shorenuf's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:2,543
- Reviews Submitted:89
- First Review:November 19, 2011
- Most Recent Review:October 25, 2021
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Enter the world of Drawn. Explore the Painted Tower and unravel its mysteries on your quest to save the hope of the kingdom. Can you reach the top of the tower?
Overall rating
5
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
They read my mind!
PostedOctober 25, 2021
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just the other day, while reading reviews of the newer MCF games, I started thinking about Big Fish Studios -- the original authors of MCF -- and Drawn came to mind. They were wonderful, enchanting and tough! I missed that so much. So I open my e mail today to find "Redrawn, The Painted Tower", coming soon. I cannot wait to re-experience Iris's adventure!
I recommend this game!
Can you find the key to Ravenhearst's resurrection?
Overall rating
4
/
5
23 of 39 found this review helpful
Eipix has left its mark on Ravenhearst
PostedOctober 27, 2015
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Puzzle, Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
All I can say is if one of the achievements is complete in less than 5 hours I will not earn it. It's very late, so I may be even pokier than usual, but it's been about 2 hours, and I've yet to get in the Manor.
Many Eipix inspired and familiar objectives, some new and clever HO/puzzle combinations, one fairly simple super puzzle (so far), some other puzzles that were too easy. There is some helpful black bar info even though I have that off in custom settings. And the inventory items are labeled, making it too easy to know (rather than figure out) what they are for. The thing I remember most about earlier MCF games were the visual clues with otherwise no spoon fed guidance to proceed through the adventure. Not so here -- pity for that.
The artwork is well done, paying homage to past incarnations of Ravenhearst Manor. I am interested in the story, the mystery characters, and what's coming next. I suspect this will get more complicated once inside "the house that love built".
I appreciate there has to have been a lot of thought put into this game. There is something to accomplish at every turn. There are reminders of what has come to pass, but it seems certain there will be new twists revealed. Apparently, it will take a long time (at least for me) to get to the end of this chapter of the Ravenhearst Saga. I think it will be fun. I'll give it 4 stars for now.
I recommend this game!
You've been asked to cover a highly anticipated competition in New York City when something goes terribly wrong. Can you escape the world of illusions?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
A Bit Disillusioned…
PostedFebruary 18, 2015
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It is often difficult not to compare the second in a series to its predecessor. Alas, I was a bit disappointed. This entry does not hold the complexity of adventure or challenges of game play that was had in "Prisoners of Destiny".
That said, I come away from the demo, on the whole, quite enjoying the game's presentation. The graphics are painterly, but seem to fit the mood. The story quickly takes an unexpected twist. As the main character, the mystery is mine alone to solve; I do not know what is real and what is fake, or how to escape the situation I am in. As the player, I am intrigued. The hidden object scenes are interactive and varied, the puzzles require some deductive reasoning. I even want to find all those morphing cards.
In this instance I am willing to say "Challenge be damned!" I was having fun.
Bravo to Blam! This game is a good time. Enjoy!
I recommend this game!
Hit the beach for the sea, the sun, and solitaire like you’ve never played it before - in a unique country bowling-hotel setting!
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 13 found this review helpful
Double, Turkey, Four Bagger…
PostedFebruary 18, 2014
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I carried a 176 average in ten pins (in my youth), so I played this with the hopes of getting lots of strikes in a row. In my estimation, there isn't much "solitaire" to it, other than this is a one player game. Basically it is a matching game; the benefits come from making a lot of matches in a row. That gives you additional points to buy power ups -- jokers, an extra discard space, and a reshuffle.
Collect all the gold cards in one turn of the cards to get a strike in the frame. If you have to turn over the deck to finish the hand and get the rest of the gold cards, you get a spare. "Struck" indicates the number of pins you knocked down first time through the deck. In the easier mode, you can replay each frame. In the pro mode, you have to take what you get in each frame and can only replay the entire string.
This game could be a fun waste of time -- the demo hour seemed to go by quite quickly. It is disappointing to see a new game not be wide screen, but otherwise the simple, coloring book style graphics didn't bother me. In total, though, I just wouldn't call it solitaire. 3.5 stars
I recommend this game!
A jeweler is tasked with the restoration of some timeworn jewelry, but when he mysteriously disappears, rumors circulate that the pieces may be cursed.
Overall rating
3
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Changes to the Mac version…
PostedDecember 24, 2013
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I'm not sure if there have been any updates to the PC version of this game, but the Mac release is much newer and apparently the developers addressed some PC complaints. The Mac version has an un-timed option.
What still holds true is is a lack of adequate directions. Eventually you will see what to do, but it is not clearly stated in the "how to play" section.
At least the developers attempted something different here, but I'm not sure I will have the patience to get through it.
Sure -- give it a try.
I recommend this game!
There are screams heard in Silent Hollow... Trouble at the Mystery Trackers headquarters means you're called in to help.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 4 found this review helpful
Never Off Track!
PostedAugust 5, 2013
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This game was spot on! Really fun to play. The tasks and puzzles were not terribly difficult, but it did test your memory -- there was a lot going on. Several game play modes. Play in Detective mode if you really want to go it on your own.
This CE is full of extra content, all tied together even beyond the Bonus Chapter. The "Secret Room" was an extremely entertaining way to replay some of the HOs and puzzles. The bonus chapter definitely has a tie in to the main game and is very cleverly prexented.
Visually stunning, excellent story line, many hours of play time, well presented puzzles and mini games, interactive HOs, quick travel map, achievements and collectibles, worthwhile bonus content, tons of fun.
Pretty darn perfect -- don't hesitate to buy it!
I recommend this game!
What would adventure be, without the element of uncertainty? Play as Jennifer as she explores the ruins of the Maya civilization in search of her father.
Overall rating
2
/
5
71 of 79 found this review helpful
It's Doomsday for this game…
PostedJuly 30, 2013
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Jennifer and her Dad are archaeologist. Jen goes to Mexico to work with him and discovers he is missing. She finds out the news from dad's young, good looking male assistant.… TBC
Primarily a HO / Puzzle game. The game mechanics take quite a bit of getting used to -- something you might find not worth your time or energy. I know I didn't.
The graphics are colorful. The objects are not junk pile, they are hidden within full scenes. Some are tiny, but there is a close up feature.
There is a hint feature, but you can run out of hints and earn more by solving puzzles.
Some of the puzzles will test your brain, but the machinations required to use the tools will test your patience.
If you choose to demo this, it won't take long for you to find out exactly what I'm saying. I quit after trying to solve the first jade jigsaw puzzle.
cont.… Before Jen leaves for Mexico, it takes 2 HO scenes for her to pack. Once in Mexico, she uses a map to determine where to go (earn a hint for completing this simple task.) At the site, she offers to help the assistant with a few little things before they set off to look for dad. Six HO scenes later, she has dug up an ancient skeleton, collected samples including the poor fellow's teeth, hair, bits of cloth and a broken jade artifact. The assistant was of no help. Jen was tasked with piecing the artifact together.…
Games from this dev often feel like spoofs. Sometimes the stories can be rather interesting. This one offers some real information about Mayan culture and the doomsday prophecy. Sometime the puzzles are rather clever. It's too bad the games are so unpleasant to play.
Did Jen find her dad? Was he kidnapped by Mayan believers? Did Jen have a torrid love affair with the assistant? I guess I'll never know. The only mystery I can answer -- dad's concern; the world did not end on Dec. 21, 2012.
I don't recommend this game.
Discover the secret, erect magnificent buildings and restore Atlantis to its former glory!
Overall rating
2
/
5
7 of 10 found this review helpful
BORING!
PostedJune 2, 2013
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I finished the game in 140 levels, never lost a round. I did restart a few that were going nowhere -- choice is available and allowed without penalty. I had 225,000 points left over despite the high cost of using power ups.
The game play never changed -- swap match 3 with single chains, double chains, double tiles to uncover, bring one brick to the bottom. The boards did get more complicated, and I did have to buy extra time. On only one board did I buy extra time twice.
The game remained boring but at the same time oddly addicting. Perhaps it was just wanting to get it over with that kept me going.
Even the completed Atlantis was boring. And, thank goodness you could turn off the tutorial! The merman helper was weird and his voice ever so annoying.
This is one Match 3 I will never replay, ever.
I don't recommend this game.
Solve this maritime mystery to reunite a pirate with his lost love!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
What Price Love?
PostedMay 13, 2013
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Judging by other reviews, this certainly turned out to be a love it or hate it game. I have to say I am on the love it side. When I find myself wanting to actually complete every aspect of a game, meaning actually finding ever HO in a scene, not hitting hint when there is only one item left, it's a very good indication!
I admit I am pokey, so I had many hours of entertaining game play. The balance of puzzle to HO to adventure was excellent. The puzzles, although not mind bending, included some unique presentations. The HO scenes were a good mix of list, interaction, find pairs, silhouettes. Finding coins seemed to get easier; partly because many scenes were not as dark as the initial ones.
The artwork, if studied a bit, was remarkable in many aspects. The bonus concept art gives an enlightening presentation. The story, all the way through the bonus chapter was engaging enough to keep my interest.
As I said in my initial review of the demo, there is a lot of "game" in this game. The quick travel map is very helpful. It does show where there are things to accomplish at some point, but it is not a walk through by any means. Even black bar info only gives the most modest of clues.
Perhaps for a CE the game was not chock full of extra content. I never used the strategy guide. The music was fitting for the atmosphere, but nothing I would save. I am often interested in the concept art, but it is never why I would pay double. The 3 bonus chapters are actually played as one, and again, I was engaged for what seemed quite a bit of time. Nice to have saved a bit of money with the sale, but I got even the regular price worth of pleasure working through the intricacies of this game.
I recommend this game!
Charles Dexter Ward summons you to the island of Pawtuxet to stop a revenant from murdering the townspeople.
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Beware the Revenant
PostedApril 23, 2013
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Card & Board
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The best thing about this game may be the inclusion of the entire Lovecraft sci-fi novel. That and the other CE extras except for the bonus chapter are available from the start.
The next best thing might be the artwork. Appreciated even more if you watch the "Behind the Scenes" and view the Concept Art extras. The presentation is in Widescreen. The voice overs are animated and lip sync is on target.
Not sure you can label the rest of it Best of anything. The story has been done before in some way. You are the detective on the case to help C. D. Ward reign in the Soul Keeper he inadvertently unleashed into the world and is now killing people and sucking out their souls.
There is nothing new at all about the game play except for an innovation in the journal which provides progressive hints. Objectives are also listed there.
There are 3 modes of play -- only the hardest has no sparkles but it also has no puzzle skips. All modes provide too much guidance to say the tasks are at all challenging.
HO scenes (interactive) outnumber puzzles and you will revisit them each several times. There is no alternative way to get through them.
There is no map. You will be going back and forth on foot quite a bit.
There are no collectibles, morphing objects, or achievements.
Is this a terrible game -- no. Anyone new to the genre would find it interesting, if a bit morbid. Seasoned players, I'm afraid, would say same old, as I was wont to do rather quickly during the demo. Too bad since parts of it are quite well done.
6 Chapters plus the bonus chapter which would appear to make all right again for the residents of Pawtuxit. I have no idea how the real novel ends up, but reading it might be a better use of time for me. 3.5 stars.
I recommend this game!