knucklebones's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.3
- Helpful Votes:144
- Reviews Submitted:29
- First Review:May 17, 2013
- Most Recent Review:March 4, 2018
- Featured reviews0
The Emperor’s son has a mysterious illness. As legendary healer Daiyu, you’re called to the palace to save him, but you end up having to save yourself!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Rather easy but beautiful
PostedSeptember 21, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
PROS: Beautiful graphics, great animations, intriguing characters and plot. Nice little mini-game of creating potions using collected items. Overall a very enjoyable game. CONS: Not very challenging, and my pc fan ran high throughout.
I bought this game because the artwork is exquisite - really beautifully done, conjuring up a fantasy version of old China. Hints are excellent, and I appreciate that 'active' areas close off once all the items have been found.
I'll play this again sometime because I so enjoyed the beautiful graphics, but the gameplay was a bit too easy - even for me! I don't think I looked at the Strategy Guide once, and only used a few hints. Also my pc fan ran high throughout the game, which rather wrecked my enjoyment of the fine music and sound effects.
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Too easy for a Collector's Edition
PostedSeptember 21, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
PROS: Beautiful graphics, great animations, intriguing characters. Overall a very enjoyable game. CONS: Not very challenging, and the Collector's Edition's bonus chapter was neither complex nor long enough to justify spending the extra cash. It finished off the story arc, but did little else to improve on a Standard Edition experience. Effectively all you did was gather enough items to patch up the boat to sail home!
I bought this game because the artwork is so good, particularly in the representation of the characters. Really beautifully done. I'd played Eipix's 'Myths of the World: Chinese Healer CE' and enjoyed it very much and 'Sea of Lies' is just as good. Also just as easy! Hints are excellent, and I appreciate that 'active' areas close off once all the items have been found.
I'll play it again sometime because I enjoyed the ambience and graphics so much, but not because of the plot (which was a bit too simple for my taste) nor the gameplay (which was a bit easy even for me!). Also my pc fan ran high throughout the game, which rather wrecked my enjoyment of the fine music and sound effects.
I recommend this game!
Create the romance of a lifetime! From the perfect proposal to cutting of the cake, bring this charming adventure to life!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Wonderful HOG except for some teeny objects
PostedSeptember 21, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Wonderfully atmospheric - I've rarely come across a Hidden Object game that so perfectly melds every chapter into one pleasing whole. You're a wedding planner who's been asked to organise an event in Italy. Beautifully realised and very well thought through, with the gameplay building towards the climax of a wedding that recreates the grandparents' nuptials of years before. I'm not a romantic but this game was light, bright, beautiful and very enjoyable. Great music too. A near-perfect game if you just want to kick back, find hidden objects, play a few mini-games, and imagine yourself on a working holiday in Italy! One of those games whose happy atmosphere and sparkling scenes stay with you long after you finish playing it.
Regrettably I have to knock off a star because, as the game progressed, virtually every scene had several miniscule objects which were extremely hard (and irritating) to find. Rather spoilt what was otherwise a perfect and very enjoyable game.
I recommend this game!
When Houdini’s promises of contact from beyond go unkept, his wife comes to you in a final plea to unravel his mysterious passing.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Eerie & highly entertaining
PostedSeptember 21, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I bought this game because of my interest in Houdini and Conan Doyle and was surprised to find I enjoyed every minute of it. It's very well-imagined, with excellent graphics and sound, puzzles that are intriguing but not too demanding, and so few classic Hidden Object scenes that they were a surprise when they did appear. It's a clever Adventure game with Fragmented Objects. I didn't find the scenes as dark as BFG's screenshots suggest: they're colourful and moody. Objects are well-placed, beautifully drawn and of good size - no endless peering at my pc screen, thankfully! And (with the exception of one modern camera) all items were correct for the period, which is another big positive for me. The devs have really done their homework in getting people and places looking right, even down to the image of Doyle's Surrey home 'Undershaw'.
Given the spooky storyline of ghosts and Spiritualism I wouldn't call it a 'fun' ride, but it was highly entertaining and imaginative throughout. All the characters and scenes are intriguing and the game has a perfect story arc with a satisfying conclusion. Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are particular heroes of mine so I was relieved to find that the game didn't disrespect them. Although I don't hold with the game's conspiracy theory surrounding Houdini's death, it wasn't insulting to his memory. Much credit to the developers for that.
The game play is logical so I only had to refer to the inbuilt Strategy Guide a couple of times. The SG is comprehensive though it doesn't keep up with your progress. I was a bit miffed however that it didn't give the solution to the final 2-part puzzle, half of which was so 'simple' that it baffled me! The Hint system's based on collecting ravens in each location and I found the hints helpful but not too hand-holding. I'll be buying more 'Midnight Mysteries' based on my total enjoyment of this one. Highly recommended so long as you're comfortable with ghosts, Spiritualism and the supernatural.
I recommend this game!
As the entrepreneur, it is up to you to build a thriving potion empire and climb the ranks of the Fairy Godmothers operation.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Witty and challenging Tycoon game
PostedJune 16, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Don't be put off by the fairytale setting - this is a terrific Tycoon strategy game! You have to be quite sassy to beat off the competition and become the favourite potion shop in each level. It's very well imagined and scripted, the graphics are bright and clear, the controls easy to understand, and the tutorial's excellent.
The game is very good-natured even though it's concerned with the cut-and-thrust of growing a business from scratch. A big part of the humour for me was how you have to use quite underhand tactics against the Nursery Rhyme opposition to carve out your niche. It's a great game of strategy with no TM elements, so you can really take your time between each trading day to review your cash, stock, marketing, upgrades and prices to try to achieve the best sales result. I found it quite challenging and it made me think hard about each step, particularly in setting the day's prices accurately to avoid a disapproving comment from the Godmother Tycoon! However, no matter how I tried I couldn't stop going bust mid-way through the game, so I had to resort to the BF Game Forum for helpful pointers. (Maybe I hadn't yet picked up enough tycoon coldbloodedness to get through it without help.) Altogether a really enjoyable, witty, beautifully-realised game of marketing strategy with a lot of replay value. Highly recommended.
I recommend this game!
Move to Metropoville and begin a 12 step Life Quest program! Find a new rewarding career in this incredible Strategy game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
11 of 15 found this review helpful
Snide and unpleasant
PostedJune 16, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I'd thoroughly enjoyed the original Life Quest, and assumed that LQ2 would be more of the same. Instead of which I was faced with appalling sloppy fuzzy graphics, ugly characters and a constant stream of snide remarks from all the bit-part players. Your principal character, too, is always set at the side of the screen - very remote like a shop window dummy rather than a 'person' with whom you can connect (which is the point of the game, isn't it?). As I played through the first 20 minutes I regretted spending each second of my time and every penny of my hard-earned cash on it. It left a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. The only good thing about this game was that it taught me, once and for all, NEVER to buy a game without trialling it first.
I don't recommend this game.
Tradewinds 2
Amass a fortune by buying and selling goods. Earn enough gold to upgrade your ship and engage in land and sea battles.
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 25 found this review helpful
Witty and imaginative Tycoon game
PostedJune 13, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a clever, very witty tycoon game with lots of pirate battles and adventuring quests built into the mix. It's got excellent replay value since there are 5 main characters to choose from in Story mode and you can even create your own character once you unlock Free Play. I loved the way these 5 characters cross each other's paths during each storyline, so that someone you played as during one run-through then becomes someone you meet during another game. The graphics are large, clear and perfectly suit the humourous seafaring feel, and the jolly music is fine.
Although each character has an ultimate goal, it's fairly non-linear play since you decide when to take up each of the numerous quests given to you (buying textiles for the Governor; rescuing a damsel in distress; discovering a magical charm; defeating 5 pirate squadrons etc etc). In the meantime you strive to make a living - and ultimately a fortune! - trading goods between different Caribbean ports.
Tradewinds 2 would be a great choice if you like tycoon games, or are looking for a change from the usual HOGs or TM click-fests. I loved all of the trading, sailing from port to port trying to make money with the goods in my cargo, and storing cheap items until I could make a killing when the prices went up. Being able to take my time and not be forced along by timers or by the storyline was a joy. For my taste there were a few too many pirate battles, but they're easy to win and ultimately all part of the charm. A definite keeper and one I'll return to again and again. Highly recommended.
I recommend this game!
Help the enterprising Lavender expand her all-natural, personal care business in this awesomely organic Time Management game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Mental arithmetic & a good memory needed
PostedJune 4, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a Strategy game with no TM elements (unless you count flying from city to city). If you're looking for a new tycoon-type game then give the trial a go, but don't expect the sophisticated gameplay of the 'Chocolatier' series.
The storyline of building a cosmetics empire is fine, but the game's let down by its clumsy handling. The biggest drawback is that you don't have all the necessary info to hand on different tabs. Instead you have to load up a 'laptop' to look at recipes and ingredients and then close that down to study your inventory's stock levels. You also need to calculate how many extra ingredients to buy to keep your factories going whilst you're on your travels, as the game doesn't do it for you (no kidding!). Since mental arithmetic and memory challenges aren't my strongest suits I found all this palaver rather aggravating. (It didn't help that the integral scroll bar on the inventory didn't work, so I couldn't see all the necessary info.) The mini matching games that are part of the manufacturing process are diverting, although they add to the slightly childish presentation.
The story's quite slow to develop as you wait for people to offer you quests and open up new cities for you, and there needs to be more incentive to change your factories' output to keep product lines fresh. By 'Day 312' - about 4-5 hours gameplay - I still only had 2 factories and couldn't muster much enthusiasm for dropping a lucrative product line in favour of making a new, cheaper offering when its recipe came my way. Because of the slow & awkward gameplay I only dive into this for 30-40 minutes at a stretch - it hasn't grabbed me enough to want to keep playing for longer.
I recommend this game!
Build an empire out of grass hut roots! Take the role of an emperor cursed to live without his love until he appeases his god!
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 9 found this review helpful
Tedious, tedious, tedious
PostedMay 17, 2013
knucklebones
fromLondon
Favorite Genre(s):Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Like others here, I bought this on the strength of the glowing 5-star reviews. Never have I been so bored so quickly. I agree the graphics of the HO scenes are fine and relaxing, but that's its only saving grace. I ploughed on, thinking it must improve, but in order to build or upgrade any of the village buildings you have to find a multitude of the same resources. After 4 hours I was still revisiting the same scenes over and over to pick up dollops of beige (clay), dollops of brown (ore) and brown bits (twigs, logs and bricks). Arrrggghhhh... This is the first BF game that I'll be deleting from my pc, and it'll be a pleasure to do so.
I don't recommend this game.