AmethystScorpion's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.1
- Helpful Votes:502
- Reviews Submitted:44
- First Review:December 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 23, 2017
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you save the holidays before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
That's more like it!
PostedDecember 23, 2017
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Well, it seems that the recent sale of BFG to Aristocrat Entertainment is already having good results and I am giving this a rare Five Stars because new companies like this need our support. I'll level with you fishies, if this game had not come out I would have cancelled my subscription at the end of the year as I have become so disillusioned with all the poor quality "Doom and Gloom" cookie cutter product that has come out since Paul Thelan left the company. In fact I only bought Two games this year....and the other one was Chicken Invaders!!
So yes this is a satisfying Old School type game that feels and plays like the glory days of a few years ago. Having said that it is not without it's problems, and it is clearly a new company Learning the trade as there are some ropy production issues (the cut-scene animations are, well, not very good) and a few bugs that need a patch. However this is a well crafted and charming story with a real Christmas feel and a well balanced progression that makes you want to turn the page. Sure it gets bogged down towards the middle somewhat but that in no way makes it a deal breaker and on the whole this is an excellent product so well done to them as an introductory offering from this company, I will definitely be watching this space for more.
Now if we could only get Adrian Woods back on the team that would be really awesome.....
So yes this is a satisfying Old School type game that feels and plays like the glory days of a few years ago. Having said that it is not without it's problems, and it is clearly a new company Learning the trade as there are some ropy production issues (the cut-scene animations are, well, not very good) and a few bugs that need a patch. However this is a well crafted and charming story with a real Christmas feel and a well balanced progression that makes you want to turn the page. Sure it gets bogged down towards the middle somewhat but that in no way makes it a deal breaker and on the whole this is an excellent product so well done to them as an introductory offering from this company, I will definitely be watching this space for more.
Now if we could only get Adrian Woods back on the team that would be really awesome.....
I recommend this game!
Can you break an evil curse and save the day?!
Overall rating
1
/
5
39 of 49 found this review helpful
More Krampus than Christmas
PostedDecember 7, 2017
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
And still the decline continues! You know a game is in trouble when you start hitting the hint button within a few screens out of sheer boredom. The first two of this series, Nutcracker and Christmas Carol, were, and still are, amazing even though being more than Five years old. Puss In Boots wasn't bad, Tin Soldier and Magi were absolute Stinkers but A Little Prince is the absolute worse. Gone are the charming well detailed graphics. Gone are the magical introduction sequences. Gone is any semblance of a decent story. Gone are the engaging and amusing voice-overs with good characters and cut-scenes. Gone are the animations. Gone is the atmospheric music and sound effects.
What we have here is a shadow of what has gone before with bland scenery, Zero Christmas atmosphere, no attempt at creativity and completely incoherent puzzles. I sincerely hope that when Aristocrat takes over BF Games that they stop the "New Game Every Day" gimmick and allow developers to give their product the time and care that they used to put into them.
Sorry but this is the first Christmas Story I won't be buying after the demo.
What we have here is a shadow of what has gone before with bland scenery, Zero Christmas atmosphere, no attempt at creativity and completely incoherent puzzles. I sincerely hope that when Aristocrat takes over BF Games that they stop the "New Game Every Day" gimmick and allow developers to give their product the time and care that they used to put into them.
Sorry but this is the first Christmas Story I won't be buying after the demo.
I don't recommend this game.
A Halloween party becomes a spine-tingling fight for survival!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
What! That's it?
PostedNovember 26, 2017
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
So yes, this looks really good and the game-play is brisk and keeps things interesting - BUT - the Demo is Half the Game!! Including the Bonus game, all the achievements and not skipping anything you will be very lucky to make this last more than Two Hours! Just be aware of this before buying.
Can't believe I blew Two credits on this, hence the relatively low score.
Can't believe I blew Two credits on this, hence the relatively low score.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Case Files ®: 13th Skull ™ Collector's Edition
Help Sara find her missing husband and stop an evil pirate’s ancient curse in Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Could it really have been THAT bad?
PostedNovember 26, 2017
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
...well the answer is Yes and No. I have been revisiting some of the older titles as I gave up on the series after Ravenherst Unlocked, since then I havn't purchased any after trying the Demo's.
There is no doupt that 13th Skull is visually impressive and it is unmistakeably an Adrian Woods game with all the Humour, Style and Pacing, but quite frankly as I play this I feel increacingly insulted as there is not any actual detective sleuthing to do. Instead we are sent on fools missions that are embarresing to get through and are completely pointless (think Alien Isolation). You collect Crayons for an illtempered brat. You pick up cleaning equipment for an absent minded Housekeeper (BTW I love that actress from Spartacus who plays, well, another houskeeper in that show). You set traps for rats in the basement. You pick up an order of Curry for a neighbour etc etc etc. And then there is that awful Scooby-Doo ending - The house isn't really haunded by the ghost of a pirate, it was the owners all along involved in a scam....And they would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for you medlin kids!
Such a shame but much more preferable to what has come along since Adrian Woods stopped producing them.
There is no doupt that 13th Skull is visually impressive and it is unmistakeably an Adrian Woods game with all the Humour, Style and Pacing, but quite frankly as I play this I feel increacingly insulted as there is not any actual detective sleuthing to do. Instead we are sent on fools missions that are embarresing to get through and are completely pointless (think Alien Isolation). You collect Crayons for an illtempered brat. You pick up cleaning equipment for an absent minded Housekeeper (BTW I love that actress from Spartacus who plays, well, another houskeeper in that show). You set traps for rats in the basement. You pick up an order of Curry for a neighbour etc etc etc. And then there is that awful Scooby-Doo ending - The house isn't really haunded by the ghost of a pirate, it was the owners all along involved in a scam....And they would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for you medlin kids!
Such a shame but much more preferable to what has come along since Adrian Woods stopped producing them.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop the Revenant before it's too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
32 of 34 found this review helpful
Either bring back Adrian Woods or give the Tex Murphy team a chance.
PostedNovember 23, 2017
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Oh dear, another year - another clunker. Ok so this is "Marginally" better than Black Veil but it is still way off MCF standards, and HO game standards for that matter. Everything about this screams "Low Budget" and it is at best a mediocre offering. If I had to describe this I would say it is an inferior version of Ghosts of Maple Creek. The story has potential but has been done very badly. The color pallet is that tired old Purple and More Purple. The graphics are ill defined. The music is the same old Stock tunes you will hear on any number of other games. The cut scenes are just more very bad Cardboard Cutout sections.
This is for the completest only and is just another rushed through "Cookie Cutter" game that could have been released as anything.
I suggest giving the MCF contract to the Tex Murphy producers because Woods based the character and the wit of the Master Detective on Tex Murphy and they know how to produce a game worthy of the MCF Label. Otherwise this series should just be retired and have done with it.
This is for the completest only and is just another rushed through "Cookie Cutter" game that could have been released as anything.
I suggest giving the MCF contract to the Tex Murphy producers because Woods based the character and the wit of the Master Detective on Tex Murphy and they know how to produce a game worthy of the MCF Label. Otherwise this series should just be retired and have done with it.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop the townspeople from mysteriously aging?
Overall rating
1
/
5
142 of 153 found this review helpful
Honestly - what is the point anymore?
PostedMarch 28, 2017
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Ahh well, I'd better finally get to it, just a small opinion and then the game. I'v lived long enough to see a number of beloved series almost ruined permanently by the removal of just One Key Element that was indispensable. These include The X Files without Mulder, Doctor Who without his TARDIS, Friday 13th without Jason....and now the Mystery Case Files without Adrian Woods. Outsourcing this Series was never going to work no matter how much we may want it to. Adrian Woods WAS the Mystery Case Files - and the Mystery Case Files WAS Adrian Woods, anything else is just pretending. That's the basic truth with the result being that in just Four short years the standard for the MCF has gone from "Excellence" to "Any old rubbish will do".
I had held out hope when the Contract was given to Eipix after the disastrous Elephant run but for the Second time in a row I won't be buying this after the demo, and i bought them all from Huntsville. Sadly this isn't just a bad MCF game it's a bad Eipix game that feels and looks like some abandoned project they got out of mothballs and decided to call it a MCF Title but in reality Eipix are capable of MUCH better than this. The story would have potentially worked but it's just been done so badly. The graphics are nowhere near what Eipix is capable of, being Large, Smudged and ill defined. Everything looks Flatter, the Color Pallet is Blander (50 shades of Purple) and the overall presentation is more Rushed and Cobbled Together than it has ever been. The Puzzles have never been so incoherent and such a Chore. Same Old Location. Same Old Assortment of the Tired Weirdos that are meant to pass for Characters. Same old Suggestion of Missing Persons that is supposed to Shock us. Same old Embarrassingly Bad Voice overs and Cardboard Cutout Characters. I will come clean, I actually quit this with 20 Minutes of the Demo left - and I NEVER quit Demos.
PLEASE let our beloved series die with the little dignity it has left.
PLEASE let our beloved series die with the little dignity it has left.
Travel beyond our galaxy to bring your lost son back home.
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
They made a really good Demo then just gave up!!
PostedFebruary 7, 2017
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
The Previous Title in this series made it to my Yearly "Must Play" list and while it was going to take something really special to Best "Light Advent" this seemed to be making a worthy attempt. After completing the Demo I immediately bought the CE. And I immediately regretted it!! I cannot stress enough that the Demo is not representative of the finished product so I will base this review where the Demo left off.
The good -
While Graphics have never been a high priority for Mad Head Games they generally do well with what they have. The style for this is radically different from the previous title and they have gone for a Grimy Steampunk look very much like that of "Tales of Glass and Ink". This is a bit annoying at first but once you get used to it then it's OK.
As with Light Advent there is also a strong soundtrack although it is strangely out of place for the darker, grittier scenery. They have also managed to secure the Voice Acting Talents of Kristen Price who is Famous for working with Artifex Mundi so this is naturally of the highest Quality. Sadly this is where the good points end.
As with Light Advent there is also a strong soundtrack although it is strangely out of place for the darker, grittier scenery. They have also managed to secure the Voice Acting Talents of Kristen Price who is Famous for working with Artifex Mundi so this is naturally of the highest Quality. Sadly this is where the good points end.
The Bad -
What can I say? This really needed more time, actually a LOT more time. Firstly there is a noticeable reduction in Graphic Quality that is nothing to do with the change in style, just bad graphics. They have that HORRIBLE immersion breaking Thick Black Line that covers the Center of the screen and stays there for absolutely ages whenever you do something.
The Story is just silly once the Demo finishes and mostly involves doing pointless stuff that do nothing to move the story along, very much like Thirteenth Skull.
Worst of all though, in it's present state this game is PLAGUED with Bugs. I downloaded it to Three different units just to make sure and it is the same in every case. More often than not an area will not activate or an action will not perform forcing the player to use the Hint and Skip button which completely defeats the object of buying a collector's Edition. Why was this released in such an unfinished state?
The Story is just silly once the Demo finishes and mostly involves doing pointless stuff that do nothing to move the story along, very much like Thirteenth Skull.
Worst of all though, in it's present state this game is PLAGUED with Bugs. I downloaded it to Three different units just to make sure and it is the same in every case. More often than not an area will not activate or an action will not perform forcing the player to use the Hint and Skip button which completely defeats the object of buying a collector's Edition. Why was this released in such an unfinished state?
Sorry but in it's present form cannot recommend this as a Collectors Edition although I would almost recommend it as a SE if the Bugs are fixed.
I don't recommend this game.
Uncover the secrets buried under Karkhala Peak.
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Very Difficult to Grade this Game. Take it for what it is.
PostedJanuary 24, 2017
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Apologies for the Lateness of this review but for One reason or another this has been sitting on my Hard Drive for over a Year. I took Part in the Beta Testing and was very pleased with the progress and in Many ways I have not been disappointed in the finished Product. I haven't finished the Bonus Chapter yet so this review is entirely based on the Main Feature.
There are really Two ways to look at this Title...
There are really Two ways to look at this Title...
Is this an excellent, well crafted, immersive Game? Yes it is.
Is it "ENIGMATIS"? No it isn't.
Is it "ENIGMATIS"? No it isn't.
The First in the Series way back in 2012 was a Classic Horror Mystery with some very disturbing Elements, in fact, it is on my yearly "Must Play" list. The Second in the Series while being an altogether Softer Offering was still recognisable as an ENIGMATIS Title. However This Installment, as technically good as it is, has gone a step too far I feel in trying to make things different. In fact if it were not for the name and a couple of the characters this would be completely unrecognisable as an ENIGMATIS Title.
Nevertheless this is still an Excellent Offering for what it is, albeit very short and thin on the ground in Story and Content. ENIGMATIS 3 is a Peaceful and Thought Provoking Title that is more about Experiencing the Scenery and The Sounds rather than Solving a Mystery. It nods in the direction of the Previous Two Titles but does not recreate the same Atmosphere or sense of Purpose and is more Akin to a relaxing Walk in the Woods than a Mission although I did enjoy the Process. My only real Criticism here is that there could have been more HO scenes as these are very few and far between in this Offering. Other than that it is a Satisfying Experience.
OH, And Michael McConnohie, the voice of Barry Burton in the Resident Evil Games, is back as the voice of the Detective sounding just like, well, Barry Burton so points added for that. Gotta Love Barry!!
If you want to just Relax, Switch your Brain off and enjoy some Lovely Sights and Sounds for a few hours then by all means buy this. If you are expecting another Maple Creek then you will be disappointed. Take it for what it is.
I recommend this game!
Help your little sister get a second chance this Christmas after she gets on the naughty list.
Overall rating
3
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Beta Quality Game - Very rushed and very short
PostedDecember 13, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Might as well face it, the glory days of HO Gaming are long since over. This is definitely not worth the price of a CE, I clocked it in just under Two Hours.
The Story is not related to the O Henry Story of the same name, but rather some weird hybrid of the usual "Doom and Gloom" that BF churn out like there's no tomorrow with Christmas Scenery thrown in. Nope, I don't understand it either.
Speaking of Scenery the Graphics are at best Patchy and decidedly bland. Same with the sound and music.
The Story is not related to the O Henry Story of the same name, but rather some weird hybrid of the usual "Doom and Gloom" that BF churn out like there's no tomorrow with Christmas Scenery thrown in. Nope, I don't understand it either.
Speaking of Scenery the Graphics are at best Patchy and decidedly bland. Same with the sound and music.
Clearly this is a game designed for children only (something they should have told us) and as such there is inappropriate content here. Rather than being Christmassy there has been a very clear attempt at a more sinister feeling which is noticeably uncomfortable for an exclusively Children's title. However what is Inexcusable is including a Completely irresponsible puzzle whereby the little boy uses a pair of Metal Pliers to cut through a Live Electrical String of Christmas Lights - Congratulations Guys at BF Way to go with that one,!! Do you even check these any more for appropriate content?!
That aside this is an unfinished project that was released while in the Beta Stage, It feels very empty and very soulless. My Thumbs Down vote is due to it being a Children's game with the inappropriate and even dangerous content. As an older Player one may find that there is some enjoyment here but not much. Wait for the SE or a Half Price Voucher is my advice.
I don't recommend this game.
Grim Legends: The Forsaken Bride Collector's Edition
Enter an enchanting world of legends, mystery and magic, where your destiny was written in blood and the soft murmurs of true love...
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Oh dear....another one for the Stinker Bin
PostedJune 25, 2016
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
After a very promising start and a truly Fun First Quarter the story seems to be abandoned completely and then this game very quickly becomes bogged down in boredom and tedium. In fact I would say it almost grinds to a halt completely for the next three quarters and the Bonus Game which is such a shame because it showed so much promise.
I always make a point of finishing a game but Iv been at this for over a year because I cant take more than Ten minutes at a time which is a record even for me!
I always make a point of finishing a game but Iv been at this for over a year because I cant take more than Ten minutes at a time which is a record even for me!
Essentially this is just a "doing pointless stuff" type game followed by "doing more pointless stuff" and taking absolutely AGES to do it.
I think this is in large part to it being produced by different programming teams as there is a very Stark reduction in graphic quality around the half way mark too.
I think this is in large part to it being produced by different programming teams as there is a very Stark reduction in graphic quality around the half way mark too.
Just save your money.....
I don't recommend this game.