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:
For adventurer Helen Stone, the biggest adventure is yet to come!
Overall rating
4
/
5
31 of 47 found this review helpful
Calling all would-be adventurers - now is the time to fulfil your destiny!
PostedMay 13, 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
5
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
A ritual sacrifice, interrupted by a column of black smoke spiralling down from the sky. Warriors on the rampage, burning a settlement, its occupants fleeing. Returning to your hut, you find a note from a friend, recommending that you also flee. You refuel your plane, set off towards the oncoming storm and crash in the amazonian jungle. Having rescued the sacrificial victim and thwarted his captors, you escape through an underground tunnel and meet a wise woman who confirms that you are, indeed, the 'Chosen One' who must fulfil her destiny and save the world.
Gameplay is out and out adventure - no hidden object scenes here. Pick up various items for your inventory along the way and sometimes combine them (circles around a further pick-up) to further your quest. Puzzles are nothing new (repeating sequences, moving handles in the right sequence, sorting heads onto bodies) but they are quite tricky and I skipped many in the interest of moving on in this game.
To help you, you have a map (not jumpable and there is some toing and froing), a journal, and a 'footprint button' which, if pressed, shows you all directional options. This stays on unless you click it again.
There are 3 levels of challenge (Casual/Adventure/Challenge) and if you play Challenge, there is an extra achievement for completing the game. Yes, there are achievements and also 21 hidden skulls to collect on your way.
Music is OK, nothing to write home about, but mainly appropriate. Visuals, a bit outdated and fuzzy at times. Some scenes are a bit dark.
All in all, I enjoyed the demo hour and have not made a lot of progress so, as with many adventure games, this will 'feel' long, even if it isn't. It is fairly slow paced, as I often find this genre to be, but that is because you are doing the work yourself. No cute rabbits or friendly elves to help you out here.
It is definitely worth a try and those of you who bemoan the current plethora of fantasy HOGs will be delighted.
I recommend this game!
Your librarian friend wants your help as a journalist – he’s found an ancient book that is still unfinished. Can you save the world in the book before their story ends?
Overall rating
4
/
5
8 of 12 found this review helpful
Curiouser and curiouser!
PostedMay 10, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Well, I never! What an unusual game. At the moment I just do not know how to rate it, so I'll come back to that!
It is certainly a different take on a familiar theme and opens with a very engaging 'chase' scene where a white rabbit (Liev) is running from the 'baddie' (Eldov), but just as he reaches his king to warn him, the enchanted crown is stolen and the king disappears.
Things slow down a bit after 'signing in' and you receive a telephone call from an old librarian friend who tells you of a strange, unfinished book which has arrived in his library. Strange things are happening and the staff have run away.
Arriving at the library to investigate, you examine the book, receive a request to help to help save the land of Torelion, accept and enter the book where you immediately meet the king's mother. She gives you an amulet containing an ancient prophecy which you need to decipher to save the world.
Finally your interaction with the game starts.
Gameplay is mainly finding and using objects to further your quest, helping other characters to receive a helpful object and an occasional HOS. (There is a puzzle option if you don't like HOSs).
During the trial I encountered 3 HOSs:
* Find 11x objects
* Find silhouette objects (same scene as #1)
* Find and use silhouette objects to find further objects etc
* Find 11x objects
* Find silhouette objects (same scene as #1)
* Find and use silhouette objects to find further objects etc
I only recollect one puzzle and that was within a HOS.
There are achievements to be earned. There are jars of paint to be found to complete a painting later but these are not hidden in the usual way of collectibles. None of these extras can be viewed until you start the game.
So, back to my rating of the game. I am still quite perplexed. It is so different from the usual games in a number of ways, yet the same in many others. It is a bit slow, yet when the pencil pops up and changes something in the scene, it is intriguing. The scenery is charming and there are plenty of creatures to interact with or rescue.
I think, because I find it quite unique I have to rate it highly in some areas, yet the challenge will be quite low.
I always say this, but this time I REALLY mean it, you MUST try this one first. I suspect you may love it or hate it. Or maybe, like me, you just will be unable to make up your mind. Curiouser and curiouser!
I recommend this game!
Set out with Bella in search of her brother through the pages of well-known novels and true stories.
Overall rating
2
/
5
30 of 42 found this review helpful
Doesn't hit the spot for me!
PostedMay 8, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Well, guess what! You are having a dream! Your brother (from whom you have apparently been inseparable) has disappeared into a book. You vow to find him.
When you touch the book, it separates into 5 story books (one is locked and forms part of the bonus), the artefact your brother used to open it shatters into 5 pieces and your quest is to visit each book and solve someone's problem to get a part of the shattered artefact, presumably put it back together and recover your brother.
I got towards the end of the first book in the hour so you can reckon on 5+ hours of play. Just don't play on 'Easy' though unless you want the (refused) tutorial popping up and a message telling you when to move on. The only other option is 'Expert'.
The 'Sequel' to Enchanted Paintings, though there is no story connection that I can see apart from Bella being the main character, this follows the same format of individual, self-contained chapters (the books), instead of pictures.
You start off at the Professor's house where you learn that he has released Cthulhu (a sort of Kraken) and you must close the portal to lock it away again. Gradually other locations open up on your map with a specified number of actions to do at each one until your quest is achieved.
What the challenges will be in Jack the Ripper, Robinson Crusoe, Titanic and The Three Musketeers, who knows!
Graphics were decidedly patchy, particularly in the introductory scenes. Some very good, then a short sequence which was just awful, then back to quite good etc etc.
Music, can't have been that good as, although I was on headphones, I have no recollection of it.
Characters' voices are really awful, particularly the museum curator who sounds like Bert (I did try to write the actor's name here, but was reprimanded for inappropriate language so you will have to look it up! ROFL) in Mary Poppins first time round, then the accent changes!
Gameplay is very simple, puzzles also and HOSs either lists with 2x simple interaction or pictures of objects to find. (I came across 5 in the demo).During the first HOS I managed to earn 4 achievements!
Talking of 'bling' (this is a CE after all):
* Achievements to earn
* Coins to collect (in scenes and HOSs) with which you can apparently buy trophies (but why would you want to?)
* Map
* Strategy Guide (but this is so simple, why would you need it?)
* Achievements to earn
* Coins to collect (in scenes and HOSs) with which you can apparently buy trophies (but why would you want to?)
* Map
* Strategy Guide (but this is so simple, why would you need it?)
If you could be certain that the game will be concluded before Book 5 then I would recommend getting the SE. There is nothing to recommend this game as a CE in my view.
But, as I always say, try it. You may love it. I will not be purchasing, however.
I don't recommend this game.
Jane Angel has mysteriously vanished and it's up to her sister to untangle the sophisticated conspiracy and uncover the truth about the family's ancient past.
Overall rating
4
/
5
35 of 42 found this review helpful
Interesting sequel to Jane Angel: Templar Mystery
PostedMay 5, 2014
Tufty57
fromRediscovering my old favourites
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Templar Mystery was one of the first games I bought (which seems like ages ago now) and I thoroughly enjoyed it as an introduction to HO/Adventure games.
This sequel, though a little dated in comparison to some of the games we have today, is intriguing. I don't remember the game that well but I cannot see the connection to today's offering. Will maybe have to play it again first.
I found it a pleasant, reasonably challenging game, though the navigation is sometimes a bit tricky.
It is definitely worth a try especially if you do not do this genre too often and want a gentler start to more demanding adventure games. Worth a credit/coupon for sure.
Give it a try!
I recommend this game!
Travel to South America to investigate a deadly cosmic force. Can you uncover the secrets of the missing research team?
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 32 found this review helpful
Stick with it, it will slowly but surely suck you in!
PostedMay 3, 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
5
/
5
I began to play this game with quite a negative mindset. The resume reminded me of another game which was just awful, the main character's voice was flat and unengaging and the opening dialogue seemed quite pointless.
BUT...
as I played on it just got better and better!
As a child, you are in the park when strange lightening strikes. You awake alone in the hospital clutching a strange golden homunculus. Years later, after a strange dream, the homunculus begins to glow and through it, you are transported to a strange place where cyan plasma is affecting the population. With the protection of this strange artefact, you set off on your adventure.
At first, all you seem to do is inspect a number of shrines, statues and fountains, gradually filling up your inventory but then, suddenly, things begin to drop into place and the challenges begin.
Some are simply finding the places to drop your items and receive another, but then you find your first HOS, and what a refreshing change. OK, at first it seems like just another list with a couple of interactions. Objects are camouflaged and very tricky to find but, on pressing the glowing blue object, the scene transforms and you have another list! I encountered 2 of these in the trial so don't be put off if HOSs are not to your taste.
There were 2 puzzles also and these were just brilliant, very unique! No rotating rings or water pipes here (yet!)
Your homunculus has become a neutraliser and can disperse cyan plasma which pops up and blocks your progress every now and then, but you need to keep it charged.
There are only 3 levels of challenge and we have become used to more these days, so experienced gamers may be disappointed by this. I played on casual and found I only needed the hint in one HO. Any sparkles were not really noticible, except for the collectible plasma flasks (35 to find)
There are achievements to earn and nothing annoying like "Complete the game in Hard Mode" and "Complete the tutorial" so that you cannot earn them all.
Other standard extras are Concept Art/Wallpapers/Music
There is a "bonus area" which perhaps has more than just the bonus chapter. I do hope so!
So, after a shaky start, I am hooked and will be taking advantage of this weekend's sale (thanks BF!) to add this to my collection. I cannot wait to see where this intriguing story is going.
Do try it and stick with it, you may find it is well worth it!
I recommend this game!
After searching for five years, Princess found her mother – only to have her kidnapped right before her eyes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 26 found this review helpful
A pleasing sequel, though "Princess" stopped speaking to me. Did I do something to offend her?
PostedMay 1, 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
4
/
5
I quite enjoyed playing the demo of this game, having really enjoyed the first of the series.
The opening scene was engaging as Princess ran through the woods, found her mother and then had her cruelly ripped away by the trees. As the Royal Detective, I made my way to help her and, having filled me in on the details, she then stopped speaking to me and just went and stood sulkily in various places, glancing up occasionally in a "Well, get on with it" sort of way, and then, when I had sorted the problem, she just marched off into the distance. Was it something I said?
That apart, this is my sort of game:
* Achievements to earn
* Morphing dragons to find
* Cards to collect
* A jump map (thank goodness as there is a lot of toing and froing to collect souls and then again to gather whisps)
* As another reviewer has said, the hint is redundant in gameplay as the map does the job for you, but I do like the way he fidgets and yawns if you pause too long.
* Puzzles are fun and some are progressive to tell you back story, but they are very simple
* Achievements to earn
* Morphing dragons to find
* Cards to collect
* A jump map (thank goodness as there is a lot of toing and froing to collect souls and then again to gather whisps)
* As another reviewer has said, the hint is redundant in gameplay as the map does the job for you, but I do like the way he fidgets and yawns if you pause too long.
* Puzzles are fun and some are progressive to tell you back story, but they are very simple
So, this is not a really challenging game, some of the graphics are a bit iffy, but I am intrigued enough to add it to my collection if there is a good weekend sale. I enjoy having a relaxing gaming session once in a while. I fear as an SE it would be all over too soon.
As ever, I recommend you give it a try and, if you don't care for it, then don't buy.
I recommend this game!
Free the frog princes from the clutches of an evil witch! Return them to their princess brides, and find out if the kiss of love can break the witch’s curse!
Overall rating
5
/
5
29 of 44 found this review helpful
This little gem has snuck out to play!
PostedMay 1, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Love it, love it, love it!
The Witch is desperate for love and, following much beauty therapy, is ready to find her Prince Charming. They reject her advances and so she turns them into frogs and holds them captive until one of them agrees to kiss her. As she engages in further beauty therapy, it is your task to free the frogs and rescue their princesses so that they can kiss and break the spell.
This is an adventure game with the occasional HO style puzzle. Puzzles are fairly straightforward but the gameplay requires some thought and 'out of the box' thinking at times.
I find the graphics brilliant, I particularly love the witch who is grotesquely beautiful. The first frog can be a little irritating with his constant chirruping, but the fact that I have 4 frogs to rescue and have not yet completed the task for the first suggests a long and enjoyable game.
There are machines to mend, potions to make and lots of challenges to overcome, some straightforward and others more tricky.
You have achievements to earn as you lead your frogs to freedom, a journal to record the story, a good hint system which includes an eye to show you all options at once. Some screens scroll sideways or up and down.
I laughed out loud on several occasions. I simply LOVE it!
Do try it. If you like adventure games with a quirky twist, I believe you will love this too. It is a definite buy for me!
I recommend this game!
Professor Ashmore, the same man who so kindly took you in and raised you as his own has been murdered. It’s up to you to find out why, but are you prepared for what truths may be uncovered?
Overall rating
4
/
5
38 of 45 found this review helpful
When is a CE not a CE? When it's Demon Hunter!
PostedApril 30, 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
4
/
5
Well I never! An SE with all the bling of a CE! What a find!
OK, it's not the most challenging of games and there are no original features, the story line is the usual "strange disappearance/death of friend/relative due to mysterious demon/witch" but I don't mind as it thoroughly entertained me for the hour's trial.
In the opening scene, Professor Ashmore and his colleague open a portal (?) and release something evil. Professor Ashmore is killed. Our heroine returns to the Island of Iowa (??) to find out what happened to him and more importantly/mysteriously to discover "Who am I?"
The gameplay is good with appropriate music and ambient sounds, the graphics were a little 'washed out at times but generally colourful and well drawn.
CE bling - well this game has more bling than Liberace!
* Concept Art/Movie/ Wall Papaers(sic)/Music/Puzzles/HO Games/Bonus Chapter
* 24 achievements to earn
* 2 modes of play (Regular/Expert)
* Journal containing jump map and objectives
* 4x7 collectible objects (leaves/brooches/flasks and coins)
* Concept Art/Movie/ Wall Papaers(sic)/Music/Puzzles/HO Games/Bonus Chapter
* 24 achievements to earn
* 2 modes of play (Regular/Expert)
* Journal containing jump map and objectives
* 4x7 collectible objects (leaves/brooches/flasks and coins)
HOSs are lists with some interaction AND morphing objects. List changes colour on these objects so they are a little easier to find. Objects are sometimes a bit tiny.
Puzzles, though nothing new so far, are fairly straightforward.
So, the verdict:
I liked the storyline, visuals, sound and the HOSs. The characters on the island were quite well done though a bit stereotypical (sweet old english lady and ooh-arr lighthousekeeper). I did like it that the demon/witch didn't keep popping up to say "You'll never stop me! Mwa hahaha!"
Puzzles lacked challenge and originality.
My main bug bear was spelling errors (how can this happen?) There was the wall papaers in the bonus content, enterance on the map and see shell! (At first I thought this may be a special magical item!) :-((
Despite that, this is a definite buy for me and I thoroughly recommend you give it a try.
I recommend this game!
The city fears the return of the infamous Fire Knight – but is Rosa Ramirez really responsible?
Overall rating
4
/
5
32 of 60 found this review helpful
The Grim Saga continues!
PostedApril 24, 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
5
/
5
I love this series of games and enjoyed playing the trial of this latest offering. OK, they are not the hardest of games and have a pace which often seems slow, but I do love the little touches and humour.
Our story takes place in Spain, although they use Escudos and read english newspapers. An old demon, the Fire Knight, has returned due to the sword keeping him 'locked down' having been allegedly stolen by Rosa who has subsequently disappeared. Her husband engages you to find her whilst also saving the city. All in a day's work for our trusty detective!
I became so engaged in the story that I forgot to check if there is a map (wouldn't have needed it) and I rarely use the SG so no guidance for you there! Sorry :-(
There are 4 levels of difficulty - Casual/Custom/Hard/Advanced
Music is appropriate and graphics are very reminiscent of previous games.
CE features:
* Music/Screen Saver/Wallpapers/Concept Art/Video
* Bonus Chapter
* 21 butterflies to collect (of different values but I do not yet know the significance of this)
* Old favourite of coins to collect and buy necessary tools (those familiar with these games will enjoy the reference to previous games here)
* There may be achievements
* Music/Screen Saver/Wallpapers/Concept Art/Video
* Bonus Chapter
* 21 butterflies to collect (of different values but I do not yet know the significance of this)
* Old favourite of coins to collect and buy necessary tools (those familiar with these games will enjoy the reference to previous games here)
* There may be achievements
Puzzles are imaginative but very straightforward. I particularly like how you try to find Senor Ramirez and later Rosa.
HOSs are varied - riddles, find and use, find x 12 and there is an alternative of Mahjong. I found no fans for extra hints in this offering, but maybe I missed those too!
So a straightforward, relaxing game with some handholding from the range of characters you interact with. If you are a fan of the Grim Facade stories, then you will enjoy this. If you have not played them before, this is a nice way into more challenging games. Although not 'blown away', I will be adding it to my collection
I recommend this game!
Summer camp: a place for good memories, new experiences and… ghosts? Capture the spirit of a dead witch before she claims another victim!
Overall rating
2
/
5
30 of 38 found this review helpful
Contrived scariness and washed out graphics do not make an exciting game
PostedApril 22, 2014
Tufty57
fromCambridgeshire UK
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
So often these soft releases are gems so I tried it with some hopeful anticipation. All too soon my hopes were dashed.
* No voices on the dialogues so did not identify with any of the characters.
* Washed out colour made everything difficult to see.
* Old school HOSs with simple lists and tiny, tiny objects to find
* No map, but lots of back and forth.
* Dull background music
* Washed out colour made everything difficult to see.
* Old school HOSs with simple lists and tiny, tiny objects to find
* No map, but lots of back and forth.
* Dull background music
All in all, it felt like I had gone back a few years. Where has this game been dredged up from? I wouldn't even recommend it for beginners as it is so frustrating with little entertainment value.
If you are really desperate to use a coupon before expiry, give it a try, but do not waste your money!
I don't recommend this game.