LunaNik's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.8
- Helpful Votes:12,435
- Reviews Submitted:670
- First Review:November 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:August 19, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Can you keep history from destroying the present?
Overall rating
1
/
5
13 of 18 found this review helpful
Infinite illogical inanities.
PostedOctober 8, 2017
LunaNik
fromBemoaning the lack of challenging gameplay in this genre, missing real HO scenes and puzzles that require neurons.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The medical kit hasn't changed since the last episode, and it's still a badly-designed puzzle, since there are 120 possible combinations of 5 ingredients and 5 locations (5x4x3x2x1=120). Even if you have a clue to the location of one ingredient, you're still left with 24 possible combinations (4x3x2x1=24). I have better things to do than randomly guess combinations for 30 minutes each time, not to mention making a list of those I've already tried.
There was an incredible lack of logic. Why did I sew shut my own bag? How did the key to my medical kit end up in the theater, where I'd never been? What on Earth are oven mitts doing inside a book, and an animal tail inside a cash register? Inane. Not to mention, the storyline is nearly identical to the last episode's.
The gameplay included all the trite devices that have been overused in recent years. Bees...find a smoker. Rust...find an oil can. Ants...look for sugar. A dry plant needing water. I'm sure at some point, something will catch on fire and there will be a zipper lacking its pull tab, as well as spider webs and/or dust that I don't want to touch.
The palette included every color imaginable, usually at the same time, and frequently in eye-searing neon shades. And the animation was both blurry and pixellated. Music was repetitive and sound effects were annoying, especially the loud "whoosh" every time you found a hidden object.
There was no end to the ways in which this game was slowed down unnecessarily. Conversations that typed out one letter at a time, delaying the moment when you could "continue." Banners for every conceivable reason. Endless cutscenes that provided minimal information.
Lastly, the gameplay consisted of children's games: swap the outfits, pose the ballerina following the clue, move flowers to their matching slots, trace lines without overlapping, swap ritual items to their matching outlines. No thinking required. HO scenes with objects in plain view and large. Plus that laundry list of ridiculous tasks.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you defeat dangerous creatures and find your grandfather in time?
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
3½ stars, but I'll wait for the SE.
PostedOctober 8, 2017
LunaNik
fromNo more spirals. The collectibles should be unique to each game.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
THE AWESOME
The Production—Terrific graphics overall, although the animation varied between realistic (for objects) and stop-motion (for characters). The music was more ambient than usual, which I love.
The Production—Terrific graphics overall, although the animation varied between realistic (for objects) and stop-motion (for characters). The music was more ambient than usual, which I love.
THE GOOD
The HO Scenes—In addition to a great deal of variation, most were of medium difficulty. None were of the “You finished a hidden object scene in less than a minute!” type.
The HO Scenes—In addition to a great deal of variation, most were of medium difficulty. None were of the “You finished a hidden object scene in less than a minute!” type.
The Puzzles—Overall, despite the plethora of jigsaw puzzles, the puzzles were decent. Even most of the jigsaws had an additional element that increased the challenge. There were also several different types of mazes, a logic puzzle, a few “swap the tokens/figurines,” and one unwelcome Simon Says.
THE MEDIOCRE
The Extras—Madhead still refuses to allow us to replay puzzles, and I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the exact same collectible…the dev’s spiral logo.
The Extras—Madhead still refuses to allow us to replay puzzles, and I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the exact same collectible…the dev’s spiral logo.
The Storyline—I have mixed feelings here. On the one hand, I am curious to know what happens after the demo. OTOH, I’m not thrilled that it’s yet another supernatural story with an artifact (the sword), a relative in trouble, and demonic creatures (the Nightcallers).
Exploration—There was quite a lot of back-and-forth, and a seemingly endless number of little tasks that weren’t necessary. More creativity here would have been nice instead of the usual shovel to dig up something, bag with broken lock, boiling water to melt ice, and others like these.
THE BAD
The Repeating Puzzle—To use the sword, match two symbols with their outlines. It was the same every time, that is to say, it didn’t increase in difficulty.
The Repeating Puzzle—To use the sword, match two symbols with their outlines. It was the same every time, that is to say, it didn’t increase in difficulty.
Symbols Everywhere—Or glyphs, if you prefer. In addition to the above mentioned repeating puzzle, there were a problem-solving, lock, and logic puzzles, plus a HO scene all involving various symbols. Can we think of another way to be mystical, please?
THE HORRIBLE
The Incessant Banners—I turned off “objectives,” but it didn’t seem to matter; I still got banners for them, plus more banners for achievements, clues, inventory objects…and their animation was lengthy and delayed the game annoyingly. Enough with the banners!
The Incessant Banners—I turned off “objectives,” but it didn’t seem to matter; I still got banners for them, plus more banners for achievements, clues, inventory objects…and their animation was lengthy and delayed the game annoyingly. Enough with the banners!
The Frozen Mouse—Every time there was animation in the scene, I couldn’t click on anything until it was done. Another delay of game, and I wish I could hand out penalties.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV (✭✭✭✭ or better)
• from this series: The Perfect Show SE, Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE, Deck of Fates CE
• Beyond: Light Advent CE
• from the Cadenza series: Music, Betrayal, and Death CE, Havana Nights CE
• the entire Dark Realm series, except the finale
• Dawn of Hope: Skyline Adventure CE
• the entire Maze series
• the entire Nevertales series
• from this series: The Perfect Show SE, Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE, Deck of Fates CE
• Beyond: Light Advent CE
• from the Cadenza series: Music, Betrayal, and Death CE, Havana Nights CE
• the entire Dark Realm series, except the finale
• Dawn of Hope: Skyline Adventure CE
• the entire Maze series
• the entire Nevertales series
BEST GAMES WITH THIS GENERAL THEME (✭✭✭✭ or better)
I would fill up a whole page of reviews if I attempted to list games with this general theme, there have been so many.
I would fill up a whole page of reviews if I attempted to list games with this general theme, there have been so many.
Can you stop history from repeating itself?
Overall rating
4
/
5
19 of 22 found this review helpful
The fear is absent, but the storyline is excellent.
PostedOctober 8, 2017
LunaNik
fromLoading...
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
SUMMARY
Based on the demo, I found the storyline engaging and the exploration portion of the gameplay enjoyable. The HO scenes were varied and some were challenging. The game fell down a bit with the mini-games, which were too simple.
Based on the demo, I found the storyline engaging and the exploration portion of the gameplay enjoyable. The HO scenes were varied and some were challenging. The game fell down a bit with the mini-games, which were too simple.
THE AWESOME
Stunning graphics and animation with a realistic palette. A collection of ten soundtracks—which varied among piano, guitar, strings, orchestral, and horns—kept my ears entertained. And even though the plot revolved around a ghost, I found the storyline different and am curious as to how it all ends.
Stunning graphics and animation with a realistic palette. A collection of ten soundtracks—which varied among piano, guitar, strings, orchestral, and horns—kept my ears entertained. And even though the plot revolved around a ghost, I found the storyline different and am curious as to how it all ends.
THE GOOD
HO scenes were fairly decent overall, with presentations including interactive list, two types of zoom box searches (both inside and outside the zoom box), capitalized words in a narrative, and multiples of one object or type of object. While most of the items weren’t really hidden, quite a few were well-blended into the background. Exploration was not merely shaped keys and fixing broken stuff, but involved thinking through how to overcome an obstacle, which was a welcome change.
HO scenes were fairly decent overall, with presentations including interactive list, two types of zoom box searches (both inside and outside the zoom box), capitalized words in a narrative, and multiples of one object or type of object. While most of the items weren’t really hidden, quite a few were well-blended into the background. Exploration was not merely shaped keys and fixing broken stuff, but involved thinking through how to overcome an obstacle, which was a welcome change.
THE MEDIOCRE
The extras were just ok. Bonus chapter, strategy guide, performance achievements (with slide-in banners to notify you…ugh), morphing objects, collectible eye drawings, wallpapers, screensavers, concept art, and soundtracks. I’ll wait for the SE.
The extras were just ok. Bonus chapter, strategy guide, performance achievements (with slide-in banners to notify you…ugh), morphing objects, collectible eye drawings, wallpapers, screensavers, concept art, and soundtracks. I’ll wait for the SE.
THE BAD
The mini-games were all easy and not at all innovative. They included sliding tokens around to match the background, matching the images on the map with those in the scene (basically matching pairs), rearrange photos to match the categories, follow a simple potion recipe, an easy logic puzzle to discern a lock’s combination, a maze with obstacles, and a series of varied jigsaws.
The mini-games were all easy and not at all innovative. They included sliding tokens around to match the background, matching the images on the map with those in the scene (basically matching pairs), rearrange photos to match the categories, follow a simple potion recipe, an easy logic puzzle to discern a lock’s combination, a maze with obstacles, and a series of varied jigsaws.
THE HORRIBLE
I dislike gimmicks, especially when they’re of the “wave the amulet over the scene to find hidden symbols” type. This is a time-waster that offers no challenge or enjoyment. And it really doesn’t matter how complex the runes, glyphs, or symbols are rendered, matching pairs is for children. The alternative to the HO scenes was…more jigsaw puzzles. Lastly, the loading screens in between every scene were annoying.
I dislike gimmicks, especially when they’re of the “wave the amulet over the scene to find hidden symbols” type. This is a time-waster that offers no challenge or enjoyment. And it really doesn’t matter how complex the runes, glyphs, or symbols are rendered, matching pairs is for children. The alternative to the HO scenes was…more jigsaw puzzles. Lastly, the loading screens in between every scene were annoying.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV (✭✭✭✭ or better)
• from this series: Nightmare Cinema, The 13 Keys
• Mayan Prophecies: Ship of Spirits
• Witches’ Legacy: The Charleston Curse, Hunter and the Hunted
• from this series: Nightmare Cinema, The 13 Keys
• Mayan Prophecies: Ship of Spirits
• Witches’ Legacy: The Charleston Curse, Hunter and the Hunted
BEST GAMES WITH THIS GENERAL THEME
I can’t describe the theme without spoiling the plot, IMO, so I won’t suggest other games.
I can’t describe the theme without spoiling the plot, IMO, so I won’t suggest other games.
Can you save the mayor’s wife in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
15 of 18 found this review helpful
Another cookie cutter game in another endless series.
PostedOctober 5, 2017
LunaNik
fromTime to end the endless series, ERS.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
SUMMARY
I lasted 18 minutes worth of ridiculous locks, shaped keys, and fixing broken everything. Probably half of it was cutscenes and conversations. This series should have ended ages ago, as should most of ERS’s series. Innovate or retire.
I lasted 18 minutes worth of ridiculous locks, shaped keys, and fixing broken everything. Probably half of it was cutscenes and conversations. This series should have ended ages ago, as should most of ERS’s series. Innovate or retire.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV (✭✭✭✭ or better)
• from this series: Mystery of Joyville, Souls of the Innocent, Return to Joyville, The Price of Immortality
• Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga
• Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost, Clock of Fate
• Reveries: Sisterly Love
• from this series: Mystery of Joyville, Souls of the Innocent, Return to Joyville, The Price of Immortality
• Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga
• Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost, Clock of Fate
• Reveries: Sisterly Love
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the secrets hidden in the Alexander Valentine Hotel?
Overall rating
1
/
5
37 of 53 found this review helpful
Same as the last Elephant game.
PostedSeptember 30, 2017
LunaNik
fromIs there a dev who can create an original storyline and challenging gameplay, without resorting to shaped keys and a laundry list of "broken zipper" gameplay?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
SUMMARY
Based on 22 minutes of the demo, this game is a clone of every other Elephant game in the past five years. Shaped keys, that laundry list of trite tasks, basic uHO scenes, and simple puzzles.
Based on 22 minutes of the demo, this game is a clone of every other Elephant game in the past five years. Shaped keys, that laundry list of trite tasks, basic uHO scenes, and simple puzzles.
In the first two scenes, there were six shaped keys. The inane tasks included:
• Dissolving the rust from a latch with whiskey. Yep. Whiskey.
• Getting a key out of a crack with a magnet.
• Pruning vines to acquire items tangled in them.
• A dead fuse that needed replacing.
• Bees buzzing around an item (presumably, there will be a smoker nearby).
• A rat guarding another item (let me guess…I need to feed him.)
Keep in mind, this was in the first two scenes! I’m going to start calling this “broken zipper gameplay.” No doubt it’ll show up at some point.
• Dissolving the rust from a latch with whiskey. Yep. Whiskey.
• Getting a key out of a crack with a magnet.
• Pruning vines to acquire items tangled in them.
• A dead fuse that needed replacing.
• Bees buzzing around an item (presumably, there will be a smoker nearby).
• A rat guarding another item (let me guess…I need to feed him.)
Keep in mind, this was in the first two scenes! I’m going to start calling this “broken zipper gameplay.” No doubt it’ll show up at some point.
The HO was a minimally interactive list. Several items on the list were in multiples of three. The first puzzle was one of those copy-the-clue and moving-one-thing-affects-others. The second was a jigsaw variation with metal pieces that needed to be fit onto a rotating board.
This isn’t remotely a five-star game. It’s animated graphics with stupid tasks and easy puzzles to push along the storyline, which I found impossible to care about the 15th time around. You know, there are millions of possible storylines besides haunted houses, princess fantasies, and demonic world domination.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV (✭✭✭✭ or better)
• from this series: none
• Grim Tales: Bloody Mary
• Mystery Trackers: The Void, Raincliff, Black Isle, Four Aces
• Royal Detective: The Lord of Statues
• Surface: Mystery of Another World, The Noise She Couldn’t Make, The Soaring City, The Pantheon
• Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love
And I notice that all of these games are at least four years old. Time to throw away your playbook, Elephant. It’s not working.
• from this series: none
• Grim Tales: Bloody Mary
• Mystery Trackers: The Void, Raincliff, Black Isle, Four Aces
• Royal Detective: The Lord of Statues
• Surface: Mystery of Another World, The Noise She Couldn’t Make, The Soaring City, The Pantheon
• Unfinished Tales: Illicit Love
And I notice that all of these games are at least four years old. Time to throw away your playbook, Elephant. It’s not working.
I don't recommend this game.
Explore the streets of Paris as you track down the Strangler!
Overall rating
1
/
5
20 of 22 found this review helpful
I regret buying it. Review of completed game.
PostedSeptember 28, 2017
LunaNik
fromIf I see another game that's mostly running around finding shaped keys, I may run amok. This device is dated and boring. Try innovating.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
SUPPLEMENT TO MY CE REVIEW
When I reviewed the CE version of this game, I decided to initially give the SE four stars. Having finished the game, I’m afraid I have to take most of those stars away.
When I reviewed the CE version of this game, I decided to initially give the SE four stars. Having finished the game, I’m afraid I have to take most of those stars away.
Unfortunately, subsequent to the demo, the gameplay devolved into hundreds of shaped keys, both singly and in sets up to four. So, I ran back and forth collecting these “keys” from HO scenes, puzzles, and exploration. Boring and not remotely innovative. I struggled to finish the game, and I’m sorry I wasted my money.
I don't recommend this game.
Help a young woman dig up her past and face her fears in this hidden object adventure!
Overall rating
4
/
5
47 of 52 found this review helpful
Engaging storyline and interesting gameplay...
PostedSeptember 27, 2017
LunaNik
fromSleepless in Massachusetts
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
SUMMARY
Based on the demo, the storyline in quite intriguing, the puzzles are rather good, the HO scenes are better than most, and the graphics are fantastic.
Based on the demo, the storyline in quite intriguing, the puzzles are rather good, the HO scenes are better than most, and the graphics are fantastic.
THE AWESOME—The graphics and animation are both excellent. All animation was smooth with a high frame rate, and the intro cutscene was clear with no pixellation. Still graphics were thoughtfully detailed and textured. The storyline drew me into the game, presenting bits and pieces of the mystery while leaving the player to actually figure it out. Lastly, the realism in the gameplay—batteries dying, scissors breaking—made sense of the “use it once, then drop it” weirdness. Inventory items were only “dropped” when they had either served their purpose or became unusable.
THE GOOD—The puzzles included both original and familiar ones with a range of challenge levels, but most presented a decent challenge. The HO scenes were mostly interactive lists, but the interactions were, for the most part, thoughtfully realistic. Voiceovers and sound effects were fairly good, especially the heroine’s voice.
THE MEDIOCRE—The game mechanics were a bit twitchy, with some hotspots requiring precision.
THE BAD—I found the music rather repetitive and shut it off.
THE HORRIBLE—No aspect was horrible.
BEST GAMES WITH THIS GENERAL THEME (memory loss, mysterious past)
Since this is a new dev to me, I can’t recommend other games from them. But the following games have similar themes:
• Darkness and Flame: Missing Memories
• Eternal Journey: New Atlantis
• Stray Souls: Stolen Memories
• Surface: The Noise She Couldn’t Make
• the Nightmare Adventures series
• the Margrave series
• Nearwood
• the Phenomenon series
Since this is a new dev to me, I can’t recommend other games from them. But the following games have similar themes:
• Darkness and Flame: Missing Memories
• Eternal Journey: New Atlantis
• Stray Souls: Stolen Memories
• Surface: The Noise She Couldn’t Make
• the Nightmare Adventures series
• the Margrave series
• Nearwood
• the Phenomenon series
I recommend this game!
Can you stop a ghost bride and save the city?
Overall rating
1
/
5
7 of 11 found this review helpful
1½ stars...all filler, no thriller.
PostedSeptember 24, 2017
LunaNik
fromSTILL really tired of "revenge from beyond the grave" storylines.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
SUMMARY
Based on the demo, there’s nothing here except time-wasting filler gameplay recycled from previous games, wrapped in YET ANOTHER ghost vengeance storyline. I already have plenty of games with vengeful ghosts, and the gameplay is much better.
Based on the demo, there’s nothing here except time-wasting filler gameplay recycled from previous games, wrapped in YET ANOTHER ghost vengeance storyline. I already have plenty of games with vengeful ghosts, and the gameplay is much better.
THE AWESOME — Animation of the ghost was excellent.
THE GOOD — The extras are nearly CE-worthy, excepting the easy-to-spot collectible roses and only four soundtracks.
THE MEDIOCRE — The graphics were ok…neither great nor horrible.
THE BAD — The gameplay is simplistic and repetitive. The first two mini-games were both of the “slide the tokens to their correct places” variety. Boring. Nothing was hidden in the HO scenes (except objects requiring minimal interaction).
THE HORRIBLE — Another gimmick requiring you to mouse over the screen and find invisible things. I’m tired of time-wasting, shallow filler material like this: oil the rusty whatever, poke the key out of the lock and onto the paper you’ve shoved under the door, make stuff following the recipe. This isn’t gameplay; it’s busywork to further the storyline, providing absolutely no challenge or fun factor.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV
• from this series: none
• Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga
• PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville, Souls of the Innocent, Return to Joyville, The Price of Immortality
• Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost, Clock of Fate
• from this series: none
• Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga
• PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville, Souls of the Innocent, Return to Joyville, The Price of Immortality
• Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost, Clock of Fate
BEST GAMES WITH THIS GENERAL THEME (vengeful ghost)
• New York Mysteries: High Voltage
• Mystery Case Files…the Ravenhearst story arc
• Dark Parables: The Exiled Prince
• Phantasmat
• Dark Dimensions: Somber Song
• Off the Record: Linden Shades
• Chimeras: Tune of Revenge
• Grim Tales: Bloody Mary
• Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall, Tomb of the Lost Queen
• Fright
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death
• Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest, Hide and Seek
• New York Mysteries: High Voltage
• Mystery Case Files…the Ravenhearst story arc
• Dark Parables: The Exiled Prince
• Phantasmat
• Dark Dimensions: Somber Song
• Off the Record: Linden Shades
• Chimeras: Tune of Revenge
• Grim Tales: Bloody Mary
• Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall, Tomb of the Lost Queen
• Fright
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death
• Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest, Hide and Seek
I don't recommend this game.
Antiques from Rosen's Workshop are coming to life!
Overall rating
1
/
5
11 of 14 found this review helpful
1½ stars...Slow-moving, lots of silly tasks, too easy gameplay.
PostedSeptember 22, 2017
LunaNik
fromReally tired of "revenge from beyond the grave" storylines.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
SUMMARY
Based on the first chapter, this game consists of fulfilling a laundry list of ridiculous tasks, and this fictional universe exists in slow motion.
Based on the first chapter, this game consists of fulfilling a laundry list of ridiculous tasks, and this fictional universe exists in slow motion.
THE AWESOME
The Music—Eleven soundtracks that provide a variety of music, so it doesn’t become repetitive.
The Music—Eleven soundtracks that provide a variety of music, so it doesn’t become repetitive.
THE GOOD
The Collectibles—A morphing object in each game scene (which gives you a hint), plus categories of collectibles.
The Collectibles—A morphing object in each game scene (which gives you a hint), plus categories of collectibles.
THE MEDIOCRE
The Graphics—There’s not much detail or texture, and no depth of field. The palette is dark and gloomy, except for the supernatural neon green. Animation is a joke.
The Graphics—There’s not much detail or texture, and no depth of field. The palette is dark and gloomy, except for the supernatural neon green. Animation is a joke.
THE BAD
The Map—Fails to include some available areas, and its mechanics are awkward.
The Map—Fails to include some available areas, and its mechanics are awkward.
Hidden Object Scenes—Nothing is hidden and presentations are limited.
The Extras—Bonus chapter, strategy guide, collectibles, replayable puzzles, and the dev’s portfolio of wallpapers, concept art, videos, and downloadable soundtracks. Not CE-worthy.
THE HORRIBLE
The Storyline—Another revenge scheme borne of jealousy and perpetrated by a ghost. *yawn* At this point, this storyline should have its own game genre.
The Storyline—Another revenge scheme borne of jealousy and perpetrated by a ghost. *yawn* At this point, this storyline should have its own game genre.
The Pace—“Slow” doesn’t begin to describe it. Everyone speaks unnaturally slowly, extending the multitude of conversations unnecessarily. Game mechanics don’t work to your speed; you have to wait for the program to catch up.
The Puzzles—Jigsaw puzzles (assembling the kiwi) and matching (the wings) aren’t puzzles, because there’s nothing to figure out at all. They’re simplistic tasks, not puzzles.
Game Mechanics—Just awful. Incredibly slow-moving and with finicky hotspots. Also, it appears that the “skip” and “continue” buttons both function to skip the cutscene. The “continue” button doesn’t move the scene forward; it just ends it. No idea whether I missed information because of this.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV (✭✭✭✭ or better)
• from this series: none
• from the Love Chronicles series: The Spell, The Sword and the Rose, Salvation
• from this series: none
• from the Love Chronicles series: The Spell, The Sword and the Rose, Salvation
BEST GAMES WITH THIS GENERAL THEME (revenge from beyond the grave)
• New York Mysteries: High Voltage CE
• the Mystery Case Files series, Dalimar family story arc
• Phantasmat
• Dark Dimensions: Somber Song CE
• Off the Record: Linden Shades
• Chimeras: Tune of Revenge CE
• PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville, Souls of the Innocent CE, Return to Joyville CE, The Price of Immortality CE
• Fright
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death CE
• Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE
• New York Mysteries: High Voltage CE
• the Mystery Case Files series, Dalimar family story arc
• Phantasmat
• Dark Dimensions: Somber Song CE
• Off the Record: Linden Shades
• Chimeras: Tune of Revenge CE
• PuppetShow: Mystery of Joyville, Souls of the Innocent CE, Return to Joyville CE, The Price of Immortality CE
• Fright
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death CE
• Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop an ancient darkness before it’s too late?
Overall rating
2
/
5
19 of 19 found this review helpful
I retract my review on the CE page. This review is on the completed game.
PostedSeptember 20, 2017
LunaNik
fromThe demo was the best part of this game.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File, Puzzle, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
SUMMARY
Everything goes downhill after the demo…and it’s a short game. Not Madhead’s best work, and I’m thankful I didn’t pay the regular Game Club price.
Everything goes downhill after the demo…and it’s a short game. Not Madhead’s best work, and I’m thankful I didn’t pay the regular Game Club price.
THE AWESOME
The Demo—Best part of the game. The rest feels unfinished with lots of filler and no thriller.
The Demo—Best part of the game. The rest feels unfinished with lots of filler and no thriller.
THE GOOD
The Production—Fell down after the demo, IMO, with both graphics and animation. The conversations were at the level of Scooby Doo, and the voiceovers were melodramatic. Stuff like, “It’s over K’tal!” in the “You won’t get away with this” mode. Ugh.
The Production—Fell down after the demo, IMO, with both graphics and animation. The conversations were at the level of Scooby Doo, and the voiceovers were melodramatic. Stuff like, “It’s over K’tal!” in the “You won’t get away with this” mode. Ugh.
THE MEDIOCRE
HO Scenes—Again, after the demo, these devolved into mostly interactive lists and backstory “find two of each in each scene.” The lovely multi-layered, almost puzzle-like presentations disappeared.
HO Scenes—Again, after the demo, these devolved into mostly interactive lists and backstory “find two of each in each scene.” The lovely multi-layered, almost puzzle-like presentations disappeared.
THE BAD
The Puzzles—Mostly retreads and much too easy. Nothing innovative or challenging.
The Puzzles—Mostly retreads and much too easy. Nothing innovative or challenging.
The Storyline—Shallow and poorly stitched together. The pace of the game did not reflect the mortal danger the story implied.
THE HORRIBLE
Game Length—Extremely short. It took me only 45 minutes to complete subsequent to the hour demo.
Game Length—Extremely short. It took me only 45 minutes to complete subsequent to the hour demo.
Exploration—Devolved into running back and forth, completing a laundry list of stupid tasks that included having to fix everything or find missing parts for everything, as well as a plethora of shaped keys. The demo is NOT emblematic of the gameplay.
The Click Bait Warning: There was nothing that even temporarily increased my heart rate. It wasn’t frightening, thrilling, or suspenseful. Mostly, it was boring.
BEST GAMES BY THIS DEV (better than ✭✭✭✭)
• from this series: Nope. Suggest the devs go watch some horror movies before releasing any more “scary” series.
• Beyond: Light Advent CE
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death CE
• the Dark Realm series
• Dawn of Hope: Skyline Adventure CE
• the Maze series
• the Nevertales series
• Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE, Deck of Fates CE
• from this series: Nope. Suggest the devs go watch some horror movies before releasing any more “scary” series.
• Beyond: Light Advent CE
• Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death CE
• the Dark Realm series
• Dawn of Hope: Skyline Adventure CE
• the Maze series
• the Nevertales series
• Rite of Passage: Child of the Forest CE, Hide and Seek CE, Deck of Fates CE
BEST GAMES WITH THIS GENERAL THEME (evil beings from alternate universe)
• Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden CE
• Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove CE
• Surface: The Pantheon CE
• Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE
• the Nightmare Adventures series
• the Invasion series
• the Nightmare Realm series
• Secrets of the Dark: Temple of Night CE and Eclipse Mountain CE
• Mystery of Mortlake Mansion
• Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden CE
• Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove CE
• Surface: The Pantheon CE
• Gothic Fiction: Dark Saga CE
• the Nightmare Adventures series
• the Invasion series
• the Nightmare Realm series
• Secrets of the Dark: Temple of Night CE and Eclipse Mountain CE
• Mystery of Mortlake Mansion
I don't recommend this game.