This game was ok. There are a few flaws. The first: every once in a while the level you are playing will end without warning. This happened to me at least 3 times. The second is that once you pick something up, you can't put it down. It allows you to add salad or sandwich to an order, but if you decide not to add the item picked up, you can't send it "home" again. You have to add it to an order. On the same line - all purchases are permanent once picked. You are not asked if you want to buy the item. Once you click on it, you've bought it. That said, it's a cute game - a time waster if you have time to waste.
It's a different set up from HO's I'm used to but it wasn't bad. It did take me a while to understand the format but the HO's were easy on the eyes and the games had some challenge. I didn't have to use a blog walk through, nor did I have to skip any puzzles because I couldn't figure them out. Over all not overly exciting, not overly trying. It's was just ok.
Granted, the designers of the game did improve the environment, etc., over the 3 games of this series, but there are three things that annoy me most in a HO game. First don't give me items at the very start of the game (within the first few minutes) that I won't use until hours later. Second, don't show me a place I cannot access until another mode is unlocked. You don't find the crown for a door until you have completed the game and opened the "Hard Mode". I started this game three times believing I was missing something obvious. Third, don't send me back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth, collecting items I need currently. This game rated 3 out of 3. There are better games out there if you have experience with HO games. If you are new, it's an ok game to start with, but remember you don't get the dumb crown until after you beat the game.
I have to admit that I'm not overly impressed with this series. They aren't bad for first time gamers but not especially challenging for experienced HO gamers. The HO's are set up so that you have to find pieces of an item you need - like a shovel. This does not change throughout though the items obviously will. The 'locks' are pretty much the same as well - same type of puzzle but at higher level. Not much help offered. There is a map that tells you where you are and where the HO's are but that's all. It doesn't provide clues if you need to do something specific and fail to - so be sure to download the blog before playing. What saves this from a 3star rating is the story line. It's very well written and engaging.
You are dropped in the middle of this mystery based on Sleeping Beauty tale and left to your own devices. In the ho you are given an item to find (say a hammer), and you look for pieces of the item. That's it. You find things, put them where they belong and nothing happens - and you are still trying to solve the mystery. Don't bother with the "Notes". They are useless. The "Inspect" ribbon helps you by telling you what rooms have hos waiting for you but nothing to show you progress cept an occasional chapter number. Really not very engaging. Was glad when it was over. Wait for it go on sale.
I don't recommend this game.
+3points
4of5voted this as helpful.
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles Collector's Edition
Charles Baskerville is the latest victim of a centuries-old curse! Help Holmes break the curse before the next murder occurs!
I've always been a Sherlock Holmes fan and this is one of my favorite stories. The game plays true in that you seek to find out what has happened to the Baskerville family - curse or something more sinister? The graphics are awesome, you get to travel through time and you solve each murder mystery independently but as part of the whole. I really enjoyed this one. The Collector's version allows you to complete the family and opens up mini games for family members. Some of the puzzles are a bit tough, but not terribly frustrating. You are given instructions by clicking a question mark, a feature not available in all games. And there's always a skip button. The game doesn't run long, maybe five hours tops, but you are thoroughly engaged. I'd say it's worth the price. Have fun!
I enjoyed the original game and very much enjoyed the extended version. The HO's are easier to see than in most games I've played. The puzzles are solve-able, some with a little time, but I think I only skipped one. The story line stays consistent into the Collector's Edition, which isn't true for all games. It opens up new areas, too, which is cool. Overall, relaxing and entertaining.
I recommend this game!
+9points
10of11voted this as helpful.
Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches
Explore a haunted farmstead in Wales called Ty Pryderi! Chris has been asked to house-sit, and is in for a spooky surprise!
Overall rating
2/ 5
11 of 17 found this review helpful
I just bought this game but I have to say that so far....
I am not impressed. In the first place it took more than 10 minutes to download to my laptop - it runs on windows7, so I know I have a fast processor. The map provided only adds locations as you visit them and doesn't tell you where you are. So if you get lost, you stay lost because the map doesn't help. In just the first few minutes, I came across 4 objects that I can look at but won't add to my inventory - you can only pick up items you need. The game warns you to take notes on where you saw certain noncollectable items that you will need later. Um, I don't want to use that much brain power to play a game. There are no hints or clues as you go along. You get an intro to the story and you are on your own. Oh, and the game does not automatically save, so if you play, make sure you save before closing. All together a bit too complicated for my tastes.
I enjoy a good hidden object game that has a solid story and puzzles I can solve. I skipped one puzzle and had to check the blog walk through once. That's saying a lot. As much as I enjoy these games, some are too hard for me to get through - or the hidden object scenes are too hard for me to see. Maestro didn't have either of these issues. You follow a little girl through a village where everyone is dying of premature old age. The connection is music, so most of the puzzle have that kind of a theme. Over all I recommend this game
I enjoyed how this game played. I did have to use the blog walk through once or twice, but otherwise was able to figure things out on my own. You actually battle the bad guys! It was a hoot. I don't normally rate collector's editions so high but they did a good job. The story stayed consistent through to the end. Definitely worth playing. I started with the Phantom game which was pretty good as well.