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:
Animism: The Book of Emissaries
Unlock the mysteries shrouding the creatures of Oxbridge University!
Overall rating
1
/
5
24 of 36 found this review helpful
A Book Not Worth Finding
PostedApril 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromIf the birds were migrating, why were they flying back and forth?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
An ancient tome was painstakingly created over many centuries, by scholars, elders, mystics and even mad men. It's pages were burned. buried or scattered to the four winds during the last Time of Change. As the new Time of Change approaches, a select few have begun to piece together the book, and have come to realize just what the Book represents! Declan Gray, a professor at the University, is one of those select few, who has debunked many mysteries over the years, but this mystery seems to have more questions than answers!
Unfortunately, the story is so uninteresting, that I couldn't bear to listen to the narrator past this point, mostly because it kept going....and going...and going (even the bunny ran out of energy!) The graphics are cartoon sketches during the cut scenes and introduction, but fairly normal for the game play itself, although they were quite basic. Another feature of this game I didn't like was a feature that was abandoned a long time ago where the scenes move back and forth slightly whenever the mouse cursor moves anywhere within the scene, however, this feature can be turned off within the option settings. You can also change the difficulty settings there because you aren't given that option automatically before starting the game. There is no Hint button to speak of, there is simply a box that tells you your objectives, if you click on the objectives box, you you will be given a suggestion such as, hide the book or place the items on your desk, not where to go or specifically what to do or where to place an item. This in my opinion, was the games biggest downfall because I'm willing to overlook a lot of things, including poor graphics, but getting stuck with no options to turn to for solutions is a huge turnoff.
I'll be honest, I didn't play the game long enough to discover any Hidden Object Scenes, so the game may or may not have available HOP's. The only Mini Game I played during my very brief trial was recreating a picture with square tiles that had sections of chalk outlines on them. Usually, I play the entire demo so I can give a fair and honest review, and decide if the game is worth purchasing or coupon redemption. I really think this game is a waste of time.
I don't recommend this game.
Dark Romance: Vampire in Love
Can a vampire and an ordinary girl be together, if the vampire's father opposes this?
Overall rating
5
/
5
35 of 40 found this review helpful
Love At First Bite!
PostedApril 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromBTW pops, you seen my bride lately?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Nothing better than playing an adventure game, especially when you can relate to the character. This is one of the few games in which you get to be BOTH characters! In order to progress further into the game, you will switch between the Bride and the Groom! The Groom just so happens to be a Vampire, not just any Vampire but Count Dracula's son, and he's not at all happy with his son's decision to wed a mere mortal! (that seems like an easy fix right?)
This is a fantastic concept allowing you to "see" the game from two separate perspectives, the anxious Groom who must search for his missing Bride, (hopefully before it's too late), as well as the ever so nervous Bride, who fears for her life. Personally I chose the Collectors Version because there are hidden bats throughout the game to collect that can be used to upgrade your castle with greenhouses, fountains and other miscellaneous decorations. You will also find garlic in the Collectors Edition, which can be used in the interface shop to purchase upgrades to customize the inventory panel, the journal and even the character cameos. For some strange reason I loved it (I can almost smell the roses!) There are also 15 items to find that give you a tidbit of information as to how that item relates to a Vampire.
The Hidden Object Scenes are very nicely done, with interactive list finds and very well hidden items. You can choose to play a match 3 game instead which has skulls, blood drops, wooden stakes and clovers. Some of the scenes are repeated which is a feature I do not like, but nonetheless, they are there to stay. The mini games are decent, several require you to refer to the journal for clues on how the puzzle works. For example the journal shows 4 color coded numbers and 5 color coded roses, you must place the correct color and number of roses on a door panel to open the door. I also liked the puzzle that required you to take away 4 sticks but you had to make sure there were 4 exact triangles left. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Dark Romance: Heart of the Beast Collector's Edition
Only the Rose of Life can cure your father’s illness.
Overall rating
5
/
5
200 of 232 found this review helpful
Beauty & The Beast?
PostedApril 23, 2015
pennmom36
fromHe's actually a handsome beast
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Beatrice is having a little bit of difficulty trying to fulfill her fathers dying request, to find the Rose of Life, so he doesn't have to die! The Rose of Life is a magical flower that can cure any illness, however, Beatrice isn't the only person who seeks this life giving flower. Claudine, an aging witch has already taken possession of the rose, and has cast a spell upon it's true owner, Prince Jonathan, once a handsome young man, now neither man nor beast! If Beatrice hadn't found an all revealing frame, she would never have realized that Claudine turned everyone into animals, and that Jonathan has been sold to the Circus as the main (or is it mane lol) attraction!
Dark Romance has a very unique feature, in order to progress, you must switch between characters. You will start out playing the character Beatrice, and then click on Jonathan's portrait to play the game from his perspective. It's incredible how you are able to play from both characters perspective, flawlessly, even though I enjoyed the first Dark Romance because I love vampire stories, this is a great game in my opinion, but will probably be a love it or hate it kind of game overall. There are plus signs on some inventory items that usually require you to combine two inventory items together, with a small puzzle to complete before using the item. There are a ton of Achievements to earn, 10 Magic Objects (cauldrons etc) 26 Hidden Butterflies and Collectible Portraits of each character that Claudine turned into an animal.
The Hidden Object Scenes are incredibly varied, and you have the option of playing a Match 3 game instead of the Hidden Object Puzzles. There are progressive silhouetted shapes, where you find the first item that matches the silhouetted shape and use that item in the scene to expose the next item and so forth. The HOP I thought was creative required you to find a mushroom for a hedgehog to eat which made him move away from a lantern which would move to light up another section which revealed another animal, each animal you fed resulted eventually to light up the entire scene, and then you received a list of items to find with some slight interactions such as opening a purse or moving a blanket. The Mini games range from quick puzzles to solve such as putting correct shapes needed to complete a butterfly sketch, to longer puzzles such as using rotation buttons to move a tile with Jonathan's picture, to the Castle opening, avoiding obstacles along the way that the tile couldn't access. All puzzles were extremely easy, in fact most of them can be figured out without even reading the instructions!
This Collectors Edition has music, Art, Wallpapers, 26 Hidden Butterflies, 10 Magic Objects, Collectible Character Portraits, Achievements, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
A meteorite devastates a town, yanking Emily from her normal life.
Overall rating
5
/
5
79 of 96 found this review helpful
The House Of Lancaster Has A Virus!
PostedApril 21, 2015
pennmom36
fromWhere's the bathroom door?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
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 House of Lancaster has allowed Emily, the last relative, to enter it's doors and not a moment too soon. A strange meteorite has targeted this quaint little town, spreading a deadly virus that is affecting everything, and everyone, including the House of Lancaster! Emily quickly discovers that she has a special gift, The Hand of Light. This "light" gives her all the power she needs to rid the town of this evil virus. (a simple click on the entity and then you drag the cursor over a series of shapes, to activate the Hand of Light.)
Hopefully Emily can stop the virus and save the House of 1000 doors, who knows, she may decide to become a permanent resident, if the house allows it!
Hopefully Emily can stop the virus and save the House of 1000 doors, who knows, she may decide to become a permanent resident, if the house allows it!
I favor the Collectors Edition over this Standard Edition because there are 48 Evil Faces to find, one in each scene, when you find the Evil Face the Icon will light up on the inventory bar which will help you remember which scenes still have a collectible. The problem is, if you don't find the Face before leaving a portal, you may not get the chance to return and therefore lose an Achievement opportunity. Emily has a sidekick, her clever cat, Ayra (after the demons have been expelled) who is ready, willing and able to assist her in places that only a cat can reach. There are Plus items as well which require some type of interaction before using that inventory item such as solving a small puzzle or combining that item with another inventory item. There are a couple of things I did notice about this game, not every task is logical so you have to think outside the box at times, and most of the items you find in a scene are used almost immediately within that same scene.
The Hidden Object Scenes are progressive Silhouettes, requiring you to find one item that matches the silhouettes shape shown, and then use that item within the scene to expose the next item and so forth until all items have been used. The Mini Games are typical for this dev, such as swapping train compartments with different spacings so that each row will make a complete train set when combined with the trains at the bottom of the board.
The Collectors Edition has Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Achievements, Cut Scenes, Collectible Evil Faces, the Making Of, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Where's My Pipes?
Beaver versus water supply – reverse the chaos caused by the furry troublemaker!
Overall rating
4
/
5
40 of 46 found this review helpful
My Pipes Have Been Compromised!
PostedApril 21, 2015
pennmom36
fromDo we really need indoor plumbing? Just saying it might be easier!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Looks like we have an angry beaver in the backyard, and he's seeking revenge on any and every water pipe he can sink his teeth into! What an amusing little game this is, requiring you to repair the plumbing with the available pipes that show up on the conveyor belt, by clicking and dragging the different shaped connectors, which can also be rotated before placing. Several coins are located in random places, which can only be collected when a pipe is placed onto the coins, so you may have to configure the pipes to do a detour in order to get the coins. The coins can be used in the shop to purchase upgrades that can help you by slowing down the conveyor belt, reduce the flow of water, increase the amount of coins, increase the maximum number of "lucky" pipes and even reduce the time it takes to recycle the pipes you trash. If you have to throw a pipe away that cannot be used at the moment, you will have to wait 6 seconds before the recycling bin returns. You can earn up to 3 stars per level, but it's not as easy as it sounds because the more you progress, the less likely you are to get the simple connectors such as elbows, straight pipes and end caps, and then you start to run into clogged pipes which can throw a wrench into all your plans! There are 18 trophies or achievements to earn as well, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Fantasy Mosaics 8: New Adventure
Embark on a new adventure into the world of color mosaics as you explore a fantasy forest full of wonders and amazing discoveries.
Overall rating
5
/
5
49 of 62 found this review helpful
Moving The Family To The Forest
PostedApril 21, 2015
pennmom36
fromJust "chillin" in the forest!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I've always assumed that penguins were native to Antarctica, but that's not how this penquin rolls. Nope, he's moving the family to the forest! Every step you take in this Fantasy Mosaic, helps you explore and discover the forest he has chosen to raise the family. (filling in the garden)
The object of this mosaic game is to fill in the correct number of cells on grids of various sizes. There are numbers on each row as well as columns, that require you to figure out the correct placement of those groups of numbers, using logic (and sometimes hints) Each set of numbers must be separated by at least one empty cell, if you get stuck, simply switch to the next color available which will help by eliminating cells which make the grids smaller because of the available cells remaining. Fantasy Mosaics are famous for the variety of vivid colors available, such as Magenta, Yellow, Purple, Red, Teal, Navy Blue and even Brown, which make the puzzles much more entertaining. When all of the colors have been completed, it reveals a picture of various objects like lanterns, Houses and even a colorful Octopus!
Some of the cells have bonus coins that are released when you correctly fill in that cell. You will receive extra hints, tools and even the right to make a third or fourth mistake. You can earn Bronze, Silver or Gold trophies depending on the amount of time it takes you to finish the puzzle, the amount of mistakes, and whether or not you use hints or bonuses.
There are two modes of difficulty available, Casual which crosses of the numbers one by one automatically, and Advanced which only crosses off the numbers when the entire row or column has been completed. Either way you cannot go wrong with this series whether you are a beginner or a pic cross expert, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Mystery of Neuschwanstein
Accompany Sarah and Professor Adler through the stunning rooms, halls and cellars of the historical castle of Neuschwanstein!
Overall rating
4
/
5
60 of 74 found this review helpful
Four Stars For The Storyline, Three Stars For Everything Else
PostedApril 20, 2015
pennmom36
fromIs there only one construction worker for the entire castle?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
In a nutshell, this game has a very intriguing storyline that piqued my interest, unfortunately, the game itself is very basic. Sarah Pennington is an investigative journalist who has been pulled away from a dead end story to get the scoop on the renovations of the Neuschwanstein Castle. Before Sarah even unpacks her suitcase, she gets a tip from a local Monk who urges her to investigate the "little" things, to leave no stone unturned, because these seemingly innocent renovations just don't add up. She meets an eccentric professor named Wolfgang Alder, whose knowledge about the castle's history will prove to be invaluable, if she can just tolerate his absent mindedness! What has been hidden beneath the facade that is so important, and why so hush hush?
Now the bad news, the graphics are basic, there are a ton of dialog boxes to read or listen to, and there are no voiceovers or even an attempt to show lip movement. There aren't any frills or thrills, no collections or achievements to speak of, but that's not really a big deal in my opinion. The Hidden Object Scenes are difficult because most items are partially hidden behind other items, some items are small and unrecognizable, or hidden within areas that are too dark, even on the brightest gamma setting.
One feature that I did like was with Sarah's tablet which contain e-mails to read about your objectives, notes, and even a camera, basically this is a modern day journal. Some of the items have a plus sign that indicates you can combine two inventory items when you click and drag one item to the other. The Mini Games are simple puzzles such as making matches of two identical chemical bonds, by flipping over two blobs at a time until you match each chemical abbreviation.
I don't think this is a horrible game as other reviewers have stated, it's nothing to write home about, but it does have some entertainment value if you can overlook some basic features here and there, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The Secret Order: Beyond Time
Trapped in the past, Sarah must find a way home.
Overall rating
5
/
5
84 of 101 found this review helpful
Sarah Pennington To The Rescue
PostedApril 19, 2015
pennmom36
fromGreat game for Nubi's
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Sarah Pennington is stuck in the past, quite literally, because the Royal Griffin time machine has sunk! After the Order of Griffins discovered ancient artifacts, they quickly become unstable and threatened all of humanity, so Sarah traveled back in time to the land of Aeronheart to stop the artifacts from being created. Unfortunately, the Royal Griffin is now permanently out of commission, if Flavius, the local inventor, can't salvage the time machine, Sarah will become a permanent Aeronheart citizen....... of the past!
I absolutely loved the original Secret Order, the second game introduced a fake looking baby griffin which made the game less credible in my opinion. This time they have given us Nubi, who is neither cute nor intimidating, and looks more like a mouse than a dog. To make matters worse, Nubi "learns" new skills, such as Fetch and then the power to control Lightning, etc. which is totally unnecessary, but doesn't distract the gameplay all that much.
The Hidden Object Scenes are list finds with several progressive interactions items to solve. There is an optional game of Mahjong available for those who have grown weary of Hidden Object Scenes. The HOS are well done but I thought the graphics could have been better within the scenes. There are a lot of Mini Games, none of which require in depth thinking, such as clearing a path to allow a necklace to be removed at the top of the board in a classic game of "Blocks"
The Collectors Edition has Soundtracks, Achievements, Collectible Masks, Game Art, replayable Mini Games, Wallpapers, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Reflections of Life: Equilibrium Collector's Edition
The Queen of Creatos is missing, and if you don't get her back soon... the entire world will crumble!
Overall rating
5
/
5
126 of 150 found this review helpful
Will Good Prevail Or Evil Triumph?
PostedApril 18, 2015
pennmom36
fromWhooo is my owl?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The mystical world of Creatos may never be the same. The Queen has been tricked into making the devil a deal, (A.K.A. evil sorcerer) to free the Princess from his evil grasp! The people of Creatos are able to use their vivid imaginations to create beautiful palaces and giant towers, over time they have even learned to master the chaos of human fantasies. Without their beloved Queen, all worlds will fall into dire despair! Enter some of the most spectacular and breathtaking fantasy worlds you never knew existed, to rescue the Queen and save humanity before it's too late!
The graphics are beautiful and just what you'd expect in a Kingdom where fantasy and reality are one and the same, with unbelievable creatures, Kings and Queens, Dragons and magic. They say you're only limited by your imagination, in this case the skies not the limit either, kudos to the game developers who have a great imagination! No fantasy themed game would be complete without a sidekick, the Owl has joined you for what appears to be another fantastic adventure, soaring to heights you simply cannot reach. Some of the Owl's tasks are a tad bit interactive, but from what I can remember, not as interactive as the last episode. Every scene has hidden mirror shards that will alert you when all pieces have been found in that location. I have to admit that some of the shards are difficult to find because they blend into the bright and vibrant colors. When you have found all of the mirror shards, you will unlock a Hidden Chapter, which is a chapter above and beyond the Bonus Adventure! You will eventually receive a magical ring, the Vision Ring, capable of revealing hidden treasures. The ring is used once you have restored magical timepieces, but in reality it's a glorified magnifying glass that allows you to search the room until you locate four symbols. Once the symbols have been found you are rewarded with an image that needs placed onto the correct area.
I was surprised that there weren't a whole lot of Hidden Object Scenes in this game. They did however, try to mix it up with scenes requiring you to find hidden images in a book and replace them where they belong, or smaller HOP's where you find 4 swords, 4 flowers etc. My favorite HOP was extremely interactive, requiring you to interact and toggle between 3 different scenes as you tinker with tasks to receive an item that belongs in one of the other scenes. The Mini Games were decent, AND, you can choose to make the Mini Games more difficult if you use the Custom Difficulty setting mode before starting the game! Most of the games are puzzle type games where you swap tiles, but I was very intrigued with one such puzzle that in my opinion was unique. You need to swap tiles to create an image and some tiles need to be rotated, however when you click on the start button to check your solution, the tiles follow a directional path, which means that what you thought was a completed picture isn't because of the twists and turns the tiles follow!
This Collectors Edition has Achievements, Collectible Shards, re-playable Hidden Object Scenes and Mini Games, Music, Movies, Wallpapers, Concept Art, a built in Strategy Guide, a Bonus Chapter AND a Hidden Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Ominous Objects: Phantom Reflection Collector's Edition
A mysterious mirror is causing havoc in your client’s house!
Overall rating
4
/
5
69 of 86 found this review helpful
Not Very Ominous
PostedApril 16, 2015
pennmom36
fromAll those broken mirrors, that's a lot of bad luck!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Leia Gofford has another case to solve, even though we all know Mr. Jenkins the siamese cat is the real hero here. Lilith Armstrong had no idea what she was getting into when she purchased a rather pricey antique mirror at an auction, the price could very well be her families lives!
Unfortunately, the graphics are overwhelming shades of blue and purple, which made the game seem too fairytaleish in my opinion. There are Plus Sign's on almost every inventory item, requiring you to perform some type of interaction with the item before using, such as opening up packages or combining with another inventory item. You are also equipped with Goggles that allow you to see through the Ominous Object's mist and reveal it's true nature, with a quick mini game. Some areas require the feline services of Mr. Jenkins, as you gently guide him from his comfy throne to the areas you can't seem to reach on your own. You can equip Mr. Jenkins' posh abode with over the top decorations and toys with the Collectible Cat Coins located throughout the game, in not so hidden places.
The Hidden Object Scenes add a new color, bright gold! Not very challenging, mostly list finds or progressive finds with an occasional interactive game such as placing items into the scene correctly. You can opt to play a Match 3 game instead of the Hidden Object Puzzle by making matches of a least 3 mirrors of the same design. The Mini Games are on the easy breezy side as well, such as sliding a mirror around a shadow box to collect all figurines. The mirror moves forward three cells at a time or until it hits an obstacle, and you can only visit a cell once.
This Collectors Edition has a Developers Diary, Game of Dots, Collectible Cat Coins, Concept Art, Wallpapers, a Cat Room, Music, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!
I recommend this game!