synergistician's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.2
- Helpful Votes:109
- Reviews Submitted:38
- First Review:January 31, 2014
- Most Recent Review:January 25, 2016
- Featured reviews0
League of Light: Dark Omens Collector's Edition
The mysterious League of Light has chosen you as their newest member. Are you up to your first assignment?
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
Requires Thinking Really Far Outside the Box at Times.
PostedMarch 30, 2015
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The graphics are quite good at times but interspersal of raw grainy B&W disrupts the mood; even though it is there for special effects, it misses the mark. The puzzles range from the blindfold simple to the get lucky complex. The game starts pretty linearly but expands part way through to cover many locations with back and forth travel. Even though there is a map and it is interactive allowing one to jump to location, there are no location names which makes it difficult to keep track of at times.
The animation is inconsistent in terms of coordinated character dialog and action but I’ve seen worse. The length of the game was reasonable and there were numerous tasks to be performed at each location. In some cases, the tasks built upon themselves. The HOPs were also interactive and were progressive with found objects interacting to further the HOP to conclusion. The major negative for me was the impracticality of some of the clue actions. For example, putting a diamond on an anvil and hitting it with a hammer so that the hammer will break off for you to collect and use extends beyond all reasonable logic. Another was using a steel trap to open a sealed jewelry chest. There were others but don’t want to divulge the solutions to those interested in playing the game, just be forewarned that you have to think ‘really far’ outside the box on occasion as there are numerous such challenges in the game.
The story line was about average and the pace of play was medium. The finding of ‘owls’ was a game within a game but it really didn’t add much as it was merely just a distraction. All in all, a good game but not the best I’ve played.
I recommend this game!
Riddles of Fate: Wild Hunt Collector's Edition
Can you defeat the Four Horsemen and save the city?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Not for the simple minded or those in a hurry to get done.
PostedDecember 14, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
RoF-WH(CE)
I’ve read many of the reviews of the Riddles of Fate – Wild Hunt game and I can only surmise that many of them were on the demo only because the whole game is completely different than the first part of the game. Granted, there are some predictable scenes and actions and the HOGs are not really all that difficult but the ‘like’ for any game is how much the game player enjoys what it has to offer. This game offers a wide range of numerous opportunities. The mini-games and puzzles ranged from the simplistic to the near impossible unless you are a Rubik’s cube kind of player. I didn’t care for the lack of mouth movement during the dialog as I felt is detracted from the realism of the game and there were a few instances of mispronounced words but those were really minor issues. In many scenes, actions develop which requires some real thinking for the player. In fact, this game more than most I have played really challenged the player to ‘think’ rather than just go do something that is intuitively obvious. I did use the strategy guide for a couple of solutions as the individual effort involved would have taken quite a while if successful at all.
This is also one of the better CEs that I have played. It isn’t just a few scenes but almost another small game within itself. Granted, it loops back over itself to use the same scenes albeit after some cataclysmic event, however, the challenges are different as are the games. Additionally, even after the bonus chapter, there is another set of actions by going to the ‘secret room’ which really just revisits some of the mini-games again, some of which were the most difficult ones. RoF-WH is a really long game where you do get your money’s worth. Not only are there numerous scenes, but there are numerous actions in each scene (10-15). The trek is somewhat linear in nature and there are few instances of traveling more than 3 or 4 scenes but by in large, it moves along carrying itself as it goes.
Graphics are slightly above average, the story is entertaining, and the sound effects vary and are quite good. The map allows one to teletransport which is convenient to say the least. All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed the game and its challenges.
I recommend this game!
Dark Realm: Queen of Flames
Without warning, a group of mysterious figures arrives and reduces your village to flames and rubble. What do they want... and who is controlling them?
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
Enjoyable but lacks real challenge
PostedNovember 28, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
DR-QOF
After seeing the reviews on this game, I really had high hopes. Unfortunately, they were a little too high. While it is a fun game with interactive HOGs and really different types of puzzles, few of the puzzles were much of a challenge. Sometimes, it took more effort to figure out what to do than it did to do it. Wasn’t overly long but was much too linear in path for my liking although it did double back on itself near the end. However, even after looping, it was still fairly linear with inventory rarely used more than one or two scenes away. Partway through, the story seemed to bog down and become somewhat treadmillish just going from one scene to the next. The map is interactive and assists in checking status and areas needing attention.
After seeing the reviews on this game, I really had high hopes. Unfortunately, they were a little too high. While it is a fun game with interactive HOGs and really different types of puzzles, few of the puzzles were much of a challenge. Sometimes, it took more effort to figure out what to do than it did to do it. Wasn’t overly long but was much too linear in path for my liking although it did double back on itself near the end. However, even after looping, it was still fairly linear with inventory rarely used more than one or two scenes away. Partway through, the story seemed to bog down and become somewhat treadmillish just going from one scene to the next. The map is interactive and assists in checking status and areas needing attention.
The extra ‘objects’ are a nice touch and they are used often enough to provide a little variety in the play. Having played the CE edition, the finding of all the flames was beneficial with the HOP at the end with some 95 objects that is timed and tracks picks vs. misses for an accuracy rate. If you miss a few flames, you can revisit when and find in order to get to the 95 object HOP. An achievements chart also allows the player to challenge themselves to see if how well they can do in both accuracy and time of performance.
In the end, a reasonably enjoyable game with great graphics, acceptable dialog, unique puzzle twists, and variety of challenges but weak of storyline and difficulty.
I recommend this game!
Dark Parables: The Red Riding Hood Sisters
Discover the Red Riding Hood Sisters and defeat the nefarious Wolf Queen!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Tedious, frustrating, and non-challenging
PostedNovember 2, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I bought this game because of many favorable reviews but while I generally agree with other reviewers and at times even exceed their reviews, this one left me completely cold.
Overall, DP-tRRHS is a tedious frustrating game, one that I literally gutted my way through only because I have never not finished a game. Sometimes a game gets better the longer you play it but this wasn’t one of those times. It consists of only 3-part HOPTPs (hidden object put together puzzles) that were a far cry from challenging. While I do enjoy such games to a degree, this wasn’t one of them. I enjoy a little more challenge and variety in the games I play. At times, there were multiple distractions in the scenes that showed activity as part of the story but it was difficult to know if a game action was called for. Many of the clues were cryptic in nature and some to the point of not making a great deal of sense. I rarely use hints but had to a couple of times with this game as it seemed to lose a sense of direction and some of the moves needed were confusing at best.
Characters were childish as was the story and the dialog. Some of the scenes had subtle activities that could only be picked up by a careful and intensive search of the scene. There was a reasonable amount of scene interaction across the breadth of scenes. The graphics and sound were of grainy quality, and the map is of some assistance although it doesn’t have transportation capability. There were only a few types of other puzzles presented, they were used multiple times, and the level of difficulty was only slightly above easy. In addition, the story, although understandable, was somewhat of a jumble at times. Some of the interactive 'story vignettes' were more of a nuisance than story embellishment. Further, the number of scenes and the length of the game was somewhere between short and average while the number of actions per scene ranged from 1-5 with an average of 3. Normally, I would expect more scenes and more actions per scene than DP-tRRHS presented. Overall, a below average game that I recommend only because I am sure there are those who like this type of game but it wasn't the type of game I enjoy. While it wasn’t the worst game I have played, it wasn’t far from it.
I recommend this game!
Mystery Trackers: Silent Hollow
There are screams heard in Silent Hollow... Trouble at the Mystery Trackers headquarters means you're called in to help.
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Enjoyable but Only a Moderate Challenge
PostedOctober 19, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Overall the game was enjoyable but not much of a challenge. The storyline is a bit contrived and far from believability. There were minimal HOGs and the ones that were included were generally fairly easy with only a couple presenting any challenge for a couple of the objects on the list. As far as scene interaction, there was a fair degree of back and forth activity between close scenes but little in terms of back and forth between sections. With only a couple of exceptions, the puzzles were so easy that a caveman could do them. One positive aspect is that there were a lot of ‘to dos’ in the various scenes, some of which resulted from activity within the scene.
The inventory list level was reasonable and there were instances of trying to figure out what to do next. There was almost no long distant scene travel and all activity usually occurred within one or two scenes of each other. The use of sidebar fire, hypnotic, and freeze ‘powers’ was a novel twist to those games that I have played before, however, the use of the ‘little friend’ (dog) was only active at the beginning but non-existent throughout the rest of the game. In the middle of the game, there are these annoying masks that float about and do little for the game but a lot to annoy the player. A few misspellings and wrong words created additional distractions. While most of the actions involved objects that were logical in nature, some of the actions really didn’t make a lot of sense, such as prying with a golf club or fanning poisonous fumes by hand and they just go away and some actions were the reverse of standard practice such as unscrewing screws clockwise instead of counterclockwise.
The graphics were generally good, but no mouth movement for the few times that characters were displayed in the game was an annoyance. The map was interactive which aided at times.
Overall, I consider it a little better than a mediocre game that is a little challenging but good enough to pass time. I never used a skip, however, I did have to use the ‘hint’ feature a couple of times when I got stuck which is a rarity in and of itself. For those that have played other Mystery Tracker games, I consider the Raincliff, Raincliff Phantoms, Black Isle, and Four Aces better games (in that order). I do recommend the game as it was a modicum of fun to play but only for the less accomplished gamer.
I recommend this game!
Secrets of the Dark: Eclipse Mountain
Challenge yourself in the role of the scientist-historian-scholar of ancient civilizations and mystical legends and save your friend from the Demon of Darkness!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Okay But Not Top of the Class
PostedOctober 2, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
SotD-EM is an average game for average people. It is of average length, has average puzzles ranging from simple to mild challenge, and somewhat challenging HOGs. The need to revisit HOGs at random times presents a somewhat irritating yet interesting twist into the solving game. When it seems none of the inventory is suitable to move forward, best you look for a previously visited HOG to visit again. The game was an interesting challenge but not one that captured my full attention, more like an interesting distraction. The one challenging aspect of the game was a lot of back and forth between the scenes which I find interesting while others dislike that type of challenge preferring the straight simple linear approach. Just going from scene to scene bores me while the jumping around aspect is much more to my liking. In the end, I found it a solid yet mundane game .
I recommend this game!
Secrets of the Dark: Mystery of the Ancestral Estate
If you have enough courage to challenge the darkness, then you’ll manage to find out the mystery of the Rossolimo family.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Highs and Lows Equal Mediocrity
PostedAugust 23, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
SotD-MotAE is a game that has something for everyone, only most of what it has is not what everyone wants. No lip movement of the characters and mediocre graphics leads to limited enjoyment of the visuals. Going back to find HOGs (again) to find another object is at times frustrating in that it demands revisiting scenes multiple times to find the one spot that has reactivated itself. No map only complicates the challenge. While the game is not linear in terms of actions, the required ‘next activity’ is. There is rarely more than 2-5 items in inventory at any one time which limits the flexibility of the game even though at times, there are 35-40 available actions waiting to be taken once the right inventory item is possessed. The game is a constant back and forth and only by mapping the journey is any degree of success realized.
The puzzles range from the inane to the insane with some of them being ‘guess me if you can’ type puzzles. Some of them are beyond simple and some of them are a real challenge. In a number of cases, the scale is skewed presenting another visual challenge to be overcome. Some of the actions that are to be performed involve an abstract interpretation of what the inventory item is usually used for; not an action that one would normally think of but one that actually makes a little sense once it is figured out. Some of the objects are quite evident while others are innocuously small requiring careful search of every scene to ensure something isn’t overlooked.
It is definitely a thinking game in terms of figuring out the clues and actions and isn’t one to be enjoyed by those who want to have simple fun. All-in-all, if one can put up with the perceived shortcomings identified, it is fairly enjoyable. I’ve played much better so I don’t rate it as one of my big favorites but in fairness, I’ve played a lot worse. As such, I rate it as average.
I recommend this game!
Secrets of the Dark: Temple of Night
After being kidnapped, your friend is about to be sacrificed to a powerful demon and it's up to you to save him!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Fun at times, frustrating at other times
PostedJuly 20, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
SotD-ToN is a game of highs and lows coupling fun with frustration. An interesting twist having two phases of play with scenes morphing from a standard town setting into a kind of an alternate world of Aztec evil. However, at times, the play became muddled with confusing direction and questionable sequencing. At times, play sequencing was logical and enjoyable while at other times, play sequencing was illogical, confusing, and frustrating. Background drum and staccato beat were somewhat in theme with the game but became monotonous at times. During the game, numerous bugs and critters run around the scenes but other than being a minor distraction, they only serve to ‘liven’ the scene. No map and no scene location presented a bit of a challenge in keeping up with the game, especially considering the real and alternate world versions. The graphics were pretty good and the dialog was sparse but appropriate when needed.
In many cases, the sleuthing required moving around and revisiting old scenes, both real and alternate world, which I enjoyed as it really challenged one’s solving skills but the average player may become frustrated with the degree of interaction required. The HOGs were an enjoyable challenge in terms of numerous items per puzzle coupled with complexity, interaction, and object blending into the background. In a couple of cases, a return to HOG scenes was required for a ‘redo’ which puts a little more thinking into the game to figure out the next step. While there weren’t a lot of puzzle challenges, the ones included ranged from simple to difficult. In a couple of cases, the next step or action was far from evident and there was little guidance in terms of what to do or how to do it which really elevated the level of challenge. The storyline was reasonable for the game, the game ending was reasonable and not too abrupt like many games are, and the puzzle to complete was difficult but not too much so.
All-in-all, I enjoyed the game in spite of my dislikes for a few of the characteristics and while it isn’t one of the best games that I have played, it was better than most.
In many cases, the sleuthing required moving around and revisiting old scenes, both real and alternate world, which I enjoyed as it really challenged one’s solving skills but the average player may become frustrated with the degree of interaction required. The HOGs were an enjoyable challenge in terms of numerous items per puzzle coupled with complexity, interaction, and object blending into the background. In a couple of cases, a return to HOG scenes was required for a ‘redo’ which puts a little more thinking into the game to figure out the next step. While there weren’t a lot of puzzle challenges, the ones included ranged from simple to difficult. In a couple of cases, the next step or action was far from evident and there was little guidance in terms of what to do or how to do it which really elevated the level of challenge. The storyline was reasonable for the game, the game ending was reasonable and not too abrupt like many games are, and the puzzle to complete was difficult but not too much so.
All-in-all, I enjoyed the game in spite of my dislikes for a few of the characteristics and while it isn’t one of the best games that I have played, it was better than most.
I recommend this game!
Phenomenon: City of Cyan
20 years ago a terrible accident destroyed most of Cyan City. Now, Monica returns to uncover the secrets of her childhood!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
A Game that Spans the Spectrum of Difficulty
PostedJuly 11, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
P-COC is a game that begins with simple scenes, simple clues, and simple solutions with minimal actions per scene and gives one the impression that it isn’t worth the time or money. However, as the game progresses, it becomes increasingly more difficult with more actions per scene. A portion of the HOGs are multi-level with puzzles within puzzles. Other puzzle games range from the simple to the difficult with a couple of them somewhat confusing as to what needs to be done. In some cases, the progression through the game is fairly linear while in other cases, a fair amount of sleuthing and backtracking is required to move forward. In many cases, necessary or helpful inventory objects are very evident while in other cases, those objects, which can be easily overlooked, are discovered only by a careful and detailed search of the scene. At times the inventory is minimal and at other times, it accumulates. The game continued to build and was fairly lengthy in play with multiple travel routes which required paying close attention to both location and needed actions but the ending was disappointingly abrupt and leaves you feeling deflated.
I liked most of the game due to its complexity and sleuthing aspects which some people don’t like due to the amount of thinking and memory that is required but I didn’t care for the occasional simple solutions or the quick ending. The ending gave one the feeling that the game creators got tired 2/3 of the way through the game and decided just to get it over with. The other irritating part of the game for me was the occasional verbal dialog which was uninspiring and at times monotonously long. All-in-all, I gave it a 4 because it was eventually fun to play despite all the dislikes I identified.
I liked most of the game due to its complexity and sleuthing aspects which some people don’t like due to the amount of thinking and memory that is required but I didn’t care for the occasional simple solutions or the quick ending. The ending gave one the feeling that the game creators got tired 2/3 of the way through the game and decided just to get it over with. The other irritating part of the game for me was the occasional verbal dialog which was uninspiring and at times monotonously long. All-in-all, I gave it a 4 because it was eventually fun to play despite all the dislikes I identified.
I recommend this game!
Riddles of Fate: Into Oblivion
The seven deadly sins have plunged peaceful Riddlestone into chaos! Rescue the royal family and save their people from destruction.
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Basic Mediocre HO Game with a Promising but Weak Storyline
PostedJune 14, 2014
synergistician
fromAtlanta Proximity, Georgia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
A basic game with basic challenges. Nothing too taxing although there were a couple of difficult 'figure outs' along the way. Although I played the CE version, it wasn't worth the extra investment. There were only a few HO games and the puzzles were elementary at best which reduced this game to one step above boring. Gave it a 2 but it was a bit of a stretch. The one strength of the game was numerous locations with numerous 'actions' for each location. Some back and forth but overall, it was a fairly linear game.
I recommend this game!