kgustavson's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.9
- Helpful Votes:1,707
- Reviews Submitted:116
- First Review:December 16, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 17, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you win the battle between Darkness and Flame?
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Rarely a 5-star from me
PostedJune 7, 2017
kgustavson
fromOn the ocean blue
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
And I should say more like 4 1/2 stars for this one as I found it a bit short in total game length and no where near the challenge of one of their other series. But what a game!! I just get sucked in to the graphics and true colors and story line. And great custom feature to turn off icon change for collectibles (now if they would just work on no plus item indicator I would follow 5Bn to the end of the Earth!) I will add that they should work on their mini-games or better yet, just forget 'em and go for true adventure logic and forget about swapping butterflies. But all in all, I just loved it!!!
I recommend this game!
He can’t be stopped. And he’s digging your grave!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 18 found this review helpful
Stock up on acid and magnets before heading into the forest
PostedMay 29, 2017
kgustavson
fromSeattle
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Because you're going to need these antiquated items - over and over again. Twice for the magnets (and of course you have to find another one after using the first - love to know just where on Earth magnets are just sitting around waiting to be discovered; oh, right, they're protected by some symbol or mini-game of some sort)
Ok, I am applauding the writers who story-board new stories but have to boo the writers of the game play. I for one am sick of using items I can't even find at the large-box hardware store in a modern-day setting yet they seem to be plentiful in a deep forest. And I can't roll my eyes hard enough about a zipper-pull.
Buyer beware of this one (IMHO of course).
Ok, I am applauding the writers who story-board new stories but have to boo the writers of the game play. I for one am sick of using items I can't even find at the large-box hardware store in a modern-day setting yet they seem to be plentiful in a deep forest. And I can't roll my eyes hard enough about a zipper-pull.
Buyer beware of this one (IMHO of course).
I don't recommend this game.
Journey to the mythical Nine Worlds to save the Earth!
Overall rating
2
/
5
17 of 27 found this review helpful
Same gameplay, new story
PostedMay 29, 2017
kgustavson
fromSeattle
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
As one of the very many, many fishes who did the beta of this, I am sorely disappointed that they took none of our suggestions:
Hint button is still a giant flaming distraction
Still can't seem to figure out what "no + item indicator" means (although at least it isn't ringed in glowing green for once)
Different mini games - every single game of theirs has the same exact content.
Still can't seem to figure out what "no + item indicator" means (although at least it isn't ringed in glowing green for once)
Different mini games - every single game of theirs has the same exact content.
So, to sum up, terribly annoying characters (really wanted to shove the musician off the boat immediately); you can be sure to not be able to reach an item in the first few minutes; and you will also need to find a "token" for what seems like practically every mini-game. Hey, I bet there's one just out of your reach!
Really don't know what anyone could be raving about just because it's a different story. The game play, collectibles, bonus content are all exactly the same. But don't just listen to me - always try for yourself - might just be the one you really like!
I don't recommend this game.
Strange vines have taken over a popular National Park!
Overall rating
2
/
5
0 of 4 found this review helpful
Please bury this series for good
PostedMay 16, 2017
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I am rather sad to submit a horrible review. I rather enjoyed the beta and the demo time (which are sadly the same thing), but all the wheels come off after that. HOPs that repeat (my greatest pet peeve!!! X( ), back and forth and to and fro, find one piece of 3, back again to replay the HOS...AUGHHH!!!! Please just retire this series, we're begging you GrandMa.
I don't recommend this game.
Feed the Tavernland and win the Prince’s heart in this time management adventure!
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 15 found this review helpful
Too clutzy
PostedMay 9, 2017
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I really liked the concept of this game but I kept getting sidelined by mostly the sponge problem. Sometimes it would work just fine but other times not. And apparently you can't cue actions if you've got the sponge, which makes no sense and takes about 3 levels of frustration to figure that out. And the problems with hitting the bubble message just right is problematic - I also discovered that accidentally hitting their thought bubble again cancels your action so I was left holding plates of whatever while the stupid baby (who lets a baby into a tavern on their own?!!) loses all patience and walks out.
So I would send this one back to the drawing board for sure, but some good concepts initially.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save the realms from a vengeful god?
Overall rating
2
/
5
13 of 15 found this review helpful
So here's what's wrong
PostedMay 4, 2017
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
At one point I had a machete and a knife in my inventory. Neither of these things could cut a simple knot. I had to find yet another item for that job. Wandered around some more so now I have not only a torch, but also a lighter AND a flint. Apparently it was the torch for the knot problem. Good grief, I've had enough of this nonsense.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the Logan Family's terrible secret in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 8 found this review helpful
Story that falls apart
PostedApril 29, 2017
kgustavson
fromSneezing in Seattle
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I think the problem with the most recent slew of Eipix games is the story line; they just don't make any sense. Starting with the most recent MCF (if you can call it that anymore) and then to another sequel where we were supposed to be in Florence but were travelling around in gondolas and then a rather quizzical worst-ever Hidden Expidition story whereby Marco Polo was somehow behind an anti-flood invention to save Venice (umm, I think they meant da Vinci as Polo was more of swindler and an **** and certainly not an inventor) but started with a story line about a pearl. Huh?! And with this story I was confused as well - am I supposed to save these souls? Why did it start out with super-scary clown guy and just fall apart into so-so characters who were like, oh, so you're taking my medallion huh? Well, okey doke I guess; knock yourself out under the lake as I won't stand in your way. Makes no sense. SMH.
Since we're at the point where I can't imagine there are any more mini-games or HOS variants (if there are, that'd be cool though) then we are driven by story. And here is where this game totally falls apart. Except it falls apart AFTER THE DEMO. It's like a whole different team comes in after the first chapter and just drops in game play logs and then all is same ol' same ol'. I've finally had it - been suckered in enough times. :(
I don't recommend this game.
Pop Evil Orbs and help Dr. Von Hammersphere save the world from a life of total bummerness!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Arcade fun!!
PostedApril 28, 2017
kgustavson
fromSneezing in Seattle
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Welcome back GoBit Games - we've missed you! This is addictive fun, and if you're a stickler for getting all gold then you'll be playing this for a while. Lots of power-ups to choose from at the beginning of each level. And as always with these devs, a good dose of humor.
I recommend this game!
Help the heroes overcome all obstacles in their journey and save King Artos from a terrible curse!
Overall rating
2
/
5
20 of 23 found this review helpful
A CE? REALLY?
PostedApril 27, 2017
kgustavson
fromSneezing in Seattle
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I am completely with Doylescat here; strategy is super easy, workers are slow as molasses, and there isn't even a widescreen to this. I really don't get the 5 stars - so this vs Royal Envoy is an equal?! Oh, come on - seriously. Enough 5-star everything reviewers.
While being a fun game, there is absolutely nothing making this CE worthy. An extra handful of levels does not make a CE. But I might have fun with this one once the standard version is released with a good sale.
While being a fun game, there is absolutely nothing making this CE worthy. An extra handful of levels does not make a CE. But I might have fun with this one once the standard version is released with a good sale.
Always try for yourselves and enjoy!!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you find your long-lost brother in time?!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 15 found this review helpful
Started off great
PostedApril 9, 2017
kgustavson
fromSneezing in Seattle
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I have to say that I really enjoyed about the first half of this one and then gameplay just went downhill. It was like all of a sudden there was way too much "turn that and that also turns this" and too many HOS which also repeat. I didn't mind that in the slightest in the beginning as the HOs were varied enough and seemed fairly spaced to the speed of the game. But it seemed like the wheels fell off a little more than half-way through this game. I can't really put my finger on it, but when I start shouting "oh, come on!" and walking away to joyously clean the bathtub instead, then something is amiss.
Hard to say I would recommend just trying this one as the demo time was very entertaining for me. I suppose I am ultimately a thumbs down for the CE.
I don't recommend this game.