ThisBrevity's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:569
- Reviews Submitted:28
- First Review:January 22, 2014
- Most Recent Review:July 8, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
After Awakening in a mysterious castle it's up to you to collect clues and items needed to solve perplexing puzzles and escape!
Overall rating
1
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Why didn't I try it first??
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I had seen the banner for this one plenty of times, and it looked absolutely beautiful and so much brighter and more inspiring than other HOPA games. I know it sounds weird, but that banner AD for it really sold me. Then, when people said that it wasn't hidden-object-heavy but adventure and puzzle-focused, I was sold. Between those factors and the stellar reviews, I went out on a limb during a sale and bought ALL FOUR installments. I was *that certain* that I would simply love it.
Not so. The graphics ARE lovely. But the story is pretty flat and does not keep you engaged; it is not an intellectually or emotionally stimulating game. And, more than anything, it is WAYYYYYY too easy. I mean, I felt like my intelligence was being insulted. This game would be great for beginners and children, or for parents to play with children. No, I do not need gore or creepiness. I can take it or leave it, and prefer G-or PG-rated games. And keep in mind that I started playing this back when I was more beginner-to-intermediate, so I didn't need as much of a challenge then. This ended up taking me over a month to finish playing because I would only play it while waiting to download another game, or if I was too sleepy at the end of the night to want to use my brain at all. It was just *that* not-riveting and not-engaging. I'm slowly making my way through the others that I unfortunately bought without trying on that fateful day.
Note that there are many 3-star-average, older, hokey HOPA games that I have really enjoyed and played through to the end in a matter of a day or two. Actually, this series and MCF: Ravenhearst are the only HOPA that I haven't played straight through without getting so bored that I start playing other games before finishing. And that's out of dozens and dozens of games...
I don't recommend this game.
Dive into an epic journey as a museum owner in pursuit of an undead pirate who has kidnapped your daughter in Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Best. Game. Ever.
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Okay, so to be fair, it is in my top 3 games which are all neck-and-neck as my faves. But this is actually the oldest of the three, so that much more credit goes to it because of that!!! I know a lot has been said, and I usually reserve reviews for games that I feel are overrated or underrated based on my experience, but I couldn't help but comment on this absolute gem. First game that made me cry (and did so more than any other game I've played# - but I mean that in the best way possible. Why can't everyone have this multi-dimensional of a "bad guy" character??? Nothing in this world is born pure evil. Let's just say that the moment I played this, I swore I would play every remotely modern game by these developers #Artifex Mundi#. This is still their best, but they have others that are excellent as well. Support them! They are small but growing. I can't say enough good things about this game...absolutely stunning music, graphics, story, gameplay - everything. I have played a lot of these games, and this is quite possibly the most memorable of them all.
My one gripe - I really don't like the acting for the main character #self# voice-over. She's done others by Artifex Mundi, and I feel like a jerk for saying something, but...man, it really detracts from it for me, and I wish they would change it up. Overly obvious comments, melodramatic, and cheesy. The rest of the voiceovers are fine. Anyway, obviously it didn't bug me enough to keep it from being my favorite!
I recommend this game!
Embark on a thrilling rescue mission in the Town of the Cyclops!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Wow. Awesome! (and NOT anti-Christian, IMHO)
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I think this is in my top three PC games. That's saying a lot, because I play HOPAs a *lot*. I'm shocked the reviews aren't higher for this one - on par with Nevertales in my opinion (albeit quite different#. So creative, beautiful, different, endearing, engaging - the story is great, the gameplay is great. I just can't say enough good things about this one. I got the SE on sale and really wish I had gotten the CE. The developers went out on a limb and put a lot of love into this one. You can't say it isn't different!!! And for me, that was in a very, very good way.
NOTE: I am pretty sensitive to violence, in particular violence against women, but I do not agree with reviewers that were disturbed by the description of the woman who was killed. I also do not agree that this is offensive to Christians unless you are just against any pagan themes #which is totally fine if you are, but that's not the same as saying the game is anti-Christian and in my opinion is not a reason to give it a bad review#. It is, however, fairly anti-Puritan...but, ummm, I guess you'd be bothered by that if you actually support the very real horrors that the Puritans enacted on innocent women 300 years ago, which is when those events took place in the story. In other words - some Puritans DID do things like what is depicted in this story #witch trials, anyone?# I don't understand how that pertains to modern-day Christianity. Plenty of people from every religion #and non-religions) have been cruel and intolerent at times. This is simply a fictitious rendition of the dark, yet historically accurate, side of some of the Puritans in that particular time period.
NOTE: I am pretty sensitive to violence, in particular violence against women, but I do not agree with reviewers that were disturbed by the description of the woman who was killed. I also do not agree that this is offensive to Christians unless you are just against any pagan themes #which is totally fine if you are, but that's not the same as saying the game is anti-Christian and in my opinion is not a reason to give it a bad review#. It is, however, fairly anti-Puritan...but, ummm, I guess you'd be bothered by that if you actually support the very real horrors that the Puritans enacted on innocent women 300 years ago, which is when those events took place in the story. In other words - some Puritans DID do things like what is depicted in this story #witch trials, anyone?# I don't understand how that pertains to modern-day Christianity. Plenty of people from every religion #and non-religions) have been cruel and intolerent at times. This is simply a fictitious rendition of the dark, yet historically accurate, side of some of the Puritans in that particular time period.
Anyway, final words - I loved this game, and the title page song is STILL stuck in my head frequently, weeks after playing it!
I recommend this game!
Emma`s soul is free. But a dark secret still lurks in Ravenhearst Manor. Return to Ravenhearst to continue this tale of twisted love.
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Only for HOS-obsessed players...
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
...which is okay if you are. But I felt driven to write a review based on the demo - which I *never* normally do because I feel its only fair to play all the way through - but games like this get inflated ratings because the people who prefer a balance of HOS and other features can't make it past the demo and end up never reviewing it. Then more and more of us HOPA-lovers get caught up when we see the great reviews and think, what the heck, I'll give it a shot!...just to waste our time. If you love HOS-centric games, this is for you. It has slightly more adventure than the original Ravenhearst (from what I could tell#, but that's not saying much since there was zero adventure in the original. I read a bunch of the reviews for this follow-up game and everyone said it was better than the first and not as HOS-centric...but again, I think that's just a comparative thing. The music, creepiness, acting, etc. - all fine. I just can't stand slogging from one HOS to another - more time spent in the HOS during my trial run than anything else. Sorry, I know it's personal preference, but that is way too mind-numbing and tedious for me. I like HOS - in moderation - and intermixed with lots of adventure, story, and puzzles. I wish more people like myself had forewarned me about this one before I wasted an hour of my life on a game that looks like it would be wonderful - minus the HOS.
PS - Why, oh why, is it that we can skip mini-games #which I rarely do) but never HOS??? At least then I could have found out the details of what happened in the original Ravenhearst, and this one.)
PS - Why, oh why, is it that we can skip mini-games #which I rarely do) but never HOS??? At least then I could have found out the details of what happened in the original Ravenhearst, and this one.)
I don't recommend this game.
The history of Ravenhearst Manor is shrouded in mystery. Unlock the secrets within this episode of Mystery Case Files™.
Overall rating
1
/
5
8 of 13 found this review helpful
Warning: ONLY for people who NEVER tire of endless HOS w/ no adventure at all
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Enough said. Read the review title. I have played gazillions of HOA and HOPA games on Big Fish, and this is the only one that I did not finish because I just couldn't stand it any longer. The music was lovely, and I actually LOVED the creative door-locks - by far my favorite part. The storyline was interesting, but it was taking FOREVER to get anywhere because of the seemly thousands of repetitious HOS, which were revisited and revisited and revisited...and boring the first time around, and cluttered! I played as long as I did (through 10 of the 14 diary entries# only because I wanted to know how the story ended and loved the Door Locks. There is no exploring, no adventure...just mind-numbing HOS...more than I've seen in any game, ever. I actually do like some pure HOS games #e.g. G5's Secret Society, on Android# in moderation. But this was just overload. If you love pure HOS, unendingly, and never tire of them - this is for you. If that's not the case for you and you like them but only in moderation along with adventure, etc. - pass on this one. #Just a note that I read the higher reviews of Return to Ravenhearst, sincerely hoping that it would be better...it seems to be so, but not by much (based on demo). I mention this in the original's review because I wish someone had warned me that it wasn't just this installment of the series that is way too HOS-centric).
I don't recommend this game.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Quality, underrated game
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I am finally getting around to posting reviews, primarily focusing on writing reviews for games that I feel are either over or underrated based on my personal experience. This one looked hokey, and I only got it because it was on sale. I really enjoyed it, though! I don't feel that it was overly gorey or anything, either. I mean, don't let your kids play it, but it doesn't have what you would consider "adult" themes by any means. Sadly, the ending is much too abrupt, given how well written the storyline is #even if it's not the most creative storyline, I felt that it was still better than most - and most importantly, well-executed!# I normally tire of too many HOS #prefer the adventure portion & a good story, followed by mini-games/puzzles, and just a smattering of HOS; personal preference, of course.# I didn't think this one had too many HOS, and what it had was interesting enough to keep me engaged. I liked the little toy box that you add to throughout the game. It also had a bit more challenge than some, in a good way. Try out the demo - I think you'll like it!
I recommend this game!
A disastrous avalanche... an evacuation... did anyone survive? The ski trip you've dreamed of for so long turns into a nightmare.
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Engaging story, woohoo!!!
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I'm quite surprised that this game doesn't have overall higher reviews! I noticed that most of the reviewers played the original game. I have not, but I am downloading the original Phantasmat as I write because I loved the sequel so much. I did not expect to *love* this one, and I don't really care about creepiness too much one way or another, but this was awesomely creepy, well-written, etc. without being gorey. The ending was a bit abrupt for my taste (I just got the SE, sadly - wish I had gotten the CE now#. I played it almost straight through because the story was so engaging. As another reviewer said, even after you figure out what's going on, you are highly motivated to keep playing. That's my idea of a good game. It would have been a few too many HOS for me *if* there hadn't been a Match 3 option; I spent about 2/3rds of my time on the HOS and 1/3 on the Match 3 #I get bored of too much of either, but switching made it okay). I really care mostly about the adventure and the story, followed by good puzzles/mini-games, with a smattering of HOS, but that's my personal taste. Anyway, I just wanted to mention that this was nowhere near the top of my list, and I only got it because it was on sale. I'm so glad that I did!
I recommend this game!
Explore the vastness of a ship lost in time, what mysteries will you uncover amidst its Mayan idols, menacing sea creatures, and exotic treasures? Find out in this exciting new Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game on the open seas!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Story itself not engaging or exciting
PostedJanuary 22, 2014
ThisBrevity
fromPacific Northwest
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game has a lot of reviews, so I won't wax on about it, but I found myself skipping a lot, using the map to figure out where to go way more often than I usually would (out of impatience to get through the game, not because I was stuck#, getting bored of the HOS #even with the Mahjong option, which I also found boring. Most games with alternatives have better alternatives, comparatively, like match 3 or (my fave thus far# - Pong!# I normally love these types of games #HOPA#, and maybe my expectations were too high given the stellar reviews. Gameplay was smooth, settings were eye-pleasing, and the music WAS some of the *best* I've heard in this genre. The music is part of what made me able to enjoy the tedium of the HOS #which I like in small to medium doses, but not as many as there were in this one#. But I could have loved this game if it had two things: Excitement, and a Good Storyline #which usually goes along with the Excitement factor, but sometimes is good in and of itself - take Forbidden Secrets: Alien Town for instance. I didn't expect to love it, esp because it's not my favorite setting, but I did, because it was exciting and put together well.# I just felt very little motivation in Mayan Prophecies, except maybe a slight amount towards the end. I am SO glad that I got this on sale and did not get the CE version #I still got to collect hummingbirds #just not counted#, and the Mayan calendar.# I feel really disappointed in this one. I expected to like it a lot more, but the story just did not do it for me. If you you like Mayan stuff and old pirate ships #and I love both), but you don't care about story, then get this. Or maybe just get it on a sale or with a coupon. If you want a good pirate setting AND an amazing, thought-provoking, beautiful pirate-themed game that is actually story-driven, get Nightmares from the Deep: Cursed Heart #better than its sequel, storywise, IMHO).
I don't recommend this game.