thudphilo's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.8
- Helpful Votes:311
- Reviews Submitted:10
- First Review:March 25, 2012
- Most Recent Review:June 23, 2016
- Featured reviews0
thudphilo's Review History
Who broke the agreement between good and evil?
Overall rating
3
/
5
5 of 14 found this review helpful
A World Populated by Fictional Characters
PostedJune 23, 2016
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
A little ways into this game, I became first suspicious, then certain, that I had played it before, so I must have beta tested it. Obviously, it didn't make a huge impression on me then, and failed to do so this time around as well. There's really nothing in this game we haven't seen a thousand times before.
The thing I found particularly silly about this game, though, was its use of fictional characters. Nothing wrong with that in general, but in this case the characters are borrowed from diverse authors. We have Phileas Fogg (Jules Verne) looking for Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson), plus there's a note from Inspector Lestrade (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). All within the first 30 minutes. Makes me wonder whose next? Ebenezer Scrooge (Charles Dickens), or The Headless Horseman (Washington Irving)?
Eipix may have felt this was a clever device, but it didn't really work for me. However, others may not have a problem with this, so as always, try it for yourself. Me, I'm not sold on this one.
A fire at the local asylum takes on a supernatural life of its own!
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 16 found this review helpful
Something different for a change
PostedMarch 31, 2016
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The first two games in this series were, in my opinion, mediocre. This one seems to be much better and more interesting. Once you get past the silly initial premise (supernatural fire? Well, OK, I guess it's no worse than a lot of other games), the story becomes intriguing enough to make me want to keep playing.
I like the fact that there are times when you have to choose between two options. Don't know at this point whether or not it matters which one you choose, but it's at least something you don't usually see in these games.
I also like that an extra bonus scenario is offered if you successfully collect all the marbles and complete a related game. This might just make the collector's edition worth buying.
I only played the demo, but this one will definitely go on my "to buy in the future" list. Kudos to the devs for trying to bring something fresh and different to the game play.
I recommend this game!
A unique puzzle game in a fantastical mansion of a legendary toymaker! Challenge yourself to solve a series of diabolical puzzles!
Overall rating
5
/
5
116 of 178 found this review helpful
An unexpected sequel!
PostedFebruary 22, 2016
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I bought the original Rooms: The Main Building years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I never expected a sequel, especially after so long, but here it is, to my pleasant surprise. This one has improved graphics, and the movements are a bit faster too, all of which makes for a better game experience. So far as I've advanced in the game, however, there is only one new element that wasn't in the first game. Hopefully, there will be more later, but even if not, it's a whole new set of Rooms puzzles, and lots of them.
Although the stories built around both games are absolutely silly, those stories can really be ignored. It's all about the puzzles. If you're like me, and love to be challenged by increasingly difficult puzzles, you should enjoy this game. If logical thinking and figuring out the most strategic approach to solving a puzzle is not your cup of tea, then you likely won't enjoy the Rooms games.
Big Fish offers all too few really good strictly puzzle games, so it's a treat when one like this is offered. Thank you, BF!
I recommend this game!
You're the last hope to stop the ancient curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Great Game!
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I know this game's been out for a couple months, but I wanted to submit a positive review for a change (most of my rare reviews tend to be on the negative side).
I see that some reviewers found this game tedious, and I can understand that. This game has lots and lots and LOTS of stuff to do, and lots of wandering around (thank heavens for a good jump map). However, to each his own, and some of us love this sort of thing, myself included. This is a long game, but it kept my interest throughout, and in the end I felt I got my money's worth and then some.
I have enjoyed the previous installments of the Lost Lands series, but I think this one is the best so far.
I recommend this game!
Puss in Boots just showed up at my office with a request. Help investigate the kidnapping of his beloved and delve into a world full of secrets!
Overall rating
1
/
5
18 of 22 found this review helpful
Nope, not for me.
PostedJanuary 13, 2016
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Played 17 minutes of the demo and uninstalled. Once again, we have a game, intended for English speakers, but scripted by people who don't know the language. I'm not just talking spelling errors, I'm talking grammar, sentence structure, the whole shebang. I can put up with the occasional typo or missing word if a game is good, but not to this extent. And this game was not good - the story was rather boring and quite silly, in my opinion. I highly recommend playing the demo before buying. Otherwise it may be you who's weeping.
I don't recommend this game.
For 25 years, you thought you had no family. But one night, a man steps through a mirror from another world, claiming to be your uncle... changing your life forever.
Overall rating
2
/
5
34 of 67 found this review helpful
Tree of Dreams - zzzzz
PostedJune 21, 2014
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
When I saw the size of this game (nearly 1.5 gigs), I thought either it must be very large or the graphics must be incredible. I can't speak for the size as I only played the demo. As to the graphics, they were no more impressive than any I've seen before, and not as good as some.
I really wanted to like this game, but alas, I was very disappointed. The story was nothing original, and was a bit disjointed I felt. The minigames were so incredibly simple, a child could do them - no challenge whatsoever. The HO scenes were not much of a challenge either. I never once needed to use a hint. And for a game that offers a 90 minute trial period, I finished the demo in less than 30.
Bottom line is, I was bored. Maybe it gets better, but I'm not willing to spend money to find out, even at the sale price. But hey, others might like it more than I did. I do recommend trying the demo first, though.
I don't recommend this game.
Help Ashley Ford find her father and solve the mystery of the Three Oak Mansion.
Overall rating
1
/
5
40 of 50 found this review helpful
Pet Peeve
PostedDecember 3, 2013
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I don't usually write reviews, but I have a pet peeve I have to get off my chest. When a game intended for English-speaking players is designed by people for whom English is not their native tongue (and it's usually glaringly apparent when this is the case), they should hire someone for whom English IS their first language to proofread for spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and all around linguistic sense and proper word usage. When I read in the introduction to this game about a house located near the "golf", in which "creppy" sounds were heard, I knew this would be a game I would soon be exiting & deleting from my system. I think it took me 16 minutes.
A game has to be very very good to overcome poor English for me, and this one just didn't grab me at all.
I don't recommend this game.
Scrabble
The fantastically fun crossword game is now specially designed for your PC or Mac!
Overall rating
1
/
5
53 of 66 found this review helpful
Are you kidding me?
PostedMarch 20, 2013
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I played one game against the CPU, and here are two of the words the CPU was allowed to play: "ED", which as far as I know is a proper name; and (get this now) "SH". I kid you not, "SH" is apparently a word. I guess it's the sound you make when you're shushing someone, but that doesn't make it a legitimate word. I like it better in the following sentence: "I'm definitely going to buy this game - SH! As if!"
I don't recommend this game.
Enjoy this classic tabletop game of Crokinole redesigned as an exciting new casual game experience in Clockwork Crokinole!
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 12 found this review helpful
Brings back memories
PostedApril 9, 2012
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
This game should be fun for those who have enjoyed playing crokinole for real in the past. I used to play this when I was much younger, when you had to flick the disks with your finger. I must say the computer version is much easier on the fingernails! And much easier to aim, at least on the easy setting. Found it almost too easy to win, but did not get a chance to try the more challenging setting before my trial time was up. All in all a very good computer version of a classic board game.
I recommend this game!
20 years ago a terrible accident destroyed most of Cyan City. Now, Monica returns to uncover the secrets of her childhood!
Overall rating
2
/
5
19 of 26 found this review helpful
Not a winner in my book
PostedMarch 25, 2012
thudphilo
fromMarysville, BC, Canada
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
This is my first review, but I have to express my complete disappointment in this game. I've played quite a few HO puzzle adventure games, and while the developers did try to do some different things, that alone was not enough to land a winner.
The problems? Well, the puzzles were way too easy for one thing. I at least like to be challenged to think, but the puzzles I played in the demo were pretty obvious once I gave it a few seconds thought. The clues were often right there in front of me, & pretty obvious.
Secondly, the story just didn't make any sense to me.
Thirdly, there was too much hand-holding in this game. Between the puzzle instructions, the journal entries, and the task list, I did not have to do any thinking for myself.
Finally, in spite of what other reviewers have said, the voice acting was pretty atrocious. And the characters were too long-winded for my taste.
All in all, not one I would even spend a credit on. Sorry to be so negative, as I am a big fan of BF games as a rule. This one just missed the mark for me.
The problems? Well, the puzzles were way too easy for one thing. I at least like to be challenged to think, but the puzzles I played in the demo were pretty obvious once I gave it a few seconds thought. The clues were often right there in front of me, & pretty obvious.
Secondly, the story just didn't make any sense to me.
Thirdly, there was too much hand-holding in this game. Between the puzzle instructions, the journal entries, and the task list, I did not have to do any thinking for myself.
Finally, in spite of what other reviewers have said, the voice acting was pretty atrocious. And the characters were too long-winded for my taste.
All in all, not one I would even spend a credit on. Sorry to be so negative, as I am a big fan of BF games as a rule. This one just missed the mark for me.
I don't recommend this game.