Oh, thank God for this series!! So many of us gamers are history buffs, and we know that all we see in traditional history books might have a different slant. Yes, Mary Todd Lincoln was a spiritualist! What a fantastic series- I've been buying these cookie cutter games for so long (BF should name a wing after me) so I scoured the old games. As you can see, this is a very recent review, but this brings it home- barely any hand holding (YES!) Outstanding hand-drawn graphics...and the dark side of history!! Sure, the developer took some artistic license for the story's sake, but all of the characters were real people. And the puzzles jogged my brain!! Job well done- today's devs need to go back to this!!
I swore I would never buy another Domini endeavor again. They've gotten too much of my money for me to be disappointed time and time again. The two biggest complaints about Domini games that I have noticed in the reviews are the repetitious appearances of the same stale tasks in each and every game and the retina searing color palette. Well, the usual over-abundance of purple and blue are here in this game, but they have been muted quite a bit and don't overtake the scene. The tasks are still stale- yep, the thorny bush is there...I knew it would make an appearance as soon as I found a glove. And I found a shoehorn (who finds a shoehorn?! "Oh, hey, look! I found a shoehorn!" I have never heard anyone say that in my very long life.) And why do I need the shoehorn? Why, to dig in the dirt of the thorny bush, of course. To find what? Toenail clippers. This is just an example of where Domini fails miserably. Stale tasks and inexplicable objects in inexplicable places. It's absurd. Why couldn't I find the toenail clippers in a desk in the museum- that makes much more sense. BUT, (hey, there it is, the 'Big But'), the puzzles have lots of new takes- excellent! I played them on difficult. And Domini always has great find 'ems which I personally love hunting for. The storyline- well, Domini did a much better job with Hidden Expedition: A King's Line. That was excellent because of the fascinating inclusion of history and the realism of the story (I have to admit, I really like the Hidden Expedition series). All in all, I am enjoying his Domini game being a writer myself. I enjoyed the first in this series as well- I chuckled at its cameo appearance. The musical score is very befitting. I wish their characters were less robotic and more fluid. The game is playing well. No glitches. I say to all you Do-Domini naysayers, of which I am definitely one of them, give this one a shot. There is enough going on to take your mind off the stale tasks so you can enjoy the game and very aesthetically pleasing graphics.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
As you can see, this game is about 10 years old as I am playing it for the first time. The difficult circumstances in Eastern Europe cause us to search a bit for some gems- and this a definitely a gem. Not for the beginner. WOW!!! Gorgeous hand drawn graphics, puzzles that will set your brain of fire, difficult HOPs, great, original story line. Background music spooky enough. I am thoroughly enjoying this, and the games today need to get back to this old school paradigm. No hand holding, no sappy sets- a game that truly requires thought. We really need more of these. We miss the old Elephant.
First, I'd just like to offer my condolences to pennmom- looks like you lost a four legged loved one. My sympathies and condolences, that's always tough. And by the way, great review; I have, on many occasions, used your reviews as a "barometer" as to whether or not I am going to purchase a HOPA game. Well, this time all I needed was to see "Friendly Fox" and it was a buy. I called them out a few years ago as the big developer to watch. That little fox pushed aside a big elephant, a scrappy little dog and another big developer that has kinda disappeared from the landscape-I'm sure with good reason. Nobody can take a turn on a fairytale or folktale like Friendly Fox. The players are intact but Friendly Fox makes the story their own, yet traditionally appropriate. And the graphics, which are huge for me...never a disappointment with this developer. Really outstanding scenes and artwork that immerses you completely into the story with wide eyes. I'm a puzzle lover and this game has me sated. I love the find 'ems. Who knew Goldilocks could be so tough? Thanks, Friendly Fox. You sit at the head of the table that seats the Big Three!
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Large File, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
Although this lovely game is not from an area that is in absolute turmoil, let's remember that what is happening in "the area" affects us all. So, thank you, Elephant, for bringing us a new game- by the way, great graphics! I just want to say I appreciate your effort and I am enjoying this new HOPA game- it's been a long time. I think we all need to be appreciative. Thanks again, you big pachyderm, you! xooxo
Jewel Match Solitaire has always hit a homerun with diehard solitaire fans. This edition has turned the knob up to '11' (you're welcome, Spinal Tap fans! lol). First, the graphics- WOW!!!! Absolutely gorgeous. This series' graphics have always been outstanding but these scenes (and the action in the scenes) have really raised the bar. The scenes are a feast for the eyes. So much more has been added to this game (as if there already wasn't enough!)- more solitaire variants (my favorite), more game styles, tricky cards, awards etc. The devs really got busy on this one. And the cards themselves have been redesigned in a beautiful classic look that I find easy to read and recognize but I also enjoy the look of the cards very much. This is a must for all solitaire fanatics- lots and lots of game for the buck. And definitely challenging, more and more the farther you get along your journey. Enjoy!
Thanks to PennMom for a reliable review- that's the reason I bought this game. It really isn't what I prefer as far as genre, but PennMom's review was, what I felt, thorough and honest. So, I bought it. A developer I am not familiar with which was actually a plus!! Well, I am thoroughly enjoying this as an adventure gamer. It is not, take note- NOT- your typical point-click-map game. This game takes some thought. My life as a small business owner had been beyond stressful as of late, but how nice it is to come home, pour a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, and escape into a land where my problems disappear. Great game, friends, definitely give it a try if you are an adventurer!
Pennmom, I want you to know I bought this game soley upon your review. This is not my kinda genre, but, I know new games are going to become slim pickin's right now due to the crisis facing our developer friends. Well, thanks for the recommend- this is a real adventure game by a company I have never heard of. It's not a genre I usually partake of, but this is really fun. As a retired D&D'er, I am diggin' this! (I am showing my age!! lol). This is a great game, great graphics and a real adventure game- ala the old days of 'Myst' and 'Syberia' (the only PC game that made me cry at the end!). If you're into adventure gaming, young and old, you'll love this!
First off- the graphics- wow! 3-D gorgeous graphics including the boards. The graphics really are very impressive...and they are this game's saving grace. The storyline is so lackluster, the gameplay is so basic- what a shame that such terrific graphics go to waste. There could have been side games/puzzles included, power-ups earned, SOMETHING to brighten this very boring story. I play this when I'm about to go to bed as it really takes no thought. Such a shame as this could have been such a good match-3. I have no big 'BUT' for this game as it hasn't earned one- too bland. Still love the graphics- only attribute keeping this game from a 2 star rating.
This is a unique, terrific challenging game. I'm loving it: the VO's are very professional and very well done- excellent. The storyline is very original and really lots of fun as it joins up with the game play. It reminds me of the game "Rooms- the Unsolvable Puzzle" in that the storyline is that strong. This is a job well done- everything clicks. Congratulations, devs!