rainstormy's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:19
- Reviews Submitted:63
- First Review:August 25, 2021
- Most Recent Review:August 20, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Discover an even bigger blend of hidden object experiences!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Very entertaining (if not overly challenging) quick jumble games
PostedAugust 20, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I haven't played one of these in a while, and although I usually buy CE's I was able to get this one quite inexpensively with my club points and even without the bonus levels there are several hours of fun to be had in this SE game. I enjoy how these mini games are arranged by theme, and there's a nice assortment of themes. These games are quick and pretty easy, require no previous experience and good to pick up anytime to pass a few minutes or hours of time. The graphics are bright and cheerful. I particularly liked the location based themes, both country and work locations. Very cheerful and nice guitar background music. None of these puzzles are particularly hard, I could have used a bit more challenge but it is what it is. Nice relaxing escapist fun.
I recommend this game!
Grab your hiking boots for an enchanting hidden-object adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
Difficulty seeing small objects
PostedAugust 6, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
This brief review is based on my experience with the demo. The graphics and gameplay are colorful and smooth, the background music is cheerful and cute but the objects are just too small for me to see on my 17" laptop. Might work better on a larger screen, but it is unplayable on my current pc. I'll pass on this one; a better game of this type is always right around the corner.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore the most beautiful places in the world!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Very calm easy relaxing game. No surprises.
PostedJuly 24, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
I've played most installments from this series and I do enjoy them although I get the impression these are designed with kids in mind or perhaps the elderly. Sometimes maybe you just want to chill out and take it easy. I would not describe this as a hidden object game since the objects are not hidden. They are not in any way disguised; the bright pictures are almost randomly pasted and you just find the ones on the list and quickly click them to clear the level. The scenery is really nice and the graphics are crisp. Would be a good game for a caregiver to share with a patient in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Nevertheless I still enjoy this series. Sometimes I want a challenge or a story but then there are times I just want to relax and "do something on the computer" that doesn't involve my work or reading about the latest news. This offering fits the bill for that. Something pleasant to pass the time on a rainy day.
I recommend this game!
Help Rangers run the amazing Pinecreek Hills National Park!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Enjoyable as always.
PostedMay 20, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Here is the 16th installment of the much loved Park Ranger series. The gameplay and minis are instantly familiar to anyone who has played one of these before and this offering is as delightful as any previous releases (with the exception of #10, the weakest volume of the series). Make-believe Pinecreek Hills is apparently on the receiving end of endless reinvestment for continuous upgrades - new construction projects are moving along at full speed ahead – at this rate the park is at high risk of overdevelopment with too many natural habitats altered or destroyed for pyramids, marinas, restaurants, entertainment venues and now a zippy monorail “people mover” to efficiently shuttle around tourists from one nature themed tourist trap venue to another! Yes I know this isn't a real park but there are similarities between the make believe world of Pinecreek and the pitfalls of mass tourism facing our real national and state parks. I'm probably the only person who finds excavator scenes slightly disturbing but the chipper staff seem unphased by the presence of bulldozers - as the old saying goes if you build it they will come! At least at this federally funded pretend park it's just pixels being moved on a screen. It's still a fun experience though if you don't think about it too much. I enjoyed the game, the collector's editions of Park Ranger are always worth the extra charge and I eagerly await the release of #17.
I recommend this game!
Bring out the beast in you!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Unique gameplay, beautiful art, just enough challenge.
PostedApril 23, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
This is the second installment in the Wilde Investigations series (I assume there will be more to come...?) This is a relaxing game featuring unique, colorful painted scenery. It is not too mentally taxing, with the exception of a few minis that are quite challenging (and skippable, if you're not in the mood for them.) Lots of jigsaws, HOPs with a very loose storyline centering around a zoo investigation; just enough (or barely enough!) plot to keep you engaged from scene to scene. I found the gameplay generally easier than the first one ("Kerfuffle"). The violin soundtrack has a lulling effect; I had to pour another cup of coffee to keep going. But I enjoyed it quite well, and it's a welcome break from the dayglo graphics and darker themes which mostly dominate the current casual game scene. Recommended for HOP fans.
I recommend this game!
Without darkness, the stars would be invisible.
Overall rating
2
/
5
Not much fun.
PostedApril 14, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
So I advanced in this "game" (or collection of minis/HOG scenes) to nearly level 50, realized I wasn't having much fun with it and decided that was it for me. I enjoyed the colorful scenes and most of the HOGs well enough, but I dislike the majority of the "IQ test" puzzles (with very scant directions!). Voice acting is okay. Story was not compelling enough to keep me interested. I enjoyed the earlier game Intersection of Worlds: 100 Doors but this one not so much. Two stars is the best I can do. Not the worst rating available but far from the top.
I don't recommend this game.
Unearth nature’s bounty in this fun and relaxing hidden-object experience!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Nature Escapes 5 - hardcore mode!
PostedApril 1, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
One of my favorite series from Boomzap/Tiny Little Lion changed it up during this fifth installment. Change is good (mostly good!) but be warned, this offering is more challenging than the other Nature Escapes (NE), so put your bifocals on, pour a hot cuppa tea and settle in for some serious HOP fun!
You get to customize your music and sound setting - with a choice of just ambient (nature) sounds, immersive zen or casual. Casual is the new age acoustic style guitar we know and love from previous NE games while zen is very, very (very!) slow ambient and relaxing. I tried playing with zen initially and while there's a time and place for this type of music in my life it sort of made me want to nod off, so after a few scenes I flipped it over to casual which, for me, is "much better."
Finding certain hidden objects triggers little mini games - they aren't hard; might be a little jigsaw, find the pairs or "untie the knots" - type of thing. I enjoyed playing those through just once but if I didn't get a gold star on my first run through on the level I clicked the skip so I didn't have to play them again. Still, a nice little change up.
Objects CAN be a little difficult to find in NE5 and I struggled a bit at times trying to find a few items or animals which are very small or deeply obscured in darkness. Luckily there's a very easy way to zoom in but even though I'll admit I was skunked more than a few times. I have a 17" laptop screen - I'd not want to play on a 15" and perhaps they're easier to see on a much larger screen - I can only assume.
If this is your first Nature Escapes, I probably wouldn't start with this one because the challenge level is pretty intense. For seasoned fans of the previous four, the small but welcome changes to #5 made this a mostly outstanding game experience.
I recommend this game!
Take off for the great outdoors on a long weekend of puzzles and inspiration!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Fun, cheerful HOG, just enough challenge. A great mood lifter!
PostedMarch 19, 2024
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Family, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I am a HOG fan, and hadn't played one in several months so I was overdue for a little fix. I've played a number of games from this developer before (Russian based AVI Games) and I really enjoy the mechanics of play, the cheerful and familiar scenery and clarity of scenes here - nothing blurry or out of focus! The background music isn't annoying, except for one song where a kid cries out randomly, not sure why that bugs me but it does, lol. This game really improved my mood after a dark and rainy winter, and with the days growing longer now I enjoyed the pleasant summer scenery of families doing ordinary activities. While I do enjoy fantasy based games from time to time I also take comfort in seeing the familiar, too. A well done game despite the occasional translation errors - there's more than enough challenge to keep me playing this one with captive interest to the end. Well done, AVI Games - I hope you bring us a sequel game, too!
I recommend this game!
Take an inspiring trip through history!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Enjoyable "game" retelling the Greatest Story.
PostedDecember 29, 2023
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Perfect Christmas game for Catholics like myself and I assume, many (but not all!) gamers on BFG. Even if you are not Christian, this is a faithful condensed retelling of the familiar and very culturally important New Testament and you will pick up some "trivia" along the way. I enjoyed respectful and authentic handling of the subject matter, (most of) the puzzles, the absolutely gorgeous artwork and of course the quick refresher course on The Greatest Story. It is all beautifully presented here in an entertaining format. I hope this developer decides to create an Old Testament game - I'd enjoy that too, for certain.
Explore a world of holiday joy through festive subgames.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Adorable Christmas games
PostedDecember 13, 2023
rainstormy
fromLufkin, TX
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Charming collection of simple, colorful mini games to get you ready for Christmas. I enjoyed all of the vintage ornaments and images from Christmases past. While not overly challenging there's enough going on here to keep you engaged for several hours. The music is great, too. I was ready for punch and cookies and maybe even a carol singalong by the time it was over. We could all use a little Christmas and this is just the game to put you in the mood!
I recommend this game!