clarify the scene.
4) Swapping square tiles to create an image.
5) Sliding Tokens of three different kinds to their correct slots using one empty slot to free up space for mobility.
6) Place fuses in the right slots so the sum of the connected fuses matches the values given.
7) Open a safe using codes paying attention to the direction of the dial either left or right.
2) Follow the directions in order, on a diagram to brew a cup of tea.
3) Use a telescope to find the images shown by adjusting the telescope directionally as well as sliding a focus button to clarify the scene.
4) Swapping square tiles to create an image.
5) Sliding Tokens of three different kinds to their correct slots using one empty slot to free up space for mobility.
6) Place fuses in the right slots so the sum of the connected fuses matches the values given.
7) Open a safe using codes paying attention to the direction of the dial either left or right.
This game features quite a bit for a standard edition game, 15 Achievements, 22 Collectible Eye of Horus symbols, Concept Art and Wallpapers, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Gardenscapes
Create the perfect garden! Comb the rooms of a mansion for hidden items and restore a once stunning garden to its former glory!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Gardenscapes
PostedSeptember 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromJust sell the whole house and build a new one, much less work!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Seems your grandfather has passed away and left you his country mansion and his beautiful garden. Only problem is, the garden has gone to shambles and you must sell items from each room of the house to make money in order to fix up the garden to it's former beauty! This game is a seek and find game where customers tell you what they want and how much they'll pay for the item, the longer it takes you to find the item the less they are willing to pay. The game can be played against the clock or in relaxed mode, however you do earn more money in timed mode because you get money for unused time. There are also several gold coins to click on in each scene for extra money, and if you find a Camera it briefly shows you items to find on a white screen, and a Thermometer icon found can be used to locate items as it get's hotter the closer you come to the item. Each location in the house is a seek and find game, which are basically piles of junk scattered about making it difficult at times to find items especially when racing against the clock.
The money you earn is used to purchase Benches, Fences, Ponds, Kennels, Statues, Bushes, Lawn, and even lamps to spruce up the garden. Each category has three different styles to choose from each one a little more expensive. If you enjoy seek and find games and don't mind junkpiles, this is a fun game, and you can use your garden as a screensaver at any point in the game, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Red Crow Mysteries: Legion
You have been chosen to defend all of mankind in Red Crow Mysteries: Legion! Stand up to a terrible evil and save humanity!
Overall rating
5
/
5
15 of 21 found this review helpful
Red Crow Mysteries: Legion
PostedSeptember 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromMy name is Legion, we are many! How creepy is that!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You thought you just woke up from a realistic dream, but your room your entire house still seems different like it's still a dream. Visions of your mothers ghost keep taunting you along, until she fill appears as a full apparition, explaining that Legion is coming and you must pass the test to see if you are the one to save mankind, there have been others, but Legion will return, he always does!
This game is available in Easy, Casual and Adventure modes, but be forewarned, even in Casual mode, this is a game you will have to figure out for yourself, there is no handholding here, the hint button will only show you available points of interest, not where to go or what to do. Some of the inventory items can be combined but there are no indicators as to which ones. There are 20 Achievements to earn and 21 very well Hidden Roses to find, but I'm pretty sure they aren't in every scene.
There are very few Hidden Object Scenes per say, but most of the locations will show a picture or a list of a few items that need to be found in that particular area. Don't let all of this scare you away from playing this fantastic game, the graphics are decent and creepy, the story is intriguing and the Mini Games are fantastic, you just have to think about what you're doing, but it's doable. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A terrible darkness threatens the land. Travel through Egypt and collect the ancient pieces needed to defeat the malevolent force once and for all.
Overall rating
4
/
5
110 of 148 found this review helpful
Nothing But Puzzles And Mini Games
PostedSeptember 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromNo HOP's, just game after game.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Although there are a few inventory items to pick up and use throughout the game, this game is made up entirely of Puzzles and Mini Games. The graphics are so-so and there's not much to the storyline, but that's okay, I really enjoyed the endless puzzles. The goal of the game is to find hidden gems to an ancient amulet, one is located in the Port, one in the Oasis, one in the Temple and the final piece in the Pyramid. The Egyptians were able to defeat the evil darkness that threatened to destroy the world, they buried the darkness deep within the ground but someone unearthed the darkness which unleashed the darkness once more. An egyptian woman appears to warn that you must find the hidden gems to stop the darkness and prevent an apocalypse.
Many of the Mini Games require you to search for clues located throughout the scene, such as color sequence and placement before you can solve the puzzle. Some of the games are easy to solve, some are a bit more frustrating, but there is a built in Strategy guide if you get stuck. Below are a list of the games encountered in the demo only:
1) Place ships in the correct order according to color and shapes according to the clues you have found elsewhere.
2) Take balls from the upper line and place them on the bottom in the opposite order using one empty space.
3) Place all weights on both scales so that the scales are even on both sides.
4) Guess the correct sequence to light up several lights.
5) Step on the logs in the correct order so that you don't disturb the alligator.
6) Rotate rings to complete an image.
7) Figure out how many squares are in 3 different diagrams that you have found elsewhere in the game.
8) Slide several color coded gems to their matching slots.
9) Swap tiles and rotate to complete an image.
10) Click in the direction you want all symbols to move until they all slide into the matching shaped slot within 4 moves.
11) Move tiles with 4 different shapes into the correct columns using one empty space.
12) Jump balls over each other until only one ball remains in the center of a Chinese Checkers type board.
13) Click on strings lacing up tent flaps in the correct order.
14) Find and drag the correct shaped stamps to the image shown.
15) Move the wheel to enter the correct password. The answer is a sequence of moves not numbers.
2) Take balls from the upper line and place them on the bottom in the opposite order using one empty space.
3) Place all weights on both scales so that the scales are even on both sides.
4) Guess the correct sequence to light up several lights.
5) Step on the logs in the correct order so that you don't disturb the alligator.
6) Rotate rings to complete an image.
7) Figure out how many squares are in 3 different diagrams that you have found elsewhere in the game.
8) Slide several color coded gems to their matching slots.
9) Swap tiles and rotate to complete an image.
10) Click in the direction you want all symbols to move until they all slide into the matching shaped slot within 4 moves.
11) Move tiles with 4 different shapes into the correct columns using one empty space.
12) Jump balls over each other until only one ball remains in the center of a Chinese Checkers type board.
13) Click on strings lacing up tent flaps in the correct order.
14) Find and drag the correct shaped stamps to the image shown.
15) Move the wheel to enter the correct password. The answer is a sequence of moves not numbers.
If you are looking for a Hidden Object game, you will be out of luck here, but if you want to play endless puzzles and mini games and are willing to overlook the imperfections and lack of bling with this game (other than Achievements and a built in Strategy Guide) you might just enjoy it.
I recommend this game!
G.H.O.S.T. Hunters: The Haunting of Majesty Manor
As a new investigator for G.H.O.S.T. Hunters you have been called to Majesty Manor to investigate a possible haunting or to uncover a clever hoax.
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
G.H.O.S.T. Hunters: The Haunting of Majesty Manor
PostedSeptember 22, 2015
pennmom36
fromBoring zzzzz!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is your first assignment at the G.H.O.S.T. Hunters organization and you have 15 days to round up a list of suspects and determine if the Majesty Manor paranormal activity is a haunting, or a hoax. You start each "day" with 5 hints, but, you can earn more hints when you find the hidden battery in each Hidden Object Scene. There really isn't much of a story to go along with this game and, it's nowhere near as interesting as the other game in this series that takes place in the Spear Renaissance Faire. This is basically the older style Seek and Find games with a timer.
There are no interactions, nothing to do but find items in various junkpiles throughout the manore in the bathroom, parlor, library, kitchen, bedroom etc. To make matters worse, when you use a hint, you just get a multi scanner wand that clicks when near an item and there are several lights that light up the closer you get to an item, but I still wasn't able to find the item I was searching for so I exited out of the game and quickly deleted it out of shear frustration, a no go in my opinion.
I don't recommend this game.