43Colorado's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.4
- Helpful Votes:1,275
- Reviews Submitted:45
- First Review:February 27, 2013
- Most Recent Review:February 13, 2014
- Featured reviews0
Status:
You’re on a train in the middle of nowhere, and a band of dangerous thieves demand you tell them where to find the Hope Diamond’s shards. As the newest Hidden Expedition recruit, you’ve got to find the shards before they do…
Overall rating
5
/
5
60 of 69 found this review helpful
A Beautiful, Blue Gem of a Game!!
PostedDecember 19, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What fun! Eipix and the Smithsonian teaming up in one of my favorite game series, Hidden Expedition!
From the opening scenes as a prisoner on a train, to the flashback at the Smithsonian Castle, this game is a real treat. The pace of the game is fast and you won't get bored.
The puzzles are clever with new twists and incorporate fun historical aspects. You actually learn things without even trying---if only school could be so much fun.
The achievements in this CE are fun, plentiful, and some are quite challenging---Finish an HOP in less than 30 seconds! Not easy to do. Morphing objects, Smithsonian symbols, and cards to collect. Lots to keep your attention and challenge you.
Graphics are top notch, sound and music great, VOs well acted. The HOSs are multilevel and fun. There is a Help box that acts as your journal and is a nice update on the traditional journal. Hint button actually transports you to the correct area if you want.
And just a note: about two months ago I read a book on the Hope Diamond published by the Smithsonian Institute and authored by Richard Kurin. I suspect the devs met Mr. Kurin during the making of this game. Why? Because the man leaving the Smithsonian, hopping into the cab, and saying he's on his way to Antwerp Belgium at the beginning of the game could be Mr. Kurin! Almost twins!
Terrific game. You'll love it!
I recommend this game!
The mystical Silver Arrow has been stolen from you on the eve of your wedding. Without it, you can’t marry your beloved Prince Philip! Can you track down the arrow in time?
Overall rating
5
/
5
46 of 48 found this review helpful
Magical Mystery Journey! Find the Silver Arrow to Marry Your Prince!
PostedDecember 12, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This is the fourth game in the Spirits of Mystery series from ERS. Each game involves the next generation of Princesses and their journey to undo evil magic and put things right in the kingdom. This time your Silver Arrow of Betrothal has been stolen by an evil mage named Basil and you have one day to get it back. Your love, Prince Philip, and a cute fuzzy creature named Ramos, who can speak any language including animal languages, are there to help you out.
I really enjoy this series. Yes, it's the princess must save the kingdom story again, but no one does it better than ERS. They really know how to make a fairy tale beautiful, unique, and fun to play. Each game has a new heroine and new challenges to overcome. I find the games enchanting and great for all ages.
To begin, the graphics and artwork are unsurpassed. Just gorgeous to look at with tons of detail in each scene. I love the look of this game. This CE has achievements to earn and colored pearls to collect. You have a Tower you get to renovate and decorate---the pearls help you pay for this. The journal is better than average. Lots of good story background which really adds to the game. The journal also contains magical recipes you use to create potions that help you solve the game. I recommend you take the time to read the journal as you play: it will really add to the experience. The HOSs are silhouette and place the object types. The puzzles are of medium difficulty. There's also an interactive map to help you move quickly through the game.
This is a fun and beautiful fairy tale for the whole family to enjoy. Buy it!
I recommend this game!
Everyone deserves a second chance – even the stingiest of them all.
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 15 found this review helpful
Save Scrooge from Himself and His Destiny!
PostedDecember 5, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on demo.
Your Uncle Scrooge asks for your help and despite his past treatment of you, you agree. You are his only relative, after all. When you arrive at his mansion an angel tells you in order to save Scrooge you need to change his past. Time travel begins.
Last year Elephant games brought us Nutcracker for Christmas and it was spectacular. One of the best games of the year. This game is good, but not as good. Part of the problem is rewriting Dickens' classic tale. The original is just perfect in my opinion and I reread it every holiday season to remind me what the true spirit of Christmas is all about. That being said, I'm still buying this game.
The graphics and artwork are topnotch, as expected with Elephant games. This is a true CE with lots of challenging achievements to earn and adorable morphing penguins to collect. There is a miniature devil Scrooge with which to contend and an angelic Scrooge who helps you by bringing to life inanimate objects. There are some nice animations. One is an ice imp who runs from one room to another as you chase him through the different scenes. Of course you have an interactive map and the Hint button can transfer you directly to the area of activity.
As another reviewer stated, there are a number of anachronisms. This is supposed to be Victorian England and the anachronisms detract from the game. Still, the holiday spirit comes through and I enjoyed the game and will buy it.
I recommend this game!
Secret Trails: Frozen Heart Collector's Edition
Your surprise visit is ruined by a blizzard. Who caused it, and what does he want with your little sister?
Overall rating
5
/
5
78 of 92 found this review helpful
Evil Weathermaster Runs Amok!
PostedNovember 23, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo.
With his complete control over the weather, the Weathermaster has become drunk with power. He has kidnapped your sister Emma and locked her in his castle. July has turned to January and you have to battle snow and ice and devious booby traps to save Emma and restore summer. Get going!
Yes, it’s a variation on the same old story, but it’s the execution that elevates this game. First, the dialogue is funny and sassy. Shows the heroine has some gumption. Second, inventory objects are used in clever and unexpected ways. Sure, there’s the ubiquitous screwdriver we all know, but I found myself smiling at some of the more inventive uses for objects. Nice job devs.
Now to the basics. The graphics and artwork are very nice: crisp and great to look at. I really enjoyed each scene. The strategy guide actually has a font size you can read and images that you can see. For once I didn’t feel as if I needed a magnifying glass to use it. There’s a journal and an interactive map. Both are helpful during game play. The HOSs are interactive and well done. This CE has lots of achievements to earn and there are some very well hidden butterflies to collect in each scene. Cut scenes and VOs are well done.
My one complaint is that there is no wide screen format. On my computer, the game only uses about half the available screen and that’s really too bad. I debated giving this game four stars instead of five because of this technical issue, but went ahead with five stars based on everything else. I think you and your family will really enjoy it.
I recommend this game!
You thought this would be just like any other investigation. But now you find yourself lost in a mysterious mansion brimming with strange creatures, comatose colleagues, and mysterious tentacles around every corner…
Overall rating
4
/
5
43 of 63 found this review helpful
Nightmares Become Reality!
PostedNovember 21, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo.
Someone has stolen the Crystal Skull of Morpheus and is turning nightmares into reality. A Detective has asked for your help based on your experience with the paranormal. You arrive at a mansion owned by a strange Dr. Gauss and filled with unusual animals and animated objects. Is this a dream or reality?
This is the fourth game in the Haunted Halls series. The artwork is of the same quality---colorful and fun. The evil scientist is back and so are his creepy tentacles. And there's an additional evil scientist named Dr. Gauss who has a mysterious connection to Tentacle Man! The animated objects are fun and creative and I like all the animals in the game: makes the game more light-hearted. And you get to decode messages with special goggles.
The graphics and artwork are well done. The VOs and cut scenes add to the game and help develop the story. There are interactive silhouette HOSs that are pretty easy to solve. The puzzles and games are of medium difficulty. This CE has achievements to earn and potions to find. There is a journal to record important information and help you solve the game. You even get to buy things for your pet hamster.
The villains are not too scary and the overall atmosphere of the game is pretty mild. Enjoyable.
I recommend this game!
Life imitates art with deadly results in this thrilling whodunit!
Overall rating
5
/
5
61 of 75 found this review helpful
Really Fun Old-Time Mystery!
PostedNovember 16, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo.
Your husband is a successful mystery novelist and someone is using his stories to murder your friends! The police naturally think your husband is the murderer, but you and your friends who are still alive know he's being framed. The game is afoot!
The artwork and graphics are terrific! Wonderful attention to detail and really evokes the time period. I was surprised by how much I liked exploring each scene. Cut scenes and VOs are also very well done. This is a true CE. There are teapot collectibles to find and hidden fingerprints to discover and lots of achievements to earn. Very nice journal and an interactive map to help you out. The HOSs are of medium difficulty. I like the fact that you have to work a little to find some of the objects. Nothing is more disappointing than a game that is too easy. The puzzles are fresh and fun and I enjoyed solving them.
The devs have done a great job and you will definitely have fun playing this game. I've already purchased it!
I recommend this game!
These nursery rhymes are cursed, and your sister’s been taken by the Crooked Man!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 11 found this review helpful
Terrific Take on a Classic Nursery Rhyme!
PostedNovember 9, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on demo.
The Crooked Man and his crooked cat are kidnapping young women and your sister is taken! On your journey you rescue other kidnapped women and travel through a magical realm.
This game is from Blue Tea Games and no one does the reinvention of classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales better. The artwork is amazing! Beautiful and detailed. Each scene is wonderful to look at and fun to explore. Even the puzzles are gorgeous. There is such attention to detail in every aspect of the game that it is a true visual treat!
Again, the graphics are phenomenal. Just wonderful. The cut scenes are well done and add to the story. The FROGs are so much fun. The detail and clever hiding of the objects in each FRAG makes them special. There is an interactive map to help you move through the game. The puzzles are fun to solve and of medium difficulty. There are achievements to earn and morphing objects to find. This is a true CE.
These updated versions of classic tales from Blue Tea really work for me. I like that the women you save are not simply damsels in distress, but just need a little help in order to save themselves and escape the villains. I also like the backstories of how the villains became villains. This game is an example of how great this media can be. Well done!
I recommend this game!
The rich folklore continues with this exciting tale set in an old Slavic land. As Child of Spring, can you save the world from eternal winter?
Overall rating
5
/
5
33 of 58 found this review helpful
Winter on the Warpath! Save Spring and Discover Your Destiny!
PostedNovember 7, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on demo.
The goddess of winter, Morana, has captured Vesna, the goddess of spring, and threatens to keep the world in eternal winter. Vesna chooses you as the world's savior. As you battle ice and snow you discover your courage and strength and your true identity!
This game is from Eipix and their usual high standards are evident in every aspect of the game. I love the wintry, cold northern clime---makes me want to grab a coat. And you get to save animals throughout the game! Who doesn't like that? An ermine and a mouse become your companions and helpers as you battle Morana and her winter spells.
The graphics are great. You really feel the cold and desolation of a northern winter. I think the cut scenes are especially good. The characters mouths move with the dialogue and they really add to the enjoyment of the game. There are two types of HOSs: classic list and silhouette. And you can play Match-3 games instead of the HOSs if you like. The puzzles are of medium difficulty. And there are tons of fun and challenging achievements to earn! This is a true CE!
This game is a winner! I'm excited to play it!
I recommend this game!
Journey down a magical road to save two worlds!
Overall rating
4
/
5
53 of 59 found this review helpful
Fanciful and Pretty Game.
PostedNovember 2, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo.
Evil Cornelius has been freed from his prison and is threatening both your world and a magical kingdom. The two worlds are becoming enmeshed and will be destroyed unless you can stop Cornelius.
The devs have done an imaginative and very pretty job on this game. The magical kingdom is fanciful and filled with winsome characters. Many games take us to other worlds, but this game makes you feel as if this is truly a new world you haven't yet experienced. The scenes where the two worlds are beginning to mesh are original and quite fun. You also have two animal helpers, one from each world, to assist you in your journey: an adorable dragon from the magical kingdom and a sweet raccoon from the normal world. I like this feature a lot.
One complaint: there is a repetitious rune puzzle that is boring and not up to par. I played it three times in the demo alone. The devs missed the mark on this point. If the puzzle were fun or challenging, maybe I could understand repeating it, but it is neither and should not be in this game, or any game. And seriously, there are so many different puzzles, why bore us with a dull puzzle multiple times in the same game?
Excellent graphics and cut scenes. This game has a great look to it. There are symbols (bells# to collect and achievements to earn. There is a journal and an interactive map to help you during your journey. The HOSs and puzzles are of medium difficulty #repeating, dull puzzle excepted). Music and background sound are appropriate to the game.
Overall I found this game quite good. I always enjoy fantasy, magical themes and this game succeeds on that point. It will be enjoyed by the whole family.
I recommend this game!
To save your father from a hideous monster, you've decided to sacrifice your own freedom. Now you must journey through a strange and magical land before time runs out!
Overall rating
5
/
5
34 of 38 found this review helpful
Enchanting and Magical Game!
PostedOctober 31, 2013
43Colorado
fromRocky Mountains
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo.
The game starts out as a variation on "Beauty and the Beast." Your father takes a golden nightingale from a beast's castle and the beast demands payment. To save your father, you use a magic ring to take you to the beast. However, a sorceress intervenes and you are stranded in a beautiful, enchanting world filled with imaginative creatures who need your help and who help you. You only have until midnight to make it to the castle to save your father's life and the sorceress will do anything to stop you. The adventure begins!
This game is beautiful. The devs have done a great job artistically. The enchanted world is so much fun! The cut scenes are well done and add to the story. There are achievements to earn, though they are not especially challenging. Makes this a game for all ages. There are birds to collect, a journal, and a map to help you navigate through the game world. The HOSs and puzzles are of medium difficulty.
This game transports you to a fun and magical place. It is in the grand tradition of the best of fairy tales: engaging, diverting, a little scary, and thoroughly enjoyable! Your whole family will love it.
I recommend this game!