_misschrissi_'s Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4
- Helpful Votes:386
- Reviews Submitted:23
- First Review:May 7, 2012
- Most Recent Review:July 12, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Spend the night in an abandoned mansion. Can you survive to uncover the terrible secret about your ancestor?
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Strangestone - A Strange Game
PostedFebruary 27, 2013
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The jury's out on this game for me - did I like it enough to buy? I don't know yet. Certainly the storyline appears interesting - you and your brother have discovered they are the heirs to a mysterious old mansion, but of course nothing is as it seems.....
The game plays out in 'segments', perhaps 2-3 scenes at a time, and once you've finished everything you need to do in one area, it's closed off and you don't need to go back. This saves a lot of unnecessary back and forth. There is also a very basic map, which shows where you are, areas where there is something to do, and where the Hidden Object scenes are. It's not interactive, but the areas you're exploring at any one time are so well-contained it's not necessary.
There are a fair few HOGs, at least in the demo #I think I did about 6 or 7 in the hour I played#. They are very interactive, with about 50% of objects requiring something else to be done #i.e., put the candies back in the box, candles into the candlestick etc.#.
The puzzles are.... well, puzzling! It does say that the games are "incremental in difficulty", and I'm sorry to say that I found even some of the early ones a bit head-scratching so if, like me, you're not a puzzle-fiend you might need to apply quite a few of the little grey cells here......
It's true that in certain ways the game feels a little dated #although there are live actors in it#. However, it wasn't really off-putting, at least for me. If you like the story, and the level of challenge holds your interest, then that won't matter too much.
Summary: Interactive HOGs, challenging #and sometimes refreshingly unique# puzzles, nice scenery, no running shoes needed. Yup, I think I've talked myself into using a PCC ;)
I recommend this game!
Soul and machine are one in Motor Town, where a stunning mystery awaits!
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
An Interesting Game (Just Wash your Hands Afterwards)
PostedFebruary 13, 2013
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
In this game you are Rachel, a journalist fed up with writing fluffy society page stories. Wanting a "meatier" story, you end up tracking down an eccentric inventor, who believes that cars have souls (well, of course they do!). It looks like there's been some foul play by what must be the most aptly named villain in the entire galaxy. Your job, I presume, is to track down the nefarious villain and save the day.
It's true that the level of challenge in this game may not satisfy everyone. The puzzles made me stop and think for a couple of minutes, but once I figured out exactly what I was meant to do it became quite straightforward. However, I suspect there are just as many people like myself who don't want MENSA-grade puzzles, and although some were a *little* on the easy side, the ones I encountered in the demo kept me happy. I don't want brain-ache from my gaming!
It looks like there are plenty Hidden Object Scenes in this game, and in the demo I visited each scene twice. Some items are interactive, and although the objects are quite clear, I didn't rattle through them as quickly as I thought I might.
The artistry is fabulous, and these dev's must have some of the most talented artists in the industry. Agreed, the general scene is of decay and desertion, and believe me - it's *very* well depicted. In a couple of rooms in particular, I swear I could smell the dirt! This is the reason for the title - after getting down and dirty among all the rubbish, you may feel like washing your hands afterwards!
This game won't be to everyone's liking - it is pretty gloomy, but the scenery is, after all, meant to convey a feeling of a 'ghost town'. Me, I love these types of game.
I will be using a PCC to get this game. I want to know what happened, and I love the scenery. It's an SE, so don't expect collectibles/morphing objects, achievements etc. If you like ghosts and gloom, you'll probably like this. It won't make your brain hurt with its cleverness and tricky puzzles, but it's a nice way to spend an evening. Finally, credit to the dev's for issuing a game that's not immediately brought out as a CE - we need more of these!
I recommend this game!
Are a town’s superstitions justified? Follow the blood to find out!
Overall rating
3
/
5
49 of 55 found this review helpful
HOG-HEAVY!
PostedFebruary 2, 2013
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on the demo, I can't quite make up my mind about this game. I agree that the graphics seem a little outdated, but that generally doesn't matter to me if the storyline is engaging and the game is fun to play.
This particular game (or at least what I played of it in the demo# is pretty HOG-heavy - sometimes I played HOG after HOG, and they are *very* much of the junk-pile variety. I ended up using the hint button more than I usually would because there was just so much stuff, and some items were pretty well-hidden in it.
I did like the scenery #think medieval#, but I was disappointed that there wasn't always much to do, or much to look at, in each scene. Personally, I found a couple of the puzzles a little bit challengingto the 'little grey cells' #maybe I'm just too used to other dev's easy-peasy puzzles#, but that could have been because I didn't want to waste too much time in the demo working them out.
The storyline is so-so, once again I'm on the hunt for some kind of vampire #or vampire wannabe# and from what I can tell there appears to be something about killing people to gain immortality.
I know I'm loving a game when I'm on the edge of my seat and smiling while I play it - I wasn't doing either with this one, but then gain I can't say I hated it either. I can't say whether I'd recommend it or not, to be honest. If you don't like *lots* of HOGs in your games then I'd give this one a bodyswerve, but otherwise I'd recommend at least trialling it to see if it's your kind of thing. I'll probably use a PCC on it.
Uncover the mystery behind an artist’s deadly talent.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Nice Game, But Short, Short, Short!!!
PostedJanuary 18, 2013
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
First off, I did enjoy the game, particularly the graphics. The 'scenery' was great - particularly standing looking out over the bay as it reminded me of a holiday once with a similar view. Voiceovers were a lot better than some other games I've come across.
Hidden Object Scenes were good, and alternated between simple lists #with the odd 'interactive' item, like open the drawer, pour this etc.# and the newer style of finding one item, then using it to get another. It kept things fresh, and you don't come across so many of them that you get fed up.
Puzzles were, for me anyway, relatively straightforward, but that's OK. I don't like MENSA-type challenges, and these required just a little thought before making your moves. I enjoyed the vast majority of them.
Despite this general positivity, however, I'm very disappointed at how short this game was. It took me between 3-and-a-half to 4 hours to finish the main game, and that was despite deliberately slowing myself down as much as possible to enjoy the scenery, not skipping any puzzles etc. For a game that cost me £10.80, I do feel a bit short-changed . Off now to play the bonus chapter - but I don't think it's likely to be super-long either......
I recommend this game because it *is* enjoyable, but unless you really want the bonus chapter/wallpapers/chance to replay the HOGs & puzzles, you may be better waiting for the SE.
I recommend this game!
Find out who is behind the shocking zombie invasion.
Overall rating
4
/
5
43 of 47 found this review helpful
Great Game, Pity About The Ending
PostedDecember 29, 2012
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I did generally enjoy this game, and although I don't time my gameplay I feel as if I was at this one for hours on end. Every time I thought "surely it must be getting to the end now" there was more to do - which was great. This is a game I'm going to enjoy re-playing at some stage to look at all the little things I missed first time around. I liked the graphics, and particularly liked the raspberry-blowing monkey - what an endearingly cheeky little fella!
The puzzles were all pretty straightforward, and in some instances I thought "is this all I have to do?", but I'm not complaining - some games have puzzles so head-scratchingly complex I don't have the patience to sit for ages working them out.
The HOGs, although junk-piles, didn't involve having to use a microscope or sit with your nose pressed against the screen. While most of them were straight 'seek and find' #with the odd 'move the curtain to find the item', or 'open a lid to find this item'# one or two were of the newer interactive-kind #find one item, use it on another, and so on etc. etc.# The change was good now and again.
If I have one gripe only #it's a biggie, and unfortunately a common theme with this developer#, it was the ridiculously ABRUPT ENDING. Everything builds up to the final confrontation and then .... BANG! It's over. Having played for hours on end, it was something of an anti-climax. If you can get beyond that #I'm sure I'll recover#, this game is a great way to while away an afternoon.
I recommend this game!
Long-forgotten memories bubble to the surface when the past invades the present in the Collector's Edition of Lake House: Children of Silence!
Overall rating
5
/
5
100 of 109 found this review helpful
LOVING EVERY MINUTE!
PostedDecember 23, 2012
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm probably about 60% of the way through the game, which I bought after only 15 minutes of the trial. And, even better, I got it as part of the BOGOF deal BF are so kindly giving us just now, so what a bargain!
For the chaps, this is a game in which the main character you play is male. Your fiancee, Anna, is drawn back to her old house from 15 years earlier by some eerie goings on, and once you get there.... well, all sorts of odd things start happening. I can't wait to find out what the story is here, but it looks like *somebody* did *something* to *someone*, but what, where and why?
There is a map which, whilst not of the "jump"/teleporting type, is helpful in showing you where you are, and where there are things to do. The scenery and sound effects are fab, with lots to see in each one. There are no morphing objects or similar, but that's OK - there's enough to keep you busy without having that to add to your task list!
The first hidden object scene was one of the more 'modern' types, where you find one object, use it someplace, find another object, use it to find another one, and so on. There's only been one of those so far, however - the rest are classic types of HOG, although there are a few 'hidden' items in each scene where you have to, for instance, open or move something to find it. The puzzles have been quite refreshing so far too, some are new or have a new angle, and they weren't *too* difficult.
Because I've not completed the game yet I don't know how long it is. I don't tend to time myself, but I *think* I've been playing the main game for nearly 3 hours and I'm roughly 60% of the way through it. I'm quite a quick player, but here I'm trying to slow myself down a bit and take time to savour each new scene because I'm enjoying it all so much.
Buy this game during the BOGOF period and you'll be getting a real bargain! The dev', whose name #begins with 'A' and ends with 'war', are bringing out great games that are right up my street. Thanks guys!
In a time where there have been a fair few 'duffers', games-wise, this one truly merits a top rating :)
I recommend this game!
Louis the Clown and Mr. Dudley are back in an all-new adventure! Travel through the dark corners of history's most famous fairytales to rescue children trapped in a frightening netherworld!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
Really wanted to like this, but......
PostedDecember 12, 2012
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
When I saw this game pop up on TGT I nearly bought it without trialling. I really, *really* wanted to like this game, but sadly it fell short of the mark - for me, anyway. The graphics were lovely and the storyline was, theoretically, interesting; however, there were so many other "issues" that I kind of forgot all about the story in the end. Like many others I had big problems getting the inventory bar to pop up - I kept leaving a scene instead. It became quite irritating after a while. In addition, while I know it's marketed as a Hidden Object Game, there were just soooo many HOGs that I thought "oh no, not *again*!" every time I came across another one #which was very regularly#. It just ended up breaking the smooth running of the story as far as I was concerned. I played 45 minutes or so and came across about 9 or 10 HOGs. I like them, but not *that* much, and gave up on the game after I came across yet another one.
On the plus side the graphics were nicely done, and I liked the teddy bear/balloon hint system. There was no map, just a journal #which didn't reveal much, just a recap of the story so far#. I have a couple of free game credits and I'm really on the fence over whether to 'buy' this or not - I suspect if I did I may play only about 20 minutes at a time before getting fed up.
Obviously the HOG-heavy scenes will suit some, but I'm not sure this is a game for my taste. Would I recommend it? Yes, if you like *lots* of HOGs in your game. Yes, for the potential storyline and graphics. No, for the infuriating inventory bar. No, if you prefer a game with more emphasis on the adventuring.
Save your brother and try to solve the mystery behind the silver screen in Final Cut: Death on the Silver Screen, a thrilling game set in the 1950's!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
WELL WORTH BUYING THE CE
PostedJune 19, 2012
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one game where I really felt I got my money's worth with the Collector's Edition. Apart from the usual bonus game, there was a very interesting and funny 'behind the scenes' movie, showing the people behind the game development, as well as other little 'extras'.
I knew within 15 minutes of playing the demo that I'd buy this game. You arrive at your father's mansion to search for your missing brother and to find pieces of a mysterious projector that your father had invented years earlier, then dismantled and hidden. There are plenty places to explore, and 'real life' characters are dotted around for you to meet. I loved the gardener's voiceover, it had me in stitches every time I heard it :-)
After making your way through the house you end up in the studios. There were about 3 differently themed 'studios' to explore, and I absolutely ADORED this. It's so refreshing to - quite literally - have 'a change of scenery' and it really captivated my interest.
The hidden object scenes were, for me, quite easy. I have a large monitor, which is great for HOGs, but even so I don't think the HOGs in this game would strain too many eyes. In each HOG there were a couple of interactive items, where you had to find something else to add to the item to complete it.
The puzzles, on the other hand, had me reaching for the in-built Strategy Guide a fair few times, as sometimes I didn't even fully understand the instructions. I suppose if I'd spent more time truly 'puzzling' over them I might have worked it out, but that's just me - I'm always too impatient to get on with things!
There were also hidden items (such as cards, and pictures) in many of the scenes that you had to look out for and collect. I do like this in a game, because if you're serious about trying to find them all it makes you slow down and really take in each piece of scenery, instead of rushing through it. I didn't manage to collect every one (think I got 8 out of the 10 cards, and 16 out of 20 photos), but that just makes me want to go back and play the game again!
There was a reasonable amount of to-ing and fro-ing in order to use objects in their correct places, but not frustratingly so; nothing was really THAT far away.
In the bonus game I got quite amusingly frustrated at the brother - he really wasn't much use, was he? Except for standing around or falling over and hurting his leg, of course.... A couple of times I actually said to the screen "you're a bit useless, aren't you?" :-)
The developers of this game, who also made me laugh with the credits at the end (it's worth reading them, believe me!) should be proud of what they've produced - a real gem of a game. If you like to feel you're actually "there", with plenty to see, find and do, then I can't recommend this game enough. In fact, I think I might just finish up here and start the game over again :-)
I recommend this game!
Welcome to Top Secret Finders. Your first mission is to save a small town, uncover the truth about a government conspiracy and stop the villain in his tracks!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Loved this game
PostedMay 31, 2012
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You play a paranormal expert, sent into the past to investigate a nefarious Professor and find out whether there was a cover-up or not. There are plenty places to explore and I occasionally found myself a little lost (especially if I was going back to the game after a break); however, the excellent hint system put me back on track in no time. I loved that it showed you a picture of the place you should go to, and the option to go there immediately, without spoiling the fun of finding out exactly what you had to do once you got there (unless you needed an extra prod, in which case the hint button was still immediately available). There were plenty hidden object scenes, and to be honest I didn't find them grainy or difficult to see at all - they certainly weren't as cluttered and dark and impossible to find as some games I could mention. The music was also quite refreshing, and it's the first time I've actually turned the volume button UP to hear it!
Some of the puzzles had me really scratching my head, because the instructions were a bit vague. Occasionally I had to randomly click a few times to try and figure out what it was I was supposed to do, but there's always the option to skip if your brain hurts. In most cases, though, you just needed to think a bit harder and have the patience to work out what to do.
If you like adventure games with plenty scope to move around and not be stuck in a linear format, and if you enjoy nefarious villains and abandoned towns, I can recommend this game!
I recommend this game!
Rescue a young girl from the Penumbra Motel. Solve puzzles, unravel a long standing mystery of death and disappearances in this heart-pounding adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 13 found this review helpful
Didn't want this game to end!
PostedMay 16, 2012
_misschrissi_
fromGlasgow, Scotland
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the first game I've played where there are absolutely no hidden object scenes, and I didn't miss them too much as the story was so engaging and there was so much to see. Although I do like HOGs, sometimes looking for the oil can, the hammer, the pen, the glasses, the binoculars etc. etc. can get a little repetitive, so this was something different. This game has live action characters in the cutscenes, and - shock horror! - for the most part the dialogue actually matches the actors' lip movements. I absolutely loved wandering around, every new room/area found was a joy to explore. Sparkles indicated that there was something to look at, either an item to be picked up, or a diary page to see, or a puzzle to solve. Many of the puzzles were of the "move things into the right slot" variety, which I'm not always terribly good at, so sometimes I took a sneaky look at the built-in Strategy Guide, which was helpful. Some of the puzzles were quite simple, others took a little more thought.
The setting for the game is a ramshackle old hotel, with ramshackle streets and ramshackle rooms, but that's right up my street so I loved it. There were a good few skeletons, some animated, quite literally "hanging around" too.
If I only had some minor gripes it would be these: #1# Given the nature of the story, I thought the music was, how can I put it, a little too "perky"? I think there would have been a far better atmosphere to the game if the music had been spookier. #2# The bonus content was really pretty short and didn't take long to complete at all. I don't go in for downloading the music, or having screensavers, or seeing the concept art, but that's just me - I have no use for things like that. The only reason I like CEs is because of the in-built strategy guide, to be honest. #3# I didn't really see the point of the film reels - OK, you saw real footage from the war, and later on some obviously staged footage added in, but there wasn't much explanation as to what that was about. It could have been explored/explained a good bit better. I did feel as though the game didn't explain things as well it could have done, and that it finished a little abruptly.
If you're like me and don't feel the 'extras' justify the extra £££s, then I'd wait for the SE version. Don't let that put you off, however, because if - like me - you love exploring spooky streets and spooky houses, this is a game I think you'll definitely want to play one way or the other. On the whole, minor issues aside, I really, really loved it!
I recommend this game!