jolarti's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:84
- Reviews Submitted:7
- First Review:March 4, 2015
- Most Recent Review:March 9, 2015
- Featured reviews0
jolarti's Review History
What is Azada ™? Uncover the secret in the missing pages of an enchanted book and break free from a magical puzzle prison.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A classic, that itself contains classics.
PostedMarch 9, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
So much goodness here, all in one. It contains my favorite types of classic retro games (I'm old), such as: orbox, mastermind, pipes and sliders. In this sense the game feels like it stands on the shoulders of giants, but it's still sympathetic.
I didn't care much for the thin flat-character storyline, but the visuals are still nice today and I really, really love the music.
The timer made me quite nervous, even though I was always done with everything right on time, so I don't know what happens if you can't make it.
My favorite puzzles were the "room puzzles" where you have to combine objects, a little like a typical Escape the Room variety, but not too hard. So for casual gameplay this one I can highly recommend. The replay value is not so high although I do occasionally go back to it.
I currently just started Azada Ancient Magic and so far that one annoys me intensely, with stupid characters, dumbed down puzzles and unnecessary fairytales. I guess I should just drop that one and try Azada in Libro.
I didn't care much for the thin flat-character storyline, but the visuals are still nice today and I really, really love the music.
The timer made me quite nervous, even though I was always done with everything right on time, so I don't know what happens if you can't make it.
My favorite puzzles were the "room puzzles" where you have to combine objects, a little like a typical Escape the Room variety, but not too hard. So for casual gameplay this one I can highly recommend. The replay value is not so high although I do occasionally go back to it.
I currently just started Azada Ancient Magic and so far that one annoys me intensely, with stupid characters, dumbed down puzzles and unnecessary fairytales. I guess I should just drop that one and try Azada in Libro.
I recommend this game!
A deadly secret lurks in the woods of Dire Grove!
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 50 found this review helpful
I tip my hat to you, sir..!
PostedMarch 9, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Oh... My... God! Can I just say how deeply impressed I am with this one? Finally a BFG production that actually feels inspired.
Me: a guy in his late thirties with lots of experience in Myst adventures and 'Escape the room' games. I recently discovered the whole MCF series and have played almost all of them. And this one... is very, very good. Very.
Often times, with the other MCF's, I felt I was playing children's games, with adult visuals. Sacred Grove is much, much better: the story, the atmosphere, the choosing of genders, the navigation with the map, the crazy occasional puzzles, beautiful HOS (without the annoying morphing scenes that make me want to strangle the devs).
Oh man, maybe I haven't played enough in this genre yet? But this one really is by far the best I've seen so far. Hopefully there will be more like this! I don't usually buy games and I like to give extremely snarky and critical reviews, but for this one I will be glad to purchase the Collectors' Edition, because I honestly would love to play this again.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Me: a guy in his late thirties with lots of experience in Myst adventures and 'Escape the room' games. I recently discovered the whole MCF series and have played almost all of them. And this one... is very, very good. Very.
Often times, with the other MCF's, I felt I was playing children's games, with adult visuals. Sacred Grove is much, much better: the story, the atmosphere, the choosing of genders, the navigation with the map, the crazy occasional puzzles, beautiful HOS (without the annoying morphing scenes that make me want to strangle the devs).
Oh man, maybe I haven't played enough in this genre yet? But this one really is by far the best I've seen so far. Hopefully there will be more like this! I don't usually buy games and I like to give extremely snarky and critical reviews, but for this one I will be glad to purchase the Collectors' Edition, because I honestly would love to play this again.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
**Slight tiny spoiler**
The only bad thing in this game was something in the storyline about the brothers in the end; you must be like 9 years old or younger if you didn't see that one coming... Yet it did not take away from the gameplay.
The only bad thing in this game was something in the storyline about the brothers in the end; you must be like 9 years old or younger if you didn't see that one coming... Yet it did not take away from the gameplay.
I recommend this game!
Find the magic runes, rescue the bride, and dive into exciting island adventures in Island Tribe 3, a fun Time Management game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Modern rip-off of Virtual Villagers
PostedMarch 9, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game looks good, yet I find it enormously annoying. To me it comes across as a hyper high-energy, visually unclear rip-off of the classic Virtual Villagers game (also available at Big Fish). But: where Virtual Villagers contains smart strategy puzzles, this game is almost purely time management. No smartness needed for this one.
I don't recommend this game.
In this fish-breeding simulation game, you're in charge of your own real-time virtual aquarium and fish store.
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A very fun and retro favorite
PostedMarch 6, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
So: the graphics are bad, and when you're trying to sell your fish, you can't do anything else. Yet: I love this game so very, very much!
It is strangely addicting and it's actually quite fun as a screensaver as well.
There isn't much I can add to what other reviewers said, except for: I am a long time adventure gamer and I usually play games that require crazy intellectual skills, but in between I always keep on coming back to Fish Tycoon. It's like a good old friend.
It is strangely addicting and it's actually quite fun as a screensaver as well.
There isn't much I can add to what other reviewers said, except for: I am a long time adventure gamer and I usually play games that require crazy intellectual skills, but in between I always keep on coming back to Fish Tycoon. It's like a good old friend.
I recommend this game!
Guide a tribe of castaways as they live, breed, and discover secrets about their mysterious home in this real-time sim adventure.
Overall rating
5
/
5
28 of 31 found this review helpful
The best of VV
PostedMarch 6, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Even though the later VV series have a higher resolution and a better way to navigate the space, I still think this 3rd installment is the best. The gameplay is simply cuter and quite logical. You don't need 20 villagers in order to finish the game (like in VV4) and this one has a way to find all the collectibles - something the other VV episodes don't have.
I always set the speed to 'slow' because I don't want it to end too soon.
Cons: there is no clothing hut, and no after-game motivation to continue, since you cannot buy extra's with tech points.
I always set the speed to 'slow' because I don't want it to end too soon.
Cons: there is no clothing hut, and no after-game motivation to continue, since you cannot buy extra's with tech points.
I recommend this game!
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Storyline paradoxes in a beautiful and irritating environment
PostedMarch 6, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
There is much to get irritated about in this illogical MCF: using a bottle opener to move a heavy rock? Really?
Also: I am a very experienced 'escape the room' and 'Myst' gamer yet I was unable to figure out some of the lame puzzles that just seem so illogical, and do not feel very intelligent, such as the clocks in the undergrounds.
Despite the awesome graphics, this MCF feels very uninspired. I recommend many of the other MCF editions, not this one.
Also: I am a very experienced 'escape the room' and 'Myst' gamer yet I was unable to figure out some of the lame puzzles that just seem so illogical, and do not feel very intelligent, such as the clocks in the undergrounds.
Despite the awesome graphics, this MCF feels very uninspired. I recommend many of the other MCF editions, not this one.
I don't recommend this game.
A crime spree baffles Huntsville™ police! Can you help solve the crime?
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Not much time, better sequels
PostedMarch 4, 2015
jolarti
fromNetherlands
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Not all Mystery Case Files games are great. This I think is the least of all, because the searching for objects in the same locations over and over again is quite annoying here. Strangely enough this is also the case with the first Ravenhearst MCF but that one was exciting, interesting and had great puzzles. This one offers too short a time to solve the standard slide puzzles. I got it for free, and I certainly would never advice to pay more than $4 for it.
I don't recommend this game.