Abianne's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:52
- Reviews Submitted:3
- First Review:November 14, 2016
- Most Recent Review:April 25, 2019
- Featured reviews0
Abianne's Review History
Can you uncover the origins of a dangerous ancient artifact in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
43 of 66 found this review helpful
Ouch. 3 out of 5 stars
PostedApril 25, 2019
Abianne
fromOrange NSW
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Hidden Expedition is my all-time favourite hidden object game series, and it honestly pains me to give an instalment anything lower than 4 stars. This review is based on a full playthrough of the main game; am yet to play the bonus game and quite frankly, I'm not inclined to.
I recommend it as a hidden object game, not a HE game.
Let's start with the good stuff:
- Artwork
- Storyline
- Writing (with one exception)
- Puzzles were challenging without being ridiculous; good variety
- The collectibles were (usually) very easy to spot but there were some that had me searching the screen for it!
- Background music
- Morphing objects in the HOS make their obligatory appearance. Again, they were usually easy to spot.
- Voice acting ... was … acceptable. Some of it was not good but enough of it was good enough.
- Storyline
- Writing (with one exception)
- Puzzles were challenging without being ridiculous; good variety
- The collectibles were (usually) very easy to spot but there were some that had me searching the screen for it!
- Background music
- Morphing objects in the HOS make their obligatory appearance. Again, they were usually easy to spot.
- Voice acting ... was … acceptable. Some of it was not good but enough of it was good enough.
Now on to the gripes.
- The circle alignment gimmick with the "tool kit"
- At no point (in the main game, at least) was it mentioned that the character worked for H.E.L.P. Sure, you get the fact cards, but H.E.L.P. symbols are nowhere to be found, there's no touching in with head office (and once again, no Sam) ... the only indication you have that you're not an independent archaeologist is that early in the game there's a reference to "your superior". I'm sorry, but without reference to H.E.L.P., there's nothing to make this 'feel' like a Hidden Expedition game.
- The character is named. This is - I believe? - the 18th game in the series and they've given the character a name in this game. This gripe is just me and doesn't reflect on the game and probably won't affect your gameplay unless you're anything like me. I tend to "create" a "character" when it comes to long game series like HE or Dark Parables etc. where the protagonist isn't called anything beyond "agent" or "detective". So to play 17 games as this one character and then to find out that suddenly I'm playing as Dr Ann Walters was a jarring gaming experience for me.
- Also (again this is probably just me) Dr Walters is constantly referred to as "Miss Walters" by everyone including fellow history professionals. It's a very small detail, I know but honestly - how hard can it be to get right?
- The circle alignment gimmick with the "tool kit"
- At no point (in the main game, at least) was it mentioned that the character worked for H.E.L.P. Sure, you get the fact cards, but H.E.L.P. symbols are nowhere to be found, there's no touching in with head office (and once again, no Sam) ... the only indication you have that you're not an independent archaeologist is that early in the game there's a reference to "your superior". I'm sorry, but without reference to H.E.L.P., there's nothing to make this 'feel' like a Hidden Expedition game.
- The character is named. This is - I believe? - the 18th game in the series and they've given the character a name in this game. This gripe is just me and doesn't reflect on the game and probably won't affect your gameplay unless you're anything like me. I tend to "create" a "character" when it comes to long game series like HE or Dark Parables etc. where the protagonist isn't called anything beyond "agent" or "detective". So to play 17 games as this one character and then to find out that suddenly I'm playing as Dr Ann Walters was a jarring gaming experience for me.
- Also (again this is probably just me) Dr Walters is constantly referred to as "Miss Walters" by everyone including fellow history professionals. It's a very small detail, I know but honestly - how hard can it be to get right?
So all-in-all I have eight ... well, 7.5 things I liked about the game, and 4.5 things I didn't. Even if the only things in the "gripes" column was no mention of H.E.L.P. and the naming of the character, I'd stand by my score of 3 stars. This is a good game, don't get me wrong. It's just not a good HIDDEN EXPEDITION game. And that makes me sad.
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Best line (appears at end, paraphrased): As if I'd ever steal!
Me: Lady, are you kiddin' me? We've been nickin' stuff left right and centre all night!
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I recommend this game!
Join two tribes of dinosaur tamers and help them save their world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
Needs More Dinosaurs :) ...
PostedAugust 13, 2017
Abianne
fromOrange NSW
Skill Level:Beginner
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
... 10/10 would play again though.
Seriously, this is a great addition to the "Amaranthine Voyage" series. Kind of wish there was more interaction with the dinosaurs, but other than that I had a great deal of fun. I only skipped 2 puzzles (which for me is a fantastic effort).
Seriously, this is a great addition to the "Amaranthine Voyage" series. Kind of wish there was more interaction with the dinosaurs, but other than that I had a great deal of fun. I only skipped 2 puzzles (which for me is a fantastic effort).
I recommend this game!
Can you uncover the secret of the Qin dynasty?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Loved iiit!
PostedNovember 14, 2016
Abianne
fromOrange NSW
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Family, Hidden Object, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Happy to be back solving ancient mysteries with my old buddy Sam. :) He has the worst luck in this installment, poor guy. XD
It's definitely a great continuation of the series. I don't really have anything to add that anyone else hasn't already said, but I will say that I highly enjoyed the game and wholeheartedly recommend it.
Also I really wanted to smack Eugene.
It's definitely a great continuation of the series. I don't really have anything to add that anyone else hasn't already said, but I will say that I highly enjoyed the game and wholeheartedly recommend it.
Also I really wanted to smack Eugene.
I recommend this game!