Another Great Hit in the House of 1000 Doors Series
PostedJune 17, 2013
anitehawk
fromTexas
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Green City
(33)
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
Just when you think the devs cannot possibly improve on great games they have already published, along comes Serpent Flame!
Once again, the storyline is compelling. Evil serpents have awoken and are determined to turn our world into a fiery underworld. There is only One who can defeat the Evil and return life to normalcy. She is brought back to the House and finds familiar faces awaiting her. They explain the situation and give invaluable guidance.
Staying true to the precedents set in previous games, the house will only open the doors you need to to advance in the games. The other doors will Poof! and go away if you try to go in that direction.
The interactive map is not only functional but informative, letting you know if there is a morphing object in a room, something that needs to be accomplished and where you are at the present time.
The graphics are good, HOs are not so cluttered you cannot find what you are searching for. The background music is appropriate and I did not have to turn off the sound! A definate plus. The voice overs are well done, not too long to be boring and informative.
This is a great game, a definate keeper. I don't normally buy CEs but think this is worth the extra money.
I recommend this game!
0points
1of2voted this as helpful.
Dark Dimensions: City of Ash Collector's Edition
A dark dimension has fallen over Phoenix Hill, turning its residents into volcanic ash. Help them rise from the ashes.
Overall rating
4/ 5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
the third in the dark dimensions series
PostedJune 12, 2013
anitehawk
fromTexas
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Dark Dimensions: City of Ash Collector's Edition
(52)
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
All in all, the story line was good, kept my attention. I had purchased the 2 earlier games as SE's and for some reason decided to buy the CE version this time.
As a CE, it was a bit disappointing. First of all, I never could find or use the strategy guide that usually accompanies CE's, even though the other reviews indicate there should be one. I actually needed it for this game (I didn't on the earlier Dark Dimensions) and had to use the online walkthrough.
I wont go into the storyline, since the other reviews have covered everything of importance. I do agree that the interactive map was really good! It saved time and kept me on track of where I needed to go next.
This is a good game, has all the hallmarks of the Dark Dimension series that will keep me coming back for more...I just wish I had purchased the SE version
I recommend this game!
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Fairway Solitaire: Tee to Play
Fairway Solitaire: Tee To Play is an award-winning combination of solitaire and golf. Play sequential cards to create long drives. Long drives make better scores!
Overall rating
5/ 5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
Cute ... and fun to play
PostedJune 12, 2013
anitehawk
fromTexas
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Dark Dimensions: City of Ash Collector's Edition
(52)
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
I have played golf in a lot of different formats, but this version adds a cuteness that makes it new and fresh.
The cutouts are funny, the gopher is obviously the bad guy ...
The sports announcers are great, but after awhile the sounds and music got to me so I turned that down.
The powerups are good, you have the opportunity to buy needed clubs and power ups with bucks you earn in the game. There are opportunities to buy other powerups with real money, if you are into spending real money, but it is not necessary to play and enjoy and play the game.
Unlike some of the other Free to Play games, you don't have to wait for energy to be replenished or anything like that ... just play until you get tired, or have to go to work ... etc.
I played a few minutes of the demo, then realized that to get the the full impact of this third chapter of the series, I needed to go back and replay the first two.
Anna is continuing her saga from her awakening in the underwater castle, defeating her twin sister, traveling to the city in the sky only to find that releasing the children and redefeating Pandora left her alone and lonely in her lovely city. Now the quest is to find and release her people, and make peace with her evil twin.
The many references made in this game will make more sense if you go back and replay the first two in the series.
There is a map in this chapter as well but, again, it is not interative. You do get to unlock a teleport system which makes it easier to jump from spot to spot..
the hint button give a fair indication of what direction you need to go next and what task you need to accomlish.
The first two chapters let you kow when an area is clear, Which I reallly liked; this version does not so you are occasionally left guessing.
The graphics have improved (although they were pretty good in the previous games). Some of the HOGs were pretty simple but a few contined items I could not find without hints. I even enjoyed the music - which I normally turn down.
The bonus material is good. Not only do you solve another quest that runs you all over the island but you get to open the Zen house and play Anna;s favorite game. Let me tell you, that game is addicting!
This game is a good, stand alone game but I guarantee you will enjoy it a lot more if you start back from the first Emplress of the Deep and play on through all three games
downloaded the demo because of the reviews.; I am so glad I did. Normally don't have music up but I did on this one and found it a great background and not distracting. Love maps and this one has a good one. can't jump from the map but still tells you what you need to do. Hint button fills rapidly, hogs are clearly marked. am finding my way without too much trouble. graphics are very clear. I will be buying this one to add to my collection!
Welcome to Top Secret Finders. Your first mission is to save a small town, uncover the truth about a government conspiracy and stop the villain in his tracks!
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
This is a fun game and it does remind me of the series X-Files. It get's kind of spooky once in a while and I wish I had Mulder close by ... Not a CSI type of game ... even though you are investigating an other-worldly type of crime. Yes, the HOG's are what you might call junk piles, loosely ... items are fairly easy to find once you get used to how they are hidden. Needed to use hint once in a while because there was something right in front of me I just couldn't see! The spirit scenes were pretty good. Gave you insight as to what might have happened ... ghostly figures seem to be tied to a particular scene, like memory impressions (yes, I watch Ghost Hunters), rather than physical hauntings. I like that the hint button doubles as an instant transport to another scene you might need to investigate. Finished the demo and definately want more. Will buy when I can.
Oh, by the way, you might want someone else in the room with you if you are playing after dark .....
Just because it wasn't fun for me, doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun for you. Perhaps I should have played the first game in the series but the reviews and synopsis of this game sounded so good.
For me there was way too much jumping from scene to scene. The objectives were not clear, even though I did use the tutorial mode. you have to click on something that seems out of place in a scene before you can find out what object you are looking for in that same scene. I like a little more direction when playing a game. The graphics are well done, the soundtrack very pleasant. It's not a bad game, just not my type of game.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
I had played the demo quite a while back on another site and had, in all honesty, forgotten about this game. More recently, I had played the demo of the Exiled Prince, enjoyed it and purchased it. I decided to go looking for more games in the Dark Parables series and rediscovered the Briar Rose.
I am so glad I did. This is a very enjoyable game. The storyline is compelling and draws you in. And once you're in, you are hooked.
The graphics are excellent, you can almost feel being pricked by the thorns. The HOs are well done, with objects being not too easy nor too hard to find. I did have to use the hint a few times because my old eyes cannot always discern slight differences in contrast.
I enjoyed the sound track. I usually have it turned way down or completely off but this one actually added to the sense of enchantment. Well done!
I would say the level of challenge is perfect for the intermediate player. I you are a beginner, I advise getting the collectors edition or keep the blog walkthrough close at hand until you get used to the style of the gameplay.
I loved it. Wish I had waited to get the collectors edition simply for the additional items that come with a collectors edition, not necessarily the strategy guide but I was impatient and didn't want to wait another month for the additional game credit!
A word of caution: you can get so wrapped up in the story line that you forget to look for the enchanted items!
I have to admit, the graphics and sound were quite good.
But that's where the enjoyment ended for me. I have played games where you need to find elements in more than one scene but in this game it really wasn't fun. Help wasn't much help in the way of guidance .... Maybe I was just too tired when I started the demo but this game was not too enjoyable. It was borderline boring.