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:
Do you love HOGs as much as we do? Do you count yourself an expert? Test your speed with non-stop, round-based hidden object scenes!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 15 found this review helpful
Slanted towards Americans
PostedDecember 9, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I really wanted to like this game as I thought it would be nice to ‘get back to basics’ as it were for HO fans (like myself). However, there were problems with the game. In a normal HO scene in story-based games, the objects needing to be found are easily understood by all (by that I mean people who don’t happen to live in America), when I played this game some of the objects needing to be found were American wordage of the object, this therefore marred my enjoyment of the game. Also with regards to the objects, some were so well hidden that it made it impossible to find within the time limit. I know that the ‘game’ if you like was a HO only game, but saying that the enjoyment shouldn’t have been spoilt so early on in the game by trying to find objects that were so obscure.
The other difficulty I had was with the cursor; it didn’t blend successfully within the gameplay screen. The screen was in the 4:3 format (which for a modern game is a little unforgivable), thus the cursor could go outside the screen, the problem I had with that however is if I had something open on my desktop it tried to access that which then meant that I came out of the game. Very confusing!
Overall the idea of the game was a good one and a traditional HO only game. I would have bought the game but for the above flaws, the Americanisation being the main culprit, I don’t therefore recommend it to non-Americans.
If like me you are wanting a straight HO game then download the trial, but I wouldn’t recommend buying it ‘blind’ as it were, because this may lead to disappointment.
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
3
/
5
52 of 61 found this review helpful
Updated Review
PostedDecember 9, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Please note this is an update to the previous review given on the CE edition, it is just as so many others do I reviewed on the back of having played the demo version only. This is a review based on completion.
I so wanted to like this game as I had played all the others and was really impressed by the quality of the story, the VO, graphics and the complexity (though not overly so) of the puzzles. This game for me fell down at the last hurdle and felt rushed. Which coming less than a month of the back of the previous instalment it may have been.
The story started out well and was much the same as the other for quality, but it started to fade when it got to one of the so called ‘super puzzles’ on my ‘info’ blurb it didn’t correlate to what I was needing to do so I got confused and frustrated as I was unsure what I was meant to be doing. For me therefore the game kinda nose-dived and because I was in that frame of mind as it were, I started to notice other ‘niggles’ that I felt marred the overall game. These included other puzzles that didn’t exactly correlate to the instructions given or were so abstract that it caused real confusion. I don’t mind playing games and the puzzles are difficult but logical, the games in the second half of this game were neither.
I know when I am really frustrated with a game and only finishing it because I have paid for it when I do what I call ‘play by numbers’ i.e put the game into ‘relaxed’ ‘easy’ mode and then ‘follow the map’ and complete each of the tasks. I do this because I want to see the game to conclusion, but I know I won’t be playing the game again.
It is a shame that I felt so much negativity towards this game from the mid-point on as up until that point it was as good as others in the series. I am glad this is the last one in the series, as I honestly think that this franchise has ‘run its course’.
I would recommend this game but only for people who have played some of the others in the series and want to see the conclusion. I wouldn't recommend this game on the basis of this game, or as anyway an introduction to the overall franchise.
I would recommend the SE over the CE as in my opinion the CE didn't bring anything 'new to the table', the bonus didn't really conclude anything further as the story finished nicely in standard mode.
A great evil unlocks deep within Ravenhearst!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 7 found this review helpful
Confusing if you have not played what has come before!
PostedNovember 26, 2015
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is based on the demo only. I have played most of the other games in the series but this game almost demanded a good knowledge of the previous games in order for you to fully understand what this particular game was about, The problem with this though was that there are a lot of 'Ravenhurst' games and some I played years ago. It is therefore a bit confusing for me to follow let alone someone who is coming into the series after only playing a couple of the games.
This game comes on the back of the week or so old previous game, now having played the previous I am aware that this was the intention as it does have the 'double episode' ender feeling.
The game itself is a good solid game and the little I have thus far played is very much in keeping with others in the series, The sound and graphics are very much on par, the references to other games in the series are stronger (there were always there in other games).
I would say from the little I have played it is doing a good job at 'tying up the loose ends' but it might be worthwhile playing others in the series before embarking on this or the previous game
I recommend this game!
Scarlett is back in an all-new Farm Frenzy adventure that puts the fun back in farming! Help her with the animals of an abandoned island.
Overall rating
2
/
5
22 of 25 found this review helpful
Same Old Same old
PostedAugust 27, 2015
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Same old same old
How many times can they re-hash this franchise, this is essentially the same game as the other half dozen or so versions of this game. The theme for this version is pirates. The protagonist wanted a holiday (vacation), but wound up on a Caribbean ‘piratey’ beach, that just happens to be running a farm, thus the cycle starts again.
I know that when sequels come out in these type of games, that it can be billed as the ‘same old, same old’, but even so most stop after around 3 or do something dramatically different if they are going to continue the franchise, this game doesn’t what we have is not so much new games but variations of the same game, thus for me it doesn’t warrant a free token and certainly not money spent on it. I know others would disagree and buy it just because it was a familiar game but in different surroundings, but in reality there is only so many times that I want to purchase variations on a theme.
The graphics, sound effects etc are all the same as previous, except they have added ‘pirate skins’ to enhance the thematic version of this game.
I have three versions of this game and that I feel is enough for me and after 10 minutes of playing this game I decided that there was nothing new ‘brought to the table’ to warrant me to purchase the game, thus from that point of view I can’t recommend the game.
I don't recommend this game.
Complete dangerous missions amid dazzling landscapes of prehistoric Earth and alien worlds. Can you complete these thrilling puzzles in order to return home?
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Nice gentle game for new 'HOP'ers!
PostedAugust 5, 2015
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Whilst the game does have a story, it is text-led rather than a voice-over, whilst there is no major problems with this as it came out as a SE rather than a CE, some grammar and English got ‘lost in translation’ so that some parts of the text are slightly difficult to understand. It doesn’t detract however from the overall understanding of the story.
I would regard this a ‘b’ list game rather than an ‘a’ list game ( these for me are ones that come out in both CE and SE editions), saying that however the game was good and had plenty of puzzles and HO scenes to keep people interested in this genre happy.
The puzzles whilst plentiful were not particularly taxing but were certainly enjoyable. There was plenty to do within the game. The only ‘problem’ I had though was that I put the difficulty to high but yet there were still ‘sparkles’ highlighting HO scenes, this of course would not happen on ‘a’ list (as described above) games, this to me then made it feel that the game was perhaps maybe suited to new players of this genre, or someone who wanted a gentle HO game.
I would regard this a ‘b’ list game rather than an ‘a’ list game ( these for me are ones that come out in both CE and SE editions), saying that however the game was good and had plenty of puzzles and HO scenes to keep people interested in this genre happy.
The puzzles whilst plentiful were not particularly taxing but were certainly enjoyable. There was plenty to do within the game. The only ‘problem’ I had though was that I put the difficulty to high but yet there were still ‘sparkles’ highlighting HO scenes, this of course would not happen on ‘a’ list (as described above) games, this to me then made it feel that the game was perhaps maybe suited to new players of this genre, or someone who wanted a gentle HO game.
I would recommend the game, even more when it is on offer or you have a spare credit or ‘game punch token.
I recommend this game!
From the makers of the Rite of Passage series comes a ground-breaking new series that's as creepy as it gets.
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 64 found this review helpful
Dare you tackle the maze!
PostedAugust 2, 2015
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
These is an excellent psychological game, but take heed of the download page warning, as it is for mature audiences. The games is very ‘halloweenesque’ but for me is deeper.
Overall very brief scenario (don’t want to spoil it),
We have
1) Tired Hero
2) Handily placed motel
3) Psycho child
4) Mind games
All making for an excellent game that will ‘mess with your mind’.
The atmosphere is in-keeping with the game, the sound and VO are of a high standard. There are actions that are questions that are asked that will determine the game. This review is based only on the demo version of the game, but I am sure that this will continue throughout the whole of the game.
One thing with regards to the questions that needed to be answered, is that the first couple didn’t really matter, I picked the ‘wrong’ answer just to see what would happen but it just allowed me to ‘have another go’ fair play as I can’t see what else could have happened but it would have been interesting to see if the game developers could have explored this avenue a bit. This is probably explored a bit more through the game. The game is defiantly a ‘keeper’ and one that I have already purchased, I can’t recommend the game highly enough, it is defiantly one that has re-playable value, as different choices can be made that affect the outcome then so the game can be re-played, most HO games are just a ‘once through’ for me.
The demo ends in a reminiscent of a Robin Cook ‘coma’ scene.
Overall very brief scenario (don’t want to spoil it),
We have
1) Tired Hero
2) Handily placed motel
3) Psycho child
4) Mind games
All making for an excellent game that will ‘mess with your mind’.
The atmosphere is in-keeping with the game, the sound and VO are of a high standard. There are actions that are questions that are asked that will determine the game. This review is based only on the demo version of the game, but I am sure that this will continue throughout the whole of the game.
One thing with regards to the questions that needed to be answered, is that the first couple didn’t really matter, I picked the ‘wrong’ answer just to see what would happen but it just allowed me to ‘have another go’ fair play as I can’t see what else could have happened but it would have been interesting to see if the game developers could have explored this avenue a bit. This is probably explored a bit more through the game. The game is defiantly a ‘keeper’ and one that I have already purchased, I can’t recommend the game highly enough, it is defiantly one that has re-playable value, as different choices can be made that affect the outcome then so the game can be re-played, most HO games are just a ‘once through’ for me.
The demo ends in a reminiscent of a Robin Cook ‘coma’ scene.
As to the ratings above the 'fun factor' should in this game read 'fear factor'!
This has all the elements of a definite BF award winning game and an accolade well worth it.
I recommend this game!
There’s a secret in Queen Elizabeth’s court, and you must uncover it.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 15 found this review helpful
Americans once again messing with History!
PostedJuly 2, 2015
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am not sure.
Now I have finally managed to get through the first ‘splash-screen’ I am not sure whether it was actually worth it. The game is set in ye olde England around the reign of Elizabeth the 1st. You play a female version of William Shakespeare, thus a fictionalised character. The history well tentatively accurate is also ‘Americanised’ for want of a better phrase in the fact they have altered little details so that it runs better as a story. This is fine but the details they alter, sort of (in my opinion) give a slightly distorted view of the Royal Family in that era. I also have the ‘Blackadder’ portrayal of Elizabeth 1st in my head and obviously this was nothing like that portrayal.
Whilst the Earl of Oxford did exist and he was a ward of Queen Elizabeth 1st, there is no actualisation that William tutored him (rumoured but not actuated). I only played the demo, so have no knowledge of how the story develops, as I personally don’t want to play something that fictionalises our history (I am English). It really turned me off when they bought pirates into the proceedings, whilst they were travellers, there was no suggestion ever that any of the royals or associates of the royals (including Sir Frances Drake), had any association with pirates (that is of course possibly not the view of the Spanish), but this is all by the by.
The actual game was good, the HO were interesting and different, as were the puzzles, the VO and other sound – effects.
Some of the puzzles however were a bit confusing I confess I had to use the SG for one as it was a bit too confusing as to exactly what had to be achieved. Another puzzle I skipped completely as in my opinion the instructions were no help at all.
Whilst the Earl of Oxford did exist and he was a ward of Queen Elizabeth 1st, there is no actualisation that William tutored him (rumoured but not actuated). I only played the demo, so have no knowledge of how the story develops, as I personally don’t want to play something that fictionalises our history (I am English). It really turned me off when they bought pirates into the proceedings, whilst they were travellers, there was no suggestion ever that any of the royals or associates of the royals (including Sir Frances Drake), had any association with pirates (that is of course possibly not the view of the Spanish), but this is all by the by.
The actual game was good, the HO were interesting and different, as were the puzzles, the VO and other sound – effects.
Some of the puzzles however were a bit confusing I confess I had to use the SG for one as it was a bit too confusing as to exactly what had to be achieved. Another puzzle I skipped completely as in my opinion the instructions were no help at all.
I am glad I managed to finally demo this game and I am glad I did, but I will not be purchasing it as I don’t like another attempt at an Americanised version of our history. I will state though here and now I am not a royalist, but on the other-hand history should also be documented accurately.
I personally would not recommend this game.
The Big Secret of a Small Town
Find out what is hidden behind the mysterious disappearance of the Mayor.
Overall rating
2
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Too Obscure
PostedApril 26, 2015
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I purchased this game without trying it as I got it on a special deal (when BF were having one of its many BOGOF weekends), I therefore didn’t trial the game as I from the reviews and the look of it, it seemed to be something quirky and different, which gave me enough impetuous to try the game without buying it.
After playing the game for around 1 hour, I am frustrated to the point of annoyance. I don’t mind quirky games such as ‘The Clumsys’ but these games are both quirky and logical and also have a fairly decent storyline. This game however whilst quirky was illogical and had no discernable storyline. The open scenes were Spoken speech which was a nice touch, but once you started the game it kind of went downhill. I am surprised by the number of positive reviews, as I like puzzle games and HO games as others do who play BF games.
This game made no sense whatsoever. I don’t mind quirky abstract games in the vein of ‘The Clumsys’ etc, but what I don’t like are abstract games that are too obscure. One of the puzzles was to decipher some symbols and numbers, the ‘puzzle help’ was not really very helpful and even when I did find a walkthrough, I then ‘cheated’ on this puzzle, but before I entered the correct symbols I couldn’t from the information given in either the guide or in the game make any rhyme nor reason sense as to why it was those particular symbols. One of the clues was to remember a symbol on a paper crane, I did, but that didn’t correlate to the actual symbols, so this is why the frustration set in. I don’t mind games being difficult, if they then make overall sense, with these you feel a sense of achievement as you have actually logically worked out how to solve something. If a game gives clues but these clues then point to an illogical conclusion then what is the point?
I am not sure if this game was ported from a non-English language and it has somehow got ‘lost in translation’ or whether the game developers rushed the game, but for whatever reason (and I am suspecting the first), it didn’t make sense. If it has been ported, or if the game developers are not English, then this is not really an excuse as there are a lot of BF game developers that are not English and apart from the odd word, or syntax error must games are English (albeit American English) correct, thus it then makes this game look even more amateur.
After playing the game for around 1 hour, I am frustrated to the point of annoyance. I don’t mind quirky games such as ‘The Clumsys’ but these games are both quirky and logical and also have a fairly decent storyline. This game however whilst quirky was illogical and had no discernable storyline. The open scenes were Spoken speech which was a nice touch, but once you started the game it kind of went downhill. I am surprised by the number of positive reviews, as I like puzzle games and HO games as others do who play BF games.
This game made no sense whatsoever. I don’t mind quirky abstract games in the vein of ‘The Clumsys’ etc, but what I don’t like are abstract games that are too obscure. One of the puzzles was to decipher some symbols and numbers, the ‘puzzle help’ was not really very helpful and even when I did find a walkthrough, I then ‘cheated’ on this puzzle, but before I entered the correct symbols I couldn’t from the information given in either the guide or in the game make any rhyme nor reason sense as to why it was those particular symbols. One of the clues was to remember a symbol on a paper crane, I did, but that didn’t correlate to the actual symbols, so this is why the frustration set in. I don’t mind games being difficult, if they then make overall sense, with these you feel a sense of achievement as you have actually logically worked out how to solve something. If a game gives clues but these clues then point to an illogical conclusion then what is the point?
I am not sure if this game was ported from a non-English language and it has somehow got ‘lost in translation’ or whether the game developers rushed the game, but for whatever reason (and I am suspecting the first), it didn’t make sense. If it has been ported, or if the game developers are not English, then this is not really an excuse as there are a lot of BF game developers that are not English and apart from the odd word, or syntax error must games are English (albeit American English) correct, thus it then makes this game look even more amateur.
The sound and graphics were good overall and in-keeping with the comic style of game.
If the puzzles made logical sense then I would have probably continued playing the game to the end as it stands I either carry on but skip the puzzles or uninstall the game and put it down to ‘my fault for not doing the hour trial’ fault. I did buy it because I thought it was quirky and it was on a special offer. Yes the game was quirky but not in a fun way.
I personally can’t understand all the positive reviews, as I have really tried with this game, but if the Walkthrough also doesn’t make sense, then for me I have to admit defeat, I may possibly at some point in the future re-download the game but for now this is one that has been ‘binned’. I only think that the other reviews, understand ‘quirkiness’ better than I and if that is the case then congrats to you all!
I would avoid buying this game unless you like to be totally confused and frustrated at totally illogical puzzles, which then in turn brings the whole gameplay down.
If the puzzles made logical sense then I would have probably continued playing the game to the end as it stands I either carry on but skip the puzzles or uninstall the game and put it down to ‘my fault for not doing the hour trial’ fault. I did buy it because I thought it was quirky and it was on a special offer. Yes the game was quirky but not in a fun way.
I personally can’t understand all the positive reviews, as I have really tried with this game, but if the Walkthrough also doesn’t make sense, then for me I have to admit defeat, I may possibly at some point in the future re-download the game but for now this is one that has been ‘binned’. I only think that the other reviews, understand ‘quirkiness’ better than I and if that is the case then congrats to you all!
I would avoid buying this game unless you like to be totally confused and frustrated at totally illogical puzzles, which then in turn brings the whole gameplay down.
I don't recommend this game.
Depression... You are looking for light, but darkness already has you... Your soul is engulfed by THE EMPTINESS!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Hype over sustenance
PostedFebruary 19, 2015
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is different if different equates to boring.
The game was stop, start full motion video and you then had to wait for the program to finish the video before you could carry on with the ‘game’. This reminded me of the 90’s games when this was used, in the 90’s it was acceptable as it was ‘new technology’, now it has been done far far better. Another point with regards to this was that if the room ‘changed’, then if you exited a room it was not a seamless change and you got the ‘normal’ room before the changed room, this not only cause me some confusion at times but again it added to the overall amateurish game (imho).
The so called ‘scariness’ of it was in my opinion over-hyped in that it just consisted of a few ‘ghosts’ jumping out of walls and windows, not exactly that scary and on top of that we had been given fair warning both before the game was downloaded and in the front screen when the game started. This was fair enough but there have been other games on the site that have been as scary if not more so with more of a storyline.
Speaking of the storyline, where was it? The game was a case of find some letters, solve some puzzles, find a door with a seal and do the whole thing over again. This was the same seven times. I didn’t finish it as I didn’t have the impetus to carry on. I got near to the end didn’t have the ‘botheration’ to carry on. This is one of the few games where I have not completed, I usually feel that because I have paid for the game then I would complete it. Fortunately I bought this on sale.
I cannot honestly see how this game has scored so highly yes the game was different but it could have been so much better, they could have done the full motion video clips better, they could have had more of a storyline instead of just a few ‘pop-up’s stating that you can skip the puzzle in the game but you can’t in life (was this supposed to be the ‘deeply psychological’ bit? If so then it went right over my head). Despite the other mostly favourable reviews I can’t recommend it. This for me was defiantly a case of hype over sustenance.
I don't recommend this game.
Help the Goddess of Creation restore the planet devastated by the God of Chaos.
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 9 found this review helpful
Similar to other
PostedFebruary 16, 2015
alsteele28
fromYorkshire England
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Arcade & Action, Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Brain Teaser, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
This game is similar to ‘Mosaics Galore’ (read that review for my thoughts on the ‘mechanics of the game), this review however will just give my additional thoughts on the differences I felt between the two games.
As with the aforementioned game though, the time constraints are tight (possibly even tighter), thus after the first level I was unable to gain the elusive third star on any of the subsequent levels. The other two stars were awarded for accuracy and the first one was achieved just for finishing the level, so you were always going to acquire at least one star. The other one was for accuracy, thus mouse control was the order of the day, as well as planning where you were going to place the mosaic pieces. Of course that was the object of the game, as it is a strategic puzzle game and from that point of view for me it delivers.
There are several modes of play including a ‘relaxed mode’ (no timer), as well as a fever mode, (completing puzzles within a set time frame), these are good additions and added to the overall gameplay.
There are several modes of play including a ‘relaxed mode’ (no timer), as well as a fever mode, (completing puzzles within a set time frame), these are good additions and added to the overall gameplay.
One thing that I didn’t like though was the music, it was to my ears too ‘ethereal’ and whilst I know this is what the game developers were trying to convey and this was the overall mood that they were creating (given the puzzles you were completing and the ‘back-story’), but for me this was a big negative. I do not think though this would have been a deal-breaker if I did end-up purchasing the game.
Another difference from the aforementioned game, was that in this game there was a map to complete with regards to the puzzles, whereas on the other you could ‘jump about’ and complete the puzzles in any order you wanted, as it gave ‘snapshots’ of the puzzles. This game it was a map and unless you had a good memory it was impossible to know which puzzle was which. All said and done I preferred the first version.
Overall the game is possibly only slightly worse than the first game (owing to the points mentioned below), having said that if you enjoyed the first game and want to inject some ‘new blood’ with new puzzles, then I would recommend this, especially owing to the offer BF have this Valentines weekend. If after what I stated about the music perhaps makes you think twice, I would trial it and then see if either you can manage with this or at the very least play the game without any in-game music.