Aunt_Mabel's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.2
- Helpful Votes:223
- Reviews Submitted:37
- First Review:February 3, 2012
- Most Recent Review:June 18, 2016
- Featured reviews0
The Enchanted Kingdom: Elisa's Adventure
To prove she's the rightful heir to the throne, Elisa must conquer a fearsome dragon and bring down a wicked witch!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 8 found this review helpful
Too muddled, too mixed
PostedJuly 26, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This game tries to be all things to all people, and in doing created a game which is disjointed. It's like the developers have taken a bit of the most popular current genres out there and shoved it into the game. You get Match 3 (in all it's variations), HOS, building, strategy, resource collection, gathering bonus items, etc. This might have worked had the instructions not been so poor and the moving between the various types of game play more intuitive. I love Match 3 games and usually buy them without the demo. That was the case with this one and unfortunately wished I had played the demo first. As for the Match 3 itself, those were frustrating and never-ending. Playing the same puzzle for 20 minutes or more just to get enough logs to build something if only I can remember where I need to go to find the building I need to build. So much time and energy goes onto making games that I feel mean leaving only 2 stars, but try as I might, the only thing this game did for me was give me a headache! Sorry Felix, not one of BF's best.
I don't recommend this game.
There's a dark force at work in Pilgrim's Hook. Return to your childhood home and save your twin brother from the evil that lives beneath the sea.
Overall rating
4
/
5
3 of 3 found this review helpful
Nicely constructed game
PostedJuly 1, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Pros:
Very nice story. It starts off the way so many do these days - with a missing person and a rescue. But from there it picks up into something quite interesting. You have been drawn back to your childhood home which you hated but which has drawn back your twin brother. He is nowhere to be found - at least in the beginning. The town is almost deserted but for a few left behind and the baddie who has an extraordinary secret to hide.
Decent graphics
Clean HOS
Nice puzzles, some of them quite fiendish! The suitcase is the one which got me scratching my head (never was any good at algebra!)
Decent length: took me about 5 hours on expert level.
Very nice story. It starts off the way so many do these days - with a missing person and a rescue. But from there it picks up into something quite interesting. You have been drawn back to your childhood home which you hated but which has drawn back your twin brother. He is nowhere to be found - at least in the beginning. The town is almost deserted but for a few left behind and the baddie who has an extraordinary secret to hide.
Decent graphics
Clean HOS
Nice puzzles, some of them quite fiendish! The suitcase is the one which got me scratching my head (never was any good at algebra!)
Decent length: took me about 5 hours on expert level.
Cons:
None really but the ending was a bit abrupt.
None really but the ending was a bit abrupt.
When I have some credits to spare, I may get the CE to get the extra chapter/s. Maybe the bonuses will have more of the story to round it out.
All in all, well worth playing.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
Loved it!
PostedJune 22, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
What I loved most about this was it the similarity to those late 1990s point and click adventure games. The most striking similarity is in the fact that outside of the HOS there are no hints. That's right folks - no hints! You have to work it out for yourself unless you resort to a walkthrough.
There are HOS of course, but they are not too many and are fun. The objects are clear, not too easy to find but not so frustrating that one wears the hint button out! Watch out for the occasional badly described item though. In one scene I spent ages looking for a "Bowl" only to give up and use a hint and be shown what was clearly a goblet or wine glass! The mini-games a decent too, not difficult though.
The game is fairly linear, but not completely. There is some doubling back but it is within sections in the game, so no going right back to the beginning when you are nearly at the end. This is just as well because there is no map.The cut scenes are nice, and there are some decent conversations that move the story forward.
All in all, this one gets the thumbs up from me. I really enjoyed it.
I recommend this game!
The gates to another world will open soon! You can stop the impending disaster - if you track down the stolen runes!
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Some nice twists in a decent storyline
PostedJune 9, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is more an adventure game than a HO game. There are plenty of HOS but they do not dominate things. The winner in this game is the storyline for sure. There are plenty of twists and one of them was so unexpected that it made me go "Wow! I didn't expect THAT!" Also there is a "whodunnit" running through the story and you don't know until at least 3/4 the way through who for sure it is. Up to that point it could have been one of 5 people. I think the extra chapter is needed because the SE ends at the point where, okay, it's logical, but without a chance at actually closing the story. But even the end of the CE leaves the door open for another game later on.
The gameplay is much on the same format as the 1000 Doors and Sacre Terra stories, that is you get keys at various stages to take you into other dimensions in order to fulfill your tasks. There is a set of 15 scrolls to collect on the way, and believe me you will have to hunt for them, especially if you are on the "expert" level withouth sparkles. They are not essential to the story, but they are nice to get for that something extra and they are story-related.
It's not often I have anything good to say about music in games, but I do this time. Some of the music is like the sound track to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, that kind eerie ethereal feeling. Music doesn't play all the time, sometimes you get sound effects like thunder and rain. This is one of the few games where I did not turn the music way down.
The cut scenes are good. Okay, the animation is nothing too special, but the interactions are okay. The scenery is excellently rendered and in some of the scenes I took screenshots just for my own pleasure.
Any down-sides? Only one and it may not bother others at all. The objects one has to find in the HOS are sometimes very small and hard to see. I am not a dedicated HO fan, I play them because 90% of games made these days are HO, and so scenes where I have to squint and peer at the screen and look for tiny things which often are unrecognisable is annoying. But!....there were not that many HOS and it was not enough to spoil my enjoyment overall.
Would certainly recommend this one.
I recommend this game!
Prove yourself worthy of the favors of your Pharaoh!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 20 found this review helpful
Almost - but not quite
PostedJune 4, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I really wanted to love this game because I had so enjoyed Emerland and the screenshots and video indicated that this was similar. But sad to say this one fell short in a couple of areas. That's a real pity because it had the potential to be better and a couple of goldern opportunities missed. Firstly (and to me most importantly) was the missed opportunity of building the village. When the player completes a section of ten games the Egyptian official turns up to tell you how good you've been and now something can be built, like houses, farms etc. "Oh goodie!" thought me, looking forward to choosing something or doing something. Nope, instead it just appears and is far from exciting. And so it goes on, hand after hand. I put it to one side after 3 buildings and moved onto other games. It's still on my computer and I will finish it, but not in a joyful hurry of pleasure with which I played Emerland. The game is *almost* there, just a little more attention to detail to keep the player engaged and it would have been a winner. I've given it 4 stars because 3 just seemed so mean because the cards were beautiful and there were some interesting twists, like being able to play a card from further down in the layout (if it is highlighted), but that was not enough to earn 5 stars. Give it a go, but if you are coming to this having played Emerland be prepared to possibly be slightly disappointed. If you have not played Emerland, then I recommend that game rather than this one.
I recommend this game!
Save Brightfield from a shocking plot by a dastardly organization!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
5 stars for 4 Aces
PostedMay 27, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Good game with everything one needs. Level of challenge not that high, but that hardly matters when the game is fun. Didn't have to use the strategy guide at all. Used the hints a couple of times and found them very specific.
The balance is good, there are a lot of iHOS, a lot of varied games - none so hard that they take away from the fun, but also not too easy, and a fair bit of adventure. The storyline is interesting and a little out of the ordinary from the current trend of fantasy storylines. The interactive map is very useful because there is a fair bit of travelling. Good length of game which makes it all the more satisfying.
I loved Elf the dog and the extra which enables the player to collect tokens to buy Elf various things (won't go into details as that spoils it ;-) ). I would have liked that to carry on into the bonus chapter because there was more I wanted to buy him; I blew a whole stash of cash on one particular up-grade. :-D
Would certainly recommend this one.
I recommend this game!
The Dark Piper unleashes infested rodents into the town of Hamelin! Defeat him before he leaves a trail of destruction all across Europe!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent all round
PostedMay 24, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Get your walking shoes on and chase the Piper around old Hamelin! And you'll need to take a snack along and bottled water to sustain you on the journey! This is a very long game, especially for a SE and the map does not transport you to areas of activity. I'd recommend taking some notes along the way to remember where things are that need actions because the map really is very basic. But strangely that is a good thing, it made me think and actually work my way through the game, much as it used to be in the old days of adventure games. That is where the challenge is in this game, you have to work through it, there are no shortcuts/ There is not really much to complain about here, the story is good, the HOS are decent, the characters okay, the cut scenes nicely spread out, and there are some surprises along the way. There are some objects which (if you can find them in the scenery) add to the refresh time for your hints bar. There are 4 objects to find which are needed to progress further. All in all, very satisfying game.
I recommend this game!
Guide Kate Reed as she searches for the artifacts that can break the power of a cursed gem in House of 1,000 Doors: The Palm of Zoroaster!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Not bad at all
PostedMay 11, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Marble Popper, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Very similar to the first game but a lot shorter. But on the plus side, everything that was good in the first game is also good in this one. Because it is very much a repeat performance, it is not so much of a challenge, as for length it took me about 3.5 hours. Would have been 5 stars had the makers kept the overall formula but mixed it up a little with new puzzles and better story and added about an hour or gameplay. Got this as a special £2.30 Daily Deal, so cannot complain. ;-)
Rescue your daughter, Hannah, from the clutches of an evil witch before it's too late in this chilling Hidden Object adventure game!
Overall rating
5
/
5
7 of 7 found this review helpful
A welcome change!
PostedMay 4, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Strategy, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
For all those who would like an old-fashioned click and point fantasy adventure game, this may just appeal to you! Loved it because there are no hidden object games and the makers have proved that it is still possible to make a decent game without HOS. The story is nothing new really, evil witch kidnapping, heroine rescuing, etc. The games are not particularly challenging in themselves, but they are not the point of the game IMO. This is a game about playing an adventure. The length is decent, a couple of times I thought it was about to finish and then opened up a new area. I would recommend getting the CE because where the story stops before the bonus chapter it makes for an abrupt ending, If the makers leave it there for the SE edition, some players might a little cheesed off with the rough ending. Also, the bonus chapter was different enough and interesting enough for it to be a change from the main story. If there was one major tip I would give it is that you play with a pen and paper. There is a map, but it is very basic and does not jump you from place to place. Getting from A to B is by foot with the exception of some help every now and again (while not say more because that would be a spoiler). Decent game, decent story, good length and no HOS, what is there not to like!!
I recommend this game!
Halloween decorations aren’t the only things hanging around spooky Stone Farm when a group of students unwittingly open a portal to the underworld.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Something a little bit different
PostedApril 26, 2013
Aunt_Mabel
fromUK
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board, Time Management, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
The winner in this game is the story. It has been developed with a bit more depth than most games. The characters all have something to say and the story is told in a variety of methods, from straight talking to you, to silhouette cut scenes that are almost oriental in flavour. It's just that little different which made it a nice game to play.
It's not particularly challenging and there is an excellent map pointing you to where things need to be done in case you get stuck. If there was one thing which I would change, it would be some of the items in the HOS. They are inter-active and engaging, but some of the items were almost impossible to find without a hint, and I hate using hints! Gameplay was satisfyingly long, especially for an SE. All around, just a nice game to play.
It's not particularly challenging and there is an excellent map pointing you to where things need to be done in case you get stuck. If there was one thing which I would change, it would be some of the items in the HOS. They are inter-active and engaging, but some of the items were almost impossible to find without a hint, and I hate using hints! Gameplay was satisfyingly long, especially for an SE. All around, just a nice game to play.
I recommend this game!