Winklepots's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:420
- Reviews Submitted:36
- First Review:December 10, 2011
- Most Recent Review:November 26, 2012
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Overall rating
4
/
5
For the HO Lover, 'Cause there's a LOT
PostedApril 30, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
There are two modes of gameplay, I chose to play on Expert, but HO scenes are still indicated with sparkles. The majority of the game is HO scenes with a few puzzles. The puzzles aren't too challenging, though some will be slightly harder than others. No need for a walk through though, just keep clicking. :o) There's also not a whole of of backtracking to use an object, which is nice.
Voiceovers and graphics are nice, though the music can get a little repetitive/annoying, I never muted it though. There's actually one HO scene, I think in the back courtyard, that had really pleasant music and I enjoyed that one the most.
The story is a little meh; long lost princess returns to save her kingdom from an evil sorceress. It's still a fun game to play though.
Overall game playing time was probably around 2.5 hours, so it's not a really long game, but it is an easy going stroll when you just want to sit back and enjoy something without stressing over brain teasers. Stop and enjoy the scenery. I would recommend as a DD or a COW, but save your credits for something else.
Happy Gaming! :o)
I recommend this game!
Special Enquiry Detail: Engaged to Kill
Help detectives Turino and Lamote investigate the case of the brutal bride murderer.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Worth Investigating
PostedApril 28, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I played and enjoyed the first one, so gave this one a go. Yes, there are some annoying bits, like repeat dialogue if you click on it again, but it's not that hard to just click through it. I also didn't find it difficult to figure out what to do next, there is a task list. This is not a hand holding game; you will have to figure out what to do without always being told or given sparkles.
I enjoyed the storyline, the HO scenes and most of the mini games. There was one mini game where it would have been nice if there had been an indicator letting you know you were "warmer" to getting the image decoded. I could see the image but had no idea if it looked "exactly" like what they were looking for. I clicked the skip button and mine looked almost exact to the end result. I also agree that the cabin HO scene with the drawers is kind of annoying but challenging.
This is a really fun game, especially if you like Law and Order. You feel like you're playing out an episode as one of the detectives. I enjoyed it. It's also just as "graphic" as the show, so be warned. You'll also probably figure out "who done it" halfway through, but it's still fun to catch the bad guy.
Before writing off this game, at least try the demo. Hey, that's what it's there for.
I recommend this game!
After inheriting a manor in England, you begin to explore the Kangale Estate and discover its history!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 26 found this review helpful
An IHOG That Goes BUMP in the Night
PostedApril 28, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really enjoyed this game. The graphics, music, sounds, storyline, all very engaging and well done. Help solve the mysterious death of a poltergeist inhabiting your inherited manor and help them find peace. Nothing too scary or graphic in this game, but not for the young ones. It does have that eerie something-may-pop-out at any given moment feel, and sometimes they do.
There are three modes of play, casual, advanced and expert modes. I played on Advanced which has slow hint recharge but HO scenes are still highlighted. No other indicators. I only used the hint button maybe 4 times during the entire game; most HO scenes I was able to find everything without help. I didn't need a walk through and the overall time I spent playing the game was about 3.5 hours. Only a couple of puzzles in this one, nothing too difficult. Mostly hidden object scenes and using objects to obtain goals.
The only downside to this game was the length.
Clearly there will be a sequel but I'm bummed that I'm going to have to wait. :oP
A definite must own/play.
I recommend this game!
Set the fairies of earth, air, fire and water free, and restore the book of magic!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
If You Liked the First, This One's Even Better!
PostedApril 9, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I enjoyed the first 4 Elements game, and this one expands on it. You still have all 4 elements, fairies, chapters, books to finish but there are additional puzzles within the match game and the chapter puzzles vary instead of them all being HO scenes. There are riddles, puzzles, spot the difference, slider games, tube connecting and HO scenes. A nice variety to keep it interesting.
The graphics are so pretty. Very fun, whimsical and I dare say kind of magical.
This game is also HOURS of fun. I'm on the last few chapters and have already been playing 4-5 hours.
The game gets progressively more challenging with the levels and I've had to repeat a couple of them because I ran out of time.
Definitely get this one if you enjoyed the first. Well done! Would also be a great game for someone younger, though they may get frustrated with the slider games within.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Interesting Story but Too Short!
PostedApril 9, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I just finished playing this game (note that I have not played the first) and I will say that it's a sweet love story. A little of an unbelievable plot. How everyone managed to stay in the dark for decades is beyond me. But in any event, a nice love story.
Go with Sandie to clear out her parents old beach house while she reminisces about a past love and tragedy. It's a mix of HO scenes, a couple of puzzles, and using objects from your inventory.
Pros:
I like that you will do puzzles in the current time and then do some in past memories. It's a nice way to get the back story while moving forward.
The graphics and music are in a word: lovely. Beautifully illustrated and the music ties in so nicely with the theme. Very peaceful.
You can choose either casual or expert modes. I played on expert and only used the hint button a couple of times during HO scenes and didn't skip any puzzles.
I like that you will do puzzles in the current time and then do some in past memories. It's a nice way to get the back story while moving forward.
The graphics and music are in a word: lovely. Beautifully illustrated and the music ties in so nicely with the theme. Very peaceful.
You can choose either casual or expert modes. I played on expert and only used the hint button a couple of times during HO scenes and didn't skip any puzzles.
Cons:
This game is REALLY SHORT! I played the one hour demo and then finished the game about an hour later.
The puzzles are not very challenging at all. If you're looking for a challenge, this game isn't for you.
This game is REALLY SHORT! I played the one hour demo and then finished the game about an hour later.
The puzzles are not very challenging at all. If you're looking for a challenge, this game isn't for you.
Overall, it's a lovely game; it's just too darn short which is a big downside for me. Don't use a game credit but a nice leisurely stroll with a DD.
I recommend this game!
Become the manager of some of the world`s leading beach resorts in Paradise Beach, a fun and exciting Strategy game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 27 found this review helpful
Not My Cup of Tea
PostedMarch 29, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
You get to design your own beach escapes by constructing bars, volleyball courts, showers, fruit stands, etc, all to help bring people to your beach and hopefully give you a favorable review.
Each level has a list of goals to accomplish while trying to accommodate guest demands on top of that, and saving others from drowning. You'll also need to constantly repair things that have broken down. You can hire employees but I have to say that I missed a lot of how to do things as dialogue is interjected mid-level and gameplay does not stop so you can read.
With so much going on all at once, I found it to be annoyingly overwhelming. As soon as I would start to design an area, someone would be drowning and I'd have to search all over trying to find them. Let me tell you, the drowning sound gets old really quick.
I love the design aspect of this game and wish I could have taken my time making things the way I wanted without feeling rushed to meet other people's needs. Ideally, each level would start without customers so I could design, then they would be allowed in and I could add on as needed.
Too hectic, in a bad way, for my tastes.
I don't recommend this game.
Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles
Charles Baskerville is the latest victim of a centuries-old curse! Help Holmes break the curse before the next murder occurs!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Wonderfully Challenging and Intriguing
PostedMarch 27, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
"Far from elementary, my dear Watson, but a challenge worth accepting!"
I love a good, challenging game and this one did not disappoint. Help solve the mystery of the Baskerville Hound curse and free the ancestors on the family tree.
This is an IHOG adventure. You'll move around the estate, solve many puzzles, do a few HO scenes and find several objects needed to interact with. A little bit of everything and very well done.
I love a good, challenging game and this one did not disappoint. Help solve the mystery of the Baskerville Hound curse and free the ancestors on the family tree.
This is an IHOG adventure. You'll move around the estate, solve many puzzles, do a few HO scenes and find several objects needed to interact with. A little bit of everything and very well done.
Challenge: Most definitely. I played on Hard Mode, used only a couple of hints for HO scenes (p.s. a canteen is not a flask) and I didn't skip any of the puzzles. These are the types of puzzles that give you a sense of accomplishment when you've completed them without cheating or skipping. I did, however, use the walkthrough on Charles' door. That one is confusing even with the instructions. You can also earn badge rewards for completing things (ie 10 HO scenes without a hint, 3 puzzles without a skip, etc). I love the comments when you earn these too ("Wow, you're fabulous, perhaps we should take the skip away?"). Or something close to that effect. :o)
Options: Regular and Hard modes available. There is an interactive map of the estate showing you which areas have tasks and you can go right to them rather than having to wander back.
Length: I completed the game in 3.5 hours, but it felt a lot longer. I had a hard time not completing the game all in one sitting because the story was so interesting; I wanted to see how it all ended.
Graphics/Music: Both are good. I thought the graphics were clear enough that I didn't have issues in the HO scenes (no eye strain) and the music wasn't intrusive at all and fit well with the game play.
Overall Grade: A+ (I love the variety of things to do, the storyline and the overall execution of the game).
I recommend this game!
Cash in on crops, tend your animals, and rack up trophies in this exciting race to turn three acres into a thriving Time Management ranch.
Overall rating
5
/
5
72 of 89 found this review helpful
One of My First and Faves
PostedMarch 26, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is one of the first games I played and purchased. I originally played it online and got sucked right in. Great time management game!
Challenge: The game gets progressively more challenging as you receive larger orders and expand your farm. Some levels towards the end may take a couple of tries, but it's doable. There are also trophys you can earn if you like an extra challenge, such as harvesting honey so many times without getting stung or planting a certain number of crop.
Graphics: Very good for a TM game. Cartoonish and fun.
Length: It will take you a while to complete the game, but this is one of the few games that has great replay value.
Overall Grade: A (Well done!!)
Tips: Be sure to place your beehives as far away from your clover as possible, giving you the best chance of not getting stung. Only harvest what you need to complete the level (you don't get bonus points for harvesting more). Build up a "supply" of extra crops/items so that come the Farmers Market, you can get harvest happy and rack up the points. Enjoy! :o)
I recommend this game!
Stop the evil Vansig family before they point their vengeful wrath at your friend Christine in Nightfall Mysteries: Black Heart!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Out There Story but Fun Game
PostedMarch 22, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I played the first two in this series; liked the first, didn't so much like the second, but really enjoyed the third. It had more of the creepy factor of the first game, like something will jump out at you at any given moment.
The family tree can get confusing, so thank goodness there's a puzzle laying it out for you. The story is kinda weird, bringing souls back from the dead, crazy experiments, etc, but the game is still a lot of fun to play.
The family tree can get confusing, so thank goodness there's a puzzle laying it out for you. The story is kinda weird, bringing souls back from the dead, crazy experiments, etc, but the game is still a lot of fun to play.
Graphics: Really nice and clear. I didn't struggle with any of the HO scenes.
Music: I really liked it. Added the right ambiance and I enjoyed listening to it during game play.
Options: There are 3 levels of play and I chose the moderate one, not knowing what to expect and just in case I wanted to skip some puzzles.
Challenge: Most of the puzzles and HO scenes are not overly challenging. I used the hint button 3 or 4 times during the entire game for the HO scenes. I do admit to skipping a couple of the puzzles, the blood vial one and another one, just because I didn't want to take the tedious time to figure them out; I wanted to get on with the game.
Length: A pretty long game. Quite a few hours. Worth the money for sure.
Play Again: Yes, definitely. And I'll probably take the time to solve those two puzzles I originally skipped.
Cons: The ending. It's all wrapped up pretty quick but I wasn't a fan of the detective giving a "free pass" to the lovers. He must be from Florida.
Overall Grade: A-
I recommend this game!
Take on the role of a lowly stagehand in an opera company tasked with solving a deadly mystery in an isolated village!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 9 found this review helpful
Okay as a Sequel, Better as a Stand Alone
PostedMarch 12, 2012
Winklepots
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I played the first Nightfall Mysteries Game about the Asylum and was excited to try out the sequel. Knowing the back story already, it wasn't difficult to figure out what was going on with the character histories. I will say that I wasn't a fan of the heroes, from the first one, this second time around. This was part of my rating for the game. I also wish they had kept the same look of the characters.
I missed the eerie spookiness that was in the first one. The graphics were more cartoonish in the sequel and while some of the music sounded creepy, it mostly reminded me of the Haunted House ride at Disneyland. Even the found object sound in the HO scenes sounded like Tinkerbell. "Look, Tink has found a dagger!"
The length was good but I will say several of the objects in the HO scenes are annoyingly well hidden that even after using a hint, you're still left thinking, "Really?! Really?!!" Also, the puzzles start easy but get more complicated with no help from hints ("I think I need to use the marbles"). Yeah, thanks, Sherlock. Then there's the downright "Where in the heck did you even get that number from" puzzle on the Count's Safe. Not a fun challenge; an aggravating one.
Perhaps it was just over the top revenge taken too far that left me wishing the entire lot of characters had perished, but this just wasn't near as good as the first and left a Blech taste in my mouth.
Get if you're curious about the continuing storyline to the series but use a credit or wait for a DD on this one.
Overall Grade: C
I recommend this game!