FrauMeike's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.6
- Helpful Votes:1,652
- Reviews Submitted:33
- First Review:November 27, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove Collector's Edition
A deadly secret lurks in the woods of Dire Grove!
Overall rating
3
/
5
107 of 126 found this review helpful
Good game, but rather stenciled
PostedNovember 25, 2014
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
After the rather inglorious "Shadow Lake", BF started to develop the MCF games with help from Elephant Games who is an experienced developer with many entertaining games. However, their games lack any kind of uniqueness. The characters usually are rather awkward when it comes to body/lip movement, the graphics, although crisp and beautifully drawn, don't differ between their different game series and thus, making them interchangeble, there are always tons of collectibles, and sometimes an animal helper friend, who you can equip with the collectibles.
All of their games work this way. This stenciled development becomes a bit tiring after a couple of games.
All of their games work this way. This stenciled development becomes a bit tiring after a couple of games.
And here you are with this 13th installment of MCF and it's all there: the clumsily moving people, the collectibles (angular puzzle pieces), the beautiful yet routined graphics.
Plus, there are tons of unneccessary cut scenes: wolfs appearing -> cut scene, wolfs disappearing --> cut scene, release the steel trap -> cut scene, squirrel jumping -> cut scene. They don't contribute to the story and are all just two seconds short. This smells like smoke and mirrors to me.
To make it worse, they erased morphing objects completely. Considering the fact that morphing objects were invented by MCF (they appeared first in "Madame Fate"), this is a clear break with the original series. You can collect some small buildings that appear and disappear, but that's not morphing in my opinion.
Besides, they added many dialogues. You can skip them in a way that you are able to leave the scene, but the talking continues. That's rather annoying when you're not into interacting with characters.
And finally, where's the stunning acustic atmosphere the earlier MCF games had? When you know the old "Dire Grove" game, you know what I mean. Calling birds in the distance, crackling twigs, the howling winds, everything muffled by the snow cover - the sounds really created the feeling of being in a vivid environment. In this game there are no sounds but a soft breeze, and that doesn't make a winter.
Yes, I am disappointed. The game is good, no question, but it is no MCF, rather a sequel of "Mystery Trackers" or "Grim Tales". If you don't expect more than that you'll probably like it.
I don't recommend this game.
Gnumz: Masters of Defense
An enemy is at our gates! Build an ideal chain of traps. Use magic and the power of the elements: earth, ice, fire and shadow.
Overall rating
3
/
5
18 of 21 found this review helpful
A bit frustrating
PostedSeptember 1, 2014
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Current Favorite:
Off the Record: The Italian Affair Collector's Edition
(69)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The graphics of this tower defense game are awesome, very funny and cartoonish. The weapons are different from all the ballistas and cannons that you're used to, e.g. spikes coming out of the floor and "shadow" weapons for ghosts.
The music is a bit annoying and resembles the one of "300 Dwarves", but that's not a big thing, just turned it off.
The music is a bit annoying and resembles the one of "300 Dwarves", but that's not a big thing, just turned it off.
The game, however, is very hard. I failed to get gold from around the sixth level on and I'd consider myself expert in defense games.
The problem is, that every type of weapon is for a certain type of enemy and often there's not enough space to build weapons for every enemy type. In some levels you can only build two weapons on a certain enemy path, but are facing at least four types of enemies of which some you can't kill with your choice, e.g. you build a weapon for land troops that can't kill flying enemies.
This problem would only be solvable if you damage, re-choose, and re-build your weapons in every enemy wave, and to me that's a hectic massacre instead of solid defense fun.
The problem is, that every type of weapon is for a certain type of enemy and often there's not enough space to build weapons for every enemy type. In some levels you can only build two weapons on a certain enemy path, but are facing at least four types of enemies of which some you can't kill with your choice, e.g. you build a weapon for land troops that can't kill flying enemies.
This problem would only be solvable if you damage, re-choose, and re-build your weapons in every enemy wave, and to me that's a hectic massacre instead of solid defense fun.
I bought the game and I still try to figure out how gold can be achieved, maybe the numerous updates you can buy will make it easier, but up to know this is a "Meh!"
I don't recommend this game.
True Fear: Forsaken Souls Collector's Edition
What if everything you knew about your life, everything your family ever told you, turned out to be a lie?
Overall rating
5
/
5
48 of 51 found this review helpful
What an intense shocker!
PostedMarch 17, 2014
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game is one of the most intense games I've ever played. It drew me in withing minutes and I couldn't stop playing to the very end.
The story in short: you receive a mysterious letter from your missing sister who you thought to be dead and you leave immediately to find her. You have to visit several locations to reveal a dark and disturbing family secret. You find diary entries and audio tapes that help you assemble the mosaic.
During your travels, you repeatedly encounter a creepy, mysterious girl that resembles the girl from the movie "The Ring". You don't know, is she a zombie, is she just savaged, is she evil or mentally disturbed. All this you don't know, yet you have to witness this extremely disturbing creature roaming around the houses. She is really threatening, but she never attacks or otherwise addresses you, so it remains in the dark what she wants from you.
The atmosphere is so dense, that girl so terrifying, sound and graphics are absolutely fantastic to emphasize the frightening story that my goose-bumps wouldn't disappear to the very end of the game. There are several jumping moments and the warning for the weak at heart never seemed so appropriate.
The riddles are a good mix of well-known and new ideas, the HO scenes are slightly interactive and contain in-scene hiding places.
The Collector's Edition contains the obligatory bonus chapter, several achievements, and a collection of figurines which reveal even more of the story. There's a "behind the scenes" section with deleted scenes and a small demonstration how computer games are realised from the first pencil sketch to the finished scene, which was very fascinating and informative.
And finally, they gave us some information on the next two parts. Yes, "True Fear" is a trilogy and I can't wait to play the other games, too.
The Collector's Edition contains the obligatory bonus chapter, several achievements, and a collection of figurines which reveal even more of the story. There's a "behind the scenes" section with deleted scenes and a small demonstration how computer games are realised from the first pencil sketch to the finished scene, which was very fascinating and informative.
And finally, they gave us some information on the next two parts. Yes, "True Fear" is a trilogy and I can't wait to play the other games, too.
This game is a must-have for people who appreciate a good frightened shiver every now and then.
I recommend this game!
Be a King: Golden Empire
Defend your kingdom from raiders in Be a King 3: Golden Empire! Rebuild cities and protect the population in this fun Strategy game!
Overall rating
2
/
5
6 of 6 found this review helpful
Rather lame compared to the other parts of Be A King
PostedFebruary 2, 2014
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I played the first two parts of "Be a king" several times and enjoyed the game very much. But the third part is completely different. Of course, the game play is still the same, a fair mixture of tower defense and building.
But the interface is completely different from what you're used to from the first two parts. Buying materials, upgrading buildings, hiring workers, all the actions could be managed in a way that didn't interfere with your playing field, everything was quite neat and quickly done.
But now there are huge popup windows that cover almost the whole playing scene, so every action is like an interruption of playing. Buying, hiring, and upgrading are really inconvenient with these enormous overlay windows.
But now there are huge popup windows that cover almost the whole playing scene, so every action is like an interruption of playing. Buying, hiring, and upgrading are really inconvenient with these enormous overlay windows.
I really didn't like that new interface design, it's hampering the game progress, and I can't recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Mystery Case Files®: Fate's Carnival Collector's Edition
Something wicked has taken over Fate’s Carnival!
Overall rating
4
/
5
52 of 75 found this review helpful
Finally getting back to normal, exceptional that is.
PostedNovember 26, 2013
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON THE DEMO
Over the last weeks I felt really uneasy regarding the upcoming MCF release. The memories of last year's desaster were just too haunting. Frankly, my dears, I was scared they would mess it up again.
And what can I say? They did not! Yay!
It's clearly visible that they did quite an effort to soothe the upset fans, e.g. consulted fans wishes on Facebook, asked for favorite game elements and so on. They really worked hard to create a game the fans would love more than the shabby "Shadow Lake".
By returning to Madame Fate AND linking the carnival story to the Dalimar family, they played the savest card, because these two are the most popular of all MCF games. Thus, they present tons of familiar figures and elements from these game series, which is not really innovative, but having in mind what could've gone wrong with this year's release, I'm really delighted to see these old friends.
It's clearly visible that they did quite an effort to soothe the upset fans, e.g. consulted fans wishes on Facebook, asked for favorite game elements and so on. They really worked hard to create a game the fans would love more than the shabby "Shadow Lake".
By returning to Madame Fate AND linking the carnival story to the Dalimar family, they played the savest card, because these two are the most popular of all MCF games. Thus, they present tons of familiar figures and elements from these game series, which is not really innovative, but having in mind what could've gone wrong with this year's release, I'm really delighted to see these old friends.
Technically, the game's a huge improvement compared to "Shadow Lake". Even though the graphics are not as sensational as in the Ravenhurst series, they are really good. Drawn backgrounds, washed out colors, worn fabrics - there's definitely some atmosphere going on.
There are some really shocking scenes, not all frightening themselves, but so surprising and unexpected, that the jump comes all naturally.
There are some really shocking scenes, not all frightening themselves, but so surprising and unexpected, that the jump comes all naturally.
And the puzzles. Oh, how I missed them MCF puzzles! I just encountered one of the beloved chain reaction puzzles we all know too well from Madame Fate and from the Ravenhurst games. I didn't know I was craving for them so badly until I stumbled upon it.
HO scenes are slightly interactive and well done. No need to use hints.
There are several collectibles and achievements. In the HO scenes there are morphing playing cards, you can collect bank notes to buy stuff for your helper cat, and there's a collection of bobblehead figures.
There are several collectibles and achievements. In the HO scenes there are morphing playing cards, you can collect bank notes to buy stuff for your helper cat, and there's a collection of bobblehead figures.
This games offers a little bit for everyone. Some shock effects, some morphing going on (but not too much), classical HO scenes and puzzles, a helper cat, and a gripping story. By having FIVE difficulties, this game can be played by almost all skill levels, and of course it gives experienced players a reason to play again with a higher difficulty level.
To sum it up, I'd say that it's quite obvious that they didn't risk anything, the game is not very innovative and has only few new elements, but I appreciate that they tried very hard to make amends for last year's disappointment.
And now I'm gonna buy the game. And you should, too.
I recommend this game!
Stranded Dreamscapes: The Prisoner Collector's Edition
Guide little Emmy through her fears and back to the real world!
Overall rating
3
/
5
16 of 24 found this review helpful
Great for a SE, but no worthy CE
PostedOctober 5, 2013
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
REVIEW BASED ON DEMO
This game ist great. It has fantastic drawn backgrounds that are colourful and bright. The storyline is somewhat different from what we are used to in the HO genre (you have to move through the twisted dreamscape of a girl in coma and find out what keeps her from waking up) and the scenes are full of eerie, strange elements. It's a dark dream world where you would expect evil clowns and mad toys. I really liked this setting.
The puzzles are rather easy, I played in advanced mode and didn't really need a hint or skip button. The music was pleasant and unobtrusive. HO scenes were lovely, slightly interactive, and items were really easy to find. Most of the HOS can be finished in under a minute. This game is just right for people who want fast success.
The puzzles are rather easy, I played in advanced mode and didn't really need a hint or skip button. The music was pleasant and unobtrusive. HO scenes were lovely, slightly interactive, and items were really easy to find. Most of the HOS can be finished in under a minute. This game is just right for people who want fast success.
However, there were no extras that would make the game worth the double price for a CE. No collectibles, no morphing objects, no achievements.
The CE extras contain a bonus chapter, re-playable puzzles and HOS, concept art and a gallery, and since I'm not very interested in concept art and re-playing stuff, this isn't enough for me.
The CE extras contain a bonus chapter, re-playable puzzles and HOS, concept art and a gallery, and since I'm not very interested in concept art and re-playing stuff, this isn't enough for me.
The game would be a fantastic SE and I will most certainly buy it, but for a CE it's a bit meager.
If you don't care for collectibles whatsoever, this game's for you, for all the others I'd recommend waiting for the SE.
If you don't care for collectibles whatsoever, this game's for you, for all the others I'd recommend waiting for the SE.
I don't recommend this game.
Farm Frenzy 4
Save grandpa and grandma's farm from foreclosure in the wacky and wonderful Farm Frenzy 4! Virtual farming has never been more fun.
Overall rating
1
/
5
17 of 24 found this review helpful
Just terrible
PostedJuly 25, 2013
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I was so looking forward to the new "Farm Frenzy", but now I am absolutely disappointed.
The new 3D look is just awful. As someone else mentioned, there's absolutely nothing cute or lovely about it.
The sound is annoying, the menu is rather confusing with only symbols that aren't self-explanatory (e.g. you have to click on something like a robot's head to start a new level, but the corresponding text says "Click on the wheel to play").
The sound is annoying, the menu is rather confusing with only symbols that aren't self-explanatory (e.g. you have to click on something like a robot's head to start a new level, but the corresponding text says "Click on the wheel to play").
I hope this is some kind of terrible accident and the next part gets back to the old quality. Farm Frenzy had that unique funny look, all cute and bubbly, with georgeous graphics and nice sounds. Somehow, they managed to mess almost all of this up.
I only played a few minutes, before uninstalling the game forever.
I only played a few minutes, before uninstalling the game forever.
I don't recommend this game.
Reveries: Sisterly Love
In order to save your life, your twin sister traded her soul to a witch. Now you must race through the looking glass to rescue her!
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 21 found this review helpful
No collectibles/achievements
PostedJuly 11, 2013
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Although there are collectibles (fortune nuts) shown in the walkthrough and mentioned in some of the reviews, the standard version does NOT have this feature.
There are no collectibles or achievements whatsoever in the SE, which is very disappointing, because based on the description in the walkthrough and the reviews I expected some additional collecting fun and bought the game.
Showing screenshots from the Collector's Edition in the walkthrough for the Standard Edition is misleading and unfair.
Showing screenshots from the Collector's Edition in the walkthrough for the Standard Edition is misleading and unfair.
The game is beautiful and fun, though, and someone who doesn't need collectibles will most definitely have a good time with this.
I recommend this game!
Farm Up
Begin with a small enterprise and develop your farm to create your own economic miracle!
Overall rating
2
/
5
83 of 95 found this review helpful
The higher levels are almost betrayal
PostedMay 25, 2013
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
In the beginning, this game was real fun to play.
You weren't forced to buy gold coins, all quests were fulfillable without coins in a reasonable amount of time. There was an additional option to earn gold coins by meeting achievements, so still no need to buy anything.
If you want to buy coins anyway, the price is really fair. Ten bucks for 400 coins (with unlimited energy available from 16 coins up) seem absolutely okay. I would've given the game 4 stars.
You weren't forced to buy gold coins, all quests were fulfillable without coins in a reasonable amount of time. There was an additional option to earn gold coins by meeting achievements, so still no need to buy anything.
If you want to buy coins anyway, the price is really fair. Ten bucks for 400 coins (with unlimited energy available from 16 coins up) seem absolutely okay. I would've given the game 4 stars.
But around level 23 things get unfair.
The problem is: the higher the level the more experience points are needed to level up. Quests help to gain experience and to reach the next level. From around level 23, most quests require goods you can only deliver on higher levels. E.g. a person pops up asking for wheat, but wheat gets unlocked only on level 28. You simply can't fulfill the task without levelling up.
But without the quest experience rewards, levelling up takes like forever. Forever as in "several days", when you play all day long. To move up five levels would take weeks. Plus, gaining experience by performing normal farm actions (planting/harvesting and caring for animals) will make you run out of energy very soon.
The problem is: the higher the level the more experience points are needed to level up. Quests help to gain experience and to reach the next level. From around level 23, most quests require goods you can only deliver on higher levels. E.g. a person pops up asking for wheat, but wheat gets unlocked only on level 28. You simply can't fulfill the task without levelling up.
But without the quest experience rewards, levelling up takes like forever. Forever as in "several days", when you play all day long. To move up five levels would take weeks. Plus, gaining experience by performing normal farm actions (planting/harvesting and caring for animals) will make you run out of energy very soon.
So basically, without levelling up you can't fulfill quests, and without fulfilling quests you can't level up.
That's the point where I got so annoyed that I paid coins to skip a few quests. I also unlocked the milk factory for 120 coins on level 25, hoping that things would speed up again when I'm able to fulfill new quests. But when I bought the milk factory, I only got the message that the first recipe will be unlocked on level 27.
Even though I spent almost 200 gold coins to move on, there's still no progress in sight, still no levelling up possible, still no fulfillment of quests possible, either.
Even though I spent almost 200 gold coins to move on, there's still no progress in sight, still no levelling up possible, still no fulfillment of quests possible, either.
That's not funny, that feels like trickery.
I don't recommend this game.
Fear for Sale: Nightmare Cinema Collector's Edition
When the entire audience disappears from a film screening at an old theater, you must go behind the scenes to find out who is running the mysterious Nightmare Cinema.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 9 found this review helpful
Collectible cornucopia
PostedApril 5, 2013
FrauMeike
fromBerlin, Germany
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Strategy, Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This game is a stunner, nothing less.
Everything is just right as it is.
Everything is just right as it is.
What I really love about this game is the plenty of things to find and collect besides the HO scenes.
There are 66 morphing objects and several collections each containing five items of the same kind, e.g. five different butterflies, five snow globes. I'm an absolut collectible/MO addict so this game is definitely made for me.
There are 66 morphing objects and several collections each containing five items of the same kind, e.g. five different butterflies, five snow globes. I'm an absolut collectible/MO addict so this game is definitely made for me.
There's a map that makes travelling really easy.
The puzzles are rather easy, I didn't need the skip button or the strategy guide to solve them.
The story is weird and eerie, the scenery very dark and run-down.
The story is weird and eerie, the scenery very dark and run-down.
The drawn backgrounds are lovingly detailed and it's fun to walk around and discover the sorroundings.
This game is 5 of 5 and so worth a buy.
I recommend this game!