SparkleGlow100's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:3,053
- Reviews Submitted:371
- First Review:September 24, 2014
- Most Recent Review:November 18, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
After an explosion at Stonehenge, fiery and icy portals appear!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Only a good first hour
PostedMarch 5, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The first hour gives you good ambient sound, color and a slow pace with a good story. It has outdoors with abundant nature. However, past the first hour and I found this game struggled to maintain my interest. The graphics lack a believable near, middle, and distant, and so the overrall effect is that little and big, all exist on a flat page. Once, the first hour of loveliness is over and the heart of the game kicks in, there's very little motivation to want to keep on playing, since the story also seems to dissolve and come to a standstill.
Can you rescue her from a mysterious monster in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
66 of 70 found this review helpful
Dark & Foreboding, without being gruesome
PostedMarch 5, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
2017 game. Loved the weird character interaction. Crisp, clear, natural looking graphics. Kept me interested all the way through. The puzzles are on the easy side in this game. Infact I found the whole game pretty straightforward to the extent that it did lack challenge and will for any seasoned player. It's still an excellent game though, and I found myself unable to stop playing. YOU PLAY MAINLY FOR THE ATMOSPHERE in this one.
( I recommend the SE, because I found the CE bonus game uninteresting in the CE.)
( I recommend the SE, because I found the CE bonus game uninteresting in the CE.)
I recommend this game!
A strange and deadly pollen is spreading around the world, and you've been hired to track down its source. But the secrets you discover in the fabled kingdom of Floralia are much darker than you imagined...
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Rich, vibrant, decadent ornaments throughout **15 HOPS**
PostedFebruary 27, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Available at BFG since 2014. Summery loveliness. Bitter-Sweet story, like all the best, early Dark Parables. Fragmented HOPS, all surrounding jewels and ornaments. Whatever you make, whether it's a medallion or a plaque, will be of the most beautiful, exquisite, over-the-top design you can imagine. Satisfies that part of the brain that nothing else can (except for collections of pretty desserts).
Give this game 30 mins and you will start to get this feel of how this game will continue. In the past I had quit playing several times in the trial. This was due to the guy who obviously needs help breathing in the heavy, pollen-laden atmosphere! My way around this problem was to mute the sound until that bit was over! Also, I think they tried to make this game too long! At the very end there's a stretch in the library, where I felt like I was never going to get out. It seemed to go on and on and on. And, since this is a game about flowers and ornaments and so forth, it seemed completely out of sync to be in library! Everything else was good!
GRAPHICS - Widescreen, but I played it in the original format to keep the graphics looking bright and tight.
HOPS - 15 HOPS
PUZZLES: All skippable
SOUNDS - Music tied to ambiance, meant I often played in silence except for thuds and trills related to my mouse-actions.
PUZZLES: All skippable
SOUNDS - Music tied to ambiance, meant I often played in silence except for thuds and trills related to my mouse-actions.
MAP: NOT TRAVEL
JOURNAL: NONE
DIFFICULTY SETTINGS - 3, interchangeable at options
HINT: Guides and leads you. 20 seconds to recharge on Casual, 45 on Normal and no hints on Expert.
INVENTORY - Visible at all times
CHARACTERS: Interesting. Not too much interaction. Mainly you're on your own.
JOURNAL: NONE
DIFFICULTY SETTINGS - 3, interchangeable at options
HINT: Guides and leads you. 20 seconds to recharge on Casual, 45 on Normal and no hints on Expert.
INVENTORY - Visible at all times
CHARACTERS: Interesting. Not too much interaction. Mainly you're on your own.
My fav Dark Parable games are as follows: The Exiled Prince, The Last Cinderella, Briar Rose, The Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide, Jack & the Sky Kingdom & Ballad of Rapunzel.
I recommend this game!
Stop the disaster caused by the Sky Kingdom and save the day!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Rich, vibrant, decadent ornaments throughout** 25-30 HOPS **
PostedFebruary 27, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Available at BFG since 2014. Review based on completed game. A palace of grandiose design sits awaiting you in the sky kingdom! Fragmented HOPS. Whatever you make, whether it is a sword, a plaque or something else, will be of the most beautiful, exquisite, over-the-top design you can imagine. Your eyes and ears will tingle with delight at this masterpiece. So much care has been taken at every scene, at every level. Just yummy, if that's what you're in the mood for.
GRAPHICS - Will play widescreen too, but I preferred to keep it to its original format, to keep the graphics looking more dense and bright. The graphics are simply breathtaking, as are all of the Dark Parable games I've listed below, which also have storylines I enjoyed.
HOPS - 25 - 30
PUZZLES: All skippable. Mostly easy to medium.
SOUNDS - Music is tied in with ambient sounds, unfortunately.
PUZZLES: All skippable. Mostly easy to medium.
SOUNDS - Music is tied in with ambient sounds, unfortunately.
MAP: NOT TRAVEL
DIFFICULTY SETTINGS - 3, interchangeable at the options page
HINT: 40 seconds to recharge on the normal, faster on casual - about 25 seconds, and NO HINT ON EXPERT.
CHARACTERS: Great, noble main characters. Very little interaction.
DIFFICULTY SETTINGS - 3, interchangeable at the options page
HINT: 40 seconds to recharge on the normal, faster on casual - about 25 seconds, and NO HINT ON EXPERT.
CHARACTERS: Great, noble main characters. Very little interaction.
My favorite Dark Parable games: The Exiled Prince, The Last Cinderella, Briar Rose, The Little Mermaid and the Purple Tide, Jack & the Sky Kingdom & Ballad of Rapunzel.
I recommend this game!
Phantasmat: Reign of Shadows
There's more to this resort than meets the eye.
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Want your dreams to come true? How 'bout yer nightmares?
PostedFebruary 27, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
A 2016 game. Completed game.
This game is only to be played if you are in the mood for dark, spooky and twisted. The story is well paced. A madman has a pet...a pet monster! If the voice begins to grate on you and make you uncomfortable, you can press the "Continue" button and speed read the dialogue.
The graphics are on the realistic side and the story is set in the winter.
This game is only to be played if you are in the mood for dark, spooky and twisted. The story is well paced. A madman has a pet...a pet monster! If the voice begins to grate on you and make you uncomfortable, you can press the "Continue" button and speed read the dialogue.
The graphics are on the realistic side and the story is set in the winter.
Not too over the top, and safely remains within a PG-13 I would say. Kinda fun with the monsters an' all.
Lots of puzzles.
Lots of puzzles.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
The inclusion of sunshine and nature kept me going
PostedFebruary 27, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This game improves around 1. 45 hrs and continued to improve more at 2 hrs (my time of course). I'm pretty sure it isn't an effective strategy, but they left all the best scenes to the last hr.
MINUSES-
I was looking for a pretty game to play, something with adventure and a peaceful ambience. It wants to be that game. It tries, and it is in a few places, but here are some things that I found annoying:
1) There is ALWAYS someone lingering or watching in the background! Staring at you!
2) The graphics are NOT great. The finer detail is missing.
3) Don't know why, but the sound was often annoying and grating. I muted all sounds at one point! In one section, it sounded as if a bird was being strangled to death!
4) The characters, oh and there are So many of them, and SO much interaction, ALL the time. Luckily I could skip most of those scenes.
5) Why is the "strange orb" in the lower left-hand corner constantly bobbing around?
I was looking for a pretty game to play, something with adventure and a peaceful ambience. It wants to be that game. It tries, and it is in a few places, but here are some things that I found annoying:
1) There is ALWAYS someone lingering or watching in the background! Staring at you!
2) The graphics are NOT great. The finer detail is missing.
3) Don't know why, but the sound was often annoying and grating. I muted all sounds at one point! In one section, it sounded as if a bird was being strangled to death!
4) The characters, oh and there are So many of them, and SO much interaction, ALL the time. Luckily I could skip most of those scenes.
5) Why is the "strange orb" in the lower left-hand corner constantly bobbing around?
PLUSES-
1) Set in the summer.
2) If you don't really want to play a dark, dismal, scary game and aren't really sure what to play, and you have a coupon handy or this game is in a sale, then try it.
3) I liked the bubble shooter option to play as an alternative to the major HOPS. In some minor HOPS, you can't skip.
4) there are frequent puzzles if you're in the mood (medium difficulty)
1) Set in the summer.
2) If you don't really want to play a dark, dismal, scary game and aren't really sure what to play, and you have a coupon handy or this game is in a sale, then try it.
3) I liked the bubble shooter option to play as an alternative to the major HOPS. In some minor HOPS, you can't skip.
4) there are frequent puzzles if you're in the mood (medium difficulty)
I recommend this game!
Open a puzzle box to unlock four extraordinary worlds!
Overall rating
5
/
5
29 of 37 found this review helpful
Quirky creatures occur regularly!
PostedFebruary 19, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
2017 game - Review based on completed game and bonus.
Near the start of the game, you'll soon find yourself in a luxurious garden of ocean corals and plants. Lighthearted and unexpected surprises will make you smile. I noticed layers and depths of sounds which I loved. Wherever I went I enjoyed spacious environments created through clever artwork and perspectives. Billowing flags, racing clouds, glittering gold, hypnotizing music, magical scenes, distant hills and flying fish! A game you can easily play in one sitting if you have the time, because of the well timed storyline.
You CAN DISABLE BLACK BAR TIPS, and you really will get no info! Fantastic!
Near the start of the game, you'll soon find yourself in a luxurious garden of ocean corals and plants. Lighthearted and unexpected surprises will make you smile. I noticed layers and depths of sounds which I loved. Wherever I went I enjoyed spacious environments created through clever artwork and perspectives. Billowing flags, racing clouds, glittering gold, hypnotizing music, magical scenes, distant hills and flying fish! A game you can easily play in one sitting if you have the time, because of the well timed storyline.
You CAN DISABLE BLACK BAR TIPS, and you really will get no info! Fantastic!
STORY - Explore different worlds as you try to rescue your significant other. He has disappeared into an orb because of some spell cast on him by a dark wizard. I loved the first 2 worlds, the flying fish, and sandy worlds. The medieval and ice worlds are still good. Good flow of story.
GRAPHICS - Excellent
GRAPHICS - Excellent
HOPS - 8-10 with an additional 6 in the Bonus game.
PUZZLES: Enjoyable, middle of the range difficulty mainly. All skippable
SOUNDS - 5 adjustments. Pleasant, appropriate and atmospheric. Music is suitable and totally separate. Although I couldn't see anyway of downloading the music from Extras. Normally you can after completing the games.
PUZZLES: Enjoyable, middle of the range difficulty mainly. All skippable
SOUNDS - 5 adjustments. Pleasant, appropriate and atmospheric. Music is suitable and totally separate. Although I couldn't see anyway of downloading the music from Extras. Normally you can after completing the games.
MAP: TRAVEL with invaluable markers
JOURNAL: NONE
JOURNAL: NONE
DIFFICULTY SETTINGS - 4 interchangeable. You CAN DISABLE BLACK BAR TIPS, and you really will get no info.
HINT: Guides and leads you
INVENTORY - lockable
CHARACTERS: Regular but short interaction. Good voiceovers, but the baddie's voice was a little over the top. Most of the time you could click to speed up the dialogue.
HINT: Guides and leads you
INVENTORY - lockable
CHARACTERS: Regular but short interaction. Good voiceovers, but the baddie's voice was a little over the top. Most of the time you could click to speed up the dialogue.
COLLECTORS EDITION SPECIALS - Collect your morphing masks (but be quick!) and 90 jewel pieces! All the usual with both replayable HOPS and puzzles. However, I couldn't see anyway to download the music (?). I could play and pause it in the Extras section, but that's all, even after completing the games.
BONUS GAME- Equally enjoyable and more sedate, with lovely greenhouse and large house with many rooms to explore to achieve your goal. A good way to ease out of the main game.
BONUS GAME- Equally enjoyable and more sedate, with lovely greenhouse and large house with many rooms to explore to achieve your goal. A good way to ease out of the main game.
I recommend this game!
When a famous shapeshifting alchemist is charged with looking into the murder of the king's most trusted agent and friend, the last thing she expects to discover is an intricate network of shadowy criminals, intent on bringing chaos to the land.
Overall rating
5
/
5
HD OPTION! - Wow! Plus, very, very relaxing
PostedFebruary 15, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
-If your computer is HD, this game will play it, and you'll get crystal clear graphics.
-No zipping around and no zooming rapidly in and out.
-A wonderful, relaxing, game.
-With this game you can play it over several days/weeks. Take your time, it isn't a game to rush through. Each time I went back to it, I felt a new enthusiasm for it and was pleased I hadn't rushed it, and still had more game to play.
-Lots of nature, lots of twinkling and moonlit scenes, plus daytime ones too, all set in a summery loveliness.
-The HOPS in this game have lots of silhouettes
-No zipping around and no zooming rapidly in and out.
-A wonderful, relaxing, game.
-With this game you can play it over several days/weeks. Take your time, it isn't a game to rush through. Each time I went back to it, I felt a new enthusiasm for it and was pleased I hadn't rushed it, and still had more game to play.
-Lots of nature, lots of twinkling and moonlit scenes, plus daytime ones too, all set in a summery loveliness.
-The HOPS in this game have lots of silhouettes
-If you are looking for suspense and drama, this is NOT the one.
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a devious plot against the Vermillion Watch?
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 6 found this review helpful
Like a BBC version drama with a Sherlock Holmes-type feel
PostedFebruary 15, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dreampath: Curse of the Swamps
(33)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
PLUSES - in the first half, the locations and details are gorgeous - like the wonderful, dark, heavy wood of the pub, the hotel room that has ornate carvings around an arch and the bedspread that is brimming with a subdued palette of floral design.
-A game with a nice open feel. You'll go to various indoor habitations, and public places, graveyard, theatre.
-You can hear appropriate sounds wherever you go.
- I was glad I could choose "Skip" on the punch 'em up, mini-game!
-The warning is good- so you know what kind of game you're in for. There will be bit of violence, punching, stabbing, but in this case, not copious amounts of blood, gore or disturbing personalities. You might jump once or twice, here and there, just as a startle!
-The voiceovers are superb.
-Thoroughly enjoyable HOPS - 8-10, and a fun mix of puzzles (not easy and will make you think)- all skippable if you're not in the mood.
-Well paced.
-A game with a nice open feel. You'll go to various indoor habitations, and public places, graveyard, theatre.
-You can hear appropriate sounds wherever you go.
- I was glad I could choose "Skip" on the punch 'em up, mini-game!
-The warning is good- so you know what kind of game you're in for. There will be bit of violence, punching, stabbing, but in this case, not copious amounts of blood, gore or disturbing personalities. You might jump once or twice, here and there, just as a startle!
-The voiceovers are superb.
-Thoroughly enjoyable HOPS - 8-10, and a fun mix of puzzles (not easy and will make you think)- all skippable if you're not in the mood.
-Well paced.
MINUSES - The visual details that were apparent in the first half of the game, begin to disappear (perhaps because, by that time, we are supposed to be well and truly absorbed by the plot (Well, luckily I was, until the very end).
-The last 1/4 lost momentum and I was eager for the finale.
I recommend this game!
Dreampath: Curse of the Swamps
A mystical rain is turning everyone into frogs! It's up to you to find the cause of this wicked weather and save your loved ones.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Endless gorgeous scenes, especially of outdoors and summer...
PostedFebruary 14, 2017
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Current Favorite:
Dreampath: Curse of the Swamps
(33)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
PLUSES -Bright, colorful nature. Perfect to restore balance to your nature-loving mind. In the winter I need games like this!!!
Foxglove, bluebells, bees buzzing/whizzing by and a variety of sweet bird song. Landscapes often stretch toward a distant horizon. What a wonderful place...Many of the scenes are so beautiful!
-Map proved invaluable! Especially since I played this game over a time-span of a few weeks.
-A slow pace, if that's what you're looking for.
-The sound was GREAT!
-You can easily play this game over a number of days or weeks, without losing the sense of flow.
Foxglove, bluebells, bees buzzing/whizzing by and a variety of sweet bird song. Landscapes often stretch toward a distant horizon. What a wonderful place...Many of the scenes are so beautiful!
-Map proved invaluable! Especially since I played this game over a time-span of a few weeks.
-A slow pace, if that's what you're looking for.
-The sound was GREAT!
-You can easily play this game over a number of days or weeks, without losing the sense of flow.
MINUSES - a bit tedious at times, especially about a third into the game. During that lull, I could only play this sometimes for a few minutes at a time, until I was out of it . Persist, and you will be rewarded with more whimsical, ambient, relaxation.
-Aimed at all audiences, and so sometimes the game is a bit dull and lacks depth for an adult playing it. However, if you're looking for peacefulness and not having to be stressed, it is also a plus!
-Aimed at all audiences, and so sometimes the game is a bit dull and lacks depth for an adult playing it. However, if you're looking for peacefulness and not having to be stressed, it is also a plus!
Regular number of HOPS. LOTS and LOTS of PUZZLES and minigames of a medium difficulty nature.
Not big on characters -they are there just to explain the story.
Not big on characters -they are there just to explain the story.
My favorite scene? Ahhh...the orchard and the house with the stream :)
I recommend this game!