SugarMax's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.1
- Helpful Votes:64
- Reviews Submitted:27
- First Review:June 28, 2013
- Most Recent Review:September 26, 2013
- Featured reviews0
When a young woman is found comatose by the side of the road with a bloody knife beside her, it's up to you to unravel her story!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Return to Surface
PostedSeptember 26, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the second Surface game I've played. It is an excellent adventure although I did not find it quite as absorbing as Mystery of Another World. The game map now includes indicators for areas with open tasks which saves a lot of running around, searching for missed inventory. The HOS are all static, which is also a change from the first game. The story is a bit more abstract, with the game world as a beautiful and creative representation of someone's mind that you are probing. This, coupled with scenes linking to a parallel story that is occuring in the 'real world' made for an interesting experience. Hints are provided but, in most cases, inventory is used in ways that make sense and you are guided by clues if you are paying attention. I am looking forward to the next Surface release!
I recommend this game!
After your son, Bobby, mysteriously disappears, it's up to you to find him in Surface: The Mystery of Another World!
Overall rating
5
/
5
What a HOPA Game Should Be!
PostedSeptember 24, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I purchased this game because of a recent sales promotion. It turned out to be one of the best games I've played since finding Big Fish. The story drove the game; the graphics were a wonderful change from animated fairies and haunted houses; and the level of complexity and challenge was enough to drive me to use hints on several occasions. I am not a fan of HOS but these were beautifully constructed and required inventory items for completion (an interesting twist). HOS is a part of the game but not the primary focus. There was a wide variety of mini-games that were thought provoking. The majority of puzzles involved finding and using inventory items - some in very creative ways. This is a big game, with many locations. There is a map for quick navigation but I found myself needing to take notes to keep track of where I had open tasks and missing items. I thoroughly enjoyed this game and hope future Surface releases will be this good.
I recommend this game!
Namariel Legends: Iron Lord
Escape prison, defeat an army of mechanical soldiers and destroy the Iron Lord’s dark power!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
An Old Style Adventure
PostedSeptember 24, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a return to classic adventuring. Good scenery, integrated storyline with beautiful cut scenes, varied puzzles, lots of 'find and use' inventory items, and no HOS! Game has two play modes and a helpful hint system. You explore diverse locations that are 'closed' when completed so you do not have to do a lot of traversing in search of items. A definite must for those who do not require searching through junk piles!
I recommend this game!
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Other world: Spring of Shadows!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Spring into Otherworld
PostedSeptember 20, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Otherworld: Spring is a visually beautiful game with a fairy tale story. Mini-games were diverse and the HOS screens were not too intrusive. There were a lot of 'find, use, assemble' activities and several tracing exercises that require hand eye coordination. For the most part, the use of inventory items made sense. And, if stumped, the hint system works very well. Game locations are locked when not in use so there is no traversing the universe looking for missed items. I enjoyed this game. I admit I am becoming weary of saving the world from evil spirits but this release had some interesting variety in terms of gameplay and Otherworld is a stunning place to visit!
I recommend this game!
Find Aaron’s missing father and discover the meaning behind his eerie paintings in Aaron Crane: Paintings Come Alive!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Paintings Come Alive - Almost
PostedSeptember 17, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I used credits to buy this game since it had mixed reviews but was billed as a puzzle/adventure game without HOS. This could have been Myst-like but, in my opinion, missed the mark entirelly. Although the scenery is pretty, it is a very short 'find and use' adventure with a limited number of locations. The story is a bare thread to tie unrelated scenes together. You are coached on what to do and the puzzles were extremely easy. Total play time for me was just a couple of hours. There were several puzzles that were repeated in each segment. If these had been different kinds of puzzles, it would have greatly improved the experience.
This is not a bad game ... just not much of a game for anyone other than a novice adventurer.
This is not a bad game ... just not much of a game for anyone other than a novice adventurer.
I don't recommend this game.
Travel from the deepest trenches of the Atlantic Ocean to the awe-inspiring wonders of Mars as you solve the greatest archeological puzzle known to man: the origin of Atlantis.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
A welcome change of scenery
PostedSeptember 16, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game has a short underwater opening section and then moves to the planet Mars. It is a wonderful change from ghosts and goblins of the past or fairy worlds. This has the elements that I enjoy - interesting story with lots of background details, good graphics, puzzles that make sense, etc. The game can be played on different levels of difficulty and a map is provided for fast navigation. The HOS (not my favorite) were not too pervasive. For a 'find and use' game with mini-puzzles, this is a good entertainment value. I'd highly recommend this.
I recommend this game!
You've come to Mexico to explore a mysterious mansion. But this is no vacation. Your cousin is missing, and the house is crawling with bizarre and deadly creatures!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Great Game if I Could Only Finish It.
PostedAugust 31, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is a wonderful game - three levels of play, good storyline that continues throughout the game, beautiful scenery, puzzles that make sense, and innovative HOS. I was truly enjoying this and would have highly recommended it until I hit a bug (not a technical issue - but a scenario that occurs from which there is no recovery because a required inventory item cannot be retrieved) that prevents completion. To make things worse, this also makes the CE extras not accessible. If you are considering purchasing this game, you might want to read the forums and wait to see if a fix will be released by ERS. This was a sad way to cut short an otherwise perfect gaming experience.
I don't recommend this game.
Azada's saga continues when its precious elements are stolen!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
Not the Azada I was hoping for
PostedAugust 27, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart
(163)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This was the fourth Azada game I've played. All are different from each other but this is my least favorite. The story is minimal, There is a loose theme of elements (fire, water, air# that is an attempt to tie a hodgepodge of scenery and puzzle elements together. I found the game terribly tedious and still have no idea what value a customizable 'pet' added to the experience. The map feature is a plus, as it saves navigation time and tracks open tasks. There were diverse puzzles and interactive HOS. But these, coupled with eye candy, were not enough to make a cohesive game experience.
There are so many other really good games out there - some by ERS.. I'd recommend skipping this one!
There are so many other really good games out there - some by ERS.. I'd recommend skipping this one!
I don't recommend this game.
Find your missing fiancé in the deepest parts of the ocean. Discover the forgotten underwater city hiding many spine-chilling secrets.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Good Game, but Haven't I Been Here Before?
PostedAugust 25, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
If you have not played either of the Nightmares of the Deep games, I would recommend this title. It has a good story, lots of gameplay, beautiful graphics, mapping, and a multitude of puzzles. However, Abyss was VERY similar to other games, with puzzles lifted straight out of the Nightmares and Enigmatis. For me, the game felt like more of the same and I grew weary. I was also confused by 'The Last Chapter' which was an extra game section that did not make any sense if one had just finished the main story. I hope this developer will take time for less reuse on their next release..
I recommend this game!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Siren's Call Collector's Edition
Face off against Davy Jones and his nightmares from the deep!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Second Game as Good as the First
PostedAugust 13, 2013
SugarMax
fromAustin, AR
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played The Siren's Call after completing The Cursed Heart and was delighted that the second game was equally enjoyable. The graphics, music, and story were excellent. I admit that the story did not grab me quite as much as the first, but it was still a good tale. This is a very easy game with variations on the HOS screens and Mah Jong as an alternative. Maps are provided which minimize the backtracking to use items in previously visited locations. This is the first 'Collector's edition' game I've purchased and I remain neutral. I don't care about the 'extras' and the additional game chapter did not add much to the overall story - it is simply one more errand with a lot of collecting. I think that I would have been equally pleased if I could have purchased the Standard Edition.
Nightmares of the Deep are two games that I would highly recommend!
Nightmares of the Deep are two games that I would highly recommend!
I recommend this game!