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:
Beyond the sky lies a thrilling adventure... and a deadly threat!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
REFRESHING GAME!
PostedDecember 24, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromCURRENT FAVORITES:1. Hidden Expedition: Dawn of Prosperity 2. Beyond Light Advent 3. Dreamscapes: The Sandman
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You will be all over the place in control-towers and dams, flying through the sky, space and the great outdoors. I loved using my jet-pack on one occasion…drifting through space no less! Meet Nix your childhood alien friend, and together enlist the help of your friends, to defend the earth from the Worldeaters.
Well thought out storyline. This game is more like a movie. But don't misunderstand me, it is a very relaxing game, that has a pace like the movie Contact or Iron Giant. The characters have very well developed personalities, are VERY likeable. They were able to create a lovely 50’s atmosphere.
The graphics are excellent; natural colors crisp and clear; glowing lights and warm colors play against the darkness of the night. Nothing wishy-washy and nothing cartoony. The puzzles and HOPS are fun. The music was very nice and sound effects spot-on. One particular song had such wonderful harmonies, that I wish I’d bought the CE !
Isn’t violent and it isn’t a shoot-‘em-up game. Stays within the boundaries of PG I would say.
Please make more sci-fi genre HOPAs like this!
I recommend this game!
Toxic flowers have been claiming victims and withering plant life in the Netherlands. Can you cultivate the answers to this mystery?
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 9 found this review helpful
3.5............Like a lot of games, it starts off well
PostedDecember 23, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played this game in 3 or 4 stages, because it just couldn’t hold my interest. A bit of an odd story I thought: A florist discovers a rare flower which somehow begins sucking the life-force out of people. Then there’s all this illegal black-market selling of the flowers. At some point I just lost the plot…
PROS:
I was wowed to begin with. You get to roam around this European Town and see all kinds of old buidlings, inside and out. It was gorgeous and relaxing. Natural looking colors and lots of DETAIL. Quite a few HOPS. I loved the HOP where you went in with a lamp and had to scan the items from a flashlight size beam. Plenty of puzzles and a good mix. I liked the ones that got progressively harder. Occasional and appropriate cut-scenes. I liked concocting the antidotes.
I was wowed to begin with. You get to roam around this European Town and see all kinds of old buidlings, inside and out. It was gorgeous and relaxing. Natural looking colors and lots of DETAIL. Quite a few HOPS. I loved the HOP where you went in with a lamp and had to scan the items from a flashlight size beam. Plenty of puzzles and a good mix. I liked the ones that got progressively harder. Occasional and appropriate cut-scenes. I liked concocting the antidotes.
CONS:
***Very, VERY, slow story line and very, VERY tame, possibly for kids.
***Unusually DARK graphics, even with computer at full brightness. The characters had personality to begin with, but then that isn’t developed.
***One puzzle didn’t work (a coloring-in one) and at another point the game wouldn’t let me take a syringe sample of blood, until the game decided I could.
*** Also there are delays between some of the scenes of 2-3 seconds (if that bothers you).
***Very, VERY, slow story line and very, VERY tame, possibly for kids.
***Unusually DARK graphics, even with computer at full brightness. The characters had personality to begin with, but then that isn’t developed.
***One puzzle didn’t work (a coloring-in one) and at another point the game wouldn’t let me take a syringe sample of blood, until the game decided I could.
*** Also there are delays between some of the scenes of 2-3 seconds (if that bothers you).
About halfway, I realized the story was just chugging along and not really going anywhere. I felt very little urgency in helping anyone.
I was disappointed because I really liked the previous game, “European Mystery: Scent of Desire”, which was also about flowers and poisonous scent. I thought that one was much better.
A mountain observatory is hiding a big secret!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 18 found this review helpful
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
PostedDecember 21, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I thoroughly enjoyed this game from start to finish.
The game starts with bizarre earth tremors and a missing lady who is in her early 20’s. A compelling story that keeps giving you new info all the way to the end, so the story stays fresh.
The game starts with bizarre earth tremors and a missing lady who is in her early 20’s. A compelling story that keeps giving you new info all the way to the end, so the story stays fresh.
You are on a mountain, covered in a forest. This game has a lovely mix of different scenes: science labs, trees, caves, lakes and water, computers, gadgetry and robots, living quarters of various types, and official buildings set in a spacious paved area. LOTS of tech and LOTS of nature too! You are indoors then outdoors and so on. The characters are very well done and have personality. The graphics are natural looking which I liked; no exaggerated colors or color schemes.
There are plenty of PUZZLES of varying difficulty. A few of them are very difficult. The HOPS are enjoyable, nice to look at, and are a mix, requiring different types of interaction. The subject items in the HOPS are also a good mix of different topics.
FACT cards to collect.
The jump MAP shows you current location and all the places where something needs to be done, either now, or once you have acquired something.
A good break from games that are spooky, fantasy, or who-dunnit. Not a single rune-stone, tarot card, candle, or beasty appear!
I recommend this game!
Elizabeth and her friend Steve are in serious danger on a faraway planet. Can you help them find their way home?
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
A GAME OF 2 HALVES
PostedDecember 20, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Dreamscapes: The Sandman
(165)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
First review: March 2014. (I thought it was a much older game!)
1ST HALF=5.0*
2ND HALF=3.5*
2ND HALF=3.5*
A CHALLENGING GAME.
PART 1: I loved every second spent in space. A constant storm outside the space station sets the ambience. As a result of LARGE windows everywhere and good use of perspectives, shading and color, I didn’t feel cramped, even in the corridors. The colors were spot-on and subtle: blues, oranges, purples, with stars /suns/moon, that you could see through the windows. There is an urgency to leave this planet before the storm fully hits you. You must take your space pal with you.
PART 2: A different tempo from the first half. You land on a planet. The graphics aren’t quite as sharp or as nice in the second part. You get a jaunt into the country-side of a different planet that looks just like …Earth, like medieval Europe but with some advanced technology thrown in: a beer-serving robot and laser machine. The story loses itself a bit and there’s a bit of a lull. However I did like the blacksmith’s, the kitchen and the castle gardens. Then it swings back to exciting when you head to the underground caves, which lead to the Forgotten City and more impending doom is forecast as a catastrophic meteor heads your way!
***Sound and Music settings only. Luckily there’s a good balance in the “Sound” which does the ambient and the mouse-click effects.
……*Space related music: 80’s synthesizer, rumbling and different synth sounds.
……*Castle related music: medieval guitar, flutes etc.
***MAP tells you where new jobs are to be done.
***HINT doesn’t give you everything and takes about 20 seconds to recharge.
***HOPS: Plenty of them. However, the words are not always highlighted differently to indicate that interactive work is required. HOPS in the first half are pleasant to look at. HOPS in the second half are a bit rough looking by comparison.
***I didn’t hear any voices in the second half, but I had the music off every time there was speech, so I don't know if those two were linked. I just read the conversation.
***A handful of translational mistakes e.g. Lamp for lightbulb.
***PUZZLES: Some of the puzzles were THE TOP END OF CHALLENGING.
***Inventory is lockable
***Doesn’t fill whole screen
Daily deal for me! Nice!
……*Space related music: 80’s synthesizer, rumbling and different synth sounds.
……*Castle related music: medieval guitar, flutes etc.
***MAP tells you where new jobs are to be done.
***HINT doesn’t give you everything and takes about 20 seconds to recharge.
***HOPS: Plenty of them. However, the words are not always highlighted differently to indicate that interactive work is required. HOPS in the first half are pleasant to look at. HOPS in the second half are a bit rough looking by comparison.
***I didn’t hear any voices in the second half, but I had the music off every time there was speech, so I don't know if those two were linked. I just read the conversation.
***A handful of translational mistakes e.g. Lamp for lightbulb.
***PUZZLES: Some of the puzzles were THE TOP END OF CHALLENGING.
***Inventory is lockable
***Doesn’t fill whole screen
Daily deal for me! Nice!
I recommend this game!
Dreamscapes: The Sandman
Be the one to save Laura from her nightmares
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
LOVED IT !
PostedDecember 19, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Current Favorite:
Dreamscapes: The Sandman
(165)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
GRAPHICS & STORY: The sort I like, kinda artsy in places with loads of light n’ dark and shading (the style they don’t seem to be doing anymore, sadly). Many locations and situations with great perspectives and feelings of space. Nothing shocking, jarring or disturbing. Just constantly interesting, with a story-line that doesn't lose its tempo. The game is driven by an urgency to rescue Laura, from several different nightmares! I liked the all the various settings we are sent to: iced-pond, kid’sroom, giant mushroom forest, and about 6 other places, where nightmares have taken hold. The Sandman is done well, has presence without being horrific or cringe-wothy.
The “Beholders” (eyes on the loose) are larger than in the second game of this series. Er…I think they did a good thing making them smaller in the second one of the series! In this one, I didn’t like the one that bounces up and has legs and moves like a Daddy-Longlegs. It scuttles faster too! The caterpillerish one is also bigger, and is like some wormy-leach thing. Oh well. I think I got about 90 of ‘em, of the 120 or so there are.
***DIVISION OF SOUND OPTIONS! Ambient, Music, Voice, and Effects.Nice music for however long I normally to listen to it (at the start, or re-starting after exiting). Piano and orchestral.
***The INVENTORY locks . –You have to look out for the padlock sign, because it’s BOTTOM left on the inventory, and not at the top of the inventory as is more usual.
***Doesn’t fill the whole screen.
***no lip sync (kinda funny ‘cause it’s so obvious in this game).
***Options are casual or expert.
***Some awards.
***Doesn’t fill the whole screen.
***no lip sync (kinda funny ‘cause it’s so obvious in this game).
***Options are casual or expert.
***Some awards.
SIDEWAYS SCREEN: In some scenes, you must inspect areas that extend to an inch or two beyond the sides of what you see, so move your mouse to the screen edge, just incase. The screen movement is slow, so there was no need for me to worry about dizzyness-induced nausea.
HOPS and PUZZLES: When I enjoy a game a lot, I sometimes lose track of how many this and how many of that, because I get so absorbed in the game, so I REALLY can’t tell you how many HOPS or puzzles there were. OOPS Sorry!
I recommend this game!
Your long-lost relatives are excited to welcome you to the family… or are they?
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 43 found this review helpful
In poor taste – R-rated
PostedDecember 18, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The thing is, it only takes one nasty scene to sear your mind. A “family” of nasty predator, psychopaths. This game is not a scratch on the very first Phantasmat, which created such atmosphere without having to show much. By comparison, this game here, Behind the Mask is gimmicky and childish, trying to create the same effects by stunning and shocking you. I regret playing this. Even though the nastiness is shown in silhouette, you cannot miss the clearly shown grin. JARRING.
I don't recommend this game.
The expedition continues... Track down the fragments of King Solomon's crown and foil a madman's plot in this exciting follow-up to the bestselling series!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Took me MONTHS to finish this game.
PostedDecember 15, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Starts off extremely fun: Plane, Istanbul, the Arctic……. I felt like a true agent, the music was so conducive to the atmosphere that I kept it on low all the time in the beginning. Very little violence shown, and the characters are interesting, at first.
However, we soon change location, to an icy-snowy station, and the fun and tempo plummets. We also go on an underwater dive, and then to catacombs and end up in a mansion. The fun is never again what it was in the beginning.
However, we soon change location, to an icy-snowy station, and the fun and tempo plummets. We also go on an underwater dive, and then to catacombs and end up in a mansion. The fun is never again what it was in the beginning.
Not too many HOPS in the beginning, but they increase in number as you progress. In certain places they were annoyingly small! They sometimes open up as a window instead of filling the whole screen. I prefer it when they fill the whole screen; they should be cleverly hidden, not difficult to find because they're mini!
Puzzles were ok.
Puzzles were ok.
The GRAPHICS just weren't detailed enough, which is disappointing for a 2014 game and there’s no aspect ratio adjustment; you are forced to play it stretched to fill the whole screen, which makes the graphics worse.
Dark image.
Dark image.
Follow orphan Eva on a trip to mystical Prague. Will she find out about her Royal origins, find real love, and save the world from a monster? It’s all up to you.
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
YOU INHERIT A HOUSE…THERE’S A CATCH OF COURSE.
PostedDecember 15, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Not for someone who wants the modern bling, clarity and brightness of a 2015 game. First review on BFG was Sept 2012.
Apparently based on Rudolf II and John Dee, and their interest in alchemy and magic from the 14th century. Lovely, OLD and antique stuff and winding streets lined with Tudor-style houses. Stylized graphics with muted colors. Doesn’t fill the whole screen unless you stretch it, but the graphics are somewhat blurry before you even do that, so I stayed with the smaller screen. However, I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot. Characters are done well (note: no lip-sync).
For movement, you hover your mouse to the sides and around the screen and arrows appear, telling you may move in that direction.
I liked the way you could turn around the whole room, by static scene changes (there was an option to have a 360 view – which would have made me dizzy, so I stuck to static).
I liked the way you could turn around the whole room, by static scene changes (there was an option to have a 360 view – which would have made me dizzy, so I stuck to static).
Too many spiders crawling about! Three of four in every scene! Must’ve been an infestation. Made me itchy.
***Medium amount of HOPS and puzzles. The puzzles are re-playable.
***Travel map and journal, but inventory isn’t lockable.
***Travel map and journal, but inventory isn’t lockable.
I recommend this game!
The Sandman is back for revenge! This time his victim is Tim, Laura's husband. Will you succeed in pulling him out of this nightmare?
Overall rating
5
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
EYEBALLS ON THE LOOSE!
PostedDecember 15, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Laura’s husband is trapped in nightmares, by the Sandman. You must enter them to help him escape before it’s too late. You might be pleased (or not) to know that none of the scenes are disturbing or induce queasiness.
Eyeballs are going to blink at you! I got about half of the 60 or so, that hide all over the place. But if you have an aversion to bugs, just so you know, they’re: winged or caterpillerish, or bug-like with many legs, or spidery, but they tend to stay pretty small, like an inch or so at the very most.
Nice sound effects. Extremely good voice-acting (no lip-sync if that’s important to you). Really nice DETAILED graphics, with natural looking colors, and beautiful in places, like the mountain-side climber chapter, with paths dwindling into the distance over towering rocks, that stretch for miles. The rocks looked REAL. There’s a huge water cavern also with a nice underwater scene or two (a bit more cartoon-like), another chapter where you are as small as a mouse - so everything is big (fun!). Another chapter set in the character’s childhood home was nothing extraordinary, but it was still quite interesting because of all the detail in the garage. Some other quirky, fun scenes too. Over all, you visit mostly spacious environments, which I loved.
A funny, cute, little raccoon/cat/gremlin pops up briefly from time to time, and communicates through body-language and vocal tones, to give you occasional encouragement. Nothing obtrusive.
***Not many HOPS, but around 10 (word-lists) and very few puzzles. You also get achievements even though it’s an SE.
***NO MAP. Inventory is lockable. You collect notes from a dream diary, which sort of serves as your journal. Hint button recharges quickly. Fills the whole screen.
***NO MAP. Inventory is lockable. You collect notes from a dream diary, which sort of serves as your journal. Hint button recharges quickly. Fills the whole screen.
Seemed a little short, but maybe that was because I was enjoying it so much. Took around 4 hours to finish, I think. Good Daily Deal! Think I’ll check out Dreamscapes 1 as well.
I recommend this game!
Grim Tales: Threads of Destiny Collector's Edition
Can you free Jackie’s parents from their deadly fates?
Overall rating
4
/
5
Good game
PostedDecember 11, 2015
SparkleGlow100
fromMichigan, USA
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Great intro cut-scene! DRAMATIC!
This game definitely held my interest for a couple of evenings. Go back in time and make successful rescues…multiple times in different situations, with the SAME people, with Lady Death hot on your heels, who incidentally, is not happy with you at all, for messing up her plans.
This game definitely held my interest for a couple of evenings. Go back in time and make successful rescues…multiple times in different situations, with the SAME people, with Lady Death hot on your heels, who incidentally, is not happy with you at all, for messing up her plans.
I enjoyed the airport setting scenes, but not so much the other scenes, just because I like scenes with spaciousness and/or to be somewhere other than ordinary everyday life. Lady Death was a bit too benign, but at the same time I’m glad she wasn’t horrific! Her voice was a bit too slow though, but maybe that was because of the inter-dimensional effects on sound with no vocal chords ;) Not for kids though, because of certain themes, like serial killer.
I loved playing the secret room after the fun bonus game. The secret room has morphing objects to collect, and is timed. It adds on another 10 minutes or more, depending on how fast you find them.
Good map, good hint, good graphics. The HOPS that are present were pleasant and enjoyable. The puzzles were a mixed bag of all sorts.
I recommend this game!