JaneAustenFan's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:281
- Reviews Submitted:35
- First Review:October 18, 2016
- Most Recent Review:April 27, 2024
- Featured reviews0
From smoke and fire, a hero emerges.
Overall rating
5
/
5
great game!
PostedApril 27, 2024
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
l have liked all the titles in this series and really enjoyed this one. Ridiculous storyline, and the voice acting (and probably some of the dialogue) is clearly computer-generated, but I was willing to overlook these attributes. Unusual and fun puzzles although some of the instructions are not clear--possibly written by non-native speakers of English or inadequately checked. Refreshing gameplay!
I recommend this game!
A struggle for the truth in a city of deceit!
Overall rating
5
/
5
12 of 24 found this review helpful
fantastic!
PostedAugust 5, 2023
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am echoing all the positive remarks--this is an amazing game! I love the Ukrainian theme (we get to make pysanky--hey! I actually make pysanky!) and the chestnut blossoms and nuts are a nice touch. Game play excellent. Puzzles generally good and sometimes clever. Morphings just challenging enough. Great story, characters, voices--can't really say enough positive things about it!
I recommend this game!
The Lost Lands don't let go easily.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
outstanding!
PostedMarch 16, 2023
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I echo all the reviewers who said that this is the best game in a long time! Excellent game play! Good story, lots of excellent and challenging puzzles, good collectibles, great graphics (although I found the animation of the people a little clunky and creepy; but I'm willing to go with it for the gameplay).
Also very nice to see that the Warrior Maiden's granddaughter is Black or mixed race. Nice to see some diversity in the game world and I don't just mean purple orcs.
This has been an excellent series throughout its run!
I recommend this game!
The immortal legend of the Holy Grail is here!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
ok until major glitch
PostedSeptember 25, 2022
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
TIP: in the chapter where you face the sorceress, as soon as you acquire the second lantern, go place them both where they ought to be. If you wait until your magic staff is activated you will be glitched out as I and so many other reviewers were.
An OK game in these parlous times but too much hand-holding. I was unable to complete the game so cannot comment on any bonuses or extras.
I recommend this game!
A breathtaking voyage through dreams, reality, and places in between!
Overall rating
5
/
5
13 of 17 found this review helpful
A Gamer's Game
PostedMarch 19, 2022
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
As you'll note from the split in the ratings, you will probably either love or hate this game. I loved it! Tons of puzzles, games, and unique HOPs. Each chapter is a series of interlocking puzzle-games and, as other have said, while the Hint button is helpful, you are on your own to figure out what to do next--no annoying sparkles (if you've disabled them) to telegraph the way.
Downside for me was the peculiar animation of the characters, the repetitive music, and, at times, the quirky non-native-speaker English: we are praised for having a "brittle" mind and at one point the fire has been "pawned" from the stove. Pawned? Perhaps a connection to "banking" a fire for the night? I also didn't quite get the concept of the inebriated ghost....
The end credits indicate that the game came out in 2020--some mystery there.
Overall, if you like intriguing puzzles and HOPs, this game is for you, but try the demo!
Two people are in danger and are awaiting you to help them!
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 24 found this review helpful
An adequate beginner game
PostedJanuary 7, 2022
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
...with little to challenge or please experienced gamers. Nothing innovative here compared to Crossroads Path to Redemption game issued a few days ago.
I have begun to feel that Domini doesn't read our reviews. How many times over years have various reviewers complained about the eye-searing acid purple & green palette? Most of us don't care for it, and part of why we enjoy games is for attractive and interesting visuals.
Second, we have said many times that we don't like to run around collecting emblems and parts of clippers in order to perform repetitive and mindless tasks to collect yet more emblems and parts of other machines. I am happy to collect and assemble objects if it is really part of the story line, not just tasks imposed upon it.
Domini and Big Fish don't seem to want to offer anything much to the intermediate and expert gamer. There must be thousands of beginners out there willing to play easy games that are exactly like each other, and that's where they are making their money. I don't have to like this business model, but I can certainly understand it.
I have purchased fewer and fewer games over the past couple of years and expect this trend to continue. I won't buy a game now unless it gets exceptional reviews from reviewers whose opinions I trust.
I recommend this game for beginners but if you have some chops try the demo first.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious bartender gives extraordinary guidance to those in need.
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 49 found this review helpful
Outstanding Game!
PostedDecember 30, 2021
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I bought and played this game based on the first few strong reviews and was not disappointed--this is the best game in long time! Excellent story line. The puzzles are fun and the HOPs are thematically related to the story--finding parts of a first aid kit, for example, to treat a wounded character. While you still have to collect various items, this did not feel like a useless chore, but an integral part of the story. The choices that you make along the way are interesting and make one think about moral issues, and you can watch your various powers (honesty, bravery, judgment, etc) increase or decrease as the story continues. Really interesting gameplay!
There is an alleged domestic violence case in the main storyline but it is so obliquely referred to that I don't think the under-12s would pick up on it. The overall tone of the game is dark, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Bonus feature: a main character and two minor ones are Black and another main character is Japanese! Yay! We need more diversity in the game world.
To sum up: best new game in the adventure/hop category that I've seen in the past year and a half.
I recommend this game!
Help Robin Hood pursue and defeat the villainous Gisbourne!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Excellent game!
PostedDecember 8, 2021
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Don't be fooled by the first few levels--this game has great gameplay! Challenging to earn 2 stars and to earn 3 I had to replay a level several times to develop the optimal strategy.
You can choose different heroes with different abilities and the choices and the sequence in which the heroes join the adventure does seem to matter.
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Gold Standard of Gameplay that we no longer see in 2021
PostedSeptember 7, 2021
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I bought and played this in 2013 and didn't realize how good it was--just replayed in in September 2021 and was blown away by the originality of the games and puzzles, the graphics, the storyline, the music, the length and extras of the game. We don't see them like this any more, folks! Terrific game and totally CE worthy!
A careless accident causes big problems when Hercules breaks time itself!
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
too challenging in a not good way
PostedJuly 13, 2021
JaneAustenFan
fromPittsburgh PA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I previously played Hercules VII and enjoyed it, but this one was not as entertaining. First, as others have commented, I didn't like the strategy guide that only shows you the next thing the devs think you ought to do, rather than an overall strategy that you can glance at and then work your way towards.
Second, it was annoying to have the bonus pills forming part of the path, so that you had to use them (like speed) whether or not there was anything to speed towards.
Finally, the upper levels of this game were, i think, virtually unsolvable. I would complete actions effectively, i think, but still have to wait to collect 100 food with no other actions. If this had happened only once, or if I had had to collect just a bit more of a resource while twiddling my thumbs, I would say that it was because I hadn't played correctly. But it was too much of both, IMO.
Try before you buy! I recommend but with reservations.
I recommend this game!