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:
Track down the truth about your brother’s disappearance!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 16 found this review helpful
Sable Maze 5 Soul Catcher may not Catch everyone's interest...
PostedJanuary 29, 2016
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Sable Maze: Forbidden Garden Collector's Edition
(62)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Daily Magic returns with another edition to the Sable Maze Franchise which obviously shows a fan base for this series. So, we are searching for our brother, who by this time must be an adult, unless there is some mysterious time warp in the maze. I didn't like the story, it's been done before. Some of the reviews from the CE calls the theme "overworked," which it is. The graphics were more of the same. The puzzles and HOS too were pretty ordinary. The collectible puzzle pieces were gigantic. Then there are those 37 ridiculous achievements. Get one for telling your friend you'd help her clean up the memorial. Get one for talking to just about anyone. Get one for plain playing the game. The congratulatory notices pop-up constantly. There is even an achievement skipping puzzles! Some will never, ever, buy a game where you need to skip to win. Or play more than once to get all the achievements, since I expect there is one for not skipping. I am sure that fans of this series will find this game interesting and fun to play. It's just difficult not to compare this edition to the previous ones if you have played all of them. The first time I used the rune on the hand I found it very difficult. The second time I found it a little easier since I caught on how to manipulate the pieces. I thought you had to turn the whole piece but there were actually 2 or 3 pieces you had to turn and place until the whole thing came together. The navigation of this point and click adventure is effortless and the voice over lip sync is great. I recommend playing the demo, the SE is definitely worth a game credit. If you are concerned about challenges with new releases, I urge gamers to review posts in the tech issues in the appropriate BF forum - you never know. Nowadays every second game can be potentially glitchy. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: The Face of Humanity Collector's Edition
The mayor's daughter is missing and you must find her!
Overall rating
5
/
5
27 of 37 found this review helpful
ERS Raises the Bar with latest installment of PuppetShow Series!
PostedJanuary 24, 2016
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Shrouded Tales: The Spellbound Land Collector's Edition
(46)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This was definitely an insta-buy for me because of the high production values and unique story. For some hardcore fans it will fit nicely into your collection among the other 7 editions. The journey begins in PuppetShow 8: The Face of Humanity Collector’s Edition when you learn little Agnes Weiss, daughter of the most important man in Saltsbruck is gone missing. Her father the Mayor is desperate: firstly he sent all gendarmes (steampunk puppets) to find her. But there’s a tension in town, people are attacking puppets that are taking more and more jobs from the humans. A scary thought which somehow seems relative to the times we live in now. And moreover someone saw some type of monster lurking in the shadows...Early in the adventure you begin to realize it won’t be an easy task to find the missing girl in such situations, when the true face of humanity – hatred and violence – is revealed. Luckily for ERS Game Studios, some of us hidden-object adventure lovers like to be spooked from time to time. This is why the PuppetShow series is so popular that it's celebrating its 8th birthday this year with a new installment which in many ways is superior to earlier installments of the series. When you progress to the chapter of the adventure where you meet Scientists David and Hannah your suspicion grows and you realize you MUST find out what happened with Agnes no matter what. The new atmosphere of The Face of Humanity with its game portraiture and splendid music tracks are really explosive. Backgrounds of each level are no longer just painted pictures, but contain lots of moving elements. Nothing is certain when you don't know if you're dealing with humans or their puppet creations. Uncover who or what is causing the deadly accidents in the city and rescue the mayor's daughter. Solve the mystery and find out whose heart is truly as cold as porcelain. I highly recommend this for gamers of every level of play...
I recommend this game!
Your son is lost in a deserted mansion. Discover the strange things that occurred here to save your child!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Parellels Cross, is a supernatural journey...
PostedJanuary 20, 2016
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Fall of the New Age
(56)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Parallels Cross is an adventure game with plenty of puzzles for you to solve, in which the main plot revolves around a car trip gone wrong. Although there are some hidden object sequences involved, such as when you need to scour the environments for anything useful to help you advance, most of the puzzles are more interesting than that, which is a nice change to see in the genre. As mentioned in the description, the story is about a mother who loses her son in a weird mansion after hitting a block in the road. Although the mansion looks inhabited, it would seem like strange experiments take place in it, which is why the child may be in a lot of danger. Hence, the rest of the game revolves around your attempts to enter the mansion and figuring out how to retrieve your son. Not really a hidden object but rather an adventure game with great graphics and simple gameplay mechanics. The puzzles are not always very complicated, but some of them require quite a bit of tinkering before you are able to figure them out. In addition, it’s not always clear what you have to do, so there are times when you have to use the trial and error method(aka hint button). It’s all pretty fun, on the other hand, because it’s quite a thrill to search for clues and figuring out the solution to a tough puzzle. As you might expect, the graphics are in 2D, and they are pretty basic from a technical point of view. Even so, the artwork is sublime, and the environments designed by the artists are quite breathtaking sometimes. The cutscenes go well with the atmosphere as well, as does the soundtrack and the voice acting. It has everything you need to keep yourself busy for a several hours. In the end, Parallels Cross has a lot of content to keep you engaged, and the puzzles are challenging enough to make you want to stay until they are finished. The story is mighty intriguing too, although pretty simple in regards to characters and events. Some players at beginning level may find too frustrating to continue, while seasoned players of the genre will really want to continue to the end. Journal and Map will serve you well in this game. I highly recommend this Standard Edition Adventure!!!
I recommend this game!
The past isn’t set in stone. Now’s your chance to change it!
Overall rating
5
/
5
38 of 45 found this review helpful
THIS ADVENTURE ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE THE GAME BEYOND!!!
PostedJanuary 17, 2016
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Mad Head delivers another installment of Rite of Passage 5. In Rite of Passage: Heart of the Storm Collector’s Edition Professor Mann sends an e-mail to Chelsea (You), asking her to come and bring his suitcase to the small town he lives ASAP. Chelsea hoped into her plane and rushed there, but when she gets close to her destination "Murdered” carving showed onto the glass of her cockpit and then a ghost destroyed the plane, trying to get the relic from Mann’s suitcase! Chelsea saved the relic and jumped off the plane. She managed to get to the Professor despite the most aggressive storm she had ever seen. The Professor needed the relic for his storm catcher, the only thing able to stop the unnatural weather disaster. Someone was murdered here, burned alive, and his suffering caused the storm to appear, a storm with the vengeful ghosts in its heart! Now you must help Professor Mann set the things right in this epic Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure! I was left amazed and dazed. The gorgeous graphics and flawless voice overs only compliment this original and unique story of changing a negative unfortunate circumstance into an enlightened and positive conclusion. This is a compelling story that will keep you engaged from start to finish because its a captivating and astounding game with loads of intricate obstacles, bonuses and additional tasks. This adventure was relaxing to play and effortless to navigate, which can sometimes be refreshing, when similar games in the genre whose puzzles are so difficult and frustrating you just end up hitting the SKIP button. The creative team deserves recognition for their skills and devotion in developing the latest installment. One example of their brilliance was creating an inter-active hidden object scene where you must use a top and side "slide bar" to focus in on each item before you can click on it. The usual CE bling is all included and the Bonus game IS related to the main story. Demo the experience for yourself. I'm surprised how critical some players are of this edition when all previous Rite of Passage games received 4/5 stars. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Hidden Expedition: The Fountain of Youth Collector's Edition
There’s more to this restoration project than meets the eye.
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 19 found this review helpful
Eipix totally blew my mind with another epic expedition.....
PostedJanuary 11, 2016
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I completed this outstanding adventure and I am proud to be a recruit of Hidden Expedition League of Preservation (H.E.L.P) This is a gorgeous and thrilling HOPA which you absolutely must experience. Beautiful exploration,In Hidden Expedition 10: The Fountain of Youth a group, financed by a secretive shady businessman named Dario Sabas Aturnin, obtained all necessary permits to do the restoration of the ancient city of Sigiriya in Matale District, Sri Lanka. Three H.E.L.P. agents were supervising their work, but two months after the beginning of the restoration process contact with them was lost. You are sent to Sri Lanka to find out, what happened with them, armed with your new H.E.L.P., useful in any investigation. When your plane lands near the palace plateau, the first person you met was some muscle of Dario Sabas Aturnin that tried to knock you out! What’s going on, where are the H.E.L.P. agents and how all these strange events are connected with the legend of The Fountain of Youth, one drop from which may make anyone young again? Rumors said that it was situated in Sigiriya Palace, so maybe you are going to find it during this incredible HOPA! Highly recommend for gamers of all levels of play!!!
I recommend this game!
When an age spell drains your vitality, will you save your family?
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Awakening Darkness and a New Story for the Saga...
PostedDecember 28, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
EleFun Games continues the popular franchise with Witches' Legacy: Awakening Darkness Collector’s Edition Game for PC so be prepared for this latest story with completely new heroes for you! This time you will play as Jack, whose sister Nikki accidentally awakened the powerful witch Cassandra, second apprentice of the first witch Tethys, long ago destroyed by her colleague Morgana. Now Nikki’s blood returned her and Cassandra possessed Nikki! When you and your mother Julia Sanders tried to stop Cassandra, she cursed both of you and now you’re aging quickly! Time is running out for both of you now! Your quest is to find a way to remove curse in this excellent edition! Julia Sanders loved writing about mysterious phenomena, but she had no idea magic was real. She even studied under Prof. TOM CHARLESTON, a scholar of witch legends, but she had no idea TOM'S little sister was a real witch. She believed her family was safe from the supernatural. During the 1960's a girl named LYNN was born into the Charleston family. She had innate magic abilities though no one knew, not even her brother TOM who taught myth and folklore at the university. LYNN was a special witch, one the Dark Witches had been waiting for. They believed she would be the rebirth of their great witch-mother TETHYS. MORGANA, the dark witch's queen ordered her assistant ELIZABETH to bring LYNN to the side of evil. To get to LYNN'S family ELIZABETH bewitched brother TOM who never suspected. Soon everyone in LYNN'S family began to die, since ELIZABETH needed to cut LYNN'S blood ties in order to turn her to the dark side. She didn't even spare LYNN'S dog who was turned into an IMP. LYNN had one living relative remaining: CARRIE ANDERSON. ELIZABETH tried to kill her too, but with the help of IMP, CARRIE saved LYNN and took her in as her own daughter along with IMP. LYNN learned to use her abilities to help people. But Queen MORGANA lured LYNN to her castle attempting to draw her to the dark side. CARRIE intervened, locking MORGANA in the Other World. LYNN grows into a young woman and meets EDWARD, a witch hunter sent to take her down. But LYNN wins his heart by her beauty and good nature and they get married. Evil returns once more when MORGANA enlisted the help of MATHIAS, who helps MORGANA carry out the initiation ritual on LYNN, but CARRIE and EDWARD stopped them. MORGANA tried to kill LYNN, since she couldn't turn her, but LYNN destroys MORGANA instead. They thought this was the end, but they were wrong... LYNN defeats MORGANA, but MATHIAS lures LYNN to the Other World, planning to crown LYNN Queen long enough to gain her power, But EDWARD saved LYNN so they can now live in peace. 20 years later she would see how wrong she was......
Episode 7 continues this fascinating saga. Enjoy!!!
Episode 7 continues this fascinating saga. Enjoy!!!
I recommend this game!
Your long-lost relatives are excited to welcome you to the family… or are they?
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 5 found this review helpful
Shock Value, themes of Abuse and Torture, Intensely Graphic Adult Game!
PostedDecember 20, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again. There. Okay. Phew. It's out of my system, I swear. As Eipix Entertainment's hidden-object adventure Phantasmat: Behind the Mask opens, you've just arrived for a family reunion thrown by your estranged cousin Patrick, whose decision to have the party at the world's least inviting remote Gothic mansion, complete with cryptic warnings about "missing the main event", somehow fails to set off any warning bells whatsoever. Ditto the fact that the key to the place is describe as a "face in agony", and the whole place feels like it's set its soundtrack to Silent Hill, but hey, what do I know about foreshadowing. Once inside, you find yourself in odd company, with an assortment of eccentric relatives, each with their own specialty, but making awkward dinner conversation is the least of your worries when you suddenly find yourself trapped inside. All you want to do is get out, but someone has other plans for you, and it looks like this is one family tree you might want to cut yourself out of... Eipix knows their craft like few others, and Phantasmat: Behind the Mask comes with everything you need to customise the game to your preferred difficulty level, not to mention the helpful map that allows you to fast travel, and some optional items to collect throughout. The mechanics of gameplay are what you'd expect for the genre... explore, find items in hidden-object scenes, solve puzzles that usually require you to track down a necessary object or three, and be loomed over by your pretentious relatives. The mansion makes a great setting to explore, thanks to some creatively creepy design. If you're going to have your game take place in a locked house, you might as well go all out and make it as interesting and weird as you can, which is exactly what Eipix has done. Every room is filled with so much to look at and click on that you can easily get caught up in the mystery of it all. The game does have a tendency to throw so many items at you that keeping track of what you have and where it can be used can be a bit of a juggling act, and some uses aren't immediately intuitive. While many of the puzzles you'll encounter are variations on familiar types they tend to be implemented in clever ways. One has you cracking a code by sorting moths whose labels give you an equation to solve, for instance. Things pick up a bit more past the first chapter, as each family member begins to make a distinctive impact on the game and brings their own theme. It keeps things feeling fresh, and as for the story, well, while you'll likely have an idea of the direction things are headed almost right off the bat, especially given the recurring themes of the rest of the Phantasmat games, Behind the Mask earns high marks with me for its presentation and style. You feel menaced and stalked as you explore the manor and begin to learn more about your lineage, and while it's all a little over the top, it's crazy in a fun, engaging way that keeps you hooked to see what happens next. Want a quibble? Here's one. There's something weirdly annoying about your faceless, voiceless avatar of a protagonist... she stammers, gapes, and quails a little too much, though the juxtaposition of the little local caterer with a business in the Yellow Pages against her ridiculously fancy relatives is kind of funny. There's something a little Clive Barker's Undying-sy about the whole setup, so though the jump scares aren't particularly effective, the game is at its best when its making use of those creepy shadow puppet cutscenes, and having dead-eyed children chant at you. It's actually unexpectedly dark for an Eipix game... they generally deal in grand adventures or mild spookiness, so the more gruesome scenes and violence here might be a surprise to some, though it certainly fits the story. Behind the Mask actually feels like the closest the series has gotten since it left the hands of the original developers to matching the tone of the first game... though the first Phantasmat focused more on gray morality and regret, Behind the Mask's lavish style and memorable, creepy characters make a big impression, and are perfect for a late night game. It's an unexpectedly long one, too, making this one worth every penny, and definitely something fans of Eipix, and casual horror in general, should make a date with the demo for. I Highly recommend!!!
I recommend this game!
The mountain town of Glockenverk is in the grip of a dramatic and deadly cold spell. Set out with your trusty feline friend, Mr. Jenkins, to crack the case!
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 41 found this review helpful
Help Leia save the day with Mr. Jenkins, and a magical timepiece!
PostedDecember 20, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait Collector's Edition
(72)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Even a watch can rebel against its creators, and in Ominous Objects 3: Trail of Time Collector’s Edition Game your heroine Leia is going to face such rebellion! She received a message from Glockenverk, a small town high in the mountains in year 1827. A pocket watch was included into the package. In the letter there was an urgent pledge to come and get rid of the new ominous object. Leia took Mr. Jenkins (her cat) with her and rushed to Glockenverk… to see snow and ice that appeared in the middle of summer! Moreover, strange beasts of ice are lurking in the shadows, terrorizing locals… But Leia’s pocket watch can undo everything... and it will push her to the brink in order to destroy the OMINOUS WATCH in the tower of local watchmaker Heinrich Clocksmith in this extraordinary and original Puzzle Adventure Hidden Object!
A new feature of the series is that they have added an energy bar to Mr. Jenkins. So, he may not be able to help us when we need him to, but only after we feed him some fish!
The game's story line is nothing new but still interesting. Apparently a scientist's plans have gone awry, and the weather has become unseasonably cold and icy. Nothing original here, as even the people being turned to ice statues has been done before. Leia's timepiece is discovered to be the only thing that can save the town. To battle ice creatures we insert tokens representing the creatures and connect the token to an image of the beast by means of a simple puzzle. The beasts are now tame, and we can continue on our way.
The HOS were interactive lists. Nicely done, but fairly easy. You can play a match-3, that isn't a match-3, instead. You match groups of tiles, and the goal is to save... guess it... cats! Drop all the Mr. Jenkins off the bottom of the board to win. Someone heard how popular this cat is and decided to make him a major player in this game which I love! Ominous Objects 3: Trail of Time is one of the most intimate PC/Mac games of the Hidden Object, Puzzle type and you will never regret time spent playing it.
A new feature of the series is that they have added an energy bar to Mr. Jenkins. So, he may not be able to help us when we need him to, but only after we feed him some fish!
The game's story line is nothing new but still interesting. Apparently a scientist's plans have gone awry, and the weather has become unseasonably cold and icy. Nothing original here, as even the people being turned to ice statues has been done before. Leia's timepiece is discovered to be the only thing that can save the town. To battle ice creatures we insert tokens representing the creatures and connect the token to an image of the beast by means of a simple puzzle. The beasts are now tame, and we can continue on our way.
The HOS were interactive lists. Nicely done, but fairly easy. You can play a match-3, that isn't a match-3, instead. You match groups of tiles, and the goal is to save... guess it... cats! Drop all the Mr. Jenkins off the bottom of the board to win. Someone heard how popular this cat is and decided to make him a major player in this game which I love! Ominous Objects 3: Trail of Time is one of the most intimate PC/Mac games of the Hidden Object, Puzzle type and you will never regret time spent playing it.
I recommend this game!
The people of Lightfalls are disappearing, and it’s up to you to save them!
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
Are developers losing their steam???
PostedDecember 20, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Play the role of Jill once again and save your hometown from destruction in Surface 8: Return to Another World. It’s called Lightfalls and you left it behind long ago. But your mom, dad and sister are still living in Lightfalls, so from time to time you’re coming to visit them. This time you're looking at home video made there, when mom phones you begging to come and help! You rush to Lightfalls and when you arrived there you realize that a series of earthquakes, caused by the eerie device in the middle of Lightfalls’ lake, is slowly destroying the town of your childhood! This edition is 6 chapters plus a bonus game, which combined would make a decent game because it isn't a long playing adventure. While most of the gameplay in Surface is rather good (aside from the backtracking), and the story is at least fairly unique, the length and graphic issues bring the game down a notch. With so many hidden object games being released on a weekly basis, these minor details become more important than ever when it comes to spending that hard-earned money. Ultimately, Surface: Return to Another World is worth playing, but it would have been undoubtedly better had more attention been paid to how the story was actually presented to the player. Surface Mystery of Another World was executed far better than this installment. I have played all the Surface games and remain an Elephant fan so I give 3.5 / 4 stars...
I recommend this game!
Experience an authentic Slavic legend! Save the creatures from destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
Eventide is a mythical masterpiece filled with imagination!!!
PostedDecember 18, 2015
skullfun
fromTennessee
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
How refreshing it is to see a new storyline for a change! Arguably, Eventide: Slavic Fable is still based on the same-old kidnapping story - but at least it tries to be different. If you are a fan of fantasy games, then Eventide should feel right at home for you. The game features adorable talking mythical creatures, as well as the almighty evil ones. As the game progresses, the storyline gets more and more interesting, especially the backstories - there was never a single moment of boredom playing this game. Artifex Mundi is back to showcase its artistic superiority through the amazing visuals of the game. Every single scene is beautifully painted with rich colors and enhanced by the top-notch visual effects. I was also impressed by the amount of creativity put into creating all these eye-catching locations; they are unique to this particular game and we did not get that feeling of dejavu we sometimes get in some of the recent HOPA titles. For the majority of the game, the music remains pretty serene and calm, but it does get suspenseful when the situation seems fitting. The voice-overs of the characters are very well-done, nothing to complain about. In addition, Eventide: Slavic Fable has a very cohesive gameplay. Every aspect of the game flows delightfully together, the whole experience of the game is as smooth as silk. Perhaps, two of the weakest aspects of the game are the hidden object scenes and the puzzles. While the locations in the game are extremely imaginative, the hidden object scenes look pale in comparison - most of them are junk piles with list formats, definitely lack the bells and whistles. The puzzles are slightly better, but could certainly be better. More than half of the puzzles are incredibly easy, and not very complex either. Nonetheless, Eventide: Slavic Fable has a nice length of four hours, or five hours if you include the amazing bonus chapter. Apart from that, the Collector's Edition of the game comes with a strategy guide, replayable hidden object scenes and puzzles, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, cutscenes, achievements and collectibles. This is a family-friendly game that won my heart over. It is an exquisite game with one thrilling storyline - and the enchanting visuals give the game its own personality that make it all the more memorable. I highly recommend this adventure for gamers of every level!!!
I recommend this game!