monkeyface881's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:379
- Reviews Submitted:12
- First Review:November 29, 2011
- Most Recent Review:May 4, 2016
- Featured reviews0
In this reality TV show, find out if a series of mishaps is the result of cheating competitors or something really beyond this world.
Overall rating
1
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Not a nancy drew game.
PostedMay 4, 2016
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Large File, Strategy
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
Some reviewers have been absolutely spot on- this is by far the weakest game of the Nancy Drew series. Bland characters, no storyline to speak of, choppy graphics, repetitive bland music (playing at really irrelevant moments) no mystery or clear goals.
I was thoroughly disappointed as a hardcore Nancy Drew Fan; this is clearly NOT a Nancy Drew Mystery Game. It is a poorly conceived amalgamation of mediocre puzzles, stitched choppily together with an incoherent and unclear attempt at a storyline.
Even the 'competitive style' tasks were woefully inadequate- it was not clear how point scoring system worked, or how to accumulate more points. The 'games palace' had no effect on point scoring, you could only find points cards in a few locations, or buy a few extra point cards at the auction house.
A waste of my time, plot did not develop or get explained. I'm glad I didn't pay full price on manufacturer's website!!
Don't play if you are a Nancy Drew adventure game fan- this is one game you can afford to miss!
I don't recommend this game.
After your son, Bobby, mysteriously disappears, it's up to you to find him in Surface: The Mystery of Another World!
Overall rating
3
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
The game tries... but is only 'okay'.
PostedJuly 1, 2012
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I just completed this game (SE) on casual mode, it took me perhaps 4 hours to complete.
I found the storyline/ voice acting and human actors to be very cheesy, trying too hard to be 'epic' and in the end it came off as rather weak. Also it put me off that the voice acting was not synchronised with the characters in the cutscenes.
Hidden object scenes were in every location (which I found a bit too frequent) and were junkpiled. The plus side of the hidden object scenes were that the graphics were clear. I gave up on seriously trying to find objects (as I got bored of too many H0 scenes) and ended up clicking ALL items... 9 times out of 10 I got an object!
I liked the idea of using items in your inventory to complete some hidden object scenes... but I found that I would have to leave the scenes halfway completed until MUCH later when I could finally get the object to complete the scene... by which point I was wondering round all locations trying to remember WHERE the hidden object scene was.
Puzzles were okay, nothing particularly special.
Hint button can be used outside of hidden object scenes- but they give too much information away. At some points they contain too many steps and it just serves to confuse.
Overall it was just OK for me, nothing special.
I found the storyline/ voice acting and human actors to be very cheesy, trying too hard to be 'epic' and in the end it came off as rather weak. Also it put me off that the voice acting was not synchronised with the characters in the cutscenes.
Hidden object scenes were in every location (which I found a bit too frequent) and were junkpiled. The plus side of the hidden object scenes were that the graphics were clear. I gave up on seriously trying to find objects (as I got bored of too many H0 scenes) and ended up clicking ALL items... 9 times out of 10 I got an object!
I liked the idea of using items in your inventory to complete some hidden object scenes... but I found that I would have to leave the scenes halfway completed until MUCH later when I could finally get the object to complete the scene... by which point I was wondering round all locations trying to remember WHERE the hidden object scene was.
Puzzles were okay, nothing particularly special.
Hint button can be used outside of hidden object scenes- but they give too much information away. At some points they contain too many steps and it just serves to confuse.
Overall it was just OK for me, nothing special.
I don't recommend this game.
Guide Ethan Black as he attempts to rescue his bride-to-be from a terrifying menace known as the Faceless Ones!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Thoroughly satisfying
PostedJune 29, 2012
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Strategy, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Having been overwhealmed by IHOGS lately, I decided to give this game a trial anyway as it caught my eye and looked a little different to the gereric stream of IHOGS.
I got well and truly hooked in the demo- enough that I didn't realise my time was up and I just had to purchase and play the entire game instantly after! :P
The music, atmosphere, graphics are delicious and really help to immerse you into a compelling storyline. It is very remeniscant of 'Mystery Trackers: Black Isle' and 'Grim Facade: Mystery of Venice' with the concept of the "Masked phantom" antagonist.
The atmosphere is quite eerie and a little tense which makes you jump in some parts when characters pop on the screen to speak to you!
Puzzles are fairly frequent and are quite diverse. For the most part they are managably solvable without having to hint or skip.
Hidden object scenes are more frequent, and while I personally could have done with less- they were still enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the more interactive hidden objects e.g painting something to get an object, but unfortunately this was only available in the demo.
The game as a whole was very satisfying to complete and very addictive to play. I could not stop this game at all and played it completely in one sitting! It took perhaps 6 hours for me to complete on casual mode.
I wasn't too keen on the mix of voice acting and written dialogue as it was inconsistent.
The cut scenes were beautifully executed.
An excellent game on the high end of the IHOG genre!
I got well and truly hooked in the demo- enough that I didn't realise my time was up and I just had to purchase and play the entire game instantly after! :P
The music, atmosphere, graphics are delicious and really help to immerse you into a compelling storyline. It is very remeniscant of 'Mystery Trackers: Black Isle' and 'Grim Facade: Mystery of Venice' with the concept of the "Masked phantom" antagonist.
The atmosphere is quite eerie and a little tense which makes you jump in some parts when characters pop on the screen to speak to you!
Puzzles are fairly frequent and are quite diverse. For the most part they are managably solvable without having to hint or skip.
Hidden object scenes are more frequent, and while I personally could have done with less- they were still enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the more interactive hidden objects e.g painting something to get an object, but unfortunately this was only available in the demo.
The game as a whole was very satisfying to complete and very addictive to play. I could not stop this game at all and played it completely in one sitting! It took perhaps 6 hours for me to complete on casual mode.
I wasn't too keen on the mix of voice acting and written dialogue as it was inconsistent.
The cut scenes were beautifully executed.
An excellent game on the high end of the IHOG genre!
I recommend this game!
Help Sam rescue his love Anna in Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome, an incredible Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Excellent game
PostedMay 11, 2012
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
If you are a diehard IHOG gamer, valuing quality graphics, huge locations to explore, long gameplay, excellent puzzles, chilling and atmospheric music and excellent voice acting: this game REALLY hits the spot!
I was hooked as soon as I trialled it. An absolute gem of a game- up there with Return to ravenhearst!
I was hooked as soon as I trialled it. An absolute gem of a game- up there with Return to ravenhearst!
Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars
When Nico Collard is invited to interview statesman Pierre Carchon, she finds herself drawn into a terrifying conspiracy!
Overall rating
5
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Old style adventure- you can't beat it!
PostedDecember 3, 2011
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Having played this game when if first came out around 10 years ago, I was captivated, spellbound and absolutely in love with it. George Stobbart's character is SO funny and dialogue with other characters made me laugh aloud. Storyline is strong and mysterious, wrapping you up in its spell. Artwork was beautiful, music and sound quality were great.
10 years later I am still every bit in love with this game as I first was, and more so with the addition of extra gameplay in this 'Directors cut'. Fair enough, graphics look quite grainy and old in comparison to modern games, but it by no means diminishes the artwork or the quality of the entire game. This game is the epitome of a classic adventure game and still has the power to enthrall players.
If you are not a fan of 'classic' adventure games (lots of dialogue and walking around to different locations) then perhaps this is not the game for you. It requires dedication and TIME to play in order to appreciate it fully and should not be rushed.
10 years later I am still every bit in love with this game as I first was, and more so with the addition of extra gameplay in this 'Directors cut'. Fair enough, graphics look quite grainy and old in comparison to modern games, but it by no means diminishes the artwork or the quality of the entire game. This game is the epitome of a classic adventure game and still has the power to enthrall players.
If you are not a fan of 'classic' adventure games (lots of dialogue and walking around to different locations) then perhaps this is not the game for you. It requires dedication and TIME to play in order to appreciate it fully and should not be rushed.
I recommend this game!
After discovering a new system of caves, the entire town is excited to explore, until Suzy is kidnapped by a mechanical beast!
Overall rating
5
/
5
94 of 116 found this review helpful
Great fun!
PostedDecember 2, 2011
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Just completed this game and I thought it was great! I highly recommend playing this game in sequence though, just to get to grips with the storyline.
Artwork/graphics is nice, love the mechanical puppetry!
Music is great, a little repetitive but has some lovely tunes- I would bob my head along to some of them!
Puzzles are challenging and fun, highly enjoyable.
A little too heavy on the hidden object scenes for my taste at some points. For example, I had just completed a hidden object scene, when suddenly I had to complete another hidden object scene in exactly the same place as I had just searched.
It was a very good length of gameplay for a standard game, I was impressed!
Artwork/graphics is nice, love the mechanical puppetry!
Music is great, a little repetitive but has some lovely tunes- I would bob my head along to some of them!
Puzzles are challenging and fun, highly enjoyable.
A little too heavy on the hidden object scenes for my taste at some points. For example, I had just completed a hidden object scene, when suddenly I had to complete another hidden object scene in exactly the same place as I had just searched.
It was a very good length of gameplay for a standard game, I was impressed!
I recommend this game!
It's important to know when to investigate and when to seek shelter in Nancy Drew: The Trail of the Twister!
Overall rating
2
/
5
39 of 44 found this review helpful
Disappointed...
PostedDecember 1, 2011
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Having played most the Nancy Drew games to date, I have to say this was one of my least favourite for the following reasons:
*Too short- there is very little to solve and it felt like the developers were trying to spread out an already shortened story.
*Repetetive and boring puzzles- There were just not enough puzzles to solve and the ones you did have to solve were repeated several times during the game. I was sick to death of the 'mouse trapping' puzzle, there was only ONE arcade game with very little variation and the 'circuit board connecting' puzzle was dull.
*"Go to bed Nancy!"- I can't tell you how much that annoyed me! No sooner than you have started the day and done a few tasks, than you are told that it is 'bed time'! True- you can still go out and do other things, but it seems that as soon as you have completed the main tasks that move along the storyline that the day has to end in order to move to the next part of the story.
*There is NO clock or indication to show time passing- I like knowing the time in the game and being able to set the alarm for midnight and sneak round the house!
*Driving- I HATE, repeat, HATE driving Nancy round. Did they not learn their mistake from 'Ransom of the Seven Ships'? It's not as though there are any fun locations to go to apart from 'Ma and Pa's' shop. Plus it's a HUGE driving area for no reason!
*Lack of Nancy's bedroom- Part of the fun in ND games is looking around Nancy's bedroom, finding clues, recieving messages from under the door, changing your outfit, eavesdropping through to the next room, waking up in the middle of the night or just being able to hold a private phone conversation which you DON'T have to go outside for! I can't believe the dev's didn't include Nancy's bedroom! Total wasted opportunity to add more liveliness to this game!
*Limited ways to find coins- There are only 3 ways to get coins in this game: building circuits, playing the arcade game or finding the odd penny here and there. LIMITED and REPETITIVE!
*Only 2 people to talk to on the phone, and none of them Bess, George or Ned! and NO phone hints!!
*Repetetive and boring puzzles- There were just not enough puzzles to solve and the ones you did have to solve were repeated several times during the game. I was sick to death of the 'mouse trapping' puzzle, there was only ONE arcade game with very little variation and the 'circuit board connecting' puzzle was dull.
*"Go to bed Nancy!"- I can't tell you how much that annoyed me! No sooner than you have started the day and done a few tasks, than you are told that it is 'bed time'! True- you can still go out and do other things, but it seems that as soon as you have completed the main tasks that move along the storyline that the day has to end in order to move to the next part of the story.
*There is NO clock or indication to show time passing- I like knowing the time in the game and being able to set the alarm for midnight and sneak round the house!
*Driving- I HATE, repeat, HATE driving Nancy round. Did they not learn their mistake from 'Ransom of the Seven Ships'? It's not as though there are any fun locations to go to apart from 'Ma and Pa's' shop. Plus it's a HUGE driving area for no reason!
*Lack of Nancy's bedroom- Part of the fun in ND games is looking around Nancy's bedroom, finding clues, recieving messages from under the door, changing your outfit, eavesdropping through to the next room, waking up in the middle of the night or just being able to hold a private phone conversation which you DON'T have to go outside for! I can't believe the dev's didn't include Nancy's bedroom! Total wasted opportunity to add more liveliness to this game!
*Limited ways to find coins- There are only 3 ways to get coins in this game: building circuits, playing the arcade game or finding the odd penny here and there. LIMITED and REPETITIVE!
*Only 2 people to talk to on the phone, and none of them Bess, George or Ned! and NO phone hints!!
This game was ok, but unfortunately I found more faults and frustrations than actual enjoyment. I give it a grudging 2 out of 5 stars.
I don't recommend this game.
Nancy Drew: Ransom of the Seven Ships
Solve a 300-year-old Bahamian mystery to save your friend, Bess Marvin, from dangerous kidnappers in this Adventure game!
Overall rating
3
/
5
23 of 30 found this review helpful
Not the best Nancy Drew game
PostedDecember 1, 2011
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I was so looking forward to this game but it was disappointing. The driving and sailing mini games (if they can even be called that) were dull and took up too much time. A lot of the puzzles were ridiculous and I frequently had to consult a walkthrough to complete them, which took out a lot of the enjoyment for me and the satisfaction of having completed a puzzle by myself. It was okay, but far inferior to other Nancy Drew games.
I also missed having other characters to talk to- George is your main source of communication, and thats pretty much it.
Graphics are excellent, voice acting also, but that's all it has going for it.
I also missed having other characters to talk to- George is your main source of communication, and thats pretty much it.
Graphics are excellent, voice acting also, but that's all it has going for it.
I don't recommend this game.
Emma`s soul is free. But a dark secret still lurks in Ravenhearst Manor. Return to Ravenhearst to continue this tale of twisted love.
Overall rating
5
/
5
77 of 99 found this review helpful
An absolute classic and still a cut above the rest.
PostedDecember 1, 2011
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This is easily my absolute favourite game in the casual game market.
The storyline is gripping and you sit riveted, eager to unravel more and more!
Music is astounding- The Berlin Film Orchestra have created a perfect soundtrack to accompany the creepy, sad, lonely atmosphere, greatly adding to the whole feel of the game.
*Puzzles- brilliant, challenging and varied. The first game of its kind to introduce the 'interactive' element of a hidden object game: being able to pick up or collect a hidden object item and use it to unlock or add to a puzzle.
*Hidden object scenes- fun, well hidden and not too overwhealming.
*Graphics- excellent! Clean and clear and the artwork is just divine.
Return to Ravenhearst has set the ultimate benchmark for game perfection, of which no game in my estimation has come close to matching it yet.
The storyline is gripping and you sit riveted, eager to unravel more and more!
Music is astounding- The Berlin Film Orchestra have created a perfect soundtrack to accompany the creepy, sad, lonely atmosphere, greatly adding to the whole feel of the game.
*Puzzles- brilliant, challenging and varied. The first game of its kind to introduce the 'interactive' element of a hidden object game: being able to pick up or collect a hidden object item and use it to unlock or add to a puzzle.
*Hidden object scenes- fun, well hidden and not too overwhealming.
*Graphics- excellent! Clean and clear and the artwork is just divine.
Return to Ravenhearst has set the ultimate benchmark for game perfection, of which no game in my estimation has come close to matching it yet.
I recommend this game!
The history of Ravenhearst Manor is shrouded in mystery. Unlock the secrets within this episode of Mystery Case Files™.
Overall rating
5
/
5
26 of 30 found this review helpful
Hidden objects and psychopaths... what's not to love?
PostedDecember 1, 2011
monkeyface881
fromUnited Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
This is an excellent hidden object game, it is very heavy on the hidden object side- so be warned. It also has a strong and exciting storyline (told through the medium of diary entries which are assembled like a torn paper jigsaw puzzles at the end of each chapter).
There are also some truly unique and inspired puzzles which are bonkers, yet brilliant and SO satisfying to complete!
This is the first game in the 'Ravenhearst' series and is just lovely! Graphics are a bit old/grainy but not too bad. Give it a trial!
There are also some truly unique and inspired puzzles which are bonkers, yet brilliant and SO satisfying to complete!
This is the first game in the 'Ravenhearst' series and is just lovely! Graphics are a bit old/grainy but not too bad. Give it a trial!
I recommend this game!