Tufty57's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:5,072
- Reviews Submitted:119
- First Review:March 14, 2013
- Most Recent Review:April 9, 2015
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Play as a bungling detective Max Stone, who takes on Evergreen Heights' criminal underworld and hunt down Jimmy Menendez and his gang!
Overall rating
4
/
5
26 of 34 found this review helpful
What a fun little game.
PostedAugust 4, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
The solitaire levels were quite challenging and, in story mode, sometimes getting 100% to receive an item was really hard for me, but I stuck at it and got a real sense of achievement.
I loved the humour; it reminded me of 'Police Squad' with the Philip Marlow style voice over. I especially loved it when the voice gave a different chapter name to the screen!
As I just bumbled through, I will leave it to others to detail the gameplay etc!
You may think this could be dull, but I recommend you give it a try.
I recommend this game!
A mysterious artifact has been uncovered, opening a portal to another world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
161 of 175 found this review helpful
Professor Burns is back!
PostedJuly 31, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on the completed demo 69/90 minutes.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tree of Life and Living Mountain and here is #3! What a treat!
Sadly the portals and black smoke are back, but that was always going to be the case in an Amaranthine Voyage and they are interwoven into the story well. As with episodes 1 and 2, the doughty professor is drawn into a world under threat and must save the day but this time needs an 'innocent' to help her; enter Victoria the rather dim but terribly enthusiastic student.
Visual/sound quality was brilliant as ever from this (seemingly very busy at the moment) developer. The occasional purplish scene, which no doubt some will moan about but mainly bright and colourful. Music was appropriate to the scene.
Challenge was a good mix with some very straightforward puzzles and others (including HOSs) really very challenging.
I encountered 3 HOSs during the demo. All had morphing objects within (and an indicator to remind you). The first was a 3 stage silhouette puzzle and the other two were lists with a couple of interactive elements, one of them over three stages. All three finished with a riddle to find the desired object, which were quite tricky. There is a bubble popper alternative.
Massive CE bling:
* Bonus chapter
* Flower collection (41 flowers of remembrance to find with a helpful indicator to remind you)
* Souvenir Room
* Lore Book
* Find Objects (replay HOSs)
* Puzzle (replay puzzles)
* 3 HOSs from other games to play (you find them in the game to activate)
* 18 achievements some with 3 levels
* Making of
*Movies/Music/Pictures
* 4 gameplay levels; Casual/Expert/Insane/Custom
* Bonus chapter
* Flower collection (41 flowers of remembrance to find with a helpful indicator to remind you)
* Souvenir Room
* Lore Book
* Find Objects (replay HOSs)
* Puzzle (replay puzzles)
* 3 HOSs from other games to play (you find them in the game to activate)
* 18 achievements some with 3 levels
* Making of
*Movies/Music/Pictures
* 4 gameplay levels; Casual/Expert/Insane/Custom
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable game and, as I cannot resist this developer, it will be a buy for me come the weekend.
Oh, and BTW, no issues or glitches for me. Fast download and smooth play. Windows 7
Highly recommended for a trial!
I recommend this game!
Dear Witch Apprentice, are you ready to meet your fate? Win the magical ingredients needed to save your world!
Overall rating
4
/
5
31 of 47 found this review helpful
Someone's been rootling in the BF attic again!
PostedJuly 29, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A real blast from the past; map-free zone with pop-up collection zones and some real stinkers of HOSs.
Those (like me) who have been demanding more challenge recently have got it in Spades with this soft release. I was scratching my head, searching high and low for something to do, begging the cursor to change while waiting (it seemed forever) for the hint to recharge.
I cannot say it was fun, at times it was frustrating and SOOOO slow! But, I played out the demo so it must have drawn me in with something.
The music was enchanting and the graphics good. The storyline isn't 'in your face' and I am still not really sure whether I am training to be a witch or rescuing someone.
I played with the tutorial for the demo and, although it was irritating, it did help me to work out the gameplay at times.
This will be another 'Marmite', some will love it and others will hate it. If the pace had been better, I would have loved it.
You MUST try it first! DO NOT buy without trying!
I can feel a coupon moment coming on and then will play in short bursts.
I recommend this game!
Your investigative report on the Weeping Woman of San Cristobal turns personal after you witness a kidnapping. Is the legend true?
Overall rating
5
/
5
120 of 143 found this review helpful
Now, that's more like it!
PostedJuly 26, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on 62/90 minutes of completed demo
I do enjoy this type of game and have been somewhat dismayed recently by the lack of challenge and same old themes. Before you yell at me, yes it is the 'disappearing children' genre but is set in a real place, not some fantasy otherworld. There's not a portal in sight, not a whiff of black smoke and no cutesy animals! And, the journalist you play has a very neutral voice, so I can't tell whether it is male or female.
As ever, I will not spoil the story for you, suffice to say, you have to solve the mystery and all is not what it immediately seems.
Lots of CE bling including morphing flowers and hidden skulls.
Puzzles could be more challenging and HOS more interactive, but they are all well done and colourful.
I didn't really notice the music, so it couldn't have been too intrusive.
All in all, I enjoyed the demo with no tech issues at all and will be taking advantage of the lovely weekend sale.
Collect colorful tiles, release the magic power and return life to Floria!
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 12 found this review helpful
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
PostedJuly 24, 2014
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
A lovely game for my five year old grandchild (if I had one!). S/he could learn colours by matching the pretty tiles, learn his/her numbers by playing the solitaire game and would probably appreciate a little helper to remove tiles for him/her.
If you are a bit more grown up, yes, you can up the challenge to timed or limited moves and then a strategy is required, but on relaxed this is more soporific!
I shall not be investing and I am out!
I don't recommend this game.
Discover mysterious Aztec treasures in this exciting Match-3 game!
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 12 found this review helpful
Terminal boredom
PostedJuly 24, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
No fun!
No challenge!
No engaging storyline!
What's to like?
The 'hunk' or his curvaceous sidekick? I don't think so!
I don't recommend this game.
Sable Maze: Forbidden Garden Collector's Edition
Your parents always told you to stay away from the mysterious maze behind their house…. and you’re about to find out why.
Overall rating
3
/
5
58 of 71 found this review helpful
Jumping on an inappropriate bandwagon?
PostedJuly 24, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on the demo (62/90 minutes) in Casual
Having enjoyed the first two Sable Maze stories, I find myself a little disappointed by this one. The others did indeed have an element of fantasy, but were based on real places and characters. i just get the feeling that, with this game, the developers have seen the popularity of fantasy genre and animal helpers and have lost something in that.
That said, as a standalone game it has some attractions.
The story is, again, a familiar one. Your fiance disappears on the day of your wedding and you find that your father's actions are at the root of the problem. You venture through the portal, accompanied by your interestingly created animal helper, to rescue him.
There are 3 levels of difficulty Casual/Advanced/Hard
CE bling:
* 6 jewellery collections to compile through finding 3 morphing jewels for each;
* Developer diary;
* Replay Match-3 games;
* Wallpapers/Concept Art/Music;
* Bonus chapter;
* SG (at the top of the screen for those who need it);
* Jumpable map which shows objectives/actions/location and also contains:
~ Achievements;
~ Notes and goals;
~ Replays of cut scenes.
CE bling:
* 6 jewellery collections to compile through finding 3 morphing jewels for each;
* Developer diary;
* Replay Match-3 games;
* Wallpapers/Concept Art/Music;
* Bonus chapter;
* SG (at the top of the screen for those who need it);
* Jumpable map which shows objectives/actions/location and also contains:
~ Achievements;
~ Notes and goals;
~ Replays of cut scenes.
Puzzles are very easy and there is no hard option.
Only 3 HOSs encountered so far. Two are find > use > find > use and the other a straightforward list with fragments of the final item hidden behind.
All in all, it was OK. Way too easy. I didn't once have to use the SG and only used the hint or map when there was nothing logical to do. Nothing to set it apart from the many excellent fantasy CEs available and, if the story is complete at the end of the main game, which I suspect it is, then little to justify the extra cost.
You will need to try it. You might like it more, but for me it is a disappointment.
I don't recommend this game.
Resolve a family squabble before the gates to the realm of the dead swing open and horrors beyond imagination pour into this world!
Overall rating
4
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
I HATE the Cat!
PostedJuly 19, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
When I beta tested this game, I praised most of it but told them to shut the cat up! Sadly they have ignored this suggestion and so you are 'hand held' all the way through.
If I am stuck, I will use the hint! Otherwise, I can manage to work out that, for example, an axe head needs a handle.
I really thought this would be put out as a CE so am pleasantly surprised that I can use a coupon. I can put up with the cat as long as I am not paying for him.
As others have said, puzzles are different, HOSs great and I am intrigued as to how the story will develop.
Will purchase and play on hard I think. Pity there aren't more than 2 levels of challenge.
Definitely worth a trial.
I recommend this game!
As the daughter of a legendary chronicle keeper, powerful foes are working against you!
Overall rating
4
/
5
63 of 84 found this review helpful
A paradox: same old story, different game play. 3.5 stars
PostedJuly 2, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on demo only - 72 minutes play
Well, I nearly gave up on this in the very first scene. Having read the blurb, I zoomed in on the shop window, could see the book that had been mentioned, but could do nothing. Tried the hint...yes...the book is what I want but still no response when I click on it. With recent history of "Chronicle" games, I feared the worst, exited, began again with my own profile and (against my usual habit) accepted the tutorial.
All then became clear! It is simply a different approach and this habitual HOPA player was just being lazy about checking everything out. If you don't want to be bogged down by the tutorial, all I will say is "Use your medallion fragment and look for any extra actions over and above the usual. For example, it may take more than a key to open a door."
As stated in the title, this is a familiar storyline. Mum killed, you have her medallion fragment and, drawn into a book to another world, you set about restoring the fragment and finding the elixir of life.
Visual quality is attractive, though at times, in the opening scenes, a little dark. Sounds are rather odd, more ambient and atmospheric than musical.
Once I 'clued into' the gameplay, it was fairly straightforward.
HOSs are word lists with interaction needed for some objects and an extra element for green objects. (You will need to work that one out for yourself!)
Puzzles are easy enough, but different to the usual so some challenge for the little grey cells.
Three difficulty levels with no sparkles promised on Hard. I always play the demo on Casual, then restart under a new profile and often a new difficulty level if and when I buy.
You receive a map which is jumpable, but does not show active areas, simply where you are.
HOSs are word lists with interaction needed for some objects and an extra element for green objects. (You will need to work that one out for yourself!)
Puzzles are easy enough, but different to the usual so some challenge for the little grey cells.
Three difficulty levels with no sparkles promised on Hard. I always play the demo on Casual, then restart under a new profile and often a new difficulty level if and when I buy.
You receive a map which is jumpable, but does not show active areas, simply where you are.
There are 200 pieces of your magic book to locate which builds to provide the background to the story. Not hard to find once you learn the trick.
All in all, this is a simple game, ideal for a beginner or a relaxing gaming session. It has enough about it to engage, but is not ground-breaking.
I think it is worth a play of the demo and, being an SE, is well worth a coupon! Do check out the forum as some players are having difficulty in certain operating systems and certainly try before you buy.
Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Choosing where to go on vacation? This new puzzle game can help you take a virtual tour around the most famous tourist cities of the world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
47 of 81 found this review helpful
A visually appealing stress-buster
PostedJune 30, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I imagine that many will find this a thoroughly relaxing way to spend a short or a long time. It is probably a game that they might keep on their computer, returning to every now and then. It is not something that they play all day because they just have to finish it.
There are 7 beautiful locations to visit and for each location there are 13 pages with up to 8 puzzles on each, ranging from 12 pieces to 247. Some puzzles require you to rotate pieces in order for them to fit and some are simple placement.
There are 7 trophies to be earned for spending time playing, matching a number of pieces, precision etc. each with a number of 'levels'.
For bigger puzzles with a lot of pieces there is a 'pocket' to tuck away pieces while you eg build the edge.
You can modify puzzles too, increasing the number of pieces, changing the 'cut' and adding/removing rotation.
All the while you are listening to soothing music, though sadly it is the same music for every puzzle.
One 'niggle' is that the menu reverts to the Chicago page 1 after each puzzle so if you want to play Venice for a while you have to keep clicking the tab and finding the page. But that is no great hassle.
As a novice, I initially found the bigger puzzles overwhelming, but once I began to use the 'pocket', the tools at the bottom to help me sort the pieces and the image or ghost tool to preview the finished picture, it was less so.
I can see why these are popular games. I guess, as a bit of a traditionalist, I prefer the 'real thing' but this does not take over your dining table for weeks and the dog cannot eat the vital piece!
Thoroughly recommended to try and I might just use a coupon on this and keep it there for a bit of stress busting.
Enjoy!
I recommend this game!