Laflamme's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.7
- Helpful Votes:1,743
- Reviews Submitted:109
- First Review:November 28, 2011
- Most Recent Review:July 5, 2013
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Help Joe and Tom repair an old barn and prepare for the harsh winter in Barn Yarn, a unique mix of Hidden Object and simulation!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 10 found this review helpful
Barn Yawn?
PostedJuly 5, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Review based upon completion of the barn.
This is your standard "sell stuff to spruce up a building" game, in this case farmer Joe's barn. As usual, it's best not to think too much about sale prices - who would buy an envelope for $75 or an ordinary fly for $56? The same goes for things they installed in the barn...
The Good:
+ the game is quite long (and can be continued to earn more money)
+ the characters are funny (loved Tom wanting to play hide and seek with the dog, goes into hiding, and the dog goes to sleep)
+ game is kinda cute
+ some special levels ("Find 20 shoes" etc. - although "Find 57 leaves" was a bit stretching it)...
+ ...and some special search requirements (jumbled words, descriptions)
+ the characters are funny (loved Tom wanting to play hide and seek with the dog, goes into hiding, and the dog goes to sleep)
+ game is kinda cute
+ some special levels ("Find 20 shoes" etc. - although "Find 57 leaves" was a bit stretching it)...
+ ...and some special search requirements (jumbled words, descriptions)
The Bad:
- like I said above, some things just don't make sense... (who installs potted plants for $15000 in a barn, or a grandfather clock???)
- the outside of the barn is ignored and still looks kinda rundown in the end
- no mini games to bring some change into the treadmill
- the developer shamelessly plugs his other games during gameplay (at one time I was thrown out of the game and brought to the Big Fish site to encourage a download of Gardenscapes!)
- the outside of the barn is ignored and still looks kinda rundown in the end
- no mini games to bring some change into the treadmill
- the developer shamelessly plugs his other games during gameplay (at one time I was thrown out of the game and brought to the Big Fish site to encourage a download of Gardenscapes!)
Bottom Line: Yes, the game is cute, and delivers just what you expect from the genre. But Tales of Lagoona or Farmington Tales does it so much better! The constant ads for the developer's other games are a no-go for me. Not bad, but nothing more than average, and no recommendation from me.
I don't recommend this game.
Eerie music fills the air in Vienna, where shadows terrorize people in the streets. Two musical prodigies have gone missing. Can you save them without striking a single false note?
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Brat goes to make believe Austria
PostedJuly 3, 2013
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review based upon completion of game and bonus content.
This is the third (and possibly final?) installment of the Maestro series. Despite being stripped from power in the bonus chapter of part 2, Le Salle Gosse (the brat) is back. The showdown tales place in the Vienna Academy of the Arts, where two students have gone missing and the Music of Death is running rampart. The Austrian setting is fitting for classical music, but - of course - the portrayal of Austria itself has nothing to do with the country or the city of Vienna at all. (For example, we do NOT have flags on our mailboxes.)
The Good:
+ fitting setting
+ graphics and videos
+ beautiful classical music
+ you are controlling four different types of music
+ areas are logically finished and do not have to be revisited again, leaving the to-and-froing to a minimum
+ hint function now directs you to the next area with something to do instead of just giving the dreaded "There is nothing to do here" message
+ they tried something different with the HO scenes! In about 50% of the scenes you pick up items by silhouette, then manipulate things in the scene
+ already found items stay out of repeated HO scenes
+ 22 diverse mini games...
+ graphics and videos
+ beautiful classical music
+ you are controlling four different types of music
+ areas are logically finished and do not have to be revisited again, leaving the to-and-froing to a minimum
+ hint function now directs you to the next area with something to do instead of just giving the dreaded "There is nothing to do here" message
+ they tried something different with the HO scenes! In about 50% of the scenes you pick up items by silhouette, then manipulate things in the scene
+ already found items stay out of repeated HO scenes
+ 22 diverse mini games...
The Neutral:
o ...21 of which can be solved in 45 seconds or less
o setting was not researched properly
o setting was not researched properly
The Bad:
- they dumbed the game down
Bonus Content:
For a change the story has a satisfying end, and you actually do not have to play the final chapter to make any sense out of it. The chapter took me about an hour to play. Other than that, you get the usual stuff of artwork, screensaver, soundtrack and wallpapers... but HEY, wait a minute! In a Bunny first, you can replay the mini games and HO scenes! Also, you will find 25 musical instruments during the game (19 in the main game, 6 in the bonus chapter), and if you can find all of them the Orchestra of the Void (the killed guys from Notes of Life) will play a music piece for you. I really loved them.
Bottom Line: The Bunnies got graphics and videos down, and they finally listened and tried something different. And they really pulled it off this time, but dumbed it down so much that it's more or less always clear what to do next, and that you can solve 95% of all mini games within a minute without the necessity of thinking. I recommend getting the CE, but you will need to know the story from the first two games.
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
3 of 4 found this review helpful
LEAVE THE MANSION NOW! (said title giving message)
PostedJune 28, 2013
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based upon completion of the game in Junior Detective mode.
This is the third Nancy Drew game, released way back when in 2000, and is loosely based upon the book of the same name, according to Wikipedia (I haven't read the book). Nancy is summoned to San Francisco by the Drew housekeeper to help an old friend of hers renovating an old B&B. And solve some accidents that occurred there too. Helping out are Bess & George, Hannah Gruen and Emily Foxworth via phone.
By the way, did you notice that the last 4 digits of B&G's number spell out "HINT" and Hannah's digits spell "DREW"?
The Good:
+ 3 phone contacts (that are actually all helpful for a change)
+ 4 people to talk to
+ Lani does a good job as usual (although she sounds a bit strange in the introduction, epilogue and tutorial)
+ also, as usual, face animations are top notch
+ subtle scares (actually the guy screaming at the "Message" in the Let's play video was scarier than the entire game *g*)
+ two Easter eggs (found through the Wiki article)
+ 4 people to talk to
+ Lani does a good job as usual (although she sounds a bit strange in the introduction, epilogue and tutorial)
+ also, as usual, face animations are top notch
+ subtle scares (actually the guy screaming at the "Message" in the Let's play video was scarier than the entire game *g*)
+ two Easter eggs (found through the Wiki article)
The Neutral:
o you have to take down a lot of notes (Hint: especially the Chinese symbols and the zodiac!)
The Bad:
- the labyrinth game became tedious
- graphics are VERY old compared to today's standards
- graphics are VERY old compared to today's standards
Bottom Line: As one of the first ND games you will have to live with the old interface, not much support with taking hints and outdated graphics. If you can look past that it's still a good game in the series. I can recommend it for beginners as it's not that complicated and there are several walkthroughs and videos available around the net.
I recommend this game!
When Houdini’s promises of contact from beyond go unkept, his wife comes to you in a final plea to unravel his mysterious passing.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Be careful who you punch in the appendix
PostedJune 23, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based upon finished game with all but one achievement (although I ended up with 53 of 52 needed ravens).
This is the fourth Midnight Mystery and the only Deluxe Edition offered on this site, which means we do get a Strategy Guide with the game, but no bonus gameplay (save for unlimited mode). This time around it's about the famous magician Harry Houdini - his wife cannot contact him in the afterlife, and materializes in front of you so that you help her out and find her husband's murderers. What has Arthur Conan Doyle to do with that?
The Good:
+ nice story
+ achievements
+ unlimited mode (I strongly recommend to practice HO scenes in this mode to have a chance to finish one scene in less than one minute)
+ some baffling magic tricks
+ they try some scary stuff (no easily frightened, so didn't shriek, but some might so)
+ diverse mini games...
+ achievements
+ unlimited mode (I strongly recommend to practice HO scenes in this mode to have a chance to finish one scene in less than one minute)
+ some baffling magic tricks
+ they try some scary stuff (no easily frightened, so didn't shriek, but some might so)
+ diverse mini games...
The Neutral:
o ...but all of them require little to no thinking
o still no voiceovers
o only 7 different HO scenes
o still no voiceovers
o only 7 different HO scenes
The Bad:
- some achievements do not really work (I only got the 70 clovers one on the 76th clover, and did not get the raven one despite finding one more than required)
Bottom Line: This game holds up to the other parts in the series, but I was more interested in the Witch Trials and Mark Twain. I recommend reading Houdini's biography (at least on Wikipedia) to fully appreciate the game.
I recommend this game!
End the Charleston Curse before it wipes out an entire family and save a young girl in Witches’ Legacy: The Charleston Curse!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Witch on a killing spree
PostedJune 14, 2013
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Review based upon completion of the game.
So an American went to Germany, got to know a woman and brought her back home to marry her. Rather bad idea, as she turned out to be a witch. Now you got to learn that a little girl, a blood relative of yours, is in trouble, so it's up to you to sort out this mess.
The Good:
+ story told through crayon videos...
+ that also contain hints for the riddles
+ diverse mini games
+ Lynn's cute
+ that also contain hints for the riddles
+ diverse mini games
+ Lynn's cute
The Neutral:
o the so called "Bloksberg" is actually the "Blocksberg", or commonly known as "Brocken", a peak in the German Harz mountains
o you don't feel much threat, as you encounter the villainess only twice (you see her a bit more often, but it seems she isn't bothered by you)
o already found items are put back into repeating HO scenes
o you don't feel much threat, as you encounter the villainess only twice (you see her a bit more often, but it seems she isn't bothered by you)
o already found items are put back into repeating HO scenes
The Bad:
- the story is a bit out there (sneezing door knob???) and the integration of live actors is sometimes unintentionally funny
- graphics could be MUCH clearer in HO scenes
- graphics could be MUCH clearer in HO scenes
Bottom Line: The game is not too bad. The ending - though satisfying - seems a bit chopped off, maybe it's expanded more in the CE. If you are desperate for a new game it's okay, otherwise don't bother.
Travel across beautiful forests filled with mythical creatures! Find Ragnar's daughters and defeat the evil witch and her cruel servants!
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Ragnar the Horrible
PostedJune 11, 2013
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based upon completion of the game with all levels on 3 stars and 54 of 58 achievements.
King Ragnar comes back home from a "shopping trip" only to find that Gesta the evil witch kidnapped his three daughters. It's up to his majesty to avenge that and free his offspring through 45 levels (plus 1 bonus level per region if you finish every level with 3 stars), consisting of 15 each for Summer, Harvest and Winter, which coincidentally are also the daughters' names.
The Good:
+ three gameplay modes - regular, chaining, untimed
+ lenient time limit (sometimes I got 3 stars up to 10 seconds after that time ran out)
+ lots of achievements (a few of them are actually quite clever)
+ some levels offer a nice variation of the theme (especially the final one)
+ lenient time limit (sometimes I got 3 stars up to 10 seconds after that time ran out)
+ lots of achievements (a few of them are actually quite clever)
+ some levels offer a nice variation of the theme (especially the final one)
The Neutral:
o ...but most levels are the same old, same old
o Spiders in winter levels, but they are small and not scary at all
o I liked the Viking facts, but there were only like 5 different ones, and I believe some of them weren't even true, like the bathing (I am sure that with a bit more research the developers could have come up with more)
o Spiders in winter levels, but they are small and not scary at all
o I liked the Viking facts, but there were only like 5 different ones, and I believe some of them weren't even true, like the bathing (I am sure that with a bit more research the developers could have come up with more)
The Bad:
- sub par graphics
Bottom Line: I had to start this game three times, because I was plagued by access errors. The game ran without problems on the new hard disk. This game does nothing to really stand out in the genre, but it's a charming little game that shouldn't hurt anybody. If you are desperate for a new Time Management game you can do a lot worse than Northern Tale.
I recommend this game!
Travel back to the 18th century and uncover the secrets of bygone days with Golden Trails 2: The Lost Legacy!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
From Western to Pirate
PostedJune 8, 2013
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based upon completion of game and bonus content with all but 1 achievements.
In the first Golden Trails you matched pictures with Western scenes and manipulated objects with previously found ones, while solving a few puzzles and shooting up bad guys. In this second Golden Trails you match pictures with Pirate scenes and manipulate objects with previously found ones, while solving a few puzzles and shooting up bad guys. You see, there is a lot of new stuff there.
The Good:
+ interesting story
+ unlockable unlimited mode
+ achievements...
+ some of which can be solved in Unlimited mode
+ some voiceover...
+ unlockable unlimited mode
+ achievements...
+ some of which can be solved in Unlimited mode
+ some voiceover...
The Neutral:
o but only for one character
o puzzles are really easy
o most items not true to size
o puzzles are really easy
o most items not true to size
The Bad:
- more or less just the first game all over again
Bonus Content: Since the first game has practically the same bonus content I cannot judge what will be in the regular game and what not. However, if the "Secret 7th mission" is CE only you will need to get this version, as only this one will clear up the whole story.
Bottom Line: If you liked the first game and want more, get the game. If not, this game is for you if you are mostly into HO scenes, matching pictures in a list with the ones hidden in the scenes. If you didn't like the first one, steer clear. But as I said above, get this game - but only during a half price sale, as there is no reason to pay double the price for the same content you got in the first Golden Trails.
I recommend this game!
Follow the trail of the mysterious woman in white and discover the secret behind her terrible task!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Ice from Hel(l)
PostedMay 29, 2013
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based upon finishing the game and bonus chapter with all achievements.
This is the third Hallowed Legends game. And this time we really have a Hallowed Legend in the game: Hel, Norse Goddess of Death, who isn't actually that bad once you get to know her... but somebody found a Viking ship in a glacier, which led to all sorts of evil stuff happening and the world freezing over. Enter the player to save the world from very high heating and electricity bills.
The Good:
+ great graphics and very well done cutscenes
+ seamless integration of real actors
+ interactive map that shows you where there is something to do and lets you jump there
+ achievements (finally no difference for the modes of difficulty)
+ mostly clear HO scenes
+ story told through a raven was a nice touch
+ Book of Fire searches, way more lenient than Escape from Ravenhearst
+ seamless integration of real actors
+ interactive map that shows you where there is something to do and lets you jump there
+ achievements (finally no difference for the modes of difficulty)
+ mostly clear HO scenes
+ story told through a raven was a nice touch
+ Book of Fire searches, way more lenient than Escape from Ravenhearst
The Neutral:
o sometimes the map shows you locations with something to do while there really is not
The Bad:
- all characters do not move their lips while talking - you would expect that CEs provide that by now
Bonus Content: The Bonus chapter took me about an hour to complete. Hel did not make it back to her world so the ice is still there. You have to fix that situation. The usual mumbojumbo consists of 4 music pieces, wallpapers and concept art.
Bottom Line: This part really steps up the technical side of things and provides a really nice story that includes a major player of Norse mythology. However, since the regular game has a satisfying ending I wouldn't hold it against you if you just take the regular edition.
I recommend this game!
Find the Lost Regalia that will help Grandpa Scruff prove that he is the true Duke of Scrufford in The Scruffs 2: Return of the Duke!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
The ScROFLs
PostedMay 24, 2013
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Review based upon completion of the game.
When we left the Scruffs, which felt like eons ago, they found out that they are royalty and were on the way to the Duchy Scrafford. Arriving there, they found out that the Duke has a problem: If there is no rightful heir within 30 years and a day, the throne will go to somebody else. You have three guesses how much time has passed... Your goal: Find the 10 regalia needed to prove that the Duke is a rightful heir, within a day. But who is that hooded figure trying to sabotage you?
The Good:
+ consistent artwork through the whole game
+ FUNNY! easily the funniest game that I've played in a while
+ hooded figure mishaps!
+ voice-overs spot on!
+ Scruffy the dog as hint system (becomes more and more excited the closer you get to the item until he gives you the thumbs up)
+ game comes with a strategy guide and some bonus artwork
+ FUNNY! easily the funniest game that I've played in a while
+ hooded figure mishaps!
+ voice-overs spot on!
+ Scruffy the dog as hint system (becomes more and more excited the closer you get to the item until he gives you the thumbs up)
+ game comes with a strategy guide and some bonus artwork
The Neutral:
o basically it's always the same: Find 8-12 items, solve up to 3 HO scenes, then use your inventory items, repeat 9 times
o game too easy in general
o game too easy in general
The Bad:
- game is rather short
- Scruffy does not always help (especially if an item is in a location that you've missed)
- Scruffy does not always help (especially if an item is in a location that you've missed)
Bottom Line: If you are into lighthearted, funny games, you can't get much better than this one!
I recommend this game!
After being called to Paris, you find yourself in the middle of a shocking mystery involving an ancient werewolf hungry for revenge.
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
The Girl who cried Werewolf
PostedMay 23, 2013
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
My 100th review (thank you for all the "helpful" votes!) is based upon completion of the game and its bonus content.
This is the third part of the Shadow Wolf series. When we left Veronica, she was apparently saved from being a werewolf. Now grown up, she wants to marry, but the werewolf is back to give her lycanthropy.
The Good:
+ finally, the werewolf is slightly threatening
+ there is a nice twist in the story
+ some areas are locked off once you are done with them
+ graphics are up to the developer's usual standards
+ as with part two, some of the HO interactions are quite funny
+ items are not put back into repeated HO scenes
+ and there finally is a different sort of HO mode (interactive silhouette)
+ there is a nice twist in the story
+ some areas are locked off once you are done with them
+ graphics are up to the developer's usual standards
+ as with part two, some of the HO interactions are quite funny
+ items are not put back into repeated HO scenes
+ and there finally is a different sort of HO mode (interactive silhouette)
The Neutral:
o all mini puzzles are quite to ridiculously easy
o I had to use the hint function a lot to find out where to go next
o I had to use the hint function a lot to find out where to go next
The Bad:
- abrupt ending that is not quite clear
- the Detective acts like a brute, destroys and steals things
- illogical: you have to open a locked door, run around the house to get parts for it, open it, and in there is Veronica and does not even comment about apparently being locked in
- the Detective acts like a brute, destroys and steals things
- illogical: you have to open a locked door, run around the house to get parts for it, open it, and in there is Veronica and does not even comment about apparently being locked in
Bonus Content. It took me about 90 minutes to complete and recycles several locations from the game. It finishes the story, so if you play this game you will need to get the CE to fully understand it.
The rest is the usual run-of-the-mill soundtrack, artwork, screensaver and wallpapers.
Bottom Line: This game has less plot holes than Part 2, which makes it a bit better. Like I said above, to get the full plot you will need to play the CE.
I recommend this game!