gingergal's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:15,535
- Reviews Submitted:193
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 23, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Overall rating
4
/
5
67 of 81 found this review helpful
Fun, enjoyable game
PostedOctober 12, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
(I played the CE the plot is 100% tied up here in the SE version)
Good, stand alone 3rd game in this series from Orneon. I enjoyed the first one but didn’t like the second one.
The plot is the weakest part but it was enjoyable how it was done. People from a theatre have these strange abilities and the owner is missing. While you are looking for the owner you can take the strange abilities of the people you meet, kept in the form of a crystal ball and use it on items. But because of the whimsy of the characters that kept it different and engaging along with some very good puzzles and nice graphics.
I nearly didn’t buy this game due to the first 10 mins of frankly seen it all before gameplay, but thanks to a CE sale I bought it and enjoyed it despite this (due to lots of puzzles which keeps me engaged along with collectables that aren't in here so you can factor that in.).
The plot is the weakest part but it was enjoyable how it was done. People from a theatre have these strange abilities and the owner is missing. While you are looking for the owner you can take the strange abilities of the people you meet, kept in the form of a crystal ball and use it on items. But because of the whimsy of the characters that kept it different and engaging along with some very good puzzles and nice graphics.
I nearly didn’t buy this game due to the first 10 mins of frankly seen it all before gameplay, but thanks to a CE sale I bought it and enjoyed it despite this (due to lots of puzzles which keeps me engaged along with collectables that aren't in here so you can factor that in.).
There is a lot of backtracking and again I wish this DEV would bring us the transporter map.
I played the hardest of three settings – no skip or hint button and no information button on puzzles. You do get black bar tips but there is no random click penalty on HOS.
I played the hardest of three settings – no skip or hint button and no information button on puzzles. You do get black bar tips but there is no random click penalty on HOS.
PROS
- Variety of HOS
- Lots of puzzles
- Graphics
- Good length for a SE
- Variety of HOS
- Lots of puzzles
- Graphics
- Good length for a SE
CONS
- Lot of backtracking (no transporter map)
- Not that many new areas
- Unoriginal setting and part of plot
- Repeating of both some puzzles and HOS
-
I give the following numbers on HOS and puzzles, so you can decide and deduce if this game is for you. I try my best with recording them but I might be out by one or two.
- Not that many new areas
- Unoriginal setting and part of plot
- Repeating of both some puzzles and HOS
-
I give the following numbers on HOS and puzzles, so you can decide and deduce if this game is for you. I try my best with recording them but I might be out by one or two.
23 HOS (hidden object scenes)
There are three different kinds of HOS; list, silhouette and reverse (put items back into a scene). Most were mildly interactive, no random click penalty, some tiny items, most were quite clear.
11 original scenes, each one is repeated and one you have to play three times:-
3 original silhouette
5 original list
3 original reverse
3 original silhouette
5 original list
3 original reverse
31 PUZZLES
14 different mini-games
17 crystal ball type (5 original)
17 crystal ball type (5 original)
I really enjoyed the puzzles in the game, not so much the crystal ball ones as these were repeated . There were a couple of hard ones – one very nearly blind jigsaw (2nd one) and the maths took me a while.
Spoilers ahead as to some of the type of puzzles (I am useless at describing puzzles, but if you can decipher lol)
The crystal ball ones were: 3D rotate the picture, click on opposite icons to make a path (positive and negative), astro – move cloud to change the path, colour in area (fill up a shape with a spray bottle), link atoms together – ends have to go in opposite end (cup or rod).
Mini-games (some of them)
Simple click on one tile others will rotate to make a picture
Pipe type combined with lines of light
Arithmetic (the math isn’t hard but not repeating numbers took a while)
2 nearly blind Jigsaws – (just a couple of outlines then rest is blank)
Click on correct line to make a path to get to the light
Move an object to get the light to connect to all the others
Paper doll puzzle
Move ball on path with obstacles to get the lights by using pre-programmed arrows
Pipe type combined with lines of light
Arithmetic (the math isn’t hard but not repeating numbers took a while)
2 nearly blind Jigsaws – (just a couple of outlines then rest is blank)
Click on correct line to make a path to get to the light
Move an object to get the light to connect to all the others
Paper doll puzzle
Move ball on path with obstacles to get the lights by using pre-programmed arrows
TIME main game at least 5 hrs
(on hardest setting - so no hints, no skipping puzzles and I was looking for collectables which aren’t in this game which takes a while) I say this so you can judge your own speed from it.
(on hardest setting - so no hints, no skipping puzzles and I was looking for collectables which aren’t in this game which takes a while) I say this so you can judge your own speed from it.
I recommend this game!
Save Brightfield from a shocking plot by a dastardly organization!
Overall rating
5
/
5
221 of 258 found this review helpful
Another winner from elephant (bonus review at bottom)
PostedOctober 11, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Another great game from elephant (and big fish was in the credits as well) and maybe the best of the four mystery trackers (this is more like raincliff. Games in order it’s the void, ranicliff, black aisle) This is why I don’t often give out 5 stars and a recommendation for CEs as they are expensive and they really have to be worth it to earn it.
Usually developers gives you the best in the demo and by the time the end comes, it’s not as good. Elephant are very unusual as I find it gets even better as it goes along. The quality never wavers, gives you a good amount of new areas and holds my easily bored attention throughout.
The usual elephant signature of never repeating HOS, no random click penalty, great cutscenes, transporter map (in later games) with tips in it, a lot of adventure and not that many HOS makes them my favourite DEV along with their graphics.
Here you have a choice of four modes to play – added detective one which is the same as the 3rd but mouse icon doesn’t change if you get to an interactive area. You can change hardness during play. There is the usual live actors and I’d say apart from 2 scenes the lip synch was OK (mostly didn’t speak!)
Ratio you can see is a lot of adventure and not so much HOS or puzzles but a lot of interactions, which is my personal preference as I love the adventure side.
PROS
-Transporter map
-Amazing cutscenes
-Unique plot
-Lot of adventure
-Morphs were fun and part of background plot
-Collectables (poker chips which you use on elf your dog – dog house, such interactive fun!)
-ALL puzzles in main game are unlocked
-Only play a HOS once (other devs are lazy when they repeat and pad their games out by repeating them)
-Replay all cutscenes
-Amazing cutscenes
-Unique plot
-Lot of adventure
-Morphs were fun and part of background plot
-Collectables (poker chips which you use on elf your dog – dog house, such interactive fun!)
-ALL puzzles in main game are unlocked
-Only play a HOS once (other devs are lazy when they repeat and pad their games out by repeating them)
-Replay all cutscenes
CONS (feedback)
-Black bar tips on hardest mode
-Puzzles were mostly easy and mostly not that original or got a twist on them compared to their other games
-HOS in some of their other games are more crystal clear and sharp
-Would have loved some achievements to take it over the top
-Although better than some other games, still need to work on lip synch with live actors
-Would have liked some harder morphs as they were all very easy to see
-Puzzles were mostly easy and mostly not that original or got a twist on them compared to their other games
-HOS in some of their other games are more crystal clear and sharp
-Would have loved some achievements to take it over the top
-Although better than some other games, still need to work on lip synch with live actors
-Would have liked some harder morphs as they were all very easy to see
15 PUZZLES
Mostly easy, some medium hardness (3 out of 5 for hardness) I enjoyed the move the ball down the path but that was made so easy by limited choice of arrows to use. The suitcase/flag is one of my favourites.
15 HOS
No random click penalty on any mode, all list, interactive – had some mini games in them, never repeat. While I found them well defined they weren’t as crystal clear and sharp as in some of their other games. Also there is light in some of them making it hard to see some as well as some very small items.
CE EXTRAS
-16 morph creatures (very easy)
-Collectables (poker chips to spend on interactive ‘elf’ dog house – really fun)
-ALL of their 16 mini games are unlocked (two part puzzle is separated here)
-8 wallpaper
-11 concept art
-6 music
-Bonus video (out takes and some shots ‘behind the scenes’ (love these)
-Screensaver
-SG
-bonus play
-Collectables (poker chips to spend on interactive ‘elf’ dog house – really fun)
-ALL of their 16 mini games are unlocked (two part puzzle is separated here)
-8 wallpaper
-11 concept art
-6 music
-Bonus video (out takes and some shots ‘behind the scenes’ (love these)
-Screensaver
-SG
-bonus play
CE BONUS PLAY
95% was in old area, with some added things and interactions added in them. The quality and length was there although the opening live actor cutscene had the worst lip synch in the whole game. It was a bonus/extra storyline as the SE was 100% tied up. At the end of the bonus it could be setting up part of a plotline for the next game with a character?
The same thought and quality in the main game was in the bonus with a lot of adventure and interactive things to do. So many times sadly I find it isn’t.
(numbers are in addition to above)
4 HOS
(numbers are in addition to above)
4 HOS
4 Puzzles (one of them was the great type of visual movement jigsaw that was in surface:noise)
TIME – 6 hrs (no skipping, no hints but did switch a few times from detective mode to get hints on map) This is a harder mode than I usually play (no hints or skips) so it may be slighter longer.
BONUS – Another 1hr (over it)
When you think that there is a map which cuts out a lot of time backtracking you can see how long this game is.
I recommend this game!
Find the woman who disappears in the Hall of Mirrors. Investigate two worlds: the Carnivals of Good and Evil!
Overall rating
4
/
5
214 of 234 found this review helpful
Spooky fun in a carnival - although not very long. VG straight SE.
PostedOctober 8, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
*My reviews are of finished gameplay*
This is a very good spooky easy straight SE perfect timing for halloween but it was obviously meant to be a CE so don’t forget after you finish to go into main menu and play the final chapter!
I am glad this was a straight release SE as it only took me just over 4hr on expert mode (hardest of 3) with no skipping, no hints on map so I do advise you to play it one level up than what you are used to as it’s a easy game.
The 3 levels are changeable during gameplay. There is a map but it’s not a transporter map. The hint button is arrows. There is also hints in the transporter map apparently, if you don’t play on expert.
It opens up to a child losing her parent (which is a nice change from the usual child going missing) and you as a detective have to find her. You soon discover that there is a dark force and there is a mirror universe which gives the game fantasy and fun. In the demo I thought there wouldn’t be that many HOS and be more adventure driven with quite a few puzzles: But as time went on the HOS increased and the adventure decreased especially in the last couple of hours. The “bonus” chapter was just one puzzle and HOS after each other with no adventure, like they were just trying to pad the game out.
I do wish the ratio in the demo would be consistent throughout the game so people know what to expect, although the puzzle to HOS was even. I mostly loved this game, especially at the beginning but near the end it lost its joy.
Numbers are so you can see the game ratio to decide if it's for you or not.
29 HOS
All list type, mildly interactive. Toggle between card game or HOS. There is a random click penalty on expert. One you had to play 4 times, couple 3 times but mostly you had to play them twice. Playing twice is OK with me as you could play the card game. Sometimes in repeating the HOS it was the same interactions that I had just done.
29 PUZZLES
I think only two puzzles were medium the rest were easy to very easy. Mostly fun and didn’t matter but would have liked to see a couple of harder ones. Some old school – rotating rings, simon says. There was a fun one in the demo and a couple of others.
PROS
-Good storyline although not original
-Lots of puzzles
-Great spooky fun
-Choice of match pair card game to toggle between the HOS
-Achievements
-Lots of puzzles
-Great spooky fun
-Choice of match pair card game to toggle between the HOS
-Achievements
CONS
-Usually a SE would take me nearer to 5hrs so feel it’s a bit short
-Map wasn’t a transporter map
-Fair bit of backtracking
-Very easy puzzles
-Felt they lost steam near the end with the game, lost some of it’s fun spooky moments which a lot of was in the demo.
-Repeating of some of the HOS a few times and nearly back to back at the end
-Felt ‘bitty’ due to having to come to main menu and play the bonus chapter afterwards, felt there could be some work to make it seamless play
-Map wasn’t a transporter map
-Fair bit of backtracking
-Very easy puzzles
-Felt they lost steam near the end with the game, lost some of it’s fun spooky moments which a lot of was in the demo.
-Repeating of some of the HOS a few times and nearly back to back at the end
-Felt ‘bitty’ due to having to come to main menu and play the bonus chapter afterwards, felt there could be some work to make it seamless play
I do recommend it, if you are looking for an easy spooky game and don’t mind quite a few HOS and puzzles (29 is a lot in a 4hr period – I got 7 in the demo if this helps any to show how many turn up later) If they kept the fun spooky throughout with the quality of the beginning, and had a transporter map I would give this 5 stars. (I don’t do love or like but out of 5 stars) But for a straight SE it's one of the best qualties you will find!!
I recommend this game!
Expose a secret brotherhood called The Seekers and save the performers of the theatre who became the brotherhood’s victims.
Overall rating
4
/
5
16 of 23 found this review helpful
Fun, enjoyable game - bonus review at bottom as well as loads info on the puzzles
PostedOctober 2, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Very good, stand alone game in this series from Orneon. I enjoyed the first one but didn’t like the second one.
The plot is the weakest part but it was enjoyable how it was done. People from a theatre have these strange abilities and the owner is missing. While you are looking for the owner you can take the strange abilities of the people you meet, kept in the form of a crystal ball and use it on items. But because of the whimsy of the characters that kept it different and engaging along with some very good puzzles and nice graphics.
The plot is the weakest part but it was enjoyable how it was done. People from a theatre have these strange abilities and the owner is missing. While you are looking for the owner you can take the strange abilities of the people you meet, kept in the form of a crystal ball and use it on items. But because of the whimsy of the characters that kept it different and engaging along with some very good puzzles and nice graphics.
I nearly didn’t buy this game due to the first 10 mins of frankly seen it all before gameplay, but thanks to a sale I bought it and enjoyed it! Thanks for giving us some useful extras, to make this a CE with all the bells and whistles.
There is a lot of backtracking and again I wish this DEV would bring us the transporter map.
I played the hardest of three settings – no skip or hint button and no information button on puzzles. But you do get black bar tips and there is no random click penalty on HOS.
I played the hardest of three settings – no skip or hint button and no information button on puzzles. But you do get black bar tips and there is no random click penalty on HOS.
I give the following numbers on HOS and puzzles, so you can decide and deduce if this game is for you. I try my best with recording them but I might be out by one or two.
23 HOS (hidden object scenes)
There are three different kinds of HOS; list, silhouette and reverse (put items back into a scene). Most were mildly interactive, no random click penalty, some tiny items, most were quite clear.
11 original scenes, each one is repeated and one you have to play three times.
3 original silhouette
5 original list
3 original reverse
11 original scenes, each one is repeated and one you have to play three times.
3 original silhouette
5 original list
3 original reverse
31 PUZZLES
14 different mini-games
17 crystal ball type (5 original)
17 crystal ball type (5 original)
I really enjoyed the puzzles in the game, not so much the crystal ball ones as these were repeated not only in main game but the bonus as well. There were a couple of hard ones – one very nearly blind jigsaw (2nd one) and the maths took me a while.
Spoilers ahead as to type of puzzles (I am useless at describing puzzles, but if you can decipher lol)
Spoilers ahead as to type of puzzles (I am useless at describing puzzles, but if you can decipher lol)
The crystal ball ones were: 3D rotate the picture, click on opposite icons to make a path (positive and negative), astro – move cloud to change the path, colour in area (fill up a shape with a spray bottle), link atoms together – ends have to go in opposite end (cup or rod).
Mini-games
Simple click on one tile others will rotate to make a picture
Fuse – pipe type puzzle (swap different shapes to get a path)
Pipe type combined with lines of light
Quick paint a mask
Numbered lines – match the numbers to how many lines are connected to them variation
Swap tiles to make 3 in a row
Arithmetic (the math isn’t hard but not repeating numbers took a while)
2 nearly blind Jigsaws – (just a couple of outlines then rest is blank)
Click on correct line to make a path to get to the light
Move an object to get the light to connect to all the others
Paper doll puzzle
Move ball on path with obstacles to get the lights by using pre-programmed arrows
Jigsawesque– click on one others move
Fuse – pipe type puzzle (swap different shapes to get a path)
Pipe type combined with lines of light
Quick paint a mask
Numbered lines – match the numbers to how many lines are connected to them variation
Swap tiles to make 3 in a row
Arithmetic (the math isn’t hard but not repeating numbers took a while)
2 nearly blind Jigsaws – (just a couple of outlines then rest is blank)
Click on correct line to make a path to get to the light
Move an object to get the light to connect to all the others
Paper doll puzzle
Move ball on path with obstacles to get the lights by using pre-programmed arrows
Jigsawesque– click on one others move
BONUS PLAY (slight spoiler for general plot line)
The ending to the main game was 100% tied up. The story really consisted of two cutscenes, beginning and the end of bonus. Were unknown baddies came out of nowhere (not in main game) and you try and find evidence for police (2nd cutscene).
Setting was mostly in old area of main game (about 60/40?) and one HOS was from main game. Wasn’t really loving gameplay but it did take me 1hr 45mins (no hints no skipping) but puzzles were just OK and you had to repeat them as well as playing all the crystal ball ones as well.
Numbers are in addition to main game.
10 HOS in total – Most were silhouette type, repeat them all.
16 puzzles –
5 crystal ball puzzles
1 stack largest to smallest on the right pole
3 match pair
2 rotate circles to get colours to match up to each other
3 rotate circle (squares) (didn’t like this one)
2 swap tiles mosaic one (exactly the same pattern)
10 HOS in total – Most were silhouette type, repeat them all.
16 puzzles –
5 crystal ball puzzles
1 stack largest to smallest on the right pole
3 match pair
2 rotate circles to get colours to match up to each other
3 rotate circle (squares) (didn’t like this one)
2 swap tiles mosaic one (exactly the same pattern)
EXTRAS
Achievements
31 Collectables – records (this could be in the SE as it wasn’t under the ‘extras’ in the game)
6 puzzles unlocked
29 concept art
SG
Bonus gameplay
Achievements
31 Collectables – records (this could be in the SE as it wasn’t under the ‘extras’ in the game)
6 puzzles unlocked
29 concept art
SG
Bonus gameplay
TIME main game at least 5 hrs (on hardest setting - so no hints, skipping puzzles and I got all but one collectable) I say this so you can judge your own speed from it.
Bonus another 1hr 45mins (no skipping, no hints)
I got this in a sale so it was a bargain and have no problem recommending the CE due to all the extras and the length of bonus gameplay although I do wish the attention that was put in the main game was in the bonus and didn't repeat so many puzzles.
(I do out of 5 not love or like etc)
I recommend this game!
Discover the fate of your exiled kingdom, save your people, and end the ancient evil that started it all!
Overall rating
5
/
5
132 of 171 found this review helpful
Heavy on the puzzles, medium on the adventure, light on the HOS
PostedSeptember 28, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
*SE players may feel that they know where the plot would be going in the CE version as there is a couple of loose ends but don’t worry. The bonus in the CE play did nothing to address it, it was a completely separate storyline# (and also the worst ending I remember in a game). The ending to the SE isn’t 100% tied up and is set up for a sequel even though this is supposed to be the last in the series. * see end for more info.
Excellent game from boomzap, and I think the best in the series. If you are really into plot it’s best to play the series as this isn’t a stand alone game. It does give you some recaps so you aren’t lost re plot if you haven’t played the others.
For those that love a lot of straight HOS this is not your game. I’d class this as a puzzle with adventure with a few varied type of HOS game (in that order). There are not a lot of HOS even the varied type, so this will either please you like me, or you will be disappointed. If you hate puzzles then this game isn’t for you.
For those that love a lot of straight HOS this is not your game. I’d class this as a puzzle with adventure with a few varied type of HOS game (in that order). There are not a lot of HOS even the varied type, so this will either please you like me, or you will be disappointed. If you hate puzzles then this game isn’t for you.
There are 3 choice of play settings and you can’t change them once you start and the hardest is hard – no transporter map tips, no instructions to puzzles and no skip on puzzle but you do get a hint button.
I rate this a 5/5 hardness if you play on the hardest setting (3/5 if on middle) The difference in hardness between middle and the hardest setting is HUGE due to the tips on transporter map on middle setting.
What I love about this game is that the transporter map is completely new each chapter. You don’t go back into old areas – each chapter is completely different setting. Also you don’t repeat any HOS. Thank you for both these things, it’s rare and it takes a lot more effort on the part of the DEV to do this.
I give the following numbers so you can see for yourself the ratio to see if it's for you or not.
HIDDEN OBJECTS SCENES (HOS) – 20
8 list, 7 find ‘x’ amount of same item, 3 find ‘pic’ (ie runes) in the scene, 1 find pairs, 1 find silhouette.
There is a random click penalty, they are all (bar one) very highly interactive on all the different types. There are no junk piles, no repeating of HOS. But even though there aren’t many most of them took a long time to do as there were very interactive. They are not sharp due to the type of graphics and some were hard to find due to blendness and a couple of tiny items.
PUZZLES – (numbers are very roughly as I didn’t have a skip button, it was hard to judge what was a puzzle) – 67 in main game!!
Puzzle lovers you will adore this game. Others don’t be put off as a lot of these are done in way under a minute and a fair few are super easy. What is ingenious as those of us who love a bit more of a challenge gets it by trying to work out what the puzzle is (if play on hardest setting). Some puzzles were easy but I thought they were a different type, so that was good. They were some original, a few were repeated and a theme in this game is runes. Boomzap always gives us a lot of puzzles that are far too easy and I wish the majority of them were harder.
CHAPTER BREAKDOWN OF PUZZLES AND HOS
Chapter 1 - HOS 6, puzzles 12
Chapter 2 – HOS 7, puzzles 23
Chapter 3 – HOS 5, puzzles 20
Chapter 4 – HOS 2, puzzles 12
Chapter 1 - HOS 6, puzzles 12
Chapter 2 – HOS 7, puzzles 23
Chapter 3 – HOS 5, puzzles 20
Chapter 4 – HOS 2, puzzles 12
CONS –
-Journal sparkles
-Transporter map could have been clearer and not have names in rune.
-Some puzzles were repeated.
-I did not like the ending in main game this SE version (although it was a LOT better than the ending to the bonus in the CE verison!) The main game was left like the others in the series it did not feel like a tied up conclusion to it. Either this is the end to the series or it’s not!
-Journal sparkles
-Transporter map could have been clearer and not have names in rune.
-Some puzzles were repeated.
-I did not like the ending in main game this SE version (although it was a LOT better than the ending to the bonus in the CE verison!) The main game was left like the others in the series it did not feel like a tied up conclusion to it. Either this is the end to the series or it’s not!
If interested this is what is in the CE that is not in this SE version
BONUS EXTRAS–
SG
Bonus play
Achievements
All cutscenes in game (15? + 2 in bonus)
7 wallpaper
6 music (soundtrack to game)
6 concept art
19 nonogram – once you do one the next is unlocked
SG
Bonus play
Achievements
All cutscenes in game (15? + 2 in bonus)
7 wallpaper
6 music (soundtrack to game)
6 concept art
19 nonogram – once you do one the next is unlocked
#Bonus play seemed to be the first chapter in a new series (although this game is supposed to be the conlusion) and it says that in the next game it will be about the loose end that is left at the end of this SE game but in the bonus this wasn't addressed or talked about etc so believe me - you are not missing out on anything!
Main game (SE) took me 7hrs 20 mins (official time) on hardest setting, I take my time and I’m not a fast player. If you will skip the puzzles, use hints/walkthrough or don’t play on the hardest setting it will be shorter.
I recommend this game!
Trapped at the bottom of the sea by Davy Jones, you must discover his secrets, save your father and find a way to escape!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
Good straight enjoyable SE
PostedSeptember 24, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
When I first played it, the first 2 minutes, I thought the graphics were awful (halo all around the characters), and the hidden object scenes were bad - junk pile. Then I stuck with it, and found there was a lot to do, a lot of stuff to pick up and use and I got into it.
I am glad I bought it as I enjoyed playing this more than a lot of the CEs ( which I must have played to many as they were all getting 'the same old' and was getting bored with them). This reminded me of a couple of years ago type games - the graphics, a lot of interaction, less 'adventure', some puzzles, with slightly different storylines. But in a good way!
There ended up being not that many hidden object scenes which I am thankful for (there was a mixture of photo objects and graphics which I couldn't get used to). This is a decent length game, for once (for a SE)! There is an option to turn the 'glints' off (sparkles) but there were still sparkles for **** scenes. It wasn't too hard to figure out what to do, this is quite an easy game.
There is a map that is available a short while into it but it's not a transporter map.
The story was a bit different and the graphics turned out to be good, once I looked past how some of the characters were 'placed' in a scene and some of the hidden object scenes. Which was weird as some of the characters were quite good, and the cutscenes (the 'captains' deckhand, upstairs outside door was really good). I don't know why you can breathe underwater but you can, I really liked the setting and the story as it was a bit different.
For those wanting a decent length (for a straight SE)- loads of picking up stuff and lots of "doing stuff", this is really good game. I ended up really enjoying it. And I really appreciate it being a straight SE .
B+ for enjoyment factor. Original review, reposted from August 8 2011.
I recommend this game!
In a house full of trap doors and secret tunnels and suspicious fires, one misstep means Nancy won't stand a ghost of a chance!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 20 found this review helpful
2.5 rounding up. I'm comparing it with other ND games.
PostedSeptember 19, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I’m rating this in comparison to the other ND games I've played and playing this game today!
Plot – You are asked to come to a B&B in San Francisco that is about to open and investigate why strange accidents keeps happening. It is fun poking around an old home and see what secrets it has.
This is not a bad game by any means and I enjoyed it, but compared to the other ND games it’s short, slightly easier than some others, and got only one location. Even the first ND game had 3 locations and seemed a bit longer. I’m playing through the later ones in order and now playing through the earliest ones in order as well.
The early games have this HUGE interface taking up half the screen and to advance the game you have to set your alarm clock. In this game everyone has a schedule and is in a certain place at a certain time so you use the alarm clock to either be able to talk to them or snoop when they are not there.
There is a “I” button on the right of the interface which gives you basic tips. On the left is a “ND” logo and when you click on it, it gives you the current in game time.
Like all ND game this isn’t a 360 game and you can’t skip puzzles. There are no achievements like in the later games. You can play junior or senior level, and the only difference is some of the puzzles are harder in senior mode.
There is a second chance in ND games but if you make a mistake you automatically go back to just before the wrong choice so you can have a do over.
In early ND games the load and save is in the same page and it’s very tricky. Highlight the save button, hit it then hit the line to write about the save and then save again. To load, highlight load screen at the left.
If you have never played a ND game before, talk to everyone, here it’s four people. If you are stuck you can phone your friends and even in senior mode this option is open to you but phone them anyway as they have information. You also need to have a paper and pencil with ND games to record things you come across, any poems, or symbols etc as you need that information to decipher other puzzles in the game.
While I enjoyed it, if you are only going to be playing one or two ND games this is not the one I would recommend and would only recommend it to true lovers of ND games or those that can get easily lost and want a very ‘contained’ game and don’t mind that it’s quite short. I played the big fish version on windows 7 and had no glitches (once I figured out the save button!)
Spoiler as to a hint for one puzzle –
There is a maze in this game and I am useless at them, if you hit the “M” key on your keyboard it brings up an interactive map in the interface to show you where you are.
The story continues on a train headed east, as Kate Walker and Hans Voralberg search for a mysterious island known as Syberia.
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Pick this game up before it stops being available, and becomes the chopped up 'dumbed down' version.
PostedSeptember 12, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I have just replayed this game and it still stands the test of time being one of the all time greats. I do advise you to play the first game in the series as even though there is a recap button in the main menu you will miss out a lot if you haven't. I didn’t play Syberia before playing this the first time and I deeply regretted it. I didn’t know much about the characters or why I was stuck in a station etc.
While the first game is great this is spectacular. The settings and scenery is amazing and unique, the variety is great also. You don’t get as many automatons in this game, so you may miss that. You find about what happened to the characters in the first game which was a nice touch.
The first Syberia was all about Kate’s adventures as a lawyer representing a company who wants to buy this toy factory but the legal owner is missing and she sets out to find him.
In Syberia II this is all about the man’s dream, experienced through the eyes of Kate Walker – your character. All the missions and goals in the game is to fulfil Han’s dream, to go to Syberia to meet the mammoths, a land that very few know anything about or even believe exist.
It’s a large file game so it’s a manual save game and don’t rely on the icon changing to tell you where to go. Frequently I found it didn’t work and sometimes you have to walk to the side of a screen to open up new areas.
It’s the type of adventure game that’s all about the epic adventure, there isn’t that much ‘doing’ things but there is more than Syberia. Exhaust all dialogue with everyone and carefully comb areas for interactions. You can replay the cutscenes in the main menu.
This game has soul, character, uniqueness that is often missing from games. It’s different but it’s a great adventure. I did find the initial bit was my least favourite area in the game but once you find the monastery and then leave that town, it’s pure fun.
The ending will stay with you.
I recommend this game!
Play as Special Agent Nicole Bonnet as you investigate the gritty streets of New York on the trail of a heinous ritual murderer!
Overall rating
3
/
5
26 of 28 found this review helpful
Decent mystery, worthwhile playing but there are a few cons.
PostedSeptember 4, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I demoed this game years ago and frankly was bored by it as the game opens up as you are playing a character that is a rookie FBI agent. With it comes rookie jobs which you have to do. It opened up in an office and the menial task at the beginning put me off (and I love procedural games like CSI.) But I tried again and finished it and although it did take me a while to get into it, once the tedious jobs lessened and the plot developed it got interesting.
This is the most linear LF game I've played, and it's good if you are a beginner as you can't leave an area if you have missed something. The locations are presented to you so you don't have to wonder where to go next. The graphics, plot is good and if you remember to right click on everything in inventory and try combining everything and go over every scene like a comb you should be OK. Keep clicking on a character until they start repeat conversations.
There is no hints and no skip on puzzles.
There is no hints and no skip on puzzles.
You have a PDA with notes, a phone and camera so remember to phone people and take photos when needed.
It's a manual save, point and click game. It's not a 360 game (no nausea).
CONS -
-Hard to find, well blended objects that you have to pick up.
-More back and forth between conversations or conversation and an action, than usual and even if you have just examined a room to see if there is anything to do, even if you do the smallest thing it can unlock it so you are constantly scanning. I'm used to doing that but this game it's more than normal and coupled with the sometimes pixel hunting for items or interactive areas, it makes the process longer.
- Most annoying, literally a mouse icon, for your cursor.
- Comments when you try and click things "well that's stupid" or "that's a lousy idea" drove me up the wall.
- One puzzle the execution of it was bad (allowed some wrong items to be used but not others so you thought some things were in the right place)
Overall it's a worthwhile game to play and I slowly warmed to her character but especially at the beginning the gameplay can be stilted and not really fun I can't put my finger on it but gameplay left me a bit cold, despite some good locations and nice areas to explore (at the end.) The plot was the driving force and the big positive thing in this game. Will be interested to see how the next game in the series is, as I will be playing it.
Syberia
Seek out the hidden heir to a legacy built on cities of automatons and other clever machinations.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Epic adventure
PostedAugust 28, 2012
gingergal
fromoutside Seattle, WA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Finally finished it (I had a glitch a while back, but as long as you update your direct x when asked and save often and in different places you should be OK). It plays like one of those old epic movies, big grand scenery (as the game progresses).
Every LF game plays differently and this doesn't have as much interaction or combining things in inventory as other games. There is a fair amount of dialogue, which you shouldn't miss out any choices of what there is to talk about. As the subject matter does change depending on who and what you have done.
There is maybe one interaction I'd class as a puzzle but there aren't any other puzzles in the game. It's a lot of wandering around trying everything, speaking to everyone type game. So it depends on your taste. Usually I'm more of a 'do things' in a game and this does have a fair few although not a lot, it's more of the plot driven epic adventure that is so well thought out and done, as well as the majesty of the game through the setting that has drawn so many people to really love it.
There is a difference between the cut up version - part 1, 2 and 3 - there is less interaction so it's not the same. Which is why I recommend this original version. It's manual save (right click) to bring up the area to save it. And remember that paper documents aren't saved in the same area in inventory and there is an eye icon to read them. Double click to move faster.
This adventure takes you to a few different places and a couple of times you have the 'wow' I didn't expect that factor. There is a ending to this but Syberia II continues the adventure literally.
It's a classic for a reason that still stands the test of time today, so discover for yourself the epic adventure of Syberia.
I recommend this game!