skullfun's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.7
- Helpful Votes:11,503
- Reviews Submitted:649
- First Review:February 24, 2013
- Most Recent Review:January 2, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Find the double agent in H.E.L.P. before it's too late!
Overall rating
2
/
5
24 of 28 found this review helpful
~~ARE EPIX FANS LOSING INTEREST IN HIDDEN EXPEDITION?~~
PostedAugust 20, 2018
skullfun
fromHidden Expedition is a FANTASTIC series as a whole, but the last couple of editions have been mediore!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Your journey in Eipix's 17th Hidden Expedition edition: The Altar of Lies begins in Honduras, where you and your H.E.L.P. team are sent to retrieve an ancient valuable artifact. Upon your arrival, you discovered that the site has been compromised and you find yourself being accused of being a double agent! Can you out smart a group of villains who call themselves "the Noble Scoundrels" and find a way out of this messy situation and clear your name after your framed for allegedly murdering Sam?
Like with many of Eipix’s long-running franchises, the Hidden Expedition games as of late started to all blend in together and many fans are taking notice. This latest sequel, The Alter of Lies, feels like every other Hidden Expedition games over the past two (2) years; an exotic locale, an ancient artifact, and a group of strong-headed mafia members. Even the rich backstory is not enough to save the game from its struggles with illogical storyline and a very dull concept. Developers may want to think about implementing some "out-of-the-box" thinking and create more innovative story lines if they want players to retain their interest in this once popular series...
One of the few things that keep the game going for me was the stunning visuals. The wonderful artwork and graphics perfectly convey the beauty of Honduras and the Amazon rain forest. There is always something new to look at in each scene and the subtle, yet effective special effects help bring these scenes to life. Still, Hidden Expedition: The Altar of Lies could really use some more out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to the gameplay. As of now, the series is plagued with predictable HOPA elements. The adventure part is the same-old cookie-cutter type, the puzzles are overly simple and uninspired, and the hidden object scenes are low on challenge, although they might be the most enjoyable aspect of the gameplay because the storyline is utterly illogical and uninspiring.
Hidden Expedition: The Altar of Lies clocks in just around the four-hour mark, and the bonus chapter adds another 40 minutes of disappointing playtime. The CE bling is also the SOS: a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, videos, re-playable hidden object scenes, re-playable puzzles, achievements, collectibles, morphing objects, and a souvenir room. This edition isn't CE worthy IMHO and I used a free game coupon for this SE edition. I now own all seventeen episodes of this series and if the next addition to the series is an improvement I may renew my interest in Hidden Expedition...we'll just have to wait and see what the Eipix team does to make this series unique again. Cheers!
In this series:
•Hidden Expedition: Titanic
•Hidden Expedition: Everest
•Hidden Expedition: Amazon
•Hidden Expedition: Devils Triangle
•Hidden Expedition: The Uncharted Islands
•Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Hope Diamond (No longer available in BFG catalog).
•Hidden Expedition: Crown of Solomon
•Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Castle (No longer available in BFG catalog).
•Hidden Expedition: Dawn of Prosperity
•Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth
•Hidden Expedition: Midgard's End
•Hidden Expedition: The Eternal Emperor
•Hidden Expedition: The Lost Paradise
•Hidden Expedition: The Pearl of Discord
•Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates
•Hidden Expedition: The Golden Secret
•Hidden Expedition: The Alter of Lies
•Hidden Expedition: Titanic
•Hidden Expedition: Everest
•Hidden Expedition: Amazon
•Hidden Expedition: Devils Triangle
•Hidden Expedition: The Uncharted Islands
•Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Hope Diamond (No longer available in BFG catalog).
•Hidden Expedition: Crown of Solomon
•Hidden Expedition: Smithsonian Castle (No longer available in BFG catalog).
•Hidden Expedition: Dawn of Prosperity
•Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth
•Hidden Expedition: Midgard's End
•Hidden Expedition: The Eternal Emperor
•Hidden Expedition: The Lost Paradise
•Hidden Expedition: The Pearl of Discord
•Hidden Expedition: The Curse of Mithridates
•Hidden Expedition: The Golden Secret
•Hidden Expedition: The Alter of Lies
I recommend this game!
Can you escape the nightmares before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
14 of 20 found this review helpful
~~A STORY OF NIGHTMARES AND CHILDHOOD TRAUMA!~~
PostedAugust 3, 2018
skullfun
fromOne thing is certain, GrandMA Studios does not hold back with the outstanding Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a compelling mystery where an evil entity from the world of dreams straight-up called Nightmare has escaped into the real world who is traumatizing innocent people with disturbing nightmares. As a revered agency of the Dark Light, you need to take a dive into this surreal world of dreams and stop Nightmare from doing more damage to these poor souls before you are next. Essentially, Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible is a psychological thriller game. However, instead of taking a more serious tone like the earlier Maze games, Enfant Terrible incorporates more colorful fantasy elements into the plot. The storyline definitely has some thought provoking moments and I really found the characters very fascinating and the pacing excellent. This perfect pace, along with the wide variety of locations included in the game, makes Enfant Terrible incredibly addicting – honestly there is never a single moment of boredom in the game. The visuals in Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible are simply spectacular. The glossy colors, the detailed artwork, the studio-quality cutscenes, the on-point voice-acting, and the suspenseful music – every aspect of the production hits all the right notes! The development team deserves much credit for this superb addition to the series! The game cleverly intertwines story elements with the gameplay, creating an extremely smooth gaming experience. For those who are concerned, the game contains one little gimmick – the Magnifier – which is neither annoying nor adds much value to the game. As for the hidden object scenes, which are plenty, you will be glad to know that they are supremely entertaining even though a few scenes do repeat. Further, the puzzles include an option to switch between Easy and Hard mode as well as adopt some cool and neat twists. I also had more enjoyment by selecting the "custom mode" so that I could make it as difficult as I wanted. The game is also generous when it comes to extras. The main game took me four hours to complete, the bonus chapter added another hour of equally-incredible gameplay, and the hidden chapter comes in the form of a surprisingly enjoyable HOP. Other bonus items include a strategy guide, wallpapers, a jigsaw puzzle to assemble a screensaver, concept art, videos, soundtracks, re-playable hidden object scenes, replayable puzzles, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects. Fans of this series are in for some twists and turns with the content of the story and an extra surprise revelation involving one of the main characters too! This is one of the better Whispered Secret additions and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Cheers!
Also in this series:
•Whispered Secrets: The Story of Tideville
•Whispered Secrets: Into the Beyond
•Whispered Secrets: Into the Wind
•Whispered Secrets: Golden Silence
•Whispered Secrets: Everburning Candle
•Whispered Secrets: Song of Sorrow
•Whispered Secrets: Forgotten Sins
•Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible
•Whispered Secrets: The Story of Tideville
•Whispered Secrets: Into the Beyond
•Whispered Secrets: Into the Wind
•Whispered Secrets: Golden Silence
•Whispered Secrets: Everburning Candle
•Whispered Secrets: Song of Sorrow
•Whispered Secrets: Forgotten Sins
•Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible
I recommend this game!
Can you escape a madman on the Island of Fog?
Overall rating
4
/
5
30 of 38 found this review helpful
~~TALES OF TERROR #5 DOESN'T OFFER MUCH OF A CHALLENGE.~~
PostedJuly 29, 2018
skullfun
fromDeep Shadows game developers have created a wonderful series despite the fact that this edition was less than creative!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Thought I love the series this edition wasn't my favorite. In this installment you play the role of Investigative Journalist Ann Sparrow who has been asked by her employer at “True Stories” magazine to find out information about some rather strange disappearances which have occurred on Fogg Island. You rendezvous with local tour guide Paul Fischer who is willing to take you to the cursed island but will NOT accompany you with your investigation on the island. During the ride to this creepy Fogg Island your boat inexplicably crashes. You wake up to find yourself stranded in handcuffs in an underground dungeon! Can you escape from your captors and reveal the deep dark secrets of this foggy island in Tales of Terror: The Fog of Madness???
As a series, Tales of Terror has always offered decent story lines and fun and quirky gameplay objectives. What also makes the series great is the developers ability to create a slightly twisted horror storyline. It's unfortunate that with Fog of Madness, the series has reached its lowest point yet with an extremely cliché storyline, dull characters, and an atmosphere that is not even remotely scary. Part of that has to do with the visuals that center too much around the “fog” element and the overwhelmingly-blue color palette, instead of delivering some actual horror moments. The uninspired location designs also do not add much excitement to the game, same goes for the wishy-washy cut-scenes. While the audio department tries their best to set up a spooky and suspenseful mood with atmospheric background music, there is only so much that music can do considering the sub-par quality of the other aspects of the game. I believe the major problem that Tales of Terror: The Fog of Madness faces is the half-baked gameplay. It is as if the developer did not even try to be creative in the development of this sequel. The adventure could not have been more predictable, the hidden object scenes contain objects that are barely hidden, and the puzzles are the same-old recycled stuff. I do recommend this Standard Edition. If you think that there might be some cool bonus items that could justify for the Collector’s Edition status, then think again. Tales of Terror: The Fog of Madness is quite light on the extras, having only featured a 40-minute bonus chapter, a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects. I hope I haven't been to harsh with my critiques because I want this series to continue. Perhaps the next chapter will still be fun and quirky but contain more elements of horror and a terrific story too. Cheers!
Check out previous editions:
•Tales of Terror: Crimson Dawn
•Tales of Terror: House on the Hill
•Tales of Terror: Estate of the Heart
•Tales of Terror: Art of Horror
•Tales of Terror: The Fog of Madness
•Tales of Terror: Crimson Dawn
•Tales of Terror: House on the Hill
•Tales of Terror: Estate of the Heart
•Tales of Terror: Art of Horror
•Tales of Terror: The Fog of Madness
I recommend this game!
Can you save your brother before your kingdom is destroyed?
Overall rating
4
/
5
27 of 29 found this review helpful
~~YOUR BROTHER'S BEEN ABDUCTED BY A VAMPIRE!~~
PostedJuly 27, 2018
skullfun
fromElephant developers create a "stand alone edition" to this fan favorite!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the 5th edition to the Midnight Calling series and this game has great potential for being one of the better installments of this popular series.
In this latest version of Midnight Calling: Arabella you play the lead character (Arabella) who's brother Damien has been abducted by a fierce female Vampire named Alessandra and she's has devised a devious plan based on ancient blood magic! A plan that will make her an incredibly powerful vampire.
Damien however, was born on the night of the BLOOD MOON which gave him more power than any of the other members of the entire Vampire Clan. Alessandra's power as a vampire is not unlimited...it seems that only Damien can help her obtain the omnipotent power she desires. Alessandra casts a spell on Damien and tells him of his omnipotus powers in an attempt to influence him and turn him against you. Now you must find a way to rescue him and break this terrible spell in order to save your vampire brother!
For the sake of the future of the elite Vampire Clan you absolutely must save your brother but it won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination...
For the sake of the future of the elite Vampire Clan you absolutely must save your brother but it won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination...
Despite belonging to the same series as Midnight Calling: Anabel, Arabella plays more like standalone game. The storyline in this sequel is completely unrelated to all the previous editions of the series and I think that's what makes this particular game more appealing. It's why I decided to purchase this one and I am so glad I did! This is an extremely straightforward game with clear objectives and plenty of challenges. The adventure portion of the game is tricky, with very unique tasks to solve and a climactic ending that is unpredictable. The visuals are quite stunning and the graphics and special effects are a vast improvement from previous edition of the series. Midnight Calling: Arabella has a standard length of five hours (I played casually and took my time) and the bonus chapter added another hour or so.
I thinks fans of Midnight Calling and those who are new to this series will enjoy this one and I recommend this lengthy and engaging mystery adventure. Kudos to Elephant and may this excellent saga continue with future additions. Cheers!
I thinks fans of Midnight Calling and those who are new to this series will enjoy this one and I recommend this lengthy and engaging mystery adventure. Kudos to Elephant and may this excellent saga continue with future additions. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you escape the nightmares before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
~~A STORY OF NIGHTMARES AND CHILDHOOD TRAUMA!~~
PostedJuly 23, 2018
skullfun
fromOne thing is certain, GrandMA Studios does not hold back with the outstanding Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a compelling mystery where an evil entity from the world of dreams straight-up called Nightmare has escaped into the real world who is traumatizing innocent people with disturbing nightmares. As a revered agency of the Dark Light, you need to take a dive into this surreal world of dreams and stop Nightmare from doing more damage to these poor souls before you are next. Essentially, Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible is a psychological thriller game. However, instead of taking a more serious tone like the earlier Maze games, Enfant Terrible incorporates more colorful fantasy elements into the plot. The storyline definitely has some thought provoking moments and I really found the characters very fascinating and the pacing excellent. This perfect pace, along with the wide variety of locations included in the game, makes Enfant Terrible incredibly addicting – honestly there is never a single moment of boredom in the game. The visuals in Whispered Secrets: Enfant Terrible are simply spectacular. The glossy colors, the detailed artwork, the studio-quality cutscenes, the on-point voice-acting, and the suspenseful music – every aspect of the production hits all the right notes! The development team deserves much credit for this superb addition to the series! The game cleverly intertwines story elements with the gameplay, creating an extremely smooth gaming experience. For those who are concerned, the game contains one little gimmick – the Magnifier – which is neither annoying nor adds much value to the game. As for the hidden object scenes, which are plenty, you will be glad to know that they are supremely entertaining even though a few scenes do repeat. Further, the puzzles include an option to switch between Easy and Hard mode as well as adopt some cool and neat twists. I also had more enjoyment by selecting the "custom mode" so that I could make it as difficult as I wanted. The game is also generous when it comes to extras. The main game took me four hours to complete, the bonus chapter added another hour of equally-incredible gameplay, and the hidden chapter comes in the form of a surprisingly enjoyable HOP. Other bonus items include a strategy guide, wallpapers, a jigsaw puzzle to assemble a screensaver, concept art, videos, soundtracks, re-playable hidden object scenes, replayable puzzles, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects. Fans of this series are in for some twists and turns with the content of the story and an extra surprise revelation involving one of the main characters too! This is one of the better Whispered Secret additions and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you escape a madman’s grasp before it’s too late?
Overall rating
3
/
5
20 of 23 found this review helpful
~~I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS EDITION OF MAZE.~~
PostedJuly 23, 2018
skullfun
fromMaze: Stolen Minds has its moments, but pales in comparison to its much more superior predecessors.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
In this latest addition of Maze you play Jane Patrick, who was on her way home after a long day of teaching when a mysterious figure jumped out in front of her car in the middle of the road, crashing her car and leaving her unconscious. When Jane wakes up she finds herself trapped in a prison as part as a twisted experiment. Can you help Jane escape from this dungeon of insanity before the mad scientist gets to her?
With this fourth Maze installment, the best-selling series suffers slightly from originality. Maze: Stolen Minds presents a derivative storyline about a creepy asylum and an insane scientist. While there are few twists here and there, they are neither unique nor prominent enough to make the game stand out. In addition, Maze: Stolen Minds is also lacking in rationale. The storyline and some of the tasks are weirdly illogical, and the “Choice” you are required to make in order to progress the storyline often forces you to go with the irrational one. Having played and loved the previous three installments of the franchise, I expected this new sequel to be just as thrilling and creepy. However, Maze: Stolen Minds fails to deliver on any of those two aspects. The game features a Sanity Meter to add a sense of urgency to the game (which was clever), but that alone is not enough to add much suspense to the game given how standard the gameplay actually is. The hidden object scenes and the puzzles are far from original, and the adventure portion of the game remains relatively easy. Maze: Stolen Minds takes on a darker tone with its visuals. The majority of the scenes rely on a gloomy color palette and shadow effects to convey the horror factor, although that is not always effective. I thought the location design could use a little more creativity, and perhaps, a splash of colors. On the audio side, I thought the soundtracks, were far too repetitive and could use more variation. On the other hand, the voice-acting is extremely well-done and accurately represents each character’s emotional state. Length wise, Maze: Stolen Minds comes in at the four hour mark – a standard length for a premium HOPA game. I chose the Collector’s Edition which includes all the expected features; a 50-minute bonus chapter, a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, character gallery, re-playable hidden object scenes, an ultimate HOPs, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects. I'm still a fan of Maze, I just hope the next chapter in the series has a more logical story line without sacrificing the elements of bone chilling surprises which makes this series so popular. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you navigate new realms to stop an evil conqueror in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 57 found this review helpful
~~~WAIT MARGARET...DON'T TOUCH THAT BOOK!!!~~~
PostedJuly 13, 2018
skullfun
fromDomini's Labyrinths of the World Series just gets better and better with each release of this epic adventure!!!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the 8th installment of the Domini games series that takes you on another adventure playing the role of a "seeker" traveling to other worlds to battle unearthly evil. You play the role of Tritta and with all your success in the previous editions of the series it's time to embark on another phenomenal journey with your sister Margaret. In the last chapter of this series Margaret had proven herself worthy and is also a "seeker" just like you. Well, almost like you...she doesn't have the experience or level of "seeker skills" that you have which makes her vulnerable. This was obvious in the last quest during your expedition to Devils Tower in 2017.
This latest adventure begins when both you and your sister arrive in Great Britain where the last edition of a unique book called "The Gates" (made from skins and spikes of an animal) is on exhibit at the British Library. In the British Library you and Margaret discover that Nigel Waterson (the librarian) mysteriously disappeared after touching the cursed book in 2004. It seems that all collector's who owned a copy of "The Gates" have all disappeared without a trace. Margaret is skeptical and believes the book is harmless and without hesitation she opens the book and cuts her finger, spilling a drop of blood on it. Immediately she is transported into another world. The Gates book only requires a drop of blood to gain access to three distinct worlds.
•The World of Order which is mythical, sunny, and harmonious.
•The World of Chaos which is fiery, destructive and full of demons.
•The World of Arena which is a link between the other two worlds. A realm were warriors fight to determine who's the strongest in a fatal battle.
You must now use a drop of your own blood on "The Gates" so that you can follow Margaret into the portal. Nigel the librarian has left clues for you in the first world to help you throughout your journey which are exceptionally useful when you encounter Aspir. Aspir is a powerful, villainous necromancer from the World of Chaos who has captured Margaret. Aspir desires power over the three worlds and all worlds in the universe but in order to gain this ominous power he needs Margaret's soul and YOURS! Will you be able to stop this menacing mad man from world domination and save your sister from a perilous demise? Find out how in this extraordinary continuation of the Labyrinths of the World saga! Kudos to Brave Giant and Big Fish for another thrilling adventure in this fan favorite series. This Editors choice edition wins major points with me for its interesting story, like the previous editions. The puzzles and mini-games reach out and grab you from the start, saving an otherwise ordinary hidden object game from the dustbin. The main game takes about 5 hours to complete and another hour and a half for the bonus chapter.Other reviewers include CE bling so no need to revisit that. I do have to give this the 5 star rating because Domini games held their own with the continuation of this wonderful series. I generally do not like to review an entire game based solely on demo, I played this jewel in it's entirety. I love the series and look forward to more releases. Cheers!
•The World of Order which is mythical, sunny, and harmonious.
•The World of Chaos which is fiery, destructive and full of demons.
•The World of Arena which is a link between the other two worlds. A realm were warriors fight to determine who's the strongest in a fatal battle.
You must now use a drop of your own blood on "The Gates" so that you can follow Margaret into the portal. Nigel the librarian has left clues for you in the first world to help you throughout your journey which are exceptionally useful when you encounter Aspir. Aspir is a powerful, villainous necromancer from the World of Chaos who has captured Margaret. Aspir desires power over the three worlds and all worlds in the universe but in order to gain this ominous power he needs Margaret's soul and YOURS! Will you be able to stop this menacing mad man from world domination and save your sister from a perilous demise? Find out how in this extraordinary continuation of the Labyrinths of the World saga! Kudos to Brave Giant and Big Fish for another thrilling adventure in this fan favorite series. This Editors choice edition wins major points with me for its interesting story, like the previous editions. The puzzles and mini-games reach out and grab you from the start, saving an otherwise ordinary hidden object game from the dustbin. The main game takes about 5 hours to complete and another hour and a half for the bonus chapter.Other reviewers include CE bling so no need to revisit that. I do have to give this the 5 star rating because Domini games held their own with the continuation of this wonderful series. I generally do not like to review an entire game based solely on demo, I played this jewel in it's entirety. I love the series and look forward to more releases. Cheers!
I recommend all the releases in this series:
•Labyrinths of the World: Shattered Soul (2014)
•Labyrinths of the World: Forbidden Muse (2015)
•Labyrinths of the World: Changing the Past (2016)
•Labyrinths of the World: Stonehenge (2016)
•Labyrinths of the World: Secrets of Easter Island (2017)
•Labyrinths of the World: The Devils Tower (2017)
•Labyrinths of the World: A Dangerous Game (2017)
•Labyrinths of the World: When Worlds Collide (2018)
•Labyrinths of the World: Shattered Soul (2014)
•Labyrinths of the World: Forbidden Muse (2015)
•Labyrinths of the World: Changing the Past (2016)
•Labyrinths of the World: Stonehenge (2016)
•Labyrinths of the World: Secrets of Easter Island (2017)
•Labyrinths of the World: The Devils Tower (2017)
•Labyrinths of the World: A Dangerous Game (2017)
•Labyrinths of the World: When Worlds Collide (2018)
I recommend this game!
Enter the enchanted 'Netherworld' where your destiny was written in blood and which whispers of true love.
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 20 found this review helpful
~~~~DARKARTA IS ONE OF THE BEST HOPA'S OF 2018!!!~~~~
PostedJuly 9, 2018
skullfun
fromThese new developer's have created a masterpiece!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This release was developed by TuttiFruitti Interactive a studio new to the HOPA scene and for me, Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest is more polished than most recent releases from veteran studios. The game has everything that marks a great HOPA and it is certainly refreshing to have someone bringing a new perspective into an increasingly stale genre.
Once every full moon, Darkarta the immortal master of the dark arts rises from his slumber to claim an innocent soul in order to successfully cast his spell of immortality. This year, it is Sophia’s bad luck as she gets taken away by Darkarta right in front of her mother’s eyes. Playing the role of her mother Mary you must travel to the Netherworld, a parallel world full of wonder and danger that you did not know existed and bring your daughter back from Darkarta’s grasps.
I went into Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest with moderate expectations. While Darkarta does not have a great track record to back up like most releases from major HOPA developers, it is not everyday that you see such a high-profile HOPA release from a brand-new developer. Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest starts off like a typical HOPA game; another evil God who rises from the dead, another kidnapped child, another dark fantasy world. To my pleasant surprises, the game picks up its pace and gets more interesting with just a few minutes in and this epic HOPA more than exceeded my expectations. The backstory is rich with fascinating details and the characters all have very distinct personality, which will intrigue players as well as evoke a lot of emotion during game play. Unlike most cookie-cutter HOPAs nowadays, Darkarta: A Broken Heart’s Quest is a breath of fresh air on multiple levels. First of all, the gameplay takes twists and turns in ways that you would not expect, making it more challenging than I had anticipated. The hidden object scenes are few and far between, but each of them is extremely well-crafted with some clever interactions and the option to switch to the Match-3 mode. As for the puzzles, they are definitely plenty and ranged from easy to difficult, all of which are reasonably creative and superbly entertaining. I thought the production value of this release was the most surprising aspect of Darkarta. To put it simply, the visuals are out-of-this-world. The quality of the graphics is through the roof, the special effects are impressive, and the contrast between gloomy and fluorescent colors are absolutely perfect for a moody fantasy game like this. Not only that, but the soundtracks are also nothing short of breathtaking. Darkarta effectively uses the soundtracks to build up and maintain suspense throughout the game. Darkarta has a length of just a little over five hours and I chose the custom setting. I can't praise this game enough for it's originality and creativity and it may possibly be one of the best games Bigfish offers for 2018. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Can you save your brother before your kingdom is destroyed?
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
~~YOUR BROTHER'S BEEN ABDUCTED BY A VAMPIRE!~~
PostedJuly 6, 2018
skullfun
fromElephant developers create a "stand alone edition" to this fan favorite!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the 5th edition to the Midnight Calling series and this game has great potential for being one of the better installments of this popular series.
In this latest version of Midnight Calling: Arabella you play the lead character (Arabella) who's brother Damien has been abducted by a fierce female Vampire named Alessandra and she's has devised a devious plan based on ancient blood magic! A plan that will make her an incredibly powerful vampire.
Damien however, was born on the night of the BLOOD MOON which gave him more power than any of the other members of the entire Vampire Clan. Alessandra's power as a vampire is not unlimited...it seems that only Damien can help her obtain the omnipotent power she desires. Alessandra casts a spell on Damien and tells him of his omnipotus powers in an attempt to influence him and turn him against you. Now you must find a way to rescue him and break this terrible spell in order to save your vampire brother!
For the sake of the future of the elite Vampire Clan you absolutely must save your brother but it won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination...
For the sake of the future of the elite Vampire Clan you absolutely must save your brother but it won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination...
Despite belonging to the same series as Midnight Calling: Anabel, Arabella plays more like standalone game. The storyline in this sequel is completely unrelated to all the previous editions of the series and I think that's what makes this particular game more appealing. It's why I decided to purchase this one and I am so glad I did! This is an extremely straightforward game with clear objectives and plenty of challenges. The adventure portion of the game is tricky, with very unique tasks to solve and a climactic ending that is unpredictable. The visuals are quite stunning and the graphics and special effects are a vast improvement from previous edition of the series. Midnight Calling: Arabella has a standard length of five hours (I played casually and took my time) and the bonus chapter added another hour or so.
I thinks fans of Midnight Calling and those who are new to this series will enjoy this one and I recommend this lengthy and engaging mystery adventure. Kudos to Elephant and may this excellent saga continue with future additions. Cheers!
I thinks fans of Midnight Calling and those who are new to this series will enjoy this one and I recommend this lengthy and engaging mystery adventure. Kudos to Elephant and may this excellent saga continue with future additions. Cheers!
I recommend this game!
Become the Red Queen and save Chessland!
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 50 found this review helpful
~~DEFINITELY WORTHY OF 5 STARS AND EDITOR'S AWARD!~~
PostedJuly 6, 2018
skullfun
from4 Friends Games are steadily becoming one of the leaders of the HOPA industry!!!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The battle between the Red King and the White Queen has been going on for what feels like forever, and according to an ancient legend, the only one who can stop the White Queen is a woman named Alice. The Red King has been bringing in multiple different Alices from the human world for years, until one day he stumbled upon you. Enter the magical Chessland, where nothing is what it seems, and defeat the White Queen once and for all!!!
Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass is the fifth game in 4 Friends Games’ best-selling fantasy franchise, and this time it centers around the famous tale of Alice in Wonderland. Once again, 4 Friends Games successfully found a way to present a rather tired story in an innovative and exciting way. The stroytelling is definitely top-notch, filled with fresh ideas, fascinating characters, and gripping sequences. Of course, a good storyline would not survive on its own without a solid gameplay. Luckily, Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass is also a perfectly-executed game. Players will appreciate the effort the developers put into bringing each scene to life, having multiple interaction spots, even those that are not involved in task completions. Further more, the hidden object scenes are neatly designed and include some smart twists. On a slightly negative note, the puzzles are often quite standard and the gimmicky Compass fails to generate any excitement or adds any kind of challenge to the game. Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass certainly does not disappoint on the production front. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, thanks to the intricate artwork, imaginative scene designs, and the lush colors. Similarly, the audio is very impressive too. The background music is just as delightfully magical as the game itself, and the voice-acting is professionally recorded!
Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass is a fast-paced journey that is surprisingly original, unbelievably captivating, and a real feast for the eyes. There was so much stuff happening in Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass that I lost track of time and simply finished the game in one sitting. This is a testament to how incredible and addicting the game is, since its five and half hours length is not at all short. I'm a huge fan of this fantasy series and I have high hopes for it's continuing success in the next edition as well. Cheers!
Check out these editions too...
•Bridge to Another World: Burnt Dreams
•Bridge to Another World: The Others
•Bridge to Another World: Alice in Shadowland
•Bridge to Another World: Escape From Oz
•Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass
•Bridge to Another World: Burnt Dreams
•Bridge to Another World: The Others
•Bridge to Another World: Alice in Shadowland
•Bridge to Another World: Escape From Oz
•Bridge to Another World: Through the Looking Glass
I recommend this game!