PATinPNS's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:4,189
- Reviews Submitted:272
- First Review:February 5, 2013
- Most Recent Review:November 20, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The past isn't set in stone. Now's your chance to change it!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Storm Chased Me Right Out of the Game
PostedFebruary 20, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is posted after playing the demo.
I own a couple games in this series and enjoyed them tremendously. This one, however, left me wanting. There were many positives, but the over all game was not what I expected. It just wasn't fun. I don't know if it is the fact I'm getting tired of the supernatural aspects of all the games that have been coming out lately or what, but it just wasn't fun.
Graphics were okay. They were clear and the colors were acceptable. Sound was very good including the voice overs which were excellent. Music was right along with the action of the scenes and wasn't annoying at all.
Hidden objects were varied, what there was in the demo and the mini games were somewhat different than what we usually see. There are several degrees of difficulty including custom which has become my favorite setting. For some reason I did not get a tutorial with this game. Don't know that I really needed it, but I do like to use them in case there is something new and different. The cut scenes were in a different format than normal. A small screen appears and the characters appear in it. I hate to admit it, but I had a bit of trouble figuring out how to get rid of them. There is no "X" to click. All I had to do was click outside of the box and it went away. Yes, I feel stupid. There is an interactive map which does show places to do something. I like that.
The story is nothing new. There's a spirit that needs taming and you get to try and do it. I have to assume by the end of the game you do, but there wasn't enough in the demo to give a good example of the story line.
I can recommend this game unless you are like me and tired of the spirit world that has taken over the developers. It is not a buy for me for that very reason.
I recommend this game!
The past isn't set in stone. Now's your chance to change it!
Overall rating
2
/
5
26 of 27 found this review helpful
Should Have Known Better
PostedFebruary 8, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is posted after competing the entire game.
I really didn't like this game. I do believe I'm over the mystical life the games seem to be for the longest time now. It just was not fun to play. I just couldn't wait for it to end. However, having said that there were a few good aspects of the game.
Graphics were well done. I really liked the colors which I expected to be the dark pinks and violets that come along with this theme. They were bright and clear. The developers did an excellent job with this. Music was okay. It wasn't just a loop of the same music over and over and didn't dominate the game. Voice overs were well done as were the effects.
This game suited my level of challenge. There were several different types of hidden object scenes, from morphing to list to shadow and a combination of all. If you don't want to look for the objects, you have the option to play a match 3 game. I played it once just to see what it was like. I switched back to finding objects. Mini games were pretty much varied. I didn't see anything new that hadn't been in other games. I did play most of them. I don't like the ones where when you select one thing it affects another. It seemed that there were several of those. There are four levels of play. I chose the custom so I could set the hint and skip at their lowest level, but for the die-hard gamers you can set it to any level you please. There is an interactive map which transports and shows where there are things to do. I really like that feature.
I won't go into the story line too much, except to say, I didn't think this was going to be a mystical game. Your fellow agent disappears and you get to go looking for him and fixing what he destroyed in previous times. That was simple enough, but when I got into the game that is when the mystic ties began. The story was okay, but nothing to write home about. I was very disappointed in the ending. It just ended. It was a let down to say the least.
Personal note to the developers: Don't you think it's time to get away from witches, ghosts, and the mystical and do something closer to real life. I for one would really appreciate it.
If you enjoy mystical games, even a child could love this game is for you. I doubt I would have made the purchase had it not been on sale. Try the demo, although it really didn't give a lot like they usually do, but at least you'll get the idea.
I recommend this game!
There’s more to this restoration project than meets the eye.
Overall rating
5
/
5
124 of 140 found this review helpful
I Just Love this Series
PostedFebruary 5, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
(44)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I have waited for what seemed like an eternity for the SE to come out and finally it did. I know how some of these series kind of deteriorate after a while, but this one lived up to all the others I have played. I really enjoyed spending the day with it. AND there weren't any ghosts, goblins or witches for a change. There are the fact cards that I really enjoy. I'm a history buff and really enjoy reading them.
As always, the graphics and sound was top notch. Colors were true to life and very clear. Voice overs extremely well done and the music was not intrusive at all. It went right along with the action in the scene.
The difficulty was in several variations. I chose the custom so I could set the hint and skip buttons to the minimum. There are a multitude of hidden object scenes with some I haven't seen before. Just a little something new for me. I'm not saying the mini games were easy, but I did play or at least attempt to play all of them and succeeded with most. There is an interactive map that not only transports you to different locations, but also shows where there are things to do. I love that feature. The level of challenge for this game was right up my alley, not so hard I couldn't figure out the mini games, and the hidden objects were just challenging enough to keep me playing.
There were a couple snafus in the story, but not enough to be a game breaker. Probably if I hadn't read everything put in front of me I wouldn't even have noticed. I won't go into the story line. Big Fish does a great job setting the scene for you. It is a consistent story and takes you over the a vast part of the world.
I do believe if you will give this one a chance and at least play the demo, you will like it as much as I did. Ferdinand would have been proud. It is now my favorite game. Since it just came out today, all that is listed is the CE version, and I played the SE.
I recommend this game!
When an age spell drains your vitality, will you save your family?
Overall rating
2
/
5
20 of 26 found this review helpful
Maybe I'm Just in the Dark
PostedJanuary 23, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is posted after playing the demo.
I swore off supernatural games a while back, and this is a good reason I did. I have all the games from the series and thought this might be a new and better version, but I was wrong. It's a non-sense, makes no illusion of reality whatsoever, and was just simply a bore. It was not fun for me.
Graphics and voice overs were excellent as usual. The FX went along with what action was in the scene and the music, while nothing to write home about, was okay. I really did like the colors in the scenes.
I found the mini games to my liking. I could actually do them which is saying something. Didn't really care for the hidden object scenes. Usually there is a common theme to them, but these just seemed to be put together. They weren't all bad, but the majority were not to my liking. The interactive map was a must. It will teleport you to various locations and thankfully shows where there is something to be done. Otherwise I would have been lost most of the time. There are several difficulty settings and I chose custom so I didn't have to wait for the skip and hint buttons to charge.
The story was about as far fetched as they get. I can only think of a couple games that were worse. At least in the old series, the story worked together with the action. This one didn't seem to follow anything. You pick up this or that and will use them, but the results just didn't seem to make any difference in the story. Perhaps the whole game would provide a better basis for the story, but the demo left me wanting.
Give the demo a shot. Since I seem to be in the minority on this one, perhaps you will see the light where I was in the darkness. Just wish they would get away from the witches and ghost themes in these games. That is getting mighty old.
I don't recommend this game.
Your long-lost relatives are excited to welcome you to the family... or are they?
Overall rating
4
/
5
20 of 21 found this review helpful
Can You Beat the Mask?
PostedJanuary 16, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
Okay, I swear after this one, no more ghost games for me.. after this one I said. To be quite honest, the Phantasmat ohas not been my favorite and have passed up on most of them. However, after reading the story description from Big Fish and the reviews, I decided to try the demo. I'm sure glad I did. I really enjoy this one. It is the best of the series.
As usual, the graphics and sound were excellent. Colors were refreshing and easy to see. FX were great and the music went along with the action in the scene.
There are several types of hidden object scenes from a list to morphing, to a combination of about everything. There are mini games inside the hidden object scenes... I don't know what more you could want from a game. As usual the mini games kicked my behind. They are, for the most part, extremely difficult and time consuming. Thankfully they put custom as one of the difficulties and I set the hint and skip to the lowest setting. All I have to say is that is one big estate. If not for the interactive map I would have been lost. It does show areas where you have something to do and will transport you there. It's a tremendous help.
Story is really good and had me from the beginning. Since I don't have, but one Phantasmat game, I'm not that familiar with the characters so it isn't necessary to have played the others to know what is going on. I went from scorn to hate to sympathy is this silly game so the story does have it's connection.
If you are one of those who loves toiling over mini games and puzzles, you are going to love this one. Give the demo a try and see if you don't get hooked like I did.
I recommend this game!
Someone's out for revenge, and she'll stop at nothing to get it.
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 14 found this review helpful
Revenge is Sweetest...
PostedJanuary 14, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I made up my mind a while back I was not going to buy anymore ghost, witch, or other paranormal games, because that's about all that has come out lately. Then I saw this one. I read the reviews and played the demo and fell in love with it. I guess the old saying, never say never.... Well, it applies here. I really enjoyed playing this game. The variety of games and the total make up of the game made it well worth the time and effort.
Graphics were a mixed bag, from realistic and modern to cartoons in the films it played. Voice overs and effects were excellent. The only complaint I had in this area was the music. It did get on my nerves somewhat, but other than that, this was a well produced game.
There are hidden object games that ran from lists to interactive, and I mean interactive. They were clear and not necessarily a pile of junk to go though. Of course, I had trouble with the majority of the mini games, but what can I say. I wasn't born with much patience. Some I simply could not figure out what to do in them. I used the custom so my hint and skip times were minimal. There seemed to be more mini games in this than usual. Maybe it was because I don't like them, but that's what the skip button is for.
As I said, the story had me in the demo. I won't go into the story itself. Big Fish does an okay job laying that out for you. I was still going to stick to my guns and not buy any of the afore mentioned games, but I had to find out what happened to the kids. The story was really good and I liked the ending. It just didn't stop, it ended.
Give the demo a shot and I will almost bet you'll get hooked like I did. It's a nice long game with a lot of different games to keep you busy. Enjoy ... it's a GEM of a game.
I recommend this game!
Final Cut: Fade to Black
The rivalry between two movie studios escalates into deception and murder!
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 25 found this review helpful
It Was Okay, but that's about It.
PostedJanuary 4, 2016
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
One of the reasons I purchased this game is because it is one of the very few games to come out in a long time that didn't deal with witches and ghosts. I'm not sorry I did, but it really didn't have the wow or fun of the previous games.
The graphics and sound were excellent as usual. Voice overs were well done and the colors were crisp and clear. The music went along with the action going on in the scenes and wasn't intrusive.
Level of challenge was my downfall. While there are a multitude of various types of hidden object scenes which I enjoyed, the mini games simply ruined the game for me. I'm not a big fan of minis, but these were beyond understanding. I had no concept as to what to do and just waited for the skip to charge. The instructions were not clear to me and the difficulty was way beyond my abilities. I may not like mini games, but at least I try to play them but the great majority of these were just impossible for me.
The story was interesting, if not a bit confusing at times. I got lost several times in it, but I may have missed something previous that would have made it more clear. There was a beginning and an ending, but it is very involved. Pay close attention as you go through the game or you too may end up lost.
If you are one who really enjoys the challenges of the mini games, this game is for you. You will have hours of fun figuring them out.
I recommend this game!
A scream in the night... a brutal crime... a mysterious figure with eyes red as blood. Can you get to the heart of this shocking murder?
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 17 found this review helpful
Pray this is the Last of These
PostedDecember 13, 2015
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
I really wasn't going to post about this game, because it was so bad, I honestly didn't think I could find anything good to say about it. It was not fun in the least and I just wasted my money. I own most all of these Dark Tales games, and this one has hit the bottom of the barrel. Not only is it not well produced it is very short. I should have guessed it was going to be by the length of the demo. So sad that a good series like this has hit such a low.
The graphics were well done. Colors were acceptable and the sound was well done too including the voice overs. The music was the same as in all the other games so no surprise there. Now that I have the good stuff out of the way on to the rest of the review.
The hidden objects were okay, but several I couldn't figure out what to look for. They are varied and unusual which was a plus, but not well thought out. The mini games were.. outlandish to say the least. Little or no instructions and what there were did not give me an inkling as to what to do.
So far as tools you have an interactive map which will transport you and kind of show you where there are things to do. I'm not a big fan of mini games to begin with, but I do want a fighting chance at least. You have several ways to play. I chose custom so I could set the skip and hint at their fastest speed, which I would recommend to anyone playing.
The story ... well what there was of it... was not well done. I enjoyed the previous stories, but this one was lacking from the very beginning all the way to the conclusion. Nothing seemed to tie together. It just ends.. period.
I have grown to expect more from this developer over the years, but if this is the sign of things to come, there are problems ahead. I do not recommend this game for any level of play.
I don't recommend this game.
Get tips and hints from our handy Strategy Guide! Follow our crystal clear instructions and helpful tricks to succeed!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
X Marks the Spot
PostedDecember 12, 2015
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game.
This being part of the Haunted Hotel series, I really didn't expect much. When I saw this come out in CE, I thought, I really don't think I'm interested, but after playing the demo, I realized I was so wrong. I really enjoyed this game. I got so involved in it I didn't get my yard work done, but it will be there tomorrow.
As usual the graphics were well done. Hidden objects were clear, but not all that easy to find and the colors were almost life-like, in comparison to most of the ghost games we have had. Sound was really well done and even the music wasn't bad. Voice overs were great as well.
This was my level of challenge. There was a good mixture of hidden objects and my dreaded mini games. I actually played most of them, but skipped a lot too. These mini games were really nothing new or to write home about, but they were involved and some took more time than I care to put forth in doing them. The interactive map was extremely helpful, but I did find that a lot of the interaction was done in the scene which was nice. I didn't have to live on the map like usual. Not only did the map transport, but it did show areas where things needed to be done. There are several degrees of difficulty. I chose the custom so I could set the skip and hint buttons at the lowest time. Found I didn't need the hint near as much as I normally did.
As I said, this is a series, and perhaps the weakest part of the game was the story. It was okay and they did a nice job in writing, but perhaps this needs to end this series and begin anew. The ending was really disappointing to me for some reason. I guess because, well it just ended. Seems like they are trying to build on the success of the previous episodes and was grasping at story. Don't get me wrong it was interesting or I wouldn't have purchased it, but it just seems that perhaps it's time to put this series to bed.
So, I had a lot of fun playing, the graphics and sound were excellent, the challenge was enough for me, and the story, while weak in my opinion, was acceptable. Those are the combinations for a winner. Give it a try. I think you'll find that the X is on spot!
I recommend this game!
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
Ahh.. The key at Last!
PostedDecember 11, 2015
PATinPNS
fromPensacola, FL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is posted after playing the entire game after waiting for what seemed like an eternity for the SE .
Yes, I waited and waited for this to come out in SE and finally it did. I'm so glad I waited, not so patiently, but it was worth the wait. I really enjoyed the game. Everything about it was worthwhile. I haven't been able to say that about so many of the games coming out lately, but this one is fun, interesting and just plain good.
Graphics were great; sound, including music, was really good, as well as the voice overs which were very well done. The colors were pleasant the hidden objects were well designed. Everything to do with the design of the game was very well done.
There are numerous types of hidden objects from the list to silhouette to interactive and a combination thereof. Also for you mini game fans, there are minis in the hidden object scenes.
I did enjoy the hidden object games and some of the minis were interesting. That's about as far as I go in liking mini games, but I did play several of them. To be quite honest, I could not figure out what to do in many of them, but that's why I use the custom setting. There are four levels to play, and when available I do use the custom so I can set the skip and hint times to suit me.
The main tool in this game is the map. It does transport and show where there are things to be done. No journal, but there is one gizmo that allows you to play a mini game of sorts. I haven't found the value of that one item, but I'm sure it's there for some reason. It is a rather long game, especially if you read all the information provided as part of the story. It does as to the overall atmosphere, but again, not real sure how much is too much. I can tell you, I'm afraid I would have been totally lost without the map.
I won't go into detail about the story. Big Fish does a great job laying it out for you and I don't want to bore you rehashing what others have said. I will say the story is a bit convoluted at times, but all in all a pretty good story. This is a sequel, but it isn't necessary to have played the others to play this.
I was thinking they would be running out of ideas around this theme, but with the ending as it was, looks like there will be another sometime in the future. Perhaps it might be time to start a new series, but this one has been pretty popular over the years.
Give the demo a shot. I think you will like it. It's pretty goofy, but isn't that what we do this for anyway.
I recommend this game!