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 Sara find her missing husband and stop an evil pirate’s ancient curse in Mystery Case Files: 13th Skull!
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
Looking forward to happier times on Blue Bayou
PostedJanuary 2, 2012
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Review after finishing the game:
The Good:
+ graphics
+ very good integration of real people into the game...
+ ...who are handing out items to you
+ achievements
+ twists and turns
+ very good integration of real people into the game...
+ ...who are handing out items to you
+ achievements
+ twists and turns
The Neutral:
o some achievements "hidden" and some unnerving (metal detector!)
The Bad:
- characters' actions are not logical (why don't they help me?)
- riddles towards the end (roman numerals!) not explained at all
- am I a Detective who has authority over people or am I a bellboy / cook / butler / whatever???
- riddles towards the end (roman numerals!) not explained at all
- am I a Detective who has authority over people or am I a bellboy / cook / butler / whatever???
Bonus Content:
Very good length, seamlessly integrated at the end of the storyline. Rest of the boni nothing to write home about.
Bottom Line:
Not the great game that everybody was expecting, but not bad. Great graphics, lots to do.
I recommend this game!
Called into a small city from the capitol, you have been put in charge of solving a string of mysterious murders!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
A werewolf murder mystery... or is it not?
PostedJanuary 2, 2012
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Review after finishing the game:
The Good:
+ good graphics
+ game length
+ very clear where to use found objects
+ in some hidden object scenes found objects are not put back...
+ game length
+ very clear where to use found objects
+ in some hidden object scenes found objects are not put back...
The Neutral:
o ...but in the majority of the scenes they are
o mostly easy riddles...
o would have liked a "Scene clear" and a map, that would have saved a lot of time
o mostly easy riddles...
o would have liked a "Scene clear" and a map, that would have saved a lot of time
The Bad:
- ...save for one slider puzzle (they are not my forte)
- BAD voice acting!
- abrupt ending
- BAD voice acting!
- abrupt ending
Bottom Line: Good game with an ending that leaves something to be desired. Also, can we please get rid of the "classic" riddles soon? I can't even remember how often I had to forge something together or - even worse - had to fumble a key out of a lock and retrieve it with a mat or a newspaper.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
87 of 102 found this review helpful
Another Edgar Allen Poe story made into a game
PostedDecember 22, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Review after finishing the game:
The Good:
+ long game
+ adequate graphics
+ classic Edgar Allen Poe Story (which I did not know before)...
+ that for some reason sent some chills down my spine, even though there was nothing scary about it
+ good mixture of puzzles ranging from the brain dead easy to the impossible (slider puzzle)
+ adequate graphics
+ classic Edgar Allen Poe Story (which I did not know before)...
+ that for some reason sent some chills down my spine, even though there was nothing scary about it
+ good mixture of puzzles ranging from the brain dead easy to the impossible (slider puzzle)
The Neutral:
o Items are put back into a given hidden object scene
o would have liked a minimap for fast movement...
o ...and a little "Area clear" sign
o would have liked a minimap for fast movement...
o ...and a little "Area clear" sign
The Bad:
- Items not true to size
- Some riddles make no sense: Why not just move the rocking chair aside instead of building a contraption? Why do I have to light one candle on a chandelier (how do I reach it when one scene later I can't climb a fountain?) and the next in a chimney (chandelier doesn't work on the second candle)?
- lots of senseless running around to find something to do in a scene
- Some riddles make no sense: Why not just move the rocking chair aside instead of building a contraption? Why do I have to light one candle on a chandelier (how do I reach it when one scene later I can't climb a fountain?) and the next in a chimney (chandelier doesn't work on the second candle)?
- lots of senseless running around to find something to do in a scene
Bottom Line: Despite some quirks that wouldn't have been necessary this one is a very good game.
I recommend this game!
Stop a mysterious illness that is causing an entire village to rapidly age! Find the cause and find a missing young girl!
Overall rating
5
/
5
91 of 93 found this review helpful
"The Devil's Music" (but no violin hidden in a statue ;-) )
PostedDecember 20, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Review after finishing the game.
The Good:
+ long game, good value for your money
+ finally a developer who puts some effort into cut scene videos!
+ and finally a developer who does not put hidden objects back into the scene when repeating them *standing ovations*
+ very clear instructions what you have to do where (objects found are usually used close by or even in the same room)
+ Storyline ends in a possible TBC, but closes off satisfactorily.
+ finally a developer who puts some effort into cut scene videos!
+ and finally a developer who does not put hidden objects back into the scene when repeating them *standing ovations*
+ very clear instructions what you have to do where (objects found are usually used close by or even in the same room)
+ Storyline ends in a possible TBC, but closes off satisfactorily.
The Neutral:
o puzzles (on regular mode) mostly very easy, save for one slider that I had to skip
o are those ghosts meant to be scary? they are not
o are those ghosts meant to be scary? they are not
The Bad:
- Atmosphere: city changes its name from Paris to some French province town
- ...which has a "Union Street"... in France! Yeah, right.
- The "Bad Guy" could have played a bigger role, especially after the threat when entering the concert house.
- ...which has a "Union Street"... in France! Yeah, right.
- The "Bad Guy" could have played a bigger role, especially after the threat when entering the concert house.
Bottom Line: Very good IHOG. Recommended to buy.
I recommend this game!
Travel down the world famous Route 66 with Madeleine Mayflower, as she takes a much needed vacation from motorcycle racing!
Overall rating
1
/
5
23 of 28 found this review helpful
Ridiculously short game about one of the world's most famous routes
PostedDecember 19, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Unlike other forum reviewers, who finished the entire game in as low as 40 minutes, I only got to Oklahoma during the hour, but I had trouble finding some objects, played the minigames (all repetitive three of them!) and read the facts.
I love those HOGs where you learn facts about places. However, a screen before the level with a wall of text? What I would have liked is a little video about the place, or show me photos, and read those texts for me!
If the game showed more effort on presentation, and gave me more interesting places in the mentioned cities to find instead of run-of-the-mill boring ones I would have bought it. This way? Pass.
BTW: Since when is a fire extinguisher a "cylinder"?
I don't recommend this game.
Rasputin's Curse
Help Lora unravel the secrets of her family’s history in Rasputin’s Curse, a mind-bending Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
28 of 32 found this review helpful
Ra-Ra-Rasputin, Lover of the Russian... now wait a minute!
PostedDecember 19, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I read good reviews about the game when it came out and played the demo hour.
Ahm, yes, what can I say... the game is... how shall I put it... not so great. The spoken introduction started good, then wall of text... click... wall of text... click... picture... click... wall of text... click... animated picture... click... ah, a hidden object scene!
Hey, this one actually makes sense! I have to clean up the stuff junior left behind. Then I have to pack his things for his visit to grandma. In short, yes, the HOG scenes in general have something to do with the task at hand and items are in kinda believable places, even if a bit small from time to time. Hints are recharging fast.
But then the story kicks in. I won't go into detail here, but during the hour I went "Eh WOT???" more than once, and when I checked how much I've played to determine game length (about 2/3 of the way, leading to an effective game time of 90 minutes which is way too short for me) and checked out the rest of the story at the prime site for walkthroughs. And this was no longer "EH WOT???" but rather "ARE YOU KIDDING ME???"
I don't recommend this game.
Valerie Porter and the Scarlet Scandal
Become a young, aspiring reporter in the 1920`s looking for a big story. Can you crack the case and finally be a top reporter?
Overall rating
5
/
5
22 of 22 found this review helpful
Very good Murder HOG
PostedDecember 17, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Review after finishing the game:
The Good:
+ Good crime story.
+ While the HOG scenes are kinda junk pile the rooms look a lot more believable than comparable games.
+ Most items you have to find have something to do with the storyline (e.g. find all parts of a typewriter that you have to prepare, or dress Valerie up so she can go to the newspaper)
+ achievement system (medals), although there could be more than just "finished chapter XX"
+ Back then when I played I haven't seen some of the minigames in other games yet.
+ Voices! YAY! :-)
+ Linkage system makes some clues easy to find...
+ While the HOG scenes are kinda junk pile the rooms look a lot more believable than comparable games.
+ Most items you have to find have something to do with the storyline (e.g. find all parts of a typewriter that you have to prepare, or dress Valerie up so she can go to the newspaper)
+ achievement system (medals), although there could be more than just "finished chapter XX"
+ Back then when I played I haven't seen some of the minigames in other games yet.
+ Voices! YAY! :-)
+ Linkage system makes some clues easy to find...
The Bad:
- ...maybe even too easy
- Now that they got the voices nailed, next stop: Mimics and lip-synced talking. The Nancy Drew programmers got that down, so developers, check out the ND Games. ;-)
- Now that they got the voices nailed, next stop: Mimics and lip-synced talking. The Nancy Drew programmers got that down, so developers, check out the ND Games. ;-)
Bottom Line: When IHOGs and HOPAs weren't common this game shook up the straight HOGs. Definitely check it out.
I recommend this game!
An unseen prankster plagues the exclusive Redondo Spa! Now it’s up to you, as Nancy Drew, to stop them before the clients retreat!
Overall rating
5
/
5
45 of 48 found this review helpful
An explosive Beauty Resort
PostedDecember 17, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I really enjoyed Lights, Camera, Curses! already so it was a no-brainer to buy it when I got another credit.
It did not disappoint this time either. The case at the beauty farm follows the same principle as the first dossier: Find all the clues in a picture, then match up logical pairs. Match chains for more points, break the chain and you start with 50 points again for the next match.
Strewn in are some mini games, which can be replayed when you finish the game: defusing bombs, applying a beauty mask, match letters and match molecule colours.
In general you get enough text hints to know what to match up; if you are helpless finding clues, you get two hints per completed scene, which show you where to find objects. The defuse minigame can be hard due to a low time limit, but you can replay it even if the bomb detonates.
Hard passages in the game:
- Connect phone callers (had to start the game 10 times before I made it through)
- find Greek mythology pairs in the labyrinth (needed Wikipedia for that)
- find Greek mythology pairs in the labyrinth (needed Wikipedia for that)
Verdict: Top notch voice acting, and they try to do emotions in the little pictures. Bought it, did not disappoint. Went back to play some minigames for fun.
I recommend this game!
Help Nancy Drew solve the ancient secret behind a thief`s scarlet handprint. Follow long-buried secrets and solve the mystery!
Overall rating
2
/
5
18 of 32 found this review helpful
Bring a notepad... with many pages!
PostedDecember 17, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Well, this game came out in 2002 and unfortunately it shows. But let me start with the positive stuff:
+ nice story
+ voice acting spot on
+ as with all Nancy Drew games, mimicking caught perfectly
+ riddles challenging, not overly difficult
+ hints by Nancy's friends
+ voice acting spot on
+ as with all Nancy Drew games, mimicking caught perfectly
+ riddles challenging, not overly difficult
+ hints by Nancy's friends
But, unfortunately, there's negatives...
- Graphics are brutal. The game does not look like 2002, it looks like 1992 or earlier.
- The game has a whopping FIVE locations, four of which contain just ONE room!
- During the whole game you meet FOUR people (five if you count the male nurse).
- GAMEPLAY! Dear programmers, having to copy down everything was abandoned by role playing games circa 1985. Other genres mostly didn't even have it to begin with. Having to travel all the time between the museum and the hotel to check the computer? NO-GO! Why can't I have the laptop with me all the time? Quiz activities: Do you really expect that I (or a girl in your target group) read(s) a question, then run(s) all around the museum to find the answer, take a note, run(s) back, read(s) the second question, rinse and repeat??? Never! This is just bad game design and a case for tabbing out to a walkthrough - or for a photographic memory, which i don't have.
- The game has a whopping FIVE locations, four of which contain just ONE room!
- During the whole game you meet FOUR people (five if you count the male nurse).
- GAMEPLAY! Dear programmers, having to copy down everything was abandoned by role playing games circa 1985. Other genres mostly didn't even have it to begin with. Having to travel all the time between the museum and the hotel to check the computer? NO-GO! Why can't I have the laptop with me all the time? Quiz activities: Do you really expect that I (or a girl in your target group) read(s) a question, then run(s) all around the museum to find the answer, take a note, run(s) back, read(s) the second question, rinse and repeat??? Never! This is just bad game design and a case for tabbing out to a walkthrough - or for a photographic memory, which i don't have.
Bottom line: A good game, but major gameplay flaws drag it down. Issues are solved better by the PDA in later games.
I don't recommend this game.
Trail a wild pack of dogs rumored to have risen from the dead in this haunting Adventure mystery game.
Overall rating
4
/
5
28 of 33 found this review helpful
Vast Improvement over Scarlet Hand
PostedDecember 17, 2011
Laflamme
fromAustria
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Both "Secret of the Scarlet Hand" and "Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake" have been published in 2002. The first one in September, the other one in November. But during those months there must have been some kind of meeting at the developer that I am not allowed to name.
I criticized "Scarlet Hand" for having an ancient graphic, not much interaction with other characters and my biggest beef was that you had to travel back to the hotel all the time to look at your notes, thus having to write down everything and draw maps for yourself.
Now, what did they change in Moon Lake, Pennsylvania? Interaction is still at a minimum, you meet three people during the game. Graphics seem to be a little better, let's say instead of 1992 I would now say you can compare it to games from 1999. :-) But, big BUT, you get a Palm. So essentially you have your clues with you all the time - get stuck, have a look on the palm, you are on your way again. And suddenly the game is much less unnerving and much better.
The puzzles are fine, most of the time it's clear what you have to do - and you can always phone Bess, George and the Hardys, with the phone being in a convenient, central location. Scare factor is minimal though - you see the dogs once at the start of the game, then nothing until the showdown. When you find the culprit's diary it's also easy to figure out whose face will appear in the tunnel.
Bottom Line: Big improvement over the previous game, recommended as entry to the series.
I recommend this game!