KathyC312's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:40
- Reviews Submitted:16
- First Review:July 29, 2014
- Most Recent Review:January 8, 2025
- Featured reviews0
Haunted Legends: The Secret of Life
You've traveled the world in search of a cure for your deadly illness, and you've finally found it! But it won't be easy to get – are you up to the task?
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 4 found this review helpful
It was okay
PostedJuly 13, 2016
KathyC312
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Danse Macabre: The Last Adagio
(18)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I'm a big fan of ERS games and bought this game because of that. This one was just okay. Here's my take on the game:
Pros
-Good graphics
-Map
-Interesting mix of different HO types
-Good graphics
-Map
-Interesting mix of different HO types
Cons
-Theme is kinda morbid...the undead...blood splatters...bugs crawling around...cemetery
- I didn't care for the style of the game. You have ingredient lists that change each day and you have to scour the town for the items. It kind of lacked imagination and felt like a chore to find all the stuff
- Inventory pile-up: you carry around a multitude (10+) of things in your inventory and not one of them works for the task at hand
- Seemed light on the HO scenes
-Theme is kinda morbid...the undead...blood splatters...bugs crawling around...cemetery
- I didn't care for the style of the game. You have ingredient lists that change each day and you have to scour the town for the items. It kind of lacked imagination and felt like a chore to find all the stuff
- Inventory pile-up: you carry around a multitude (10+) of things in your inventory and not one of them works for the task at hand
- Seemed light on the HO scenes
Maybe my expectations were high because I love their Puppet Show games (best game music ever!), but this one was kinda "meh."
I recommend this game!
Phantasmat Collector's Edition
After crashing your car in the middle of nowhere, you stumble upon a mysterious town with a shady background. Solve a dark mystery!
Overall rating
1
/
5
12 of 14 found this review helpful
Too many cut scenes; No map to get around
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
KathyC312
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I'm in the minority here, but I really disliked this game. I couldn't wait for it to end:
Pros:
Great graphics and music
Lots of hidden object scenes (I'd say about 80%)
Good length (which was a con for me because I hated the game)
Great graphics and music
Lots of hidden object scenes (I'd say about 80%)
Good length (which was a con for me because I hated the game)
Cons:
-Too many cut scenes and 'visions.' I got so tired of trying to make my way around and suddenly the game stopped and cut to a 'vision.'
-Some HO objects were too small. I got to the point on some of the HO scenes where I clicked on 'something' just to see if it was on my list. I could tell that it was an object, but it was too small to tell what it was
-No map. When there are as many scenes/areas/rooms as this game has, there should be a map so you can jump to an area. I was so frustrated when I'd find an item and have to take a 30 second boat ride and go back 15 scenes to use it.
- Not a whole lot to explore. You know that feeling you have when you've unlocked a door to a new room and are looking forward to exploring it? In this game, the new room doesn't have much to offer / interact with. You can turn a light on and off, perhaps. You can click on a poster and see a caption "Nice poster..." but that's pretty much it. Instead of exploring the room you'll sit through a cut scene. You can skip the dialog, but it's still annoying
- Stuff you find is gross. I know this may be a 'pro' for some people (and it's not a big deal for me, but I thought I should mention it). HO objects include rats, wasps, bugs, eyeballs, buzzing sounds of flies, skulls with worms and bugs crawling on them, severed doll heads, etc. Like I said, not a deal breaker for me, but I thought I should mention it.
-Too many cut scenes and 'visions.' I got so tired of trying to make my way around and suddenly the game stopped and cut to a 'vision.'
-Some HO objects were too small. I got to the point on some of the HO scenes where I clicked on 'something' just to see if it was on my list. I could tell that it was an object, but it was too small to tell what it was
-No map. When there are as many scenes/areas/rooms as this game has, there should be a map so you can jump to an area. I was so frustrated when I'd find an item and have to take a 30 second boat ride and go back 15 scenes to use it.
- Not a whole lot to explore. You know that feeling you have when you've unlocked a door to a new room and are looking forward to exploring it? In this game, the new room doesn't have much to offer / interact with. You can turn a light on and off, perhaps. You can click on a poster and see a caption "Nice poster..." but that's pretty much it. Instead of exploring the room you'll sit through a cut scene. You can skip the dialog, but it's still annoying
- Stuff you find is gross. I know this may be a 'pro' for some people (and it's not a big deal for me, but I thought I should mention it). HO objects include rats, wasps, bugs, eyeballs, buzzing sounds of flies, skulls with worms and bugs crawling on them, severed doll heads, etc. Like I said, not a deal breaker for me, but I thought I should mention it.
I don't recommend this game.
Christmas Stories: Hans Christian Andersen's Tin Soldier
The Rat King's wand has fallen into the hands of a vengeful baron. Team up with your new friend, the Tin Soldier, to stop him!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Beautiful Christmas game
PostedDecember 29, 2015
KathyC312
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've played the other Christmas stories games. I liked them, but I think this one is the best. The graphics are really good and some of the cut scenes are very cool. The storyline is similar to The Nutcracker game in the same series. Some reviewers have complained that this isn't a Christmas story, other than the fact that it takes place at Christmas time and the main characters are turned into toys. One could say the same about The Nutcracker Suite. If you're looking for a game that has Santa and his elves, this is not it. If you're looking for a game with beautiful Christmas-themed graphics of snow and Christmas trees, this is your game.
I recommend this game!
Christmas Stories: Nutcracker Collector's Edition
A classic Christmas tale tail, with a whole new twist! Help the Nutcracker rescue the princess from the evil Rat King!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Overall good, but with some caveats
PostedDecember 17, 2015
KathyC312
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Pros:
-Great graphics and music (nutcracker suite)
-Enjoyed the HO scenes
-Decent length
-Good story
-Great graphics and music (nutcracker suite)
-Enjoyed the HO scenes
-Decent length
-Good story
Cons:
-Not enough HO scenes
-Too many things to be collected / unlocked. I play a lot of HO games and rarely use the 'map' feature if there is one. This game had me running all over the map to see what I needed to do next. My 'inventory' kept filling up with parts and pieces and it was difficult to remember where I'd seen the lock that needed each piece. You'll keep running into dead ends...unlock a new room only to find that every task in the room is locked and needs a piece from somewhere else to unlock it. I realize it's part of every HO game ("What an unusual lock. I wonder where I can find a key for that.") but towards the middle of this game it got to be a little annoying.
-Not enough HO scenes
-Too many things to be collected / unlocked. I play a lot of HO games and rarely use the 'map' feature if there is one. This game had me running all over the map to see what I needed to do next. My 'inventory' kept filling up with parts and pieces and it was difficult to remember where I'd seen the lock that needed each piece. You'll keep running into dead ends...unlock a new room only to find that every task in the room is locked and needs a piece from somewhere else to unlock it. I realize it's part of every HO game ("What an unusual lock. I wonder where I can find a key for that.") but towards the middle of this game it got to be a little annoying.
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: Lost Town Collector's Edition
After discovering a new system of caves, the entire town is excited to explore, until Suzy is kidnapped by a mechanical beast!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Collector's Edition
PostedAugust 4, 2014
KathyC312
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I've played 3 of the other puppet show games and have enjoyed them all. They have a good mix of mystery-solving/strategy, mini-games and HO scenes. I absolutely loved the music from the other games, and this one has the same music. However, I didn't like the fact that the background music changed from scene to scene. This is annoying if you are walking around looking for something and the music is not contiguous. It detracts from the experience to hear a few notes from a different song each time you peek into an area to look for clues. Also, this is the first CE that I have purchased. It includes 15-20 minutes of bonus game play, lets you download 4 of the music tracks in WMA format, strategy guide and wallpapers. The other games had a 'hint' button in every scene (HO and non-HO) so if you're stumped for something to do, it would point you in the right direction (or say 'there's nothing here to do'). Maybe because it's a CE and has a strategy guide there's no hint button in non-HO scenes? If I'm stumped, I prefer a hint button, as there's no fear of accidentally reading ahead and discovering things you'd like to find out on your own.
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: Souls of the Innocent
Return to the PuppetShow in this spooky sequel! Solve new mysteries and uncover dark secrets in Puppetshow: Souls of the Innocent.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Best game ever!
PostedJuly 29, 2014
KathyC312
fromChicago, IL
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
PuppetShow: Souls of the Innocent
(52)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is the third Puppet Show game I've played and I've enjoyed them all. They are eerie, but not scary. I can't say enough about the gorgeous graphics, the fun adventure and last but not least, the music! I usually don't pay much attention to music during games (usually it bothers me and I turn it off) but I found myself humming the music well after I finished playing the game. I would delay clicking on the last item in an HO scene just so I could hear the rest of the song!
I recommend this game!