alsteele28's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:1,950
- Reviews Submitted:209
- First Review:August 5, 2012
- Most Recent Review:April 22, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A unique puzzle game in a fantastical mansion of a legendary toymaker! Challenge yourself to solve a series of diabolical puzzles!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 21 found this review helpful
Claustrophobics need not apply!
PostedFebruary 22, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game has been around on both the fruity and sweet orientated tablets for a while now. I have played previous versions of this game on the aforementioned tablets. Whilst it is a good game and the puzzles do make you think I am not sure whether I would want to purchase the game even if I used a free punch or game credit. It is one of those games that is ok for the first hour or so (i.e through the free trial), but I am not sure it is worth purchasing it.
The premise of the game is a hybrid of slider/puzzler and of that end it works well, the problem is though as you are working through a mansion the game becomes ‘samey’ very quickly and there is not really much variation to the gameplay. Yes, there is a learning curve to the game and the first few levels are treated as a interactive tutorial, which is helpful, but once you have mastered the basics there really isn’t much more to do. There is a challenge involved with the game and you can earn up to 3 slices (not exactly sure what they were but they were slightly reminiscent of gears/cogs) and you got more of these ‘slices’, the fewer the moves you made to complete the puzzle.
The storyline developed the more you played the game and the more of the mansion you ‘escaped’ from. The storyline whilst fantasy based for what it was, was ok, it didn’t have the complexities of say a HO game, but for the genre it was a good storyline.
Whilst I enjoyed the time I spent with the game I personally don’t think I would revisit the game (even though I had around 30 minutes left of my trial), if you have played previous incarnations on a tablet or PC then you are on familiar ground, saying that though this might also be counter-productive as this new version doesn’t really bring anything new to previous incarnations.
The storyline developed the more you played the game and the more of the mansion you ‘escaped’ from. The storyline whilst fantasy based for what it was, was ok, it didn’t have the complexities of say a HO game, but for the genre it was a good storyline.
Whilst I enjoyed the time I spent with the game I personally don’t think I would revisit the game (even though I had around 30 minutes left of my trial), if you have played previous incarnations on a tablet or PC then you are on familiar ground, saying that though this might also be counter-productive as this new version doesn’t really bring anything new to previous incarnations.
The music was pleasant enough as was the graphics, there was no VO, but then this type of game wouldn't have been much enhanced if there were, so that is neither a positive or negative.
I personally can’t recommend the game, but if you have a passing interest in this type of game and have not played any of the previous versions then it may be worth a download.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel around the world alongside Jill and Mike and help them become international TV superstars!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Next instalment in the gardening 'soap opera'
PostedFebruary 11, 2016
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Time Management, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Whilst comparisons to this game with the ‘Emily Delicious’ games can be made in that both involve couples who are ‘making it in the world’ and doing the various ‘life stages’ together, I prefer this series.
The first reason is that this series is not as dialogue heavy and the stories are good and compelling as there is a ‘back-drop’ to the stories (in all of the episodes), rather than just the minutiae of daily life. This to me adds to the overall gameplay. It makes me want to complete each of the levels because I then wanted to listen/read the next instalment of the story. In the main TM games don’t normally have a story or if they do it is more ‘fantasy based’ rather than ‘true to life’. This game however is ‘true to life’, in that it is people who are in a way ‘three dimensional’ (yes I know it is a game, but the characters are well-voiced and have ‘meat to the bone’ as it were) and have good inter-dialogue between all the characters. All the characters are as important to the story-line as one another. This as I say is the first TM series that I have been really interested in the story-line and I feel that the storyline has not just been ‘clubbed together’ by the developers and real thought has gone into it. I admit if it just ‘stopped’ as it were as man/woman/wedding/baby storyline then I may have skipped it but this had as I say an extra dimension which to me really made the game.
The game itself is akin to the others in the series, but because of the storyline (did I mention how good I thought that was), then you don’t mind (well at least I didn’t) doing the ‘day-job’ as it were.
The first reason is that this series is not as dialogue heavy and the stories are good and compelling as there is a ‘back-drop’ to the stories (in all of the episodes), rather than just the minutiae of daily life. This to me adds to the overall gameplay. It makes me want to complete each of the levels because I then wanted to listen/read the next instalment of the story. In the main TM games don’t normally have a story or if they do it is more ‘fantasy based’ rather than ‘true to life’. This game however is ‘true to life’, in that it is people who are in a way ‘three dimensional’ (yes I know it is a game, but the characters are well-voiced and have ‘meat to the bone’ as it were) and have good inter-dialogue between all the characters. All the characters are as important to the story-line as one another. This as I say is the first TM series that I have been really interested in the story-line and I feel that the storyline has not just been ‘clubbed together’ by the developers and real thought has gone into it. I admit if it just ‘stopped’ as it were as man/woman/wedding/baby storyline then I may have skipped it but this had as I say an extra dimension which to me really made the game.
The game itself is akin to the others in the series, but because of the storyline (did I mention how good I thought that was), then you don’t mind (well at least I didn’t) doing the ‘day-job’ as it were.
The VO and the dialogue were clear and not rushed (as in some games where your reading speed needs to be akin to that of a speed-reader, which to be detracts from the overall game as you feel like you are missing something.
The controls were as to be expected for this type of game, the only thing I would have liked was for the cursor to be something connected with the game (a spade or fork or something), as to have the ‘bog-standard’ cursor when playing a game isn’t to me then a truly immersive game.
Apart from the one slight ‘cursor quibble’ though, I can’t fault this game at all and would recommend this game to all who enjoy TM games. I would though if this instalment would be your first foray in to the series purchase the others (either using a code etc) as this would then build up the story as it were to get to where you are in this instalment (also there are characters that appear in this instalment that have cropped up before, so it would be (in my opinion) a good idea to purchase the others).
The controls were as to be expected for this type of game, the only thing I would have liked was for the cursor to be something connected with the game (a spade or fork or something), as to have the ‘bog-standard’ cursor when playing a game isn’t to me then a truly immersive game.
Apart from the one slight ‘cursor quibble’ though, I can’t fault this game at all and would recommend this game to all who enjoy TM games. I would though if this instalment would be your first foray in to the series purchase the others (either using a code etc) as this would then build up the story as it were to get to where you are in this instalment (also there are characters that appear in this instalment that have cropped up before, so it would be (in my opinion) a good idea to purchase the others).
I recommend this game!
Help Ungh find new fire after the flame goes out in his village. Use logic and puzzle solving skills to navigate this fun and vivid Stone Age world.
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 7 found this review helpful
Yabba Dabba Doo or is it!
PostedJanuary 26, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is an abstract game, which as the blurb states has very little dialogue and is more of a ‘seek and try’ game. The point of this though whilst all well and good and scores high initiative, is not very helpful when you are just starting out, as it is not very clear as to exactly what actions can be performed where and also what the purpose of performing the actions are. There are also times when there is in my opinion a need for some dialogue or text (certainly at the start of the game), in order then that it made it clear exactly what was going on thus brining enjoyment to the game. As there was no real tutorial I felt alienated by the game as a whole and after 15 or some minutes felt frustrated by the game so quit. I am annoyed at this as what could have been a fun and innovative game, was in my opinion ruined by no clear instruction at the start of the game. I am not averse to exploring and trying things out, but for me it felt there was no ‘give’ in the game and all I seem to be met with were ‘walls of frustration’ when I tried anything. I did manage to complete the first two puzzles, but even that was difficult, I like playing adventure types of games and have played others in the past where there has been little or no dialogue, but what they did have was a training level to introduce you to the various aspects of the game, this in my opinion was what was missing from this game. Had there been a training level to introduce you to the main aspects and controls of the game, then I would have certainly played the demo for a longer period of time and may have even have purchased it, because as I say it was an innovate (certainly for BF) game.
The graphics were very well thought through and were evocative for the game and felt ‘real’ in a modern day ‘Flintstone’ kind of way. There were cartoonesque possibly slightly exaggerated but it gave a good feel for the overall game. I liked the graphics, with regards to the VO and dialogue well as stated in the ‘blurb’ for the game there wasn’t any actual dialogue so I can’t obviously comment on that.
I have commented on the controls earlier in the review, whilst the actual controls seem intuitive I can’t fully comment as I didn’t really get that far in the game as I quit out of frustration. The game did allow for the use of the ‘left-hand’ mouse configuration so from that point of view that was good, but I can’t really comment further.
I have commented on the controls earlier in the review, whilst the actual controls seem intuitive I can’t fully comment as I didn’t really get that far in the game as I quit out of frustration. The game did allow for the use of the ‘left-hand’ mouse configuration so from that point of view that was good, but I can’t really comment further.
If this game had a training level and then further in the game had mini training levels to introduce you to new controls and techniques then I would have almost certainly purchased the game, because as stated it was a fun, innovative game and a departure from the standard BF games, as it stands however it is let down by lack of direction alienating people at the start of the game.
I think this will be a ‘marmite’ kind of game (either love it or hate it) as some people will slot in straight away with the psyche of the game and the controls and be able to ‘get on’ with game, whereas there will be others like me who whilst may have played other similar games will get frustrated quite quickly due to perceived lack of direction in how to play the game.
In conclusion I don’t know whether I can really whole-heartedly recommend the game, but if you want a different game from the usual fayre available on BF then I would certainly recommend the demo download, just beware that it might be slightly frustrating.
I think this will be a ‘marmite’ kind of game (either love it or hate it) as some people will slot in straight away with the psyche of the game and the controls and be able to ‘get on’ with game, whereas there will be others like me who whilst may have played other similar games will get frustrated quite quickly due to perceived lack of direction in how to play the game.
In conclusion I don’t know whether I can really whole-heartedly recommend the game, but if you want a different game from the usual fayre available on BF then I would certainly recommend the demo download, just beware that it might be slightly frustrating.
I don't recommend this game.
Delicious: Emily's Hopes and Fears Collector's Edition
Join a father on an epic journey to save his little girl's life!
Overall rating
3
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
Story heavy
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I have played others of this franchise and the story has been the focus, but for me the focus on this game seems to be more than the actual game in this instalment. I know for some people this will be good and they will ‘delight’ in the continuing story of Paige and her parents. The story is solid especially for a TM game where in general a story-line is not particularly associated with this genre. As I have stated though this franchise always had a good story and this instalment is no different.
The actual TM part of the game was similar to previous instalments and you will be on familiar territory if you have played any of the previous games. The sound is good, as are the graphics, but unusually given that it is a CE there is no voice-over, I have a feeling that they invested in the story, but it would have been nice to have voices to characters as that would I feel bring a 3D element and lift the overall game.
I quit the demo after around 10 minutes, as even though the TM element was good and something that I would have liked to pursue because I was not really wanting to ‘buy into the story’, (the typical ‘American Dream’ type of story, I felt I was doing the whole game an injustice as I could imagine that the game developers would have wanted players to read and buy fully into the characters and what their lives were about. I unfortunately didn’t want to buy into the small town American Story, so because I didn’t feel I would be getting the full benefit of the game, as per how I saw the game developers I decided to finish. I felt that this was a shame as the TM element of the game I was more than happy with and would have enjoyed an option whereby you could have played with only minimal story, rather than the full story-mode that seemed to be the only option.
If you have bought previous games in the franchise and like a heavily based story TM (though this in my mind is setting a precedent as I don’t know of any other TM games that are this heavily story-lead), then it may be worth a look-in. Unless you are massively in to the franchise thus would purchase straight-out I would still err on the side of caution and download the demo first as this is as I say very heavily story-lead.
The actual TM part of the game was similar to previous instalments and you will be on familiar territory if you have played any of the previous games. The sound is good, as are the graphics, but unusually given that it is a CE there is no voice-over, I have a feeling that they invested in the story, but it would have been nice to have voices to characters as that would I feel bring a 3D element and lift the overall game.
I quit the demo after around 10 minutes, as even though the TM element was good and something that I would have liked to pursue because I was not really wanting to ‘buy into the story’, (the typical ‘American Dream’ type of story, I felt I was doing the whole game an injustice as I could imagine that the game developers would have wanted players to read and buy fully into the characters and what their lives were about. I unfortunately didn’t want to buy into the small town American Story, so because I didn’t feel I would be getting the full benefit of the game, as per how I saw the game developers I decided to finish. I felt that this was a shame as the TM element of the game I was more than happy with and would have enjoyed an option whereby you could have played with only minimal story, rather than the full story-mode that seemed to be the only option.
If you have bought previous games in the franchise and like a heavily based story TM (though this in my mind is setting a precedent as I don’t know of any other TM games that are this heavily story-lead), then it may be worth a look-in. Unless you are massively in to the franchise thus would purchase straight-out I would still err on the side of caution and download the demo first as this is as I say very heavily story-lead.
All other aspects were up to the standard of previous games in the franchise but I just felt that this one for me was just too story-heavy.
I don't recommend this game.
Join Elly Cooper as she is unexpectedly thrown into an adventure that takes her around the world.
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 4 found this review helpful
Good game but viewing in an olden format.
PostedDecember 23, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
the game itself may be good, but what I can't get my head round is that the game is compatible with left-handed mouse button configuration and also Windows 10 yet it is in a 4:3 format. I find this totally bizarre as wide-screen monitors are now a norm and have been for at least 10 years, so why have the developers chosen the 4:3 format. I thought they may have been an option in the settings, but no.
The game itself is good and for a SE game the quality of HO, Voice-acting, graphics etc was good.
I personally wouldn't purchase this at full price but if you have got a 'spare' bonus code voucher, or can get it on sale then it is definitely worth getting. It is not worth in my opinion full price, as it is not a full screen game.
I recommend this game!
Enjoy this classic game in new 3D environment! Play against the machine or friends. Ludo Master is fun for all ages guaranteed!
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Based on Demo - tis a definite 'no no'
PostedDecember 16, 2015
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
When I saw that it stated that this was an alternative to the board game 'sorry' I thought I would download it. Sorry was a British Classic, but I am not sure whether the version I remembered as a Brit translated in to the 'wider world', whatever this was not 'Sorry', it was just a digital version of a very basic board game. The emphasis in this case being 'bored', had it had the interaction of 'Sorry' it would have been more strategic and could have been more involved, this though was just the basic version of Ludo.
Yes the developers tried to 'tart it up', but when the material you are working with is not that in-depth then there is not really a lot you can do.
I can't recommend this game, I wouldn't even bother downloading it for the free hour for nostalgic purposes, as it would more than likely sully any memories of the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Someone's out for revenge, and she'll stop at nothing to get it.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 3 found this review helpful
More Halloween than Christmas
PostedDecember 13, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on the demo only.
I have not played the others in this series and was not aware that this was part of a series until I browsed. For me this was not a detriment and you could play this as a single stand-alone game unlike some ‘series-based’ games where it is more advantageous to play the one before this as I say can stand on its own. Tis the protagonist that is the same with the same job as it were, but on a different case (she is a detective).
What is it with game developers and releasing ethereal stories (with ghosts and paranormal), so close to Christmas, shouldn’t Christmas be ‘happy and merry’? There seems to be a trend this festive season to release games that are probably akin to the Halloween season. No matter here is my take on the game.
This is in essence a love story set in the 18th Century. It is of unrequited love where the protagonist’s love is lost as she is unwillingly betrothed to a count. It has got ghosts and the deaths whilst good from a gaming point of view were a tad on the macabre side.
I was confused from the onset, yes the storyline was good but for me it kept kind of jumping, as it was a case of you interacted with a character they died, became a ghost and they may reappear later as a ‘live’ person. It confused, as I was there was a lot of different names and strands to the story (can’t cope with a storyline unless it is really straight forward, with not many names). I did play the full demo straight through as I wanted to give it a ‘fair chance’, however at the conclusion of the demo, I felt that I had had enough.
The HO and puzzles were good as was the sound and graphics. The costumes and backgrounds were fairly faithful (within gaming ‘poetic licence) to the era. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with the game it was just for me it was too confusing a storyline.
If your brain can cope with a complex (in my opinion) love story set around 300 years ago, then it might be worth a try. For me I can’t recommend.
Turn back time to save your true love!
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 11 found this review helpful
To etheral and not very seasonal
PostedDecember 12, 2015
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on the demo only.
What is it with game developers and releasing ethereal stories (with ghosts and paranormal), so close to Christmas, shouldn’t Christmas be ‘happy and merry’? There seems to be a trend this festive season to release games that are probably akin to the Halloween season. No matter here is my take on the game.
This is in essence a love story set in the 18th Century. It is of unrequited love where the protagonist’s love is lost as she is unwillingly betrothed to a count. It has got ghosts and the deaths whilst good from a gaming point of view were a tad on the macabre side.
I was confused from the onset, yes the storyline was good but for me it kept kind of jumping, as it was a case of you interacted with a character they died, became a ghost and they may reappear later as a ‘live’ person. It confused, as I was there was a lot of different names and strands to the story (can’t cope with a storyline unless it is really straight forward, with not many names). I did play the full demo straight through as I wanted to give it a ‘fair chance’, however at the conclusion of the demo, I felt that I had had enough.
The HO and puzzles were good as was the sound and graphics. The costumes and backgrounds were fairly faithful (within gaming ‘poetic licence) to the era. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with the game it was just for me it was too confusing a storyline.
If your brain can cope with a complex (in my opinion) love story set around 300 years ago, then it might be worth a try. For me I can’t recommend.
Why would anyone want to stop Christmas from coming?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
'Bah humbug' or 'Can I have some more' You decide!
PostedDecember 10, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Christmas wouldn’t be the same, Special TV shows, magazines, music, Pantomimes (though that of course is possibly a uniquely British thing, but it is epitomises Christmas in the UK) etc and of course the festive BF game. This game is it. Now of course you know it is going to be a fantasy sentimental story with all the usual elements in it. My dilemma is whether I can forgive its flaws?
The game starts off with you having just got your very own ‘Puss’ whom you name ‘Simon’ (not exactly festive but hey ho), thus this starts the story. The main story is however is that a character that is portrayed to be the ‘baddie’ is actually doing what he is doing for good intentions.
Thus the story in a nutshell, as I say it has all the elements that make the traditional BF Christmas story. There are though flaws in the game.
Some of the conversation has ‘choice of answers’ but it doesn’t make any difference as to what you choose to answer the questions as there is no difference in dialogue based on the answer you choose (I tried), also the Voice actors, whilst are normally of a high standard from the game company seem to be somewhat stilted and don’t necessarily flow in this game, this is a shame as I played previous BF Christmas offerings and they was good voice acting and also humour (both obvious and subtle), whereas this game I didn’t find either. There was even one bit which I not only found very crude but made it so that I would have been uncomfortable leaving a younger child to enjoy the game on their own (which is what this game should have been). It was in the bakery when the cat was going to ‘stroke her oven’, that comment would have been ok, but then they finished the sentence by saying ‘now that doesn’t sound in the least bit rude’. To me that was wrong, the first bit was fine but the second bit would have perhaps asked awkward questions from children, is this really necessary in a Christmas game. This is what I mean the humour was non-existent or crude
In the main the story was good as were the HO scenes and the mini-games, though I am surprised there was no alternative to the HO scenes as there are in so many other games today, I mean they could have been a Christmas themed Match 3 or Mah-jongg, but no it was a case of HO or nothing, again for me another missed opportunity. There was some interaction with the back-drops (in that you could click on snow-balls to make snowmen, or a cat cleaning the moon, but sadly for me this wasn’t enough to make the game ‘5-star’.
I did find some of the mini-games a little confusing towards the end of the game, but the game flowed nicely and I was able to play and finish on the setting that I started on (hard), without feeling the need to change. A setting change for me is always the ‘litmus paper’ as to whether I want to conclude the game or whether I am doing so because I have paid for it so just want to get to the end. So as I say that was a huge plus point.
Can I recommend the game, well I am not going to be Dickensian and say ‘Bah humbug’ as there are good elements that ‘Little Tim’ would like, but of the ones I have played over the years this is defiantly not the best. Hopefully next year the whimsical humour will make a come-back, along with perhaps an alternative to the HO scenes.
Doodle God
Experience an all new spin on hidden object games with Doodle God. Combine elements to create your own universe!
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 34 found this review helpful
Not much has changed
PostedDecember 9, 2015
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This game has not really moved on since the first game I played on my tablet around 3 or so years ago. It is just a case of matching the elements to other elements to try and create a new one.
Whilst they have tried innovations with this version such as HO and other mini-games, its essence is still the same as others in the series and for that I can’t really recommend the game. The soundbites are still the same and there doesn’t seem to be many enhancements from previous incarnations. I mean how many times can you release what is in essence the same game with a few minor tweaks.
One thing that really surprised me was the fact that a modern game didn’t adapt to the fact that I have my mouse buttons swapped, thus I had to do everything ‘back to front’ as it were, (I am left-handed), for a modern release game this is really an unforgivable oversight.
I persevered for around 10 minutes but there is only so much matching that you can do before you get bored. I guess if I had pursued it, it may have got more interesting but the fact that I didn’t want to, kind of speaks volumes.
I personally wouldn’t recommend this game, especially if you have played previous incarnations. If you can get if for around £1, $1 on a tablet app store then a possibility.