pennmom36's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:358,445
- Reviews Submitted:4725
- First Review:December 10, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 20, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove
A deadly secret lurks in the woods of Dire Grove!
Overall rating
5
/
5
178 of 202 found this review helpful
A Very Dire Grove
PostedDecember 19, 2014
pennmom36
fromI seemed pretty nonchalant about the man lying face down in the snow, I'll get back to ya once I figure out this puzzle!
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
Dire Grove is very dire indeed, this grove has been plagued with wild animals who have been attacking the townsfolk completely unprovoked, and to make matters worse, the temperatures have plummeted to minus 30 degrees, turning the entire grove into a frozen tundra and forcing the town to evacuate their homes. Only a few hunters have remained in town determined to hunt down those responsible for the phenomenon, the Druid Mistwalkers! They've already captured one, could he be responsible for the town's curse?
There are lot's new features in this game, starting with the option of choosing which gender of Master Detective you want to portrait, male or female! There isn't a custom difficulty mode which surprises me, but there are several modes to choose from including the most insane difficulty which gives you no hints, no skips, and no direction at all, to make it even more challenging you must complete the game with time limits! Although we have seen this feature before, it's still a cool feature that allows you to ask a slew of important questions whenever you speak with one of the characters. Several questions will pop up within a dialog window allowing you to ask specific questions in whatever order you choose. As a detective, you must find several items of evidence, once you have found all pieces of evidence pertaining to different subjects, you will put all the pieces together and deduce the evidence which is basically a narration tying the evidence collected so far, together. Some of the inventory items have plus signs indicating that you must interact with that item, such as combining that item with another inventory item, before you can use it, such as replacing batteries in a flashlight.
The Hidden Object Scenes are creative, with extremely interactive list finds, requiring several interactions with several of the items as well as quick little mini games within the scenes. There are also HO's requiring you to find 12 icicles, 12 birds and 12 lights, and even this HO is interactive. Then there's the mini games, ooohhh those mind bending interactive puzzles mad famous in Fates Carnival. You know the ones, figuring out how to solve a seemingly impossible (seemingly yet possible) and lengthy interactive puzzle by flipping switches, clicking on buttons, bells and whistles in a specific order in hopes that you did it correctly and don't have to hit the reset button. Aaaarrrr, but I love it! Don't worry, there are the normal mini games as well, such as plugging wires into two different shapes so that the combined shapes match the example shown!
The Collectors Edition has Wallpapers, Concept Art, Achievements, Music, Puzzle Piece Collections, Videos, Dire Grove Collectibles, a built in Strategy Guide and an Alternate Ending, making this edition a must have for all us Mystery Case Files fans, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Runaway Geisha
Venture inside the beautiful hidden world of Japan, as a young apprentice Geisha. Discover mysterious secrets, ancient arts and heart-breaking love.
Overall rating
2
/
5
56 of 67 found this review helpful
Keep Running
PostedDecember 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromCan we save Kiyoko...please?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Where do I start? Voiceovers....I'm pretty sure the same person is disguising her voice as ALL characters, and it's not even close to a Japanese accent. The graphics...I'm pretty sure the person who did the voiceovers was probably responsible for the graphics as well. The storyline....what a horrible man, and a kidnapper....yep I'm pretty sure the person who did the voiceovers and the graphics, thought this was a great story. Now let me give credit when credit is due....I liked the 34 collectible origami's, and I liked the plus item feature of interacting with the inventory items. I also liked the feature of mom's magical necklace...although it was difficult to figure out what I was supposed to do, then I realized that the widescreen option had chopped off the part of my screen where I needed to use the necklace! I also liked the available achievements.....the end.
I don't recommend this game.
Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence Collector's Edition
Welcome to Holy Mountain Hotel, where all criminals are punished.
Overall rating
5
/
5
218 of 258 found this review helpful
5 Star Hotel......Haunted Hotel!
PostedDecember 18, 2014
pennmom36
fromJames, I love ya man but that hotel is creeepppyy
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one hotel you may not want to stay at if you are guilty of just about anything! This owner has taken it upon himself to enact justice upon the guilty, the punishment, DEATH! James has written you a letter that claims he's already dead, this just can't be true, (because dead people can't write letters) so the Holy Mountain Hotel is our next destination! No need to pack a suitcase, you won't be enjoying your stay with all those ghosts roaming around! (although I would recommend a flashlight, it's really scary folks!)
The graphics....creepy and unnerving, the music will send chills down your spine, I'll never sing that lullaby to a baby. This game is fantastic, everything is perfect, I couldn't ask for more (that rolling ball freaked me out!) There are 32 glowing green antiques to collect, and of course the usual character figurines have returned giving us a bit of insight on the dearly guilty departed. There are also several achievements to earn and almost every inventory item requires some type of interaction before using it.
The Hidden Object Scenes are the typical interactive list finds, but there are a few silhouetted shape finds as well just to break up the monotony. Mini games are in abundance, and I loved em all! Just to name a few, one game required you to swap metal plates to match the grooves on the plate in the middle, the plates could only be swapped in specific positions, just to make it more challenging. Another game required you to place color coded wires into two different sockets with symbols that would form the correct numbered code shown when combined. Even the plus sign inventory items had fun puzzles!
This Collectors Edition has replayable mini games, Wallpapers, Concept Art, Music, Achievements, Character Figurines, Esrael's Antique room, Screensavers, a built in Strategy Guide, and an ALTERNATE ENDING!!! < that my friends is way cool, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
The old historic mansion in Istanbul is being renovated into a hotel and when the owner summons you to fix the grand clock you discover that there are dark secrets contained within.
Overall rating
2
/
5
71 of 75 found this review helpful
Low Budget Game
PostedDecember 17, 2014
pennmom36
fromYou want me to fix your clock, but I have to go search for all the gears?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The only exciting feature this game has to offer is being able to activate your webcam to accommodate for body movement, panning left and right. To be perfectly honest, I didn't bother to activate this feature, and it was a justified decision. The story begins long ago when the Sultan received a seal that will make your wishes come true, eventually. The Grand Vizionaire was supposed to guard the seal but it was stolen and never recovered, leading most people to believe that the Grand Vizionaire was responsible and that his family is still in possession of the seal today. Fast forward to today and you are sent to this family mansion to repair the grand clock during a restoration to turn the mansion into a hotel.
I really don't mind games that have nothing but HO's and puzzles, but I hate HO's that make you search for teeny tiny items, or partially hidden items in an entire room. Some of the items are behind cabinet doors that you aren't even aware opened. The mini games aren't difficult, which is a good thing because there aren't any instructions given other than a very brief description that shows up only once when you first click on on the gears.
The graphics are gold and glittery, and there's absolutely nothing in this game to motivate you to progress. Sorry, it's a definite no for me.
I don't recommend this game.
Dominic Crane 2: Dark Mystery Revealed
Take an ominous trip with Dominic and help him piece together a mystery from his dreams in Dominic Crane 2: Dark Mystery Revealed!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Dominic Crane 2: Dark Mystery Revealed
PostedDecember 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromJust stay awake from now on
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
3
/
5
Dominic Crane is an artists who has been having dreams about his sister who disappeared when she was 13 years old. In his dreams he meets his sister who is full grown now so he seeks the help of the psychiatrist once again. The doctor once again puts Dominic into a hypnotic trance and you will enter his dreams once again. In order to progress to the next dream you must find a scroll, find all of the scrolls and you will solve the mystery of Dominic's sister.
The first game in this series wasn't that bad with the exception of the fact that the hint system was practically worthless and there was no explanation for any of the mini games. This game is a mirror of the first game, the mini games are the exact same, find the safe's code, enter the code and then figure out which symbols relate to each number. The puzzles are the same, swap tiles to create a picture or correctly place the jigsaw pieces. The Hidden Object scenes are the same, some items difficult to find because the scenes are the same color hues. I just wish the devs had used a little creative imagination instead of tweaking a few scenes.
I don't recommend this game.
Dominic Crane's Dreamscape Mystery
Dominic Crane's been having recurring dreams about places he's never been to. Uncover the meaning behind the mysterious dreams!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Dominic Crane's Dreamscape Mystery
PostedDecember 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromThat's some dream Dominic
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
3
/
5
Dominic Crane is an artist who lately has been having recurring dreams. Dominic decides to visit a psychiatrist to find out what these dreams mean. The doctor puts Dominic into a hypnotic trance and voila, you enter one of Dominic's dreams. The goal is to find a key to enter the next dream and when you have located all of the keys, you will solve the dream mystery.
You will need to visit each location available in the current dream, and solve various problems, such as fixing electrical wires, finding doorknobs and door keys, and whatever inventory item you need to progress. The inventory items are found within the hidden Object Scenes and because each scene has the same basic color hue, some of the items are difficult to find. There is also a cursor penalty for misclicks, but only a second or two. The items that sparkle in the scenes are the items that require you to use an inventory item such as a pair of scissors needs to be used on the pillow to receive a safe's code.
There are also several mini games to solve such as turning several discs to complete a picture, swapping puzzle tiles and rotating jigsaw pieces. Some of the mini games require you to find a clue first such as the number to the safe, and then you have to figure out the rest of the code by reason of deduction.
The problem I had with this game is that you don't get any guidance with the mini games, no explanation and no hint, only the option to skip the entire puzzle. The hint system seems to only work in a HOS.
Christmas Wonderland 5
Help Santa make Mike and Mary’s Christmas the best ever. Decorate trees, build snowmen, visit Santa’s workshops and open fabulous presents.
Overall rating
5
/
5
278 of 321 found this review helpful
Christmas Wonderful
PostedDecember 16, 2014
pennmom36
fromThose are some pretty big golden rings!
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
Christmas Wonderland is a family tradition that just keeps getting better and better. The thing I love the most about this game is that it's designed to entertain the family as a whole, in other words, it's meant to be played with the kids, and even grandkids! This game will take you through an advent calendar as you countdown the days till Christmas, from picking out the tree to waking up on Christmas morning!
Each scene has beautiful Christmas themed graphics and several listed items to search for within the scene. You will also need to find hidden candy canes, when you have found all the available candy canes, the lid will close on the candy cane jar. Each scene also contains the 12 days of Christmas items, you know, 8 maids a milking, 7 swans a swimming, and the item you need to find will be shown as a silhouetted shape on the icon, when you have found all available in that scene, an icon will appear. Some of the items to find are listed in red which means that you need to preform some type of interaction such as clicking on a pillow to expose a set of keys or clicking and dragging a shovel to the steps to clear the steps.
After each seek and find game, there will be a mini game available such as rotating puzzle pieces, putting together a puzzle one piece at a time, flipping over two ornaments at a time in search of matching pairs and even my personal favorite, spot the difference.
Your score will be tallied at the end of each scene and you will earn a bronze star if you complete the level, a silver star if you complete the level and find all of the candy canes and a gold star if you complete the level and find all candy canes and all silhouetted twelve days of Christmas items. You can replay any level at any time in order to find items you didn't find the first time. There are achievements to earn and you can visit the shop to buy Christmas presents to display under the tree. There is a regular Hint as well as a Mega hint which highlights all items for a brief period of time, but you will earn Eagle Eye points for not using any hints, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Escape from the clutch of the spiteful innkeepers! Can you help Cosette have a better future?
Overall rating
2
/
5
78 of 81 found this review helpful
Les Would Be Les Miserable
PostedDecember 15, 2014
pennmom36
fromI hope this is the final chapter!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
(101)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The father of Fantine's daughter has abandoned her, giving Fantine no choice but to leave her daughter, Cosette, with the innkeepers as she searches for work in the city. Fantine has no idea that the Thenardiers have turned Cosette into an all purpose maid.
This is yet another old fashioned click and drag HdO with mundane tasks, repetitive music, sluggish mechanics and bland graphics made up of brown and gray hues, nothing more, nothing les!
Each scene has a Hidden Object Scene, you do have the ability to zoom into the scene, but all of the items simply blend together because there just isn't any color. To make matters worse, the HOS are repeated in the same location at least once. Each scene has at least one simple mini game such as arranging matryoshka dolls on shelves according to color and size with the clues given.
The only feature even remotely interesting in this game is the fun facts given about the author, and characters in the original novel. There are several opaque butterflies that will give you fun facts when clicked on, and the butterflies can be found within the HO's as well as the main game.
I don't recommend this game.
Gizmos: Spirit Of The Christmas
Come celebrate Christmas with these holiday themed puzzles and help the residents of Gizmoland bring on the Christmas cheer!
Overall rating
5
/
5
73 of 81 found this review helpful
I Believe In Gizmo!
PostedDecember 14, 2014
pennmom36
fromI never knew presents could be so difficult!
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
Another fantastic nonogram puzzle, Gizmo Christmas style. A nonogram consists of cells that can be filled in or left blank. To solve the puzzles you need to unlock all the filled in cells. The numbers along the sides of the grid indicate the number of filled in cells in the rows and columns. With every correctly filled cell, the hint vessels will fill up with energy for you to use, however, all of these puzzles can be solved without using the hint vessels (yeah right!) Your score will be based upon comparison of your time vs. the perfect time, and whether or not you used the hint vessel, had misclicks and actually solved the puzzle. There are achievements to earn as well, with 6 different categories and 5 games within each category. If you click on the settings options, you can choose to auto fill in blanks, disable backgrounds images, disable voices, and even disable the helpful hints, enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Haunted Legends: Stone Guest
Someone is stealing the hearts of children – literally! Is it a brilliant inventor, seeking to cure his ailing son? Or has dark magic taken over the village...
Overall rating
4
/
5
120 of 139 found this review helpful
The Stone Guest
PostedDecember 14, 2014
pennmom36
fromHow come nobody questions the dwarf's motive?
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
Dr. Leporello worked day and night to find a cure for his dying son. His efforts paid off and the Doctor invented the world's first artificial heart! This should have been the happiest day of his life, instead it turned out to be the worse day of his life! The townsfolk are blaming the doctor for the slew of missing orphan children, they claim he is using the children's energy to keep his own son alive! When that annoying dwarf shows you the doctor's diary with proof that the doctor is indeed using the children's life force, you have to figure out whether Doctor Leporello is practicing black magic or if he is being framed.
You will find an Amulet that requires several gems to complete, but honestly I don't know what will happen when it's completed. For now all it seems to do is change colors with every new gem or casing I find. Someone is responsible for casting black magic spells upon some of the citizens, using a Knot Spell placed upon a homemade creepy looking Knot Doll. When a mysterious old lady approaches you out of nowhere, you will learn that in order to break the spells that render their victims speechless or wipes out their entire memory for example, you must first find the Knot Doll and remove the victims personal item attached to the doll. This personal item must be returned to the victim and a mini game must be completed before the spell is broken. The mini games to break the spell aren't difficult, you may have to find several crows hidden in a room or select two symbols that when combined will create the symbol shown on the clue that is also attached to the doll. You will also find a Revealing Magnifying Glass, but I think it's only used for the first two mini games. The first time you used it was to "reveal" the placement of gears to open the gate, and then in a mini game where you looked through the gate openings and scrolled up, down left and right, clicking on the revealed symbols that matched the buttons on the gate.
There aren't a lot of Hidden Object Scenes, in my opinion, Haunted Legends is known for it's entertaining mini games and puzzles more so that it's HOS. You may have to find 12 water vessels of various types, and later on in the game, that same scene is repeated with an interactive scene requiring you to find items within the scene that are out of place, and return them to their logical place within the scene. There are a lot of puzzles and mini games, some very simple, and some a little more complex such as swapping numbered books that are on two different shelves so that each group of four books, two on top and two directly underneath, will add up to the number shown between the two shelves. The second group of books will include the last books, one on top and one on the bottom, from the last group.
The Collectors Edition has Wallpapers, Screensavers, Concept Art, Music, Achievements, Movies, Hidden Object Games, Mini Games, a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter. In my opinion this Standard Edition is the better option, I just felt that the CE was lacking substance, enjoy!
I recommend this game!