EnvirEng's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:444
- Reviews Submitted:50
- First Review:December 14, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 29, 2022
- Featured reviews0
Status:
You’ve been invited to the long abandoned Paris Opera House. Find the phantom and discover the torment of this tragic hero!
Overall rating
3
/
5
So close to being excellent
PostedMarch 25, 2012
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I think this is a good game--not very good, or excellent. If you like HO/Adventure games and you don't have anything else to do, this might be a good game for you.
The story is just what you would expect. You are travelling with you parents to the city where your mother was once a great opera star. The Phantom kidnaps you and takes you to the old theatre. Etc. The ending is a bit weak, but sets up for the sequel.
The graphics are wonderful, as are the voice overs (not skippable# and sound effects.
The play area is very large. Many, many rooms to explore. Mini games are generally easy enough--they just take time. One #finding the constellation# was impossible for me, even when I figured out what I was looking for. I finally lucked into the correct solution. Fortunately, some minigames are skippable.
Here are the problems. There are a lot of difficult HO scenes #not interactive#. They are very cluttered and, while not impossible, not much fun, for me.
For most of the game, I didn't have much trouble finding my way around, but things changed towards the end. You will wear out a few pairs of shoes back-tracking and returning.
There is a map #not interactive# that lets you know where actions are still needed. Without that, I don't think I would have ever finished.
Pay attention to the notes that get put into your journal. You will need that information to solve some problems.
Also, it will help if you know more about music than I do. I didn't know what some of the HO items were. Also, there are a few obscure items #involving math and ancient history) to find.
I think it took me about 3.5 hours of game play to complete. It felt like it took a lot longer. I am going to recommend this game because it had some good points and others might not find the HO scenes as tedious as I did.
I recommend this game!
The King turns once more to you, his trusted city planner, to save the faraway land of Middleshire in Royal Envoy 2!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 9 found this review helpful
Great game with truly wonderful graphics
PostedFebruary 24, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is, indeed, a time management game, but let me warn you that some levels require quite a bit of thought. So, if you like TM and puzzle solving, this is the game for you.
Once again, you are the kingdom’s city builder, so you travel from region to region, building houses and structures to meet the requirements set out for you. From the arctic to the balmy shores, by boat and tunnel, you travel to exotic locales!
The game has a few new interesting characters, like the Glutton, whom you need to feed and Leprechauns, whom you need to cheer up. And, there is a whole gamut of Pirates that are only interested in your money.
Most of the levels require quick actions, but take the time to enjoy the scenery. I loved the little touches: the butterflies the fly around when you move your cursor over them, the red crab at the beach, the mole that sticks his head up out of the ground, the footprints in the snow that slowly fade.
The designers out-did themselves with this game.
Beyond the normal house building, each region has a special thing to do. You need to build a snow fortress and run a snowball game in the two arctic regions. Build lava levees in the volcanic region. Go ice fishing and make rum. These are wonderful additions to the game.
Beyond the normal house building, each region has a special thing to do. You need to build a snow fortress and run a snowball game in the two arctic regions. Build lava levees in the volcanic region. Go ice fishing and make rum. These are wonderful additions to the game.
While the feel and look of RE2 is the same as RE1, it is not the same. There are significant differences in the way you play. Overall, I thought RE2 was better designed, but there were a few aspects that I didn’t like as much as RE1. On some levels, you need to build a market to get enough food to do something. Then you have to tear the market down to build something else. On one of the last levels, I had to build and upgrade two mansions that I soon had to tear down. That annoys me for some reason.
Also, some levels require a precise order of actions. If you screw up, you have to start over if you have any hopes of finishing. This is especially true when trying to get a high happiness rating to cheer up the depressed leprechauns. Do the wrong thing, like run out of food, and there is no feasible way to finish.
Regardless, I really liked the game. You start in regular mode and once you get gold on all levels, you can play in advanced mode. There are hours and hours of game play here.
PS: If you need help, check out the Big Fish forum! I would never have figured out the 'Riddle' without it.
I recommend this game!
Travel from the Dark Middle Ages to the present to save the inhabitants of the Orion kingdom in Echoes of the Past - The Citadels of Time!
Overall rating
5
/
5
21 of 21 found this review helpful
Wow!
PostedFebruary 13, 2012
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
This is a truly awesome Hidden Object/Adventure Game. I loved it. You start out in the present day, in a castle that has been turned in to a museum.
Unfortunately a witch has cursed the castle and broken the giant clock in the lobby. You have to explore the museum/castle, travelling through swirling portals to other times. Others from the castle's history are also trapped by broken clocks.
That is the set up. I would describe this game as mostly adventure with some HO scenes, which are mostly junk piles with interactive elements. Expect to visit each HO scenes more than once. Everything was properly labeled and none of the items were microscopic or impossible to find.
You will need to do lots of walking around--through time--to find the items you need to perform the necessary tasks. As you fix the clocks in each time period, the person trapped there is freed and the portal closes. You then receive a piece of the broken clock in your time period.
The graphics are very good. There is both text and voice over’s in the cut-scenes, which can be clicked through. Game play is really long.
There are lots of activities and mini-games, which are overall pretty good and skippable. I only ran into one or two that I would call really difficult. There are more interesting places to explore in this game than any other game I've played.
I played in advanced mode and did have to use a few hints. With no sparkles, I missed a few areas I needed to search.
Since there are many areas open to explore at one time and you can collect quite a few inventory items before you use them, this game may not be for everyone. It was perfect for me.
I recommend this game!
Enter the weird and wonderful realm of legend in Oddly Enough: Piped Piper, an enchanting Hidden Object game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
Pretty good with a few problems
PostedFebruary 12, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Overall, this is a fun and quirky game. I recommend it. I would describe it as a mostly adventure (find objects, use them elsewhere), sometimes Hidden Object game (by shape, not item name).
The game is based on the Pied Piper story. You must find the Pied Piper and pay him to get the children back. Graphics are cartoon-like, but well done. Great atmosphere. There are a good number of cool places to explore and interesting things to do. The funny characters are enjoyable. I liked the Gargoyle best.
Some say it is short, but the length seemed 'ok' to me.
There are some not-so-great aspects. First, there is a LOT of going back and forth within each location and each has, maybe, 8 to 10 places to visit.
Some of the actions required, like making coffee, require a high number of not-very-intuitive steps. I had to use the hint button more than I like to.
At one point, something just wouldn't work and neither the in-game dialogue, nor the hints were helpful. Extremely frustrating! A long time later, I figured it out, but it was just luck.
There were other things I had problems with. Here is a hint: If you can still examine something, like a table, that means there is still something to do there, just not right now. Also, look around carefully. A few of the things you need are not obviously placed.
The ending was a bit weird. Some reviewers are calling it sudden. I think dumb is a better description. My guess is the developer's wanted to keep it PG and set up for a sequel.
Despite all this, I enjoyed the game! It is different and that, in itself, is refreshing.
I recommend this game!
After your sister vanishes on her wedding day no one has any idea what happened to her, so it's up to you to find the truth!
Overall rating
5
/
5
0 of 2 found this review helpful
Definitely a Five Star HO/Adventure Game
PostedJanuary 20, 2012
EnvirEng
fromSharpsburg, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Very well done Hidden Object/Adventure game. Beautiful graphics and cut scenes. Interesting story. (Your soon to be married sister dies, or so you think. You return home to find a demon, who offers you a way to save her. The story takes a few twists and turns from there.)
Starting at the mansion, the demon sends you back in time to various locations that were important to your sister and her fiancé to find certain items. As each location is resolved, you end up back at the mansion.
Interesting locations. Lots of HOS (not interactive) and lots of puzzles (easy to hard). Good music and sound effects. I didn't time it, but I estimate that I spent five hours playing (in short bursts).
This game has just about everything you could want! I really enjoyed it.
I only have a few minor quibbles, but don't let that stop you from playing. I, personally, thought there were too many HOS, but the items were fairly easy to find.
Most of the actions required are standard. You will need a crowbar, a fuse, a wheel, etc. And, there is a lot of walking back and forth, but once you finish a trip to a certain time and place, you return to the mansion. So, the playing field isn't huge and I didn't get lost.
As stated above, the game does end rather abruptly and without an explanation. I would have liked a follow up, even if it was just an end note!
While some of the scenes are dark, I didn't have any trouble finding things. Also note: There is a demon and demonic references. If you don't like that, this probably isn't the game for you.
Overall, one of the best games I've played. I highly recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
9 of 14 found this review helpful
Good game, but not the best
PostedJanuary 8, 2012
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Overall, an enjoyable game. If you like Adventure/Hidden Object games, you should enjoy this one. Good story (find missing woman) and good graphics (cartoon-like but mostly well done.) Long in length. Lots of places to explore!
You have a tophat-wearing assistant (?) who periodically explains things to you, although, not too much. The mini-games were ok. The challenges are not particullary inspired (about seven steps to wash clothes), but it did hold my attention.
Kind of heavy on the Hidden Object scenes for me and they required a very minor amount of interaction (open a box, move a curtain). I did use a few hints, but most of the objects were findable. Some HOS were on the darker side.
I played in advanced mode (longer hint recharge) and wished I had chosen the easier one. Had to use the walkthrough four or five times and that is too much for me. I failed to find a few critical items and not all solutions are obvious or intuitive.
Note that flat work surfaces are there so you can perform some sort of work on them, like putting together items (or taking them apart). Some of these work areas are used more than once.
While I do recommend this game, I am glad I didn't pay full price.
I recommend this game!
After Awakening in a mysterious castle it's up to you to collect clues and items needed to solve perplexing puzzles and escape!
Overall rating
5
/
5
53 of 65 found this review helpful
Lovely and Relaxing
PostedDecember 29, 2011
EnvirEng
fromSharpsburg, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
I love all three games in this series. Dreamless Castle is the first, but I played it last. Just like the rest, the visuals are lovely. You play a princess, who just woke from a deep sleep and discovered that the castle it almost empty. A few fairies and goblins left, but no humans. You need to work your way through the castle, finding items and solving mini-games to free yourself.
There is some walking back and forth and most of the mini-games are fairly easy to solve. There are some Hidden Object Scenes that I thought were well done. Some of the mini-games are variations on the same theme (matching items, remembering sequences, picture puzzles).
Having said all that, I still loved the game. It is relaxing and beautifully drawn. No, it isn't a challenge to play, but it is wonderfully enjoyable and took me quite a while to finish.
I recommend this game!
After awaking from a century long slumber, Princess Sophia finds a world that is devoid of people! Help her find her friends!
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
Beautiful and Enjoyable Game
PostedDecember 22, 2011
EnvirEng
fromSharpsburg, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
You are a princess searching for her family. You need to work your way through the woods, solving puzzles (mini-games) and meeting magical creatures. Very fun and relaxing.
The well drawn cartoon-like graphics are delightful. There is no timer. Not many Hidden Object Scenes and the ones that are part of the game are not too hard. (No tiny items to find.)
Loads of mini-games of all sorts, some very easy (find objects) and some are more challenging. Took me about five hours of play to finish.
I love this game. The only complaint I have is that there are a few too many picture puzzles (rotate and switch pieces).
I highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Wait no more! The adventures of My Kingdom for the Princess continue. It's time to defeat the traitors and rebuild the kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
71 of 86 found this review helpful
Possibly the Best Time Management Game Ever
PostedDecember 14, 2011
EnvirEng
fromSharpsburg, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I replay this game over and over and over. It is still fun and a challenge. The third game in the series and, IMHO, the best of the three (although I replay the first two as well).
Send your workers out to clear roads, build farms and complete tasks. Collect resourses and use power-ups wisely for the best results. The graphics are cute. The music is good and there are lots of fun and challenging levels.
There are some 'filler' levels involving flying and dragons that I don't care for. You can't skip them the first time through, if you want to get all the trophies, but you can choose the levels you want to replay.
If you like time management games, I highly recommend this one. Even if you don't like TM games, you might want to demo MKFTP III. You might like it.
I recommend this game!
Journey to a foreboding island as you go on the hunt for a murderer in Elixir of Immortality, a fun Adventure game!
Overall rating
4
/
5
15 of 21 found this review helpful
A Good Game
PostedDecember 14, 2011
EnvirEng
fromSharpsburg, MD
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Time Management
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
A good game, but not great. Fun, but heavy on the HO scenes. You might need to use the Walkthrough to figure out what to do next at a few points in the game. Still, a good Adventure/H0G.
I recommend this game!