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 reviews
    0
 
 
Status:
 
 
shorenuf's Review History
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Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
Almost a "Rave" review…
PostedApril 27, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Good
4 / 5
The Game -- finished it in some kind of marathon experience, so it must have been pretty good!
I can't really find too many things to criticize at all. Yes -- it was gross. As a matter of fact Master Detective puts it exactly in those words in his/her journal. If you don't want to get beyond that, this may not be a rewarding experience no matter how good the game play. But the game play was good. Obviously, I got caught up in it.
The puzzles -- clever and challenging because there were no directions, but there was really only one that mimicked some of BFG's best efforts in RTR. I so wish there had been more. There was a bit of a let down in the end since I was counting on some big finish memorable puzzle, but instead the finale was rather weak.
The story -- well, Act 6 was very short compared to the rest of the game. If you played RTR you already know the cast of characters. You will learn a lot more about Charles. If we ever return to Ravenhearst, there will be a new twist on the story.
The extra game play -- tasks that required a good memory or a lot of back and forth. Either way, it still added time and another dimension to accomplishing the game play. I liked it, and thought it was worth the CE price for the extra play time.
The morphing H0G scenes -- they got a bit tiresome. I did hit the hint button to find that last morph on more than one occasion. There were some other H0G scenes, but they were not "traditional" either.
In total, from visual presentation, game play construction, attention to details, adventure, task, and puzzle content, I think you have to put this game ahead of others. 4.5 stars.
I recommend this game!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Journey through the center of the Earth on a fantastic adventure in Azkend 2 - The World Beneath, a captivating ride to remember.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
52 of 56 found this review helpful
Azkend 2 takes you off the mountain into the sea
PostedApril 14, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
This is one tough game -- a lot more challenging than Azkend 1. It is also a lot more varied in game play with several new game board challenges. Be prepared to restart levels, but stay determined! The background artwork, which was stunning in the first Azkend, is even more beautiful and also animated. This makes the seek sections that come at the end of each chapter more difficult as well.
Wide screen, voice overs, catchy music scores, and a curious story all make for a very well orchestrated presentation. The secondary modes of play, time challenge and medals challenge, plus a myriad of achievements you must play all three modes to earn, make for many, many hours of satisfying play time.
I recommend this game!
+48points
52of 56voted this as helpful.
 
Step into a dark and mysterious world and help young Caroline solve her father's mysterious disappearance.
 
Overall rating 
Disliked it.
2 / 5
78 of 106 found this review helpful
I would rathather have a root canal…
PostedApril 10, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Awful
1 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Poor
2 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
… than play this scored and timed Hidden Object Puzzle Game with miniscule items to find and very easy mini games. It does not seem there is any Adventure. Do 3 H0 searches, play a mini game; do 3 H0 searches, play a mini game, etc. There is, thankfully, a hint button, but it takes a while for it to restore. Lose 25 points every time you evoke a hint. Mis-clicks are penalized unless you are lucky enough to click on a "you have found a bonus object" object. Run out of time and you don't get to play the mini game. Ask me if I care.
You play as Caroline from Nice, France. Her father, who was working in Paris has disappeared. Caroline has not heard from him in 2 weeks. She is worried. She searches his study and finds notes that he has gone to a castle in Transylvania. Of course she leaves immediately -- well after we search her room for things to pack, and the garden, and father's study.
The story actually has some potential: Caroline "… uncovers an ancient ruin and the prison of a centuries old vampire. Accidentally freeing the vampire sweeps Caroline into the middle of a vampire clan war that has raged for a millennia." Too bad it is stuck in such a dreadful game.
The game is narrated at the start of each chapter by an English speaking gentleman. Caroline has a French accent and a lot to say during cut scenes. Otherwise you will read the dialogue -- a blessing. Some of the artwork is rather nice. It is not wide screen.
This game is like the ones for those of you who want straight HO games. In all good conscience I cannot subject you to this particular game, however.
I don't recommend this game.
+50points
78of 106voted this as helpful.
 
Mix, connect, and construct your very own Citadel in Citadel Arcanes! Save your father by restoring the the Healer’s Circle!
 
Overall rating 
Disliked it.
2 / 5
50 of 58 found this review helpful
Arcane enjoyment
PostedApril 6, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Awful
1 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Poor
2 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
This would probably be a more pleasant and rewarding game if it didn't literally give you a stiff neck. The board and pieces are set at an angle so that visualizing matching in straight lines has you keeping your head at an obtuse angle.
Aside from that, the mechanic does not exactly allow for continuous moves. And what happens seems to move too slowly. It's all rather strange to describe. You might want to demo it. The game can be played with or without a timer. It is not wide screen.
What's it all about: You are a young girl granted land from your father to build a Citadel. The year is 3022 -- but there is nothing futuristic about the construction. There does seem to be a fair amount of magic and spells going on. The game centers around playing matching boards to earn whatever you need to purchase resources and build up your land. Unlike Heroes of Kalevala, it seems you are not populating the citizenry. Oh well, build it and they will come, I suppose.
With a number of Match 3's coming out lately, I don't need to add this one to my collection. The enjoyment was a mystery to me.
I don't recommend this game.
+42points
50of 58voted this as helpful.
 
Explore a terrifying tale in Mystery Stories: Mountains of Madness! Find out what happened to an entire team of researchers!
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Mountains of excellent game play!
PostedApril 6, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Nowadays games of this caliber are introduced as Collector's Editions! For me, playing in hard mode, and not using the advice and hints system, it wasn't exactly short.
Widescreen, visually stunning, well paced, decent puzzles, good adventure, good story. Wish it had had voice overs throughout, not just at the beginning of chapters. (4.5 stars if I could select that)
I recommend this game!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Your family is missing and the town is in chaos in Small Town Terrors: Livingston!
 
Overall rating 
It was OK.
3 / 5
5 of 8 found this review helpful
LIVINGston appears to be DEAD…
PostedMarch 18, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
OK
3 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
… but there is some life to the game.
I would say it was very similar in game play to other HOPAs, and probably more about the story than the mechanics. Personally, while hunting for H0s and inventory items, I would much rather be concentrating on artwork other than the gritty if realistic art style of this game. No question it fit the subject, so I can't really fault it or let it influence this review.
The story itself and the tasks required, I think, would appeal more to guys. It seems interesting then, that as is so often the case, the hero in this story is female. (Off hand I can only think of two male leads, the detective in the Dark Tales series and the reporter in the Dorian Gray game. And Mortlake Mansion, where you can play as a male or female.)
Of course the story has some far fetched aspects, but it isn't totally outside the realm of a modern day disaster. No ghosts or aliens or time travel -- this story is happening to real people. There are a couple jump out of your seat moments, and a not too unexpected, but still curious, ending. In between you will do a bit of going back and forth, tasks that are mostly easy to decipher, many H0 scenes, and several puzzles of varying degrees of annoyance -- er, difficulty.
There is a task list you do not have to access, but which will lead you by the hand in graduated help steps -- really very well done for anyone who wants to play this game without much guidance. There are also casual and advanced (no hot spot sparkels) modes.
This SE was on the shorter side, but IMHO just long enough. I enjoyed the puzzles and I wasn't hoping the end was near before I finished. (3.5 stars across the board)
I recommend this game!
+2points
5of 8voted this as helpful.
 
When Houdini’s promises of contact from beyond go unkept, his wife comes to you in a final plea to unravel his mysterious passing.
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Houdini Whodunnit …
PostedMarch 14, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
OK
3 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Although I enjoyed playing this game, it was too easy. Seriously, there was only 1 "I think I'm stumped" moment in the whole game, and it came very close to the end. A few of the puzzles were clever, the H0G scenes had 2 kinds of twists -- find the hiding place, or find the object by a descriptive clue (ie: liquid chicken). The artwork and special ghostly effects were reminiscent of MM Salem Witch Trials. So were the find ravens and clovers, and the achievements. In the end I found enough clovers to open unlimited H0 play, but not all the clovers; nor did I find all 52 ravens. Sad to say, I didn't really care.
The game was extremely linear; being transported from times and places in history. But, in several places you hardly spent any time at all. In many locations / rooms, there was only one or two things to find or accomplish. Some of the artwork in one of the locations was so devoid of decoration as to think the devs were saying "we've got to add more, the game is too short!"
There are a lot of clues given to you within the game play or in the diary. My scratch my head moment was answered in a picture that text told me to "pay attention to everything". Two modes of play, casual and advanced. I played the later -- no sparkles for areas of interest, ghostly waves for H0Gs are still there.
Visually the game is well done -- I liked the transitional special effects. It played in wide screen. I wanted to follow the story. It had an excellent ending. It was pleasant to play -- for as long as it lasted. Even pokey me was done in 4 or so hours. The strategy guide does not follow along with your progress and it is more pictures than text, but you may not need it. However, if you use the hints (earn one for each raven you find), you will miss out on some achievements.
Bottom line -- This game pales judged against Midnight Mysteries Salem Witch Trials which was just an SE but had so much more length and depth of game play. But Houdini still had enough good things, things perhaps outstanding compared to other SE's, to warrant my suggestion to demo it.
✐ BFG definition of Deluxe -- outstanding game play and a strategy guide. Well, I guess it had that.
I recommend this game!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
After your son, Bobby, mysteriously disappears, it’s up to you to find him in Surface: The Mystery of Another World!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
One word says it all…
PostedMarch 11, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
I can only echo every positive comment others have stated in their reviews. So, in a word that only scratches the surface of the details I could expound upon…
Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious!!!!!!
Okay, two things worth noting. A lot of things in the game are "hidden in plain sight". I was impressed by that in the hidden object scenes' extraordinary artwork. Secondly, there are clues given within the game play for the Adventure and tasks portion, but logic and memory are essential. The challenge affords a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
I recommend this game!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
After crash-landing on a frozen mountain Raj makes an incredible discovery in Jewel Quest 6: The Sapphire Dragon!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Finally …
PostedFebruary 25, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
I never got past the demos of other Jewel Quest games because of the Match 3 mechanic. I hated having to wait for cascading matches to complete before making the next move. Finally, that has changed.
And since I have not played this series, I am not tired of the story line or the board tasks, which I can imagine might be familiar for others. The story is quite contemporary, however. Rupert and Emma are nowhere in sight.
So, I quite like this game. The match 3 boards present a lot of challenge as you progress through 193 levels. And even though you can now make continuous moves, there is strategy involved to finish the boards. It's also a nice change to have a story breaking up the play without having to build a city, keep citizens happy, water plants and the like.
I like the idea of having to choose from 5 characters depending on their skills to best accomplish the board task at hand as an alternative to traditional power up awards.
There are three modes of play; you can switch between normal, advanced, and relaxed (no timer).
This game will occupy hours and hours and hours of time if you follow the story, each characters journal, strive for every achievement, and earn 5 stars for each board.
Have fun on your Quest!!
I recommend this game!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Use a mystical locket to explore a magical world and save a young girl in Otherworld: Spring of Shadows!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
A Delight for the Imagination
PostedJanuary 31, 2012
Customer avatar
shorenuf
fromScottsdale, AZ
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Card & Board, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Is it fantasy? Is it reality? Is it a bit of both? Immerse yourself in this charming and captivating story book like adventure about a family who has mysteriously disappeared. The backdrop for this charming tale is an extraordinary and ever changing artwork style that will elicit at least an occasional "Wow!".
Labeled a hidden object game, but it is much more. There are actually only 2 traditional such scenes; others include search types you may have seen before, but each is a pleasant diversion. The puzzles as well, some simple, some clever, some familiar, hold a quality unique to the story. The tasks are not linear. Nothing about this game is a chore. It flows amazingly well. There are even achievements to be had. Explore and enjoy.
Perhaps not all that challenging, but it didn't seem to matter. Expect at least 6 hours of enjoyment -- this is a long, but never arduous, adventure.
The bonus chapter as well, is by no means an afterthought. It had the same feel as the core game -- even presented a bit of challenge. I would say it was meaningful to the story, but not essential to feeling the core game was complete.
I recommend this game!
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
 
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