9otters's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.1
- Helpful Votes:1,898
- Reviews Submitted:63
- First Review:November 24, 2014
- Most Recent Review:February 22, 2016
- Featured reviews0
Status:
A mysterious man in red summons you, sending you to a flying ship where a little girl needs your help!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A Rare Treat Of An ADVENTURE Game!
PostedJuly 22, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based On Completed Game
Playing Subliminal Realms: the Masterpiece CE, reminded me of how much I have enjoyed this Devs games, so I re-played Timeless: The Lost Castle. It really is one of my all-time favorite adventure games. I got it in 2013 and it plays better than many games from 2015.
The story can be found on the game page, and even though this isn't a game that "holds your hand", the game review ratings are at 83%.
Unlike many adventure games, "Timeless" is chock-full of things to do besides roaming and searching. For me, the best part is all of the ORIGINAL mini-games and puzzles. Even familiar puzzles are presented with little twists that make them better and, perhaps, a little more difficult. HOPs are also part of this game.
You will need to stay on your toes and be on the look-out for clues and needed items that can be easy to miss. Because there is NO map, there is the adventure game aspect of running back and forth, but I never found it to be excessive.
There IS a journal that is essential, because that is where you will find all the important clues that you have discovered in your search. There may be times you'll have to search back a fair few pages to find the clue you're after.
Don't forget to look in the Forums for game help and other info not found on these review pages. You'll find it in the upper right-hand corner of this page, above the game video. Click on "Get game tips".
Timeless: The Lost Castle is truly timeless. For me, this isn't an "easy" game, but the fun factor is off the charts. If you like adventure gaming, puzzles and mini-games that require some thought, and GAMEPLAY that requires some thought, you'll find MANY hours of satisfaction here.
Hope YOU find some fun today! Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Adventure into the unknown to save a city from evil!
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 15 found this review helpful
High Hopes After The Demo, Followed by a Let-Down...
PostedJuly 20, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Based On Completed Game
I enjoyed the first Shrouded Tales game so I had high hopes for this one. What a disappointment.
Even though we are dealing with the same five "spells" that we did in the prior game, the mechanics are somewhat simpler. That being said, there is a bit of a learning curve.
We need to use our "magic", or spells, as well as some of our regular inventory items in the HOPs. I thought there would some nice complexity there, but they got much simpler, and downright boring, after the demo.
Our spell chips need to be replaced several times. Each time, a token must be found, placed in a "pylon", and a series of mini-games, increasing in difficulty, have to be completed before the spell chip is restored .
Another layer of complexity is added because there is a "dark side" that must be accessed to find the pylons. Other needed items will also be found in that dimension. This started out as a good idea but, again, after the demo, it seemed we had to do it in practically every scene. WAY overused. The gameplay had quite a bit of "repairing" of machines, etc. Trying to figure out how to repair fantasy technology was frustrating and...you got it...confusing.
Mini-games/puzzles started out ok but ended up being average. Some required some thought but I never had to use the strategy guide to complete them.
There are only three difficulty levels, none are customizable. I played the demo in "casual" mode so I can tell you the hints refill quickly.
Jump map was easy to use which ends up being very important with all the overuse of the back and forth, light and dark worlds.
The story? It started out as a bit complex and ended up being a confused mess. No time to give it much thought because the gameplay created enough confusion all by itself. The bonus game was even worse in that regard.
Extras include a bonus game, strategy guide, achievements (game & performance), replay of 16 mini-games, 17 HOPs, as well as replay of "videos" and music, posters, etc.
Collectibles are 30 runes found by using a "secret scroll". In addition to revealing the runes, it also provided back-story which, for me, just added to the confusion. Add to that the misspelled words, incomplete sentences, and sentences that made NO sense, and...you get the picture. More confusion. Best to just not read it.
I wasn't able to finish the bonus game due to a game ending tech issue. It was just as well because, by then, I was playing just to get it over with, since I had paid for it.
If you want to play a Shrouded Tales I would recommend the first one, The Spellbound Land. It was interesting and FUN, which, for me, this one was NOT.
I'd also like to suggest taking a trip to the game forum. You can get there by clicking on "Get game tips", all the way at the top, right hand corner of this page, above the game video. You'll find lots of info that can't be found here, as well as a thread that lists tech issues.
Hope YOU find some fun today. Happy gaming!
I don't recommend this game.
A series of shocking – and otherworldly – murders has struck New York City, and you're the only one who can solve them!
Overall rating
5
/
5
20 of 22 found this review helpful
More A HOPA Than A HOG and FULL Of 5-Star Fun!
PostedJuly 16, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Current Favorite:
Subliminal Realms: The Masterpiece Collector's Edition
(97)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based On Completed Game
I bought the CE version of this game without even completing the demo. The story grabbed me and the gameplay sealed the deal.
Other reviewers and the BFG description explain the story so I'll just tell you what made New York Mysteries: High Voltage so entertaining for me.
Getting me to use my brain is the quickest way to my gaming heart. This one does not "hold your hand" and give you "in your face" answers before you even ask the questions.
There are situations where you just have to figure things out for yourself. The "trial and error" element was fantastic. There was one item I tried THREE different tools on before I got the right one...and the game KEPT LETTING ME TRY. Finding the right solution all on my own was VERY satisfying.
The hidden object areas consisted of entire rooms and played more like puzzles. ALL were the progressive silhouette type, with very few items in plain sight. I had a bit of difficulty with two of them but, after heading to the forums for help, I discovered what I had missed. GOTTA love those forums and the helpful people there.
There were 21 mini-games, good fun, with a variety of difficulty levels. The Devs did a good job placing them and pacing the game.
There is a journal that is essential for holding clues to solutions. The story was different than the norm. The graphics were perfect for the subject/theme. Because we have a lot of ground to cover, the jump map was perfect. There were three customizable difficulty options.
The CE was loaded with extras. It had a bonus game, strategy guide, four sets of collectibles, 35 morphing objects, 20 "slides" to find, re-play of ALL the mini-games, achievements, seven actual jigsaw-type puzzles of pictures from the cut-scenes, and the other expected extras. The map had icons to show whether all collectibles had been found.
The 20 slides were 20 progressively more difficult versions of one game. I'm STILL working on those.
The bonus game was a prequel and showed the events that led up to how the main story got started. Very good.
Another reviewer said...choose the SE, choose the CE...at least choose one of them! I have to agree. This is one of the BEST games to be released, so far, this year. I enjoyed it so much, I got the previous game in the series...New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia CE. I thought it was every bit as good as this one!
Thank you Devs and BFG. Keep them coming!
Hope YOU find some fun today. Happy gaming.
I recommend this game!
Subliminal Realms: The Masterpiece Collector's Edition
Albert's worst nightmare becomes reality when a creature from his grim paintings kidnaps his family. What does she want?
Overall rating
5
/
5
39 of 43 found this review helpful
Artistic, Clever, Lengthy, AND a Story With An Unexpected Twist
PostedJuly 14, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Current Favorite:
Subliminal Realms: The Masterpiece Collector's Edition
(97)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based On Completed Game
This Dev's games all share the one thing that always makes me want to explore further. They make me THINK. They ALL have their own unique style in graphics and theme. Each one totally different from the others. Subliminal Realms: the Masterpiece is no exception.
In addition to absorbing gameplay, this one is a visual FEAST. Watching the scenes with water and sky was especially mesmerizing. Clouds morphing in to fantastical beasts. Animated paint strokes giving the water movement. Artistic, clever, and beautiful.
SO many games show the Devs best efforts in the demo. After that, they devolve into run-of-the-mill, same-thing-different-day, boredom. For me, this game got MORE interesting and involved the further I went.
Great HOPs, so varied and in keeping with the theme, I just wanted MORE.
ORIGINAL mini-games, fun and varying in difficulty.
A LENGTHY game. There are times you will have more than a few pieces of inventory and the jump map makes it easy to get back to where you need to go.
A handsome helper who is very good at helping without a lengthy show. As a matter of fact, you almost WANT to use him just to hear him SPEAK. Great voice.
A story with DEPTH and an unexpected twist.
Unusual music to assist the mood, tracks available in the extras.
CE includes a strategy guide, bonus game, re-playable mini-games, collectible slides that, after being found, we "paint" and then, "display" in the room that holds our achievements trophies. A bonus "secret game" is included and is unlocked after playing the first two.
Of course, there are posters, concept art, etc.
ENGROSSING gameplay, UNIQUE graphics, and a story with "meat" have earned this gem of a game a well-deserved place in my list of top favorites. Well done Devs! Many thanks to you and BFG.
To finish, I'd like to suggest you take a look in the forums for game help and lots of info you won't find on these game review pages. Get there by clicking on "Get game tips", found at the top of this page, right hand corner, above the game video.
Hope YOU find some fun today. Happy gaming!
I recommend this game!
Play as Nancy Drew and find an unearthly artifact before it falls into the wrong hands!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Nancy Drew Just Never Lets Me Down.
PostedJune 26, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on Completed Game
Due to the lack of interest I have for the majority of HO/puzzle games that have come out this year, I got back to the "tried and true". Nancy Drew just never lets me down.
I had some difficulty with the game at the loquat tree due to issues with my right hand, but besides that, I was GLUED to this game.
I love these games due to the feeling of accomplishment I get when I reach the point, after all the searching and sleuthing, that things start falling in to place.
Very important to have your pen and paper handy. I like to play as a Junior Detective because that level has a good list of "things to do", things to remember, as well as giving my right hand a break where writing is concerned.
Great atmosphere and challenge. Fun games, puzzles, and unexpected surprises. If you're someone who likes to "stick to it" and "never say die", Nancy Drew is for you, too! Hours and, perhaps days, of entertainment. Exactly what I am always looking for.
Hope YOU find some fun today! Happy gaming! And, thank you, ganonsbane, for the recommendation.
I recommend this game!
There’s a secret in Queen Elizabeth’s court, and you must uncover it.
Overall rating
2
/
5
44 of 48 found this review helpful
Not CE Worthy BUT, I Think The SE Will Suffer...
PostedJune 26, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Based On Completed Game
I just want to say that if you think you'd like to play this game, but want to wait for the SE, you will end up with a very abbreviated, unsatisfying ending, imo. Also, one piece of the game will make NO sense without the bonus game.
This games starts out with some fun innovation in the HOS, and plenty to see and do, then loses steam in a BIG way when, toward the end, all of the HOS turn into plain old, every-day find-the-item-from-the-list HOS.
A couple of reviews on the main game page say that this game has achievements. For those who like to play for achievements, I'm sorry to say that the reviews are mistaken.
No achievements. There are words to collect that go to a book to form "sayings", morphs to find to charge your hint button, and the usual wallpapers, etc. NO replay of any HOS or puzzles/mini-games.
Please note...you must find the morphing objects to fill your hint button. You can see how many hints are available by a "counter" on the upper left of the hint button. It is round, with a black background, and white numbers.
The strategy guide is there, but is frustrating because it doesn't keep up with your game progress. There is no way to get back to the Table of Contents, or to the place where you are in the game, without flipping through every page.
The jump map is complicated and could have been done better. It's in pages according to the chapters. There will be places you need to go outside of the chapter you're in. That means you will need to get back to the first scene of the chapter you're in, back out to the last scene in the prior chapter, and you will be able to access that chapter's map. Sheesh.
This plays like an SE that got some last-minute add-ons to make it "CE worthy". Barely. Or really, not at all, imo. But, if you DON'T play this "CE", you end up with the "blah" ending, mentioned above. So disappointed.
CE or SE? Either way, the buyer comes out on the short end. I will not be playing this one again and, therefore, do not recommend it.
I'd like to add that, it you'd like a very well-rounded view of this game, and lots of info that you won't find here, you will find it in the game forums. Get there by clicking on "Get game tips", all the way in the upper right hand corner of this game page. It's above the game video.
Hope you find some fun today! Happy gaming!
I don't recommend this game.
Team up with the Red Riding Hood Sisters to defeat the nightmares!
Overall rating
1
/
5
43 of 49 found this review helpful
Boring Gameplay + Fuzzy Graphics = No Sale
PostedJune 19, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Based On Demo
There is no doubt that this game is "pretty", but the grainy/fuzzy graphics take the bloom off the rose.
There is a prominent glare factor in the HOS. In the past, Blue Tea HOS were CRISP and DEFINED. No peering through Eipix sunbeams. In addition, the graphics have ruined the beautiful complexity of the items found in the FROGs. We get a very brief look at each ornate object before it gets deposited in our "fuzzy" inventory. If they are of similar shape, and many are, there is practically no telling one from another.
The gameplay is simple to the point of boredom. It is all about going "there" to get "this" to open "that". Pick up "that", go back "there", open "this"...on and on. We play a few mini-games that require little thought in between.
The hybrid fairytale story ended up being so confusing, and the gameplay so boring, that I just couldn't care.
I always base a positive recommendation on whether or not I'd want to replay a game. In this case, I didn't like enough of it to buy it. Because we all have different views on what is "fun", I suggest at least trying the demo.
I hope you find some fun today. Happy gaming!
I don't recommend this game.
All the adults have vanished. Is this a child's dream, or nightmare?
Overall rating
2
/
5
32 of 37 found this review helpful
I Had HOPE In The Beginning...But It Was Just A Bad Case Of "Demo Joy"
PostedJune 5, 2015
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based On Completed Game
I was fooled by a couple of different takes on HOGs and an interesting, not-done-a-million-times puzzle in the demo. I also THOUGHT, by the way it started, that it was going to be good and creepy. The cut-scenes were well done, slowly unfolding the story bit by bit. Yes, I had "demo joy".
After the demo, gameplay turned out to be typical. We are reduced to collecting the same things we usually do...taking them here...putting them there. The story wasn't as creepy as the demo led me to believe either.
There are four levels of difficulty. I like to play the "custom" level with no hints, sparkles, or skipping of puzzles. I never had to look at the strategy guide. I'm familiar with the Surface games and the red, silver, & gold collectible flowers. The gold are the hardest to spot...if you don't know where they can ALWAYS be found. Because the action was mostly contained in two to four areas, and because there are only two or three things to do in each area, I didn't use the map. If you like a map, it is the standard "jump" variety.
Puzzles/mini-games required little thought so most of the time the instructions weren't even necessary. The graphics were what we expect from this Dev...always the best in the close-ups. Voice-overs were OK. Music was good. There were two "helpers", used logically and briefly.
I cannot tell you about the bonus game because it was cut short in the very first scene due to a tech issue. I listed it in the Forums TECH ISSUES thread. The forum is hard to find if you don't know where to look. You will find it at the very top of this page, in the right-hand corner, above the game video. Just click "Get Game Tips". There are more reviews and a lot of info you won't find here.
I did not try to "work around" the problem because my days of accepting inferior merchandise are long gone. I do have to say that I thought this game was short, IMO, and the story ended rather abruptly.
There is the usual assortment of CE bonus content, achievements, etc., minus the repeat playing of ALL of the game's puzzles and HOGs. The collectible flowers unlock an area where SOME of the puzzles and HOGs can be replayed on a "time and accuracy" basis.
If you are looking for a VERY simple game with acceptable graphics, I would recommend the SE version. Even with the flower collectibles, the bonus content seems a bit slim. Plus, I think the hint button and map will take you where you need to go.
The main question I ask myself when recommending a game is, "Did I enjoy it enough to play it again?". On this one, that answer would be "No". Your idea of fun and mine may be totally different. Ultimately, you must be the one to judge. I suggest you try the demo.
Hope you find some fun today! Happy gaming!
I don't recommend this game.
You've returned from school to visit your father at his famous Jazz Pepper Club during Mardi Gras, but everyone is hypnotized. Have they heard the wrong note?
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 7 found this review helpful
Can You Say FABULOUS On EVERY Level?
PostedMay 31, 2015
9otters
fromsomewhere in the midwest
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based On Completed Game
There are so many reviews here to tell you all about game features. I just wanted to add my two cents.
This game is REMARKABLE! It held my interest and kept me involved the ENTIRE time.
SO many ORIGINAL ideas here for puzzles and HOGs. A wonderful story that unfolded at a pace that just kept me wanting MORE.
I'm sure the CE has some nice features, but everything I look for in entertainment I found right here in the SE.
The only bad thing? How will any other status quo game "formula" EVER be able to measure up?
If I could rate it at TEN STARS, I would. Don't miss playing this unbelievable game.
I recommend this game!
There’s a corpse in your house, but who killed him?
Overall rating
2
/
5
21 of 21 found this review helpful
It's GRIM TALES...So I Expected Better!
PostedMay 29, 2015
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based On Completed Game
Plenty of reviews to read about game features. My issue was with gameplay. There was SOME good but, for me, it ended up being a mixed bag of dumbed-down disappointment. If that sounds negative, darn it, its Grim Tales and I expected better!
During my initial "demo joy" I was thinking, "Complex Puzzles! Yay!", and "That fishing puzzle was FUN!" There were a few different things to do, so I had high hopes for the rest of the game.
Well, there was a total of THREE complex puzzles. That might not have been so disappointing if the majority of the rest of the puzzles had not been SO simple. Hints, aka ANSWERS, right there, no way to miss them. Most of the "jigsaw" or "pieces to assemble" puzzles only required the touch of the cursor for the pieces to fall in to place. Most of the others did not even need instructions.
A few of the HOGs were interesting because the items we were looking for were interesting. The rest were par for what we see in games today.
We hung on to a handy "multi-tool" for the demo, but were then reduced to finding the regular oilers, hooks, pliers, screwdrivers, etc., for the rest of the game. In some cases, MORE THAN ONE of each. I just couldn't BELIEVE it when I picked up the THIRD version of an oiler! That's right...oil spray, an oil bottle, and an oil can.
Another thing that irked me was the way we use a tuning fork. I thought it was pretty much common knowledge that the VIBRATION ALONE is supposed to break glass. You don't break the glass with it first, and then let it vibrate. We get to do it the wrong way...twice.
I was also surprised to see hacksaws, wing nuts, bolts, pocket watches, and Phillips head screws in the medieval part of this story. Gracious. I would think this Dev would have had the budget for a fact checker.
While I'm ranting I would like to talk about the CE extras. This is the second time I've seen the "Secret Room" feature from this Dev. There are four HOs and four puzzles that are played on a timed basis. Get them right, in the allotted time, and you get a gold star, or pieces of a gold star, depending on how fast, how accurate, etc. The thing that suddenly popped into my head was, "These EIGHT games are the REPLACEMENT for what we've had in the past...the opportunity to replay ALL the HOGs and puzzles." The secret room didn't seem so great any more.
Throughout the game there are morphing items to find and pieces of a sort of "stained glass" mosaic. They contain symbols and objects, but I have questions about their purpose. At first I thought they were going to be some new HOG to play. It certainly would have made a nice CE extra if that was so! At the time of the writing of this review, the jury is still out.
And now for the finale! Immediately after the demo the inventory locked down and was totally unresponsive. I had to click the hint button to make it unlock but was unable to pick up the item I needed until I backed out to the game title page and re-entered. There was also an issue with the "sparkles". I could turn them off but they wouldn't STAY off.
To finish I have to say that the last Grim Tales, The Color of Fright, is one of my FAVORITE games. I've played it three times and just had the BEST time from beginning to end. This one? The best I can say is that it is a marathon of average to...meh.
I hope you find some fun today! Happy gaming and thanks for bearing with me!
I don't recommend this game.