MysteryAngel145's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.8
- Helpful Votes:812
- Reviews Submitted:45
- First Review:July 23, 2014
- Most Recent Review:May 14, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
An intriguing game with a beautiful story!
PostedJuly 23, 2014
MysteryAngel145
fromIn a land far, far away
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Loved the storyline and its wonderful conclusive ending that the bonus chapters only took from there and built upon - then ended them just as beautifully, with a redemptive theme - so very cool. For this romantic, the tale was perfect. I also enjoyed the neat little twist to story at end of main game. (I had guessed something close, with the hints in game, so was pleasantly surprised - and liked their version better. lol)
(NOTE: somewhat of a spoiler!)- ...Enjoyed the bit of humor added - and I liked most of the chapters and their colorful scenes, but I did NOT like the annoying witch doctor "helper", Marie, (even her voice grated on my nerves) or that so much time was spent with her. (Knowing that she is also in the next game they recently put out, I probably won't get it; haven't yet decided). I also wasn't crazy about the astronaut chapter or the pagan ritual of a task needed of me in the bonus chapter, though it wasn't bad when I understood what it pertained of - finding the positive trait to replace the negative. Nice. But the presence of Marie, mainly, is why I gave this 3 marks for "fun" since I eagerly anticipated getting away from her and scenes with her in it as fast as I could. lol
Everything else I loved! The baby was adorable, the collectibles fun to find, the story of the main characters intriguing - and I love how they unfolded the "tale" with having to find symbols for the narrator to continue. The FROG hunts were also unique, with the item that the fragments made something needed for a task.
The roses were fun to collect then play the puzzle it made (in the bonus section)- AND it unlocked a hidden chapter! If you didn't find all of the roses (I originally missed 3), it gave the option of going back and showing you where you missed it - so that was nice. Finding collectibles revealed another hidden chapter. Besides the long bonus, there were 3 short hidden chapters of scenes from other tales. The puzzle games were fun, for the most part, the tasks were too - though I got stumped a few times with what to do next and had to consult the SG. To be fair, though, this was my second game on this site to play (since then I've played about 6 others, not including demos), so maybe I hadn't developed the experience or knack yet to understand all of what was required.
The annoying Marie aside, this gets 5 stars from me for story, with a perfect, satisfying ending in main game & bonus chapter that left me misty-eyed... Bonus is a sequel to the story...Also enjoyed the intrigue of running with the baby from the dangerous cloaked man and looking for guidance from the mysterious, helpful stranger who appears now and then. Add to that, the fun HOS/ FROGS and puzzles along the way, finding and playing the hidden chapters, along with the mystery of main game needing solved, and it's a keeper.
SE wraps up story nicely, but CE is definitely worth it!
I recommend this game!
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait Collector's Edition
A father returns home to find his children missing - all but one, who refuses to say a word...
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 27 found this review helpful
A fun way to spend a purrrr- fect afternoon!
PostedJuly 23, 2014
MysteryAngel145
fromIn a land far, far away
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played the demo, and I usually start the puzzles to see how they work and get a feel for if I will enjoy them - playing the whole game only if I think I can master it within a reasonable time (since I am timed). Otherwise, I skip, so as to play as much of the overall game as I can get in my demo hour. In doing so, I was able to see enough of the back story (of the villain, I assume) to find his story intriguing and myself sympathetic toward his plight - as well as the current story of the man desperate to find his children, who disappeared via the wicked paintings, to know I will enjoy this plot.
I was waiting for the SE to see what would be included- but now, seeing from the review before mine that the bonus chapter is about saving a cat (and I am a huge cat lover!) I think I will have to get the CE, just to enjoy doing that! Mr. Jenkins is a sweetie, and I look forward to finding the coins and filling his room with cat toys, just to see how he reacts. lol In the hour I played, I found 20 coins, (helpful note: some were within the popups, some were not).
The HOS was so interactive - often like a domino effect - you find one item and place it, to reveal the next item that needs placed - and I loved the action each item took once you placed it, often making me smile at the cleverness of the devs! I found this much more fun and engaging than the basic word lists HOS, even those with 3 or 4 interactions (though I enjoy a variety, and still like to do those sometimes, just not every game). As a result, I found myself eager to find the next HOS. The villain backstory HOS was a bit harder to find and place items (or rather, swap them within the picture) since they used monochromatic tones (two colors) but they were also fun as well as informative.
Puzzles - I loved that they revolved around the children and their family - making me care more about those involved by using pictures of them. They were a lot of fun, what I played of some in their entirety - though I had to skip some for time's sake (to crowd as much as I could into the demo).
The tasks were interesting, but I got stuck at a few points of what to do next in the garden area and used the hint button. I never found myself needing to refer to the SG.
Yes, this sort of plot has been done before - but for an adventure game where there is a quest/ search, is there really anything new under the sun? I came to care about this family- a must if you're supposed to immerse yourself in the character's shoes and save the children, and I loved their castle home (or was it a manor?)! Much better than a regular house, because anyone can live in a house which has few rooms in comparison, but very few live in a castle with numerous chambers- so they are fun to explore in fantasies. But then, I love castles too.
Castles, a helpful kitty, sweet children, a loving family, an intriguing plot, beautiful music, colorful and artistic graphics, innovative and FUN game play in both the HOS and puzzles - what is NOT to like about this game?
Only one thing did bother me - his voiceover which seemed a bit condescending at times when I tried to use the wrong item in a task. But, when I put myself in his shoes (immersing myself in the story, which wasn't difficult to do)- a frantic parent seeming a little testy because I used the wrong item, thereby slowing the hunt for his children DID seem more realistic for the situation. So understanding that, I could forgive him for his somewhat curt remarks and arrogance. lol ;-)
**But note to the devs- it might have been better just to not have sound there at all and use written words, since judging from reviews here, it did put some people off.**
All in all, this is a CE I plan to buy!
I recommend this game!
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
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Charming ...
PostedJuly 23, 2014
MysteryAngel145
fromIn a land far, far away
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Sometimes I like to immerse myself in a game of mystery where I am the detective needing to save someone…sometimes I like to ride along on a breath-taking adventure through portals and other lands - and sometimes I'm in the mood just to be entertained in a gorgeous “light” fairytale type setting, in entertaining but casual game play.
This game fits the latter description.
It is gorgeous- a scene there made me want to just sit by the water in the garden setting and enjoy my surroundings. I was content to play this one at my leisure, an hour or so a day, and not try to beat any time or hurry through it in order to see what happens in the end.
With all these games, I love the game play and interaction, but I am very strongly about the story. And this one was sweet, though not sure I understand some of the logic/motives described at the end (like those of her parents). It seemed there were a few holes in the plot of the backstory. Perhaps it is later addressed in the sequels, so will give it the benefit of the doubt.
Also, am not a fan of goblins, but the beautiful setting in many of the scenes and the music that fit the mood made up for constantly seeing and interacting with those creatures.
The puzzles are pretty easy- mainly ones requiring good memory retention. The HOS were a little hard to see at times and the objects were tiny. (If I didn’t have a big widescreen monitor, not sure I’d have been able to accomplish all of them). There was a lot of walking back and forth to complete some tasks, but all in all, it was a fun game.
I recommend this game!
Journey into the mythical Snowfall Kingdom and investigate the disappearance of children in Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
A great twist to a well loved tale...
PostedJuly 23, 2014
MysteryAngel145
fromIn a land far, far away
Skill Level:Beginner
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have always loved the story of the Snow Queen, ever since I was a child, and really enjoyed this twist to the classic tale!
Being a fan of the Once Upon a Time TV series, I don’t mind when these new types of fairy tales integrate classic tales to make one unique and sympathetic “evil” character, still noticeable from the classics – as long as it’s done well and is cohesive to a good plot, making sense. It gives it a new, fun twist that I love – and this story idea was done very well and was a lot of fun to play!
The children were adorable, made you want to save them... Don’t wish to spoil any of the story, so will say that the plot intrigued, even left me misty-eyed at some points – with a very satisfying ending that (again) left me in tears and with the feeling I’d accomplished something good…
HOS (FROGS) –Loved them– and this game contained fragments of important things needed to fit together for the objectives – some easy, some a little more difficult to find- a good mix - but also very often pretty and fun to look for (gemstones, filigreed gold & silver pieces, ornamental crests, etc)
Puzzles were sometimes the type that you had to really study the scene, to figure out the instructions (not written out, but symbolic) to figure out how to play. I actually like those- it makes me think harder and gives me a stronger sense of accomplishment when I’ve figured out the unwritten riddle. I only had to consult the SG once to see how a game started, then did the rest on my own.
Music was lovely, fitting to theme. The graphics were beautifully drawn – in keeping with the wintry/fantasy feel of the game - and most of the time very pleasing to the eye.
Bonus stuff: I forgot to find all the morphs, was so caught up in the game, then couldn’t remember what area I’d located them in to try to go back and get the others (lol) but I did find half of them, and it did make the hint button fill up faster, though I didn’t use it very often, but that was pretty cool.
This is my 3rd full HOS game to play here – Phantom of the Opera Mystery Legends, my topmost favorite, is what brought me to this site and made me a fishie a month ago, now the owner of 40 games, (from the summer sales I've been taking advantage!) This has become my new addiction. ;-) – I also recommend Nevertales: the Beauty Within)… and after playing this Dark Parables game, I ended up buying three of the others, though haven't played them yet.
I wish though I would have gotten the SE for this - the bonus chapter had nothing at all to do with these characters and didn't add to or enhance this story - but focused on another fairy tale (Hansel and Gretel), which was okay- but I could have definitely done without confronting the giant spider! lol
And since I forgot about finding all the morphs, I was so caught up in the many tasks, I didn't really miss that aspect of the game either. I'm not big on wallpapers, looking at the concept art, etc, so if you aren't either, and the above extras don't really appeal, I'd go with the SE.
I recommend this game!
You’ve been invited to the long abandoned Paris Opera House. Find the phantom and discover the torment of this tragic hero!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
He's there- the Phantom of the Opera!
PostedJuly 23, 2014
MysteryAngel145
fromIn a land far, far away
Skill Level:Beginner
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This was a game I really enjoyed playing - and couldn't stop. I was so intrigued to see where the Phantom would take me next. After having played the full game, including the bonus chapter, I thought it did fit all aspects of the PotO story and who these characters were...
Story: I loved it - AND the ending of both the main game and bonus chapter. Yes, it ended on a dark, shocking cliffhanger, both times - but it FIT for who the Phantom is and was. The backstory mainly followed the ALW movie version more than the GL classic, which I also loved that the game did that - i.e. – how JB died, the single red roses - which the Phantom always gave her as a token of his adoration in the movie – now being black ones (symbolic of the time that has passed perhaps?), that she (who he thinks she is) must now find and give to him.
(Spoiler alert for ending! Skim to "end of spoilers" if you don’t want to know): ******... For those who remember the final lair scene of the ALW 2004 movie (with Gerard Butler) – without giving it all away, think about what she sang that he did to her, when she was upset and begging for mercy (for Raoul) – and now, after all these years, the Phantom is bent on revenge and to claim her once and for all (not a spoiler, you find that out at beginning of game), so again, the ending they gave it really fits for that bad character trait of his. However, I would still love a sequel because I am a Phantom of the Opera (PotO) fan, but NOT being an R/C fan, would not want it to be all about Raoul & Christine searching for their daughter, ending in a HEA reunion for them while the Phantom is once again left to his solitude in the shadows. No thanks. I’d rather just keep this one as is and rewrite my own ending if I feel it's needed, with Christine returning to the Phantom. (Maybe if there was a sequel, Raoul could meet an untimely end, pre-game in backstory- and Christine be a widow for game 2, at the end offering to trade places to save her daughter. That would be cool...). ;-) ****************
****END OF SPOILERS …
Pros- the graphics were gorgeous, really spectacular and well drawn, top of the line- even the gloomier scenes. The overall atmosphere was enchanting, while still giving the Opera House that look of neglect. Perfect.
The music was perfect for the theme (though I was hoping to hear some instrumental scores from ALW's musical/movie Phantom of the Opera),
Puzzles- a good mix of easy and challenging and fit for time period as well as what was going on in the game. Also loved that the journal of posters and things found and kept there provided the clues on how to play the puzzles.
The frequent voiceover of the Phantom was chilling/exciting and aided to the feel of being her, in her shoes, trying to find my way out of the Opera house and/or find him. Loved the "jump" moments- I gasped, then smiled or giggled. The bonus chapter was fun, going down to his lair, though it seemed a trifle short. And I LOVED what he said at the end, with the final rose. ;-) (I admit I got shivers).
Cons- some of the HOS were a bit dark and hard to find or see (thankfully I have a big widescreen monitor, so it wasn't too bad and I was able to complete them all), but they might present a challenge for those with smaller monitors. The silhouettes on the hint button helped (when running your cursor over the word)...and the hint button, itself, did work in the HOS games.
I didn’t even realize I had the strategy guide since it said “guide” beneath the mirror- I thought that meant the “hint” mirror was the guide (slaps head in duh moment- lol) but I found a walkthrough on Youtube when needed (rare), so I never got truly stuck, though I can now see how the SG would have been helpful.
A jump map would have been nice, there was a lot of walking back and forth - but at the same time it gave it more of a true feel of being lost in a huge, abandoned building- like Christine's abducted daughter (who we are supposed to be)- so I felt that much more immersed in the story and part of it without the ability to jump to locations. At least the map did show the tasks still needing accomplished and what rooms they were in.
The bonus of the GL classic was a nice addition, (though for those who wish to, you can also read it free online, since it’s in public domain).
Still, being as I am a true-blue PotO fan, I am very happy to have gotten the CE. This remains a favorite and likely always will be – as well as the first game I’ve played here at BF (since then, I’ve played about 5 more HOPA games on this site from the 40 I have bought on sales, which I also intend to review each as I play them).
This game tied nicely to the whole idea of who the Phantom was and did not step out of character with him one little bit. As a writer, I really appreciated that...
Bottom line- I think all PotO lovers will enjoy this game. And if you are one who doesn’t like the way their story ends, don't let the reviews here deter you from buying this jewel of a game. Just do what I do when I run into stories that disappoint - rewrite the ending in your head and go with that. ;-)
All in all, this game was tops - it provided some mystery, a lot of fun and interesting things to do, along with clever conclusions to some of the tasks - and hours of engrossing game play. I can see myself playing this one again and again!
As Erik (the Phantom) would sing - Brava, brava, bravissima...!
I recommend this game!